LETTER – Dever has the right qualifications to be the next mayor

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room.

For some inexplicable reason, Canadians have historically been reluctant to elect women to our highest levels of political leadership. Kamloops has an opportunity to challenge that old assumption and, more importantly, to choose a mayor based on demonstrated ability rather than simply tradition or familiarity.

That is why I am endorsing Nelly Dever for mayor of Kamloops.

My endorsement is not based simply on the fact that she is a woman. It is based on what she has actually accomplished.

I have had many conversations with Ms. Dever, as well as with the other mayoral candidates. Those conversations have given me an opportunity to compare not only their personalities and ideas, but also their experience, judgment and approach to leadership.

Nelly brings a combination that is particularly valuable at City Hall: previous municipal experience, business leadership and a demonstrated record of community service.

She served as a Kamloops city councillor from 2011 to 2014. She has also spent approximately three decades as a business owner and entrepreneur. More recently, as President and CEO of Wings Above Kamloops, she led the expansion of the Marjorie Willoughby Snowden Hospice, a major community project that was completed in 2019. Her campaign reports more than $2 million raised and more than 80 partnerships with local businesses and organizations through that community work.

Those accomplishments matter to me because leadership should be judged by more than promises made during an election campaign. It should be judged by a person’s record of getting things done, working with others and taking responsibility for difficult challenges.

Nelly has also put forward a specific agenda for Kamloops. Her campaign emphasizes fiscal discipline, infrastructure, public safety, collaborative governance and restoring public trust. Her proposed “Co-Build” approach would seek to share some major infrastructure costs between the City and private-sector partners rather than placing the entire burden on taxpayers.

I don’t expect everyone to agree with every one of her policies. Nor should we. Healthy democracy requires scrutiny and debate.

But after speaking with the candidates and considering their backgrounds and records, I believe Nelly Dever is the strongest choice for mayor of Kamloops.

At a time when our city needs stability, accountability, fiscal discipline and a council capable of working together, I believe Nelly has the experience and temperament to provide that leadership.

This election is not simply about electing another person to sit at the head of the council table. It is about deciding what kind of leadership we want in Kamloops.

I believe it is time for a change.

I believe it is time to give Nelly Dever the opportunity to lead.

That is why she has my vote.