City of Kamloops top employee resigns, blames mayor

The top city employee has resigned after more than 20 years of service at Kamloops city hall, and pointed blame at the mayor on his way out.

David Trawin has been on medical leave since last spring and after a lengthy time away, the City announced today, July 31, he’s no longer on the payroll.

According to a City news release, Trawin cited mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson as his reason to leave because he made his job “unsustainable and untenable.” Although the release does not go into specific details, it adds the mayor had “negatively or adversely impacted him on both a professional and personal level.”

“The City wishes David all the best in his future. To respect his privacy, no further information will be released about this decision,” the release read.

Despite the lack of specific details, a leaked and widely reported workplace investigation report concluded Hamer-Jackson bullied and harassed a handful of employees early in his term as mayor, including Trawin.

According to the report, Hamer-Jackson threatened to fire him, but it’s a finding the mayor continues to deny.

“In response to Mayor Hamer-Jackson’s ongoing mistreatment of City staff, Council has implemented a series of measures over the past two years to allow Council and the City to continue to function effectively, including specific measures to protect staff well-being,” the release continued.

Byron McCorkell, who previously oversaw the protective services department, took over as chief administrative officer during Trawin’s leave and will continue in that role.

It’s not clear what sort of settlement was reached between Trawin and the City or how much it may cost taxpayers.

Reached for comment, Hamer-Jackson disagreed with Trawin’s reasons to resign but said the former CAO can “prove it.” It’s not clear whether Hamer-Jackson was aware of Trawin’s resignation. 

Trawin didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.