Ken Christian
Kamloops neighbourhoods could lose backlane garbage collection
KAMLOOPS - Garbage and recycling collection in back alleys might soon be changed in Kamloops, leaving residents with the possibility of pushing their carts to just one side of the alley, or all the way out to the street instead. Some city garbage collection routes are not only inefficient, but have become unsafe, streets and...
Public support for Kamloops performing arts centre grows
KAMLOOPS - With less than two months to go before a referendum vote, a group of local business leaders and associations are hoping to convince you to vote 'yes' for the proposed performing arts centre in Kamloops. A group of downtown associations and cultural groups launched what they call the YES campaign today, Sept. 17....
Timelines for Ajax Mine consultation set
KAMLOOPS – The timeline and format for how Kamloops residents will be able to weigh-in on the proposed Ajax Mine has been decided. City council has agreed on a town hall meeting format to ensure the public’s interests are heard early on in the process and then will hold a series of special council meetings...
Council goes against staff on casino move
KAMLOOPS - The public will get to voice input on the proposed move of the downtown casino to the former Rona location in Aberdeen after a staff recommendation to deny the application was overturned by council Tuesday. “We need the opportunity to hear from the community, and casino people,” Coun. Tina Lange said. “(We have)...
Residents reacting to ‘urban myth’ regarding Westsyde Pool closure: Councillor
KAMLOOPS – The Westsyde Pool is set to close for repairs for more than a year beginning this summer and while it may be an inconvenience, starting a public petition won’t change the closure. Area resident Amanda Cosgrove started a petition last month. Cosgrove was upset about the pool’s closure and is asking the city,...
City agrees to New Afton’s request to increase air discharge rate
KAMLOOPS - There were many opinions to be heard this week as city council tackled New Gold’s New Afton Mine request to be allowed to increase its air discharge to reflect the mine’s new operational status. City staff advised council to agree to New Afton’s request, which the Ministry of Environment asked for city input on....
City happy with food truck amendments
KAMLOOPS – Food trucks are definitely returning for the season, and to more locations, after amendments were approved by council this week. Food trucks were already on the scene, in small numbers and only on private property or at special events, when a pilot project was started by the City of Kamloops last year. The...
Kamloops council considers reducing transit fares
KAMLOOPS – Ridership takes precedence over transit expenses, city council has decided, and as a result city staff will now put together a proposal on a fare decrease in an effort to help increase ridership in the city. In an attempt to follow the goals of the Sustainable Kamloops Plan by increasing ridership, and answer...
Westsyde development goes to public hearing next week
KAMLOOPS - The fate of a vacant Westsyde property could be in the hands of the public with a public hearing scheduled for next week. The question at hand is whether to rezone 3260 Westsyde Rd. from a commercial space, which it was zoned for in 2011, to residential to make way for a townhouse complex....
Westsyde 60-unit subdivision heading to public hearing
KAMLOOPS - A major makeover could be coming to 3260 Westsyde Rd. if a proposal being sent to public hearing gets approval. The property is located on Westsyde Road between Bebek and Wawn Roads adjacent to Westsyde Secondary School. It currently stands as a large vacant lot and the owner wants to build a total...
City wants bylaw officers to have more power to protect dogs
KAMLOOPS - Hot dogs, cold dogs and loose dogs — city council wants to give bylaw officers the authority to deal with them all. “This is more complicated than just breaking windows,” Coun. Ken Christian says. “You can’t legislate against stupidity and we keep trying to do that, and we keep trying to do that...
City seeks clarity on environmental application process
KAMLOOPS - City council is asking those who understand the environmental application process and timelines around it to help ease public confusion by offering an information session for the people. Coun. Arjun Singh says he has been getting a lot of questions from residents about why council has not taken a stand for or against...
City spent nearly $1,300 for each person who attended budget meetings
THE HIGH COST OF TRYING TO INCREASE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT KAMLOOPS - The City spent nearly $60,000 trying to get citizens involved in budget discussions this year and only got 44 people to public meetings—or roughly $1,300 per person— and most councillors said that was too much. “$57,000 for 44 people to come to a budget...
$45K temporary tax office a ‘failure’
KAMLOOPS — One of the councillors who spoke out against spending $45,000 on a temporary tax office says the pilot project was a 'failed experiment' after only about 2,600 people used the alternative office. About a quarter of city property owners still pay in person instead of online but only seven per cent of property...
Coop coup at council
KAMLOOPS - Six hens are being allowed to roost at their Heffley Creek home a little longer thanks to some chicken-loving council members. Lyann Wourms lives in a semi-rural area in Heffley Creek. Her property backs onto a large treed portion of crown land and about a year ago she brought home six laying hens....