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Kamloops Municipal Election 2014

Election signs popping up

KAMLOOPS - It is that time again. The time when election signs pop up at nearly every intersection in the city. It can look a little messy when you have nearly 50 candidates vying for a vote in the civic election — though not all are installing signs — and the city has few regulations...

ELECTIONS 2014: Candidate handing out prizes to voters. Can he do that?

KAMLOOPS - While other candidates are figuring out ways to raise funds or organize ‘meet the candidate’ events, one city council candidate is instead offering prizes for online interaction. Bob Dieno has taken to Facebook to interact with voters. While many other candidates have also done so, Dieno is the only one offering prizes if...

ELECTIONS 2014: Vision Kamloops building off individual strengths

KAMLOOPS - The loosely knit alliance Vision Kamloops says they will be helping each other by sharing their strengths, but will also be focused on their own campaigns as we head into the November election. The members of the group all identify as being against the proposed Ajax Mine but do not list that as one...

ELECTIONS 2014: Where to hear from the candidates

KAMLOOPS - As we get closer to electing a new council and school trustees, several groups are doing their part to ensure we get the chance to get to know the candidates and where they stand on several key points. The Council of Canadians kicked off the forums with an event in October and then...

Homeless concern a city survey surprise

KAMLOOPS - Nearly 200 people responded and more than 60 per cent say they love Kamloops because of the weather or recreation, but it was the responses on what the city could do better that offered a bit of surprise to Coun. Arjun Singh. Singh put out the survey as a way to gauge the...

Last minute mayoral candidate passionate about Kamloops

KAMLOOPS - Pierre Filisetti wants a more liveable Kamloops, a Kamloops residents can be proud of and the rest of the world won’t look down on, and he wants to help create that from the head of the council table. Filisetti says he decided to run for mayor at the last minute when he realized...

ELECTIONS 2014: Candidate ‘alliance’ emerges

KAMLOOPS - A ‘loosely-knit alliance’ of five city council candidates announced Tuesday morning they are running under the umbrella of Vision Kamloops, but they were not yet ready to say what they stand for as a group. Dieter Dudy, Jenny Green, Brad Harrison, Daphane Nelson and Denis Walsh say they began talking about the possibility...

ELECTIONS 2014: Your Kamloops candidates

KAMLOOPS - Nominations are officially closed and we appear to have a decent sized race for councillor and school trustee seats, and four candidates are vying for the mayoral seat. At the end of the nomination period Friday, incumbent councillors Donovan Cavers, Ken Christian, Nelly Dever, Tina Lange, Arjun Singh, Marg Spina and Pat Wallace...

Pitbelly drops out of mayoral race

KAMLOOPS - Mr. Open Pitbelly has stepped out of the ring and is no longer running for mayor. Elaine Sedgman, who dressed up as Pitbelly as satirical performance art, did not want her name to be on the ballot in place of Open Pitbelly. “After a walk in the park, his manager Elaine Sedgman, has...

Retired firefighter joining council race

KAMLOOPS - Andy Philpot is an avid volunteer who has worked with the Kamloops Fire Department and St. John Ambulance, and now he is looking to add city councillor to his repertoire. This time around he says he is focusing on representing all areas of Kamloops and promoting public consultation. Sustainability, sport and culture are...

A look at what election issues are this fall

KAMLOOPS - Ajax? Arts? Parking? Property taxes? A new survey is focused on finding out exactly what Kamloops residents are most concerned about heading into the Nov. 15 civic election. The Kamloops Voters Society is conducting an online survey from Oct. 5-15 to find out what election topics residents are most concerned about before candidate...

What does a school board trustee do?

THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Most people have heard of a school board, and school trustees, but what exactly is the role of a trustee? Nominations have opened in advance of the municipal elections throughout the province on Nov. 15. Keep in mind that school districts are a huge employers with big, taxpayer-funded budgets, so even if you...

About that Ajax statement on election campaign funding

KAMLOOPS - The company behind the Ajax Mine proposal made a point of noting it won't contribute money to political candidates, but it’s not that simple. Even though the city has little say in whether the open pit gold and copper mine gets the go-ahead, the proposed mine is a major issue for candidates in...

So you want to be a city councillor? Here’s what it takes

THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Most people realize there is a city council in place to help run the city, but few understand just what goes into being the mayor or a councillor. While the roles can change significantly depending on the city, the council member and the needs of the community at that time, we decided to...

Biologist announces bid for a seat on council

KAMLOOPS – Scientist, health professional and mother-of-three Cheryl Phippen has announced her run for a spot on Kamloops City Council. Fiscal responsibility, city improvements, open communication for the public, removal of “antiquated” dog by-laws in public spaces and an environmentalist approach to Ajax are Phippen’s key platform issues. If elected, she plans to change council’s...

ELECTIONS 2014: Let the filing begin

KAMLOOPS - Today is the day the civic elections really get rolling. It is the first day nomination papers can be filed for anyone interested in running for city council, regional director or school trustee. Nomination papers must be filed between Sept. 30 and Oct. 10 at City Hall and by Oct. 20 the candidates...

THOMPSON: City focus should be on small business

KAMLOOPS - Yes Ajax is a big issue, but small businesses should be where the city focuses resources according to the most recent candidate to announce he is running for a city council seat. Glen Thompson, 51, moved to Kamloops earlier this year. He has been a community activist for most of his life and...

Labour council lending hand to candidates

KAMLOOPS - Several candidates have received endorsement from the Kamloops and District Labour Council after making it through the first round of interviews. Barb Nederpel, the first vice president of the labour council, says after a round of ‘speed dating’ type interviews with several candidates last week they decided to offer endorsement to Peter Kerek,...

UPDATE: Bepple wants back on council

KAMLOOPS - Former Coun. Nancy Bepple stepped down from her council seat in March due to health reasons but Wednesday morning she announced her intention to run in the upcoming election. Bepple said her health is now under control and it will not impact her ability to be serve the city. "It was a chronic...

ELECTION 2014: Innovation changes everything in this campaign

THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Knocking on doors, shaking hands, advertising and putting up signs: If you ran for council anytime before the last 10 years, that’s how you got exposure. If you ran in 2011, you probably added Facebook and Twitter to your arsenal. But this year, candidates have all the tools of a major political party...

Candidate pro-business, anti-Ajax

KAMLOOPS - A candidate for Kamloops city council says he can provide the fresh eyes needed to help promote innovative ideas for the city. Andrew Miller questions decisions made by the current council, from parking kiosks to the temporary tax office and the pay increase. “I believe it is the duty of each and every...

Speed dating for candidate support

KAMLOOPS - If it works for dating why not for candidate endorsement? The Kamloops and District Labour Council chose to use a ‘speed dating’ style evening to interview city council candidates this week. Barb Nederpel, first vice president of the council, says they had five city council candidates and one school board trustee candidate attend...

Young politician seeks council seat

KAMLOOPS - The former student union president of Thompson Rivers University has tossed his hat in the ring this week in the hopes of adding a more youthful presence to the city council table. Dustin McIntyre recently graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree and works as a community support worker for adults with special...