LETTER – A response to Coun. O’Reilly’s claims about Trawin and the mayor

Posted on August 4, 2025 in Feedback, Letters // 6 Comments

(Image: Mel Rothenburger)

After reviewing the public record, I feel I must respond to Councillor O’Reilly’s recent claims about Mayor Hamer-Jackson and Mr. Trawin’s departure. Mr. Trawin was reported to have collapsed at a meeting in 2020, well before this Mayor took office. This event suggesting health issues may have played a role.

It was also claimed over $1 million was spent reviewing the Mayor’s conduct. A review of the online city code of conduct file indicates 24 code of conduct complaints, 9 were withdrawn, 11 dismissed, and only 4 upheld with just 3 technical breaches involving the Mayor. The vast majority of legal costs appear to be linked to unfounded allegations.

The Mayor has tried to bring transparency to a secretive council, and his recent call for a financial audit was rejected unanimously. Why wouldn’t council want to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely?

I felt the need to lay these facts on the table and hope Council will address the inconsistencies in his statements.

Thank you.

GARRY DAVIES

About Mel Rothenburger (11603 Articles)

ArmchairMayor.ca is a forum about Kamloops and the world. It has more than one million views. Mel Rothenburger is the former Editor of The Daily News in Kamloops, B.C. (retiring in 2012), and past mayor of Kamloops (1999-2005). At ArmchairMayor.ca he is the publisher, editor, news editor, city editor, reporter, webmaster, and just about anything else you can think of. He is grateful for the contributions of several local columnists. This blog doesn't require a subscription but gratefully accepts donations to help defray costs.

6 Comments on LETTER – A response to Coun. O’Reilly’s claims about Trawin and the mayor

Hien // August 6, 2025 at 7:25 AM // Reply

Now the city is forbidding CSOs to talk to taxpayers who send in a bylaw complaint.

Pretty soon it’s going to be difficult to interact with the city at all. An AI will take your call and that’s it.

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- Amy // August 6, 2025 at 7:25 PM // Reply
  
  No, the city hasn’t forbidden CSO’s from talking to taxpayers. Quit being ridiculous.
  
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Renee // August 4, 2025 at 7:08 PM // Reply

I don’t know who this person is or whether he has any authority to direct council to do anything, or just another RHJ supporter. Whatever the purpose of the letter opinions are not the same as facts.

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- Pierre // August 4, 2025 at 8:18 PM // Reply
  
  The FACTS are that Trawin had “health” issues well before RHJ even considered running for mayor. This latest from City Hall is another attempt of getting rid of someone they never wanted as mayor.
  
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  - Amy // August 7, 2025 at 11:32 AM //
    
    That’s not the gotcha you think though Pierre. Imagine ICBC said your car accident didn’t cause any injury because the FACTS are you had previous injury. You’d absolutely lose your mind, it doesn’t sound any less ridiculous putting it the way you’re putting it.
    
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Hien // August 4, 2025 at 6:47 PM // Reply

Council and city hall doesn’t care about you or anyone/anything else outside of the clique, just that those tax dollars keep coming in.

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