municipal politics
UPDATE: Kamloops mayor suspends city’s top employee
Kamloops Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson is giving the city's top employee the boot, claiming it's time…
Abandoned shopping cart woes addressed with new Penticton bylaw
After a polarizing debate, Penticton city council has moved to impose a new bylaw regarding…
Lake Country gets new mayor after contender drops out
After the only other contender dropped out of the race, Blair Ireland will become Lake…
West Kelowna residents can help design new $18M city hall and library
Construction of West Kelowna’s new skatepark will begin later this month now that the way…
Despite pandemic, West Kelowna intends to borrow $11 million for first City Hall
Citing a strong financial position despite COVID-19, West Kelowna council is set to finalize its…
West Kelowna cancels first regular council meeting in at least a decade
In an extremely rare – and possibly unique – move the City of West Kelowna…
Armstrong golf course slated for 200 homes
The Armstrong golf course is slated for up to 200 new homes and a revamped…
Social media bogging down political discourse, says Kelowna councillor
KELOWNA – Kelowna Coun. Ryan Donn may be the most active on social media of…
Social media comments a common deterrent for candidates, some politicians say
KELOWNA – Elected officials face all kinds of challenges in their efforts to represent their…
Performing arts centre report released this week
KAMLOOPS - Six months after a $233,000 study looking at the hows, whys and whats of a potential performing arts centre, the public will finally get a peek at the results. The preliminary business case will be presented by the Performing Arts Centre Committee on Thursday, April 9. The work done to date, including what...
Province overrules city; transit service increases put on hold
KAMLOOPS - In 2014 Kamloops city council members agreed to adding new transit buses and more service hours but a decision by the province to put a freeze on B.C. Transit funding means there will not be any additional services added this year, or for the next three years. B.C. Transit representatives were before council...
Free transit worth the cost?
COUNCIL WORKSHOP TO DISCUSS OPTIONS KAMLOOPS - Transit is a topic that gets a lot of discussion around the table at City Hall, and rightfully so. Taxpayers subsidize a portion of the public transportation and council plans to again explore whether any form of free transit can be offered and how much is too much...
How City Hall is making it easier to pay your taxes this year
KAMLOOPS - When paying your property taxes, the City of Kamloops is offering you another option: Charge it. A Thompson Rivers University team recently looked at what options the city could provide to make paying taxes easier including drop boxes, credit card payment, self-service kiosks and more advertising. More property owners paid their taxes online...
Opinions wanted on local election spending
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Fresh off the heels of the fall municipal election a special committee is now looking at whether spending limits should be put in place for candidates and third party advertisers. The provincial government committee will speak with stakeholders and the public over the coming weeks to discuss whether a limit should be put...
Falling loonie could impact Vernon’s plan to buy new fire truck
VERNON – City council had promised Vernon Fire Rescue a new water tender for firefighters at the Okanagan Landing fire hall, but the falling value of the Canadian dollar is impacting the price tag. Council approved the purchase of the new fire truck last fall, but since then, the loonie has taken a beating on...