City council

EDITORIAL – There’s a bright spot in City council’s latest budget increase

February 10, 2021 // 1 Comment

An editorial by Mel Rothenburger. THE .93 PERCENT TAX INCREASE in this year’s City of Kamloops budget is being hailed as the lowest in at least 10 years. That’s actually [Continue]

EDITORIAL – Dallas public hearing issue shows need for some new rules

December 22, 2020 // 5 Comments

An editorial by Mel Rothenburger. TRANSPARENCY IS ONE OF the most important responsibilities of local government. The public must not only be able to watch the public [Continue]

McQUARRIE – Two years later, are our City councillors doers or wafflers?

December 13, 2020 // 4 Comments

TWO YEARS AGO, voters had the opportunity to elect who they thought would be best suited to represent them on City council. Decisions were made on who might be up for the [Continue]

EDITORIAL – Getting to zero will test City council’s mettle on budget

August 26, 2020 // 0 Comments

An editorial by Mel Rothenburger. WHAT’S THIS, TAX CUTS at City Hall? You heard it right. Kamloops City council voted Tuesday to keep next year’s budget increase as close [Continue]

EDITORIAL – Outdoor skating rink is a great idea, pandemic or not

August 12, 2020 // 1 Comment

An editorial by Mel Rothenburger. WHAT ON EARTH is the City thinking, spending almost $5.8 million on an outdoor skating rink, in these times of a struggling economy amid the [Continue]

EDITORIAL – Enviro report shows need for big shift in Kamloops thinking

July 15, 2020 // 3 Comments

An editorial by Mel Rothenburger. IMAGINE A CITY built for the environment, where people walk and cycle and drive around in electric vehicles and live in energy efficient [Continue]

BEPPLE – Boards need more diversity to reflect the many faces of Kamloops

June 17, 2020 // 3 Comments

PRIME MINISTER JUSTIN TRUDEAU stated this week that systemic racism will be eliminated from federal government institutions and agencies. The question is how? What I [Continue]

EDITORIAL – Council’s budget redo solves shortfall but offers little tax relief

April 22, 2020 // 1 Comment

An editorial by Mel Rothenburger. KAMLOOPS RESIDENTS won’t be getting the big tax cut many had likely been hoping for but, all things considered, City council has taken a [Continue]

ROTHENBURGER – When municipal politicians think they’re worth too much

January 25, 2020 // 2 Comments

HOW MUCH IS a municipal politician worth? A common answer among taxpayers is likely to be, less than they’re getting. It’s a serious question, though, and a [Continue]

ROTHENBURGER – Loosening reins on committee meetings a good step

January 22, 2020 // 1 Comment

An editorial by Mel Rothenburger. KAMLOOPS CITY COUNCIL took a tentative step toward greater transparency and engagement Tuesday (Jan. 21, 2020). At a committee of the whole [Continue]

ROTHENBURGER – Five important things Kamloops must get done in 2020

December 28, 2019 // 4 Comments

NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS have never been much of a thing with me. I tend to make them as easy as possible in order to avoid failure. In 2020, for example, I will vow to pay [Continue]

EDITORIAL – Time to stop shifting city taxes onto shoulders of homeowners

December 4, 2019 // 2 Comments

An editorial by Mel Rothenburger. NOBODY WOULD DENY the importance of heavy industry to the economy of Kamloops but when it comes to taxes, who comes first — homeowners or [Continue]

BEPPLE – Neighbourhoods need to be for people, not for vehicles

November 6, 2019 // 2 Comments

MOST PUBLIC HEARINGS for proposed land use rezonings at the City of Kamloops proceed with little notice or concern of the public. It takes a matter of controversy and [Continue]

BEPPLE – Government is like sweeping a floor: take care of the edges first

September 4, 2019 // 2 Comments

MY GRANDMOTHER ALWAYS SAID, when you’re sweeping a floor, you should sweep the edges and the corners first. Leave the large centre until last. She would tell me take care [Continue]