CITY HALL – Mayor strikes back over his removal as City’s official spokesperson

Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson is firing back at his City councillors today (May 29, 2024) over an in-camera decision to remove him as the official City spokesperson and replace him with the deputy mayor in that role.

He rejected the basis for the decision, calling it “just their typical media strategy” aimed at smearing him, adding, “It’s just bizarre they can dream up this stuff.”

The latest move to handcuff the mayor came at a May 14 closed meeting that Hamer-Jackson didn’t attend, and cites the recent report from provincial advisor Henry Braun that strongly criticized the mayor’s approach to civic government.

One resolution approved at the meeting states that if the mayor doesn’t “execute municipal instruments and records” within 48 hours of being asked to do so, the deputy mayor will do it. Another says that since Hamer-Jackson “has repeatedly demonstrated that he is not willing to reflect the will of council,” the deputy mayor for the month now assumes the role of spokesperson.

A third directs that letters be sent to all levels of government, agencies and community partners — including the chamber of commerce and BIAs — advising them “that the Mayor does not speak on behalf of the City of Kamloops and that official communications should be directed to the Deputy Mayor and Council.”

Hamer-Jackson said today he learned of the new restrictions on his activities today via the media because he walked out of a Tuesday meeting at which it was being read when he wasn’t given an opportunity for legal representation.

“It’s unbelievable what they’re doing to the democratic process. This is part of their communications strategy.”

He rejected the councillors claim that he doesn’t reflect the will of council as he goes about the day-to-day job of mayor. “Where haven’t I?” he asked, pointing out as an example his misgivings over scrapping the Noble Creek irrigation system but accepted the council’s decision.

Hamer-Jackson said the claim that he doesn’t attend enough ceremonies or meetings of other bodies is “complete BS.” He said there have been situations in which he wasn’t able to attend, in which case he tries to line up another council member to do it. If he can’t be there for the speeches he tries to make it later in the event, he said.

“So I would like to know what events (councillors are talking about). Where’s the proof, the evidence?”

With respect to the signing of documents, he admitted he’s “not a rubber stamper” and sometimes has questions about the wording of letters and contracts but “to question before you sign something, I’ve never found that to be wrong.”

He gave as examples a recent letter from council to the Agricultural Land Commission, which he found to be “nasty” and felt it could be worded better, and one to Premier David Eby on supportive housing to which he wanted to add some information.

But “if they want to sign letters and be the voice of the community I guess that’s what they’ll do.”

He said that, on occasion, documents have been signed by the deputy mayor for the month that he never saw. “I’ve been available. The mayor has been active and available basically 24/7.”