You would probably expect me, born and raised in this town, elected to represent its awesome people, to say that Kamloops rocks. But, wait, I have pictures! As a councillor, one is offered an amazing opportunity to get a great overview of local community events and initiatives. I am proud to report that the community spirit and strength in Kamloops is so incredibly healthy.
Here is a quick pictoral tour of just some of what I have experienced over the past month:
March 24th: Art Gallery Opening of two amazing shows. One with Internationally renowned French artist Esther Shalev-Gerz. The other with arts luminaries Doug Buis and Astrid Menze.
March 25th: Boogie the Bridge Training starting at Runners Sole in Aberdeen. I have so appreciated the opportunity to train for the boogie this year and to write a weekly column in the Kamloops News. Truly getting back on a path to health. Thousands of people are coming out on April 29th to prove that "movement is change"
March 29th: The Kamloops Chamber of Commerce installs its 2012/13 board. Our chamber is a vibrant, powerful organization that offers a diverse range of tangible benefits to its members.
April 5th: Kamloops hosts another Kamloops International Bantam Ice Hockey Tourney (KIBIHT). This has been a longstanding tradition, renewed under new leadership. I had a chance to welcome many of the players over breakfast one morning.
April 14th: Our community celebrates Vasaikhi festival. The Ord Road Sikh Temple raises a new flag. The flag at a Sikh temple, the "Nishan Sahib", serves as a beacon to welcome all to this place of worship, of community, and of refuge.
April 14th: Kamloops RCMP Regimental ball raises $32000 for United Way. An elegant and traditional event on a local RCMP detachment's calendar. Great community support for and from our police force!
April 18th: Harvey Fraser, Lynda MacKenzie, Acacia Schmietenknop, and Ruth Williams honoured with Community Distinguished Service Awards. This an amazing annual opportunity for city council to honour amazing people who do so much for Kamloops.
April 21st: Local Rotary Clubs organize their largest food drive yet. 60 000 pounds of food for the Kamloops Food Bank. I am proud of my Rotary Club's role in the effort to make sure no one goes hungry in Kamloops.
April 21st: The BC Regiment (Duke of Connaught's Own) honours Kamloops WWII Vets. Very happy and honoured that leaders of the BC Regiment and the BC Regiment Veterans associated traveled from out of town to honour three local WWII Vets from the Regiment. Up the Dukes!
Velo-city 2012 in Vancouver, global bicycle conference, and as yet no Kamloops staff going . The excuse from city staff , no budget!
Posted by: lee kenney | April 24, 2012 at 06:18 AM
Hi Lee - good to hear from you!
As there are so many different events to attend in town, I think there is also the same situation with out of town conferences. Velo-city sounds like a very worthwhile opportunity, but I believe city staff when they say no more budget. I know we had a healthy staff contingent at the recent Building Sustainable Communities conference in Kelowna. I know Donovan is going to a cycling conference - Velo-Village - on Salt Spring. It would perhaps be interesting, I think, if we gave people a little more influence in deciding where city hall staff and council go on conferences.
Posted by: Arjun Singh | April 24, 2012 at 07:35 AM