CITY HALL – Councillors remove mayor from TNRD, airport authority boards
Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson at news conference earlier this week. (Image: Mel Rothenburger)
Without offering details about why, Kamloops City councillors have piled on with more sanctions against Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson. The mayor has now been removed as a City representative on the Thompson-Nicola Regional District board of directors and the Kamloops Airport Authority Society.
In a news release today (Friday, July 19, 2024) — headlined ‘City Council Takes Decisive Action to Safeguard Governance and Privacy’ — over the name of Deputy Mayor Nancy Bepple, councillors said the move is “due to a persistent refusal to adhere to sound municipal governance practices, as detailed in the April 22, 2024 report by Ministerial Advisor Henry Braun.”
The eight councillors have used the Braun report as the rationale for a number of other sanctions since it was presented by the former Abbotsford mayor.
Today’s new release also referred to Hamer-Jackson’s alleged failure to uphold legal and ethical standards including “numerous and ongoing violations of privacy and confidentiality obligations.” While claiming his actions have undermined trust and integrity and exposed the City to “unnecessary legal risk,” the statement provides no details of what the alleged violations are.
A similar approach has been taken in previous sanctions such as a 10-per-cent cut in the mayor’s pay, banning him from closed committee meetings and removing him as official City spokesperson. The press release today doesn’t say when councillors approved the newest move. Here’s the complete text of the release:
City of Kamloops News Release
For Immediate Release: July 19, 2024
City Council Takes Decisive Action to Safeguard Governance and Privacy
Kamloops, BC—– Kamloops City Council has taken decisive action in response to ongoing concerns regarding the conduct of Mayor Hamer-Jackson. Effective immediately, Mayor Hamer-Jackson has been removed from the Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) Board of Directors and the Kamloops Airport Authority Society due to a persistent refusal to adhere to sound municipal governance practices, as detailed in the April 22, 2024 report by Ministerial Advisor Henry Braun.
The decision to rescind these appointments was not taken lightly. It comes after numerous incidents where the Mayor failed to uphold the legal and ethical standards expected of his office, including (but not limited to) numerous and ongoing violations of privacy and confidentiality obligations. The Mayor’s actions have undermined the trust and integrity essential to effective governance of City affairs and exposed the City of Kamloops to unnecessary legal risk.
In accordance with Council resolution, Councillor Stephen Karpuk will serve as a TNRD Director until at least October 19, 2024, with three TNRD weighted votes assigned to him, and Councillor Margot Middleton will have five TNRD weighted votes assigned to her.
Council hopes the Mayor’s removal from these boards is temporary, and it will review the matter again in three months. If Mayor Hamer-Jackson improves his governance skills by complying with the recommendations made in Ministerial Advisor Henry Braun’s report, a copy of which can be viewed here, Council will consider reinstating the Mayor’s appointments.
Council remains fully committed to advancing the business of the City and working diligently on behalf of the residents of Kamloops. Despite the challenges presented by this situation, Council is dedicated to ensuring the continued safety, privacy, and well-being of all residents and City staff.
Council remains steadfast in our mission to serve the best interests of Kamloops and uphold the highest standards of municipal governance. Our priority continues to be the advancement of initiatives that benefit our community.
ArmchairMayor.ca 
A question for you Mel:
Now that the summer wildfire season is in full swing, the City of Williams Lake has declared a local state of emergency.
If a “wildfire event” happened in Kamloops, would Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson be the one who would declare the local state of emergency or would it be (this month), Nancy Bepple?
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We should applaud Council’s attempt to bring RHJ to heal by turning up the heat and removing him from the Thompson-Nicola Regional District board and the Kamloops Airport Authority Society. Although I suspect it wouldn’t have the desired results. As former Abbotsford mayor Henry Braun pointed out in his report, RHJ has shown “a dismissive and condescending attitude towards constructive criticism or the suggestion of apologies”. The recent media high jacking has shown, MJH is as quarrelsome and unforgiving as ever. It’s hard to imagine MHJ ever playing team sports.
There are those out there however who recognize for good work our Council is achieving in spite of RHJ’s belligerent attitude. Ms. Barbara Roden, TNRD board chair, although saddened by the events unfolding in Kamloops said “There’s a lot of good news coming out of the City of Kamloops and it’s always a shame when something like this issue takes away from the very important work that’s been done by council, all of council, and by staff to make things better and improve life for Kamloopsians,”. This coming from someone who has credentials to know who’s pulling the load.
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Exactly the point to make, considering Mayor Hamer-Jackson was the ONLY person from the City of Kamloops to remain in attendance at the TNRD strategic planning meeting on St. Patrick’s Day 2023. You remember that Mr. Gamble. That’s the meeting where the rest of the members of Kamloops City Council left and staged their media show in council chambers at 7 Victoria Street West.
Ms. Roden might be aware that is the fateful day in history when Mayor Hamer-Jackson became the whipping boy and the citizens of Kamloops are now on the hook for Councillor Neustaeter’s legal bills.
Do you have an accurate figure on the cost of those legal bills to date, Mr. Gamble? How high are they going to climb after the magic date in November this year?
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Mr. Guy, your comments towards Councillor Neustaeter’s legal bills is misdirected.
The March 17 event you referenced was a news conference the councillors called to express their disapproval/frustration with RHJ’s proposed committee changes, as well as his “erratic” behaviour.
RHJ rather than show leadership and attempt at least to resolve his differences with Council, took the legal route. RHJ started this legal food fight not Councillor Neustaeter.
Mr. Guy, let’s hope the courts recognize how frivolous this is, dismisses the whole thing and award Councillor Neustaeter costs. That way it will cost the ratepayers nothing and justice will be served.
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We should applaud council putting a lid on McCorkell’ grandness and ongoing questions of fiscal prudence and accountability on all sectors of life in the city. But we will not applaud that one any time soon Bob.
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On a whim, I ventured out into the night after 2AM. It’s been quite some time since I’ve stated up this late.
The common refrain was always that Kamloops didn’t have a night life. Boy how things have changed. The number of creepy crawlies on the streets is astounding! There is another world going on out here while the taxpaying populace sleeps. I have never seen so many active people on the streets at 3AM in my life. I encourage everyone to make some time for what promises to be a fascinating and entertaining drive.
Kamloops is now a hip, happening, bustling place, and in no small part this is thanks to the efforts of this city council, in collaboration with BC Housing and the local service providers. This visionary, hard working and transparent council will be one for the history books.
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I know a closed council meeting is not a court of law, but how many times is council going to punish the mayor for the same alleged infractions? It seems there is some kind of double jeopardy in play here, which is against the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
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They couldn’t wait for the inaugural meeting in November? On this looks bad for council and staff that sit behind closed doors meetings.
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Does this not appear to be just more bullying?
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Is it possible for the citizens of Kamloops to remove the present council from their duties, thus saving us a bundle of money? Who gives them the right to make all these decisions considering they are guilty of exactly the same things they have accused the mayor of?
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Hilariously, the arguments presented by council could also apply to council. The rules and consequences are being arbitrarily applied. Take the city hall leaks for example. Or the comments by Katie that already have cost the taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars so far.
Ridiculous.
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