municipal politics
Merits of adding Secwépemc to stop signs debated
'THERE'S NO ABILITY TO SAY YES TO THIS' KAMLOOPS - Provincial legislation says we can’t add another language to stop signs but that did not stop council from spending nearly 20 minutes debating the merits of adding Secwépemc to the signs Tuesday afternoon. According to the Motor Vehicle Act, the only word permitted on the...
STAHN: Just stop with this effort to recognize First Nations culture
It’s no secret that First Nations bands around the province are struggling to preserve their culture and language. In an effort to recognize our Secwépemc community, Kamloops city council members agreed to have staff look into the possibility of adding the traditional language of our local First Nations to our stop signs.
Tax rate increase currently sitting near 2.6%
KAMLOOPS - With many budget requests from staff and the public yet to be decided on, the average homeowner can already expect to pay an additional $35 in property taxes this year. That $35 is based on the 1.91 per cent mill rate increase set out in the core services budget, but Assistant Finance Director...
Stop signs featuring Secwépemc would not meet standards
KAMLOOPS - The Secwépemc language is featured around the Thompson Rivers University campus but drivers will not likely see the word on city stop signs in the near future. In July, city council enquired about adding ‘estil,’ the Secwépemc word for stop, to appropriate signs within Kamloops. After reviewing the regulations and standards for both...
Lorne Street will no longer be part of official truck route
KAMLOOPS - City staff is looking to amend the traffic bylaw to remove several downtown streets from the official truck route. Low-clearance underpasses, a roundabout, road improvements and park areas are listed as some of the many reasons for wanting to remove Lorne Street, River Street and 10 Avenue north of Victoria Street from the...
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...
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...
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,...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...