Welcome to Your Kamloops!

New Fire Trucks for Kamloops

Last week, we were asked to approve the purchase of two new fire trucks for Kamloops. One truck was part of the normal upgrade cycle. The other was a replacement for a truck that did not quite work out. I was pleased to support the approval of the purchases. The question I asked our fire chief was about how the procurement process had changed so that we don't run into this kind of problem in the future. Chief McCall let Council know that the department is now involved in every step of the design and manufacture of the truck and that they have expanded their procurement committee. I think this was the important issue with the purchase of the trucks. We need them. We just have to make sure we got the right process to buy them.

Eating a Lot at the TNRD Inaugural Reception

This past week has been eventful. On Tuesday, the first meeting of our new Council. It was nerve wracking, sitting at the table, but I tried to contribute ntelligently. Wednesday and Friday, I attended the Social Planning Council and the Citizen Satiisfaction Survey meetings. And on Thursday, the new members of Council had our last day of formal Council orientation. All these events deserve separate posts.

I promised Terry Lake, though, that I would write about the TNRD Inaugural meeting reception before the end of the weekend. This was also a very nice reception and I ate a couple of heaping plates of appies. I hadn't had the chance to eat supper. You, as taxpayers, funded my indulgent eating. Terry gave me some good nature ribbing about that, given my post about the Council reception. I guess there might be a lot of situations like that in the next few years. I would be interested to hear any feedback on how I should be handling this issue.

My Thoughts on the Council Inauguration...

Want to wish Terry Lake's father a speedy recovery from his heart surgery. Terry got appropriately emotional this evening as he spoke of his late mother and father and how they would have loved to be with us all tonight.

I was a little nervous (actually a lot nervous) when I arrived at the Sportsaction Lounge at the Interior Savings Centre tonight. Not for any other reason but  that I had decided not to wear a tie. Even more nervous because I, instead,  put on one of my repetoire of Hawaiian shirts underneath my blazer. I did not intend any disrespect but if this was truly to be an event for the people's representatives, I felt strongly that more types of people should be represented on the stage. Simple as that. Sometimes a tie can be a barrier. As our group photo graces the hall leading into Council Chambers over the next three years,  hope my hawaiian shirt will say to those who need to hear it - this is a chamber that welcomes "suits" and those who are not "suits" and everyone in between.

The ceremony was beautiful. Ferns and flowers decorated the stage. The reverend and judge shared great words of wisdom. Mayor Mel gave a rousing farewell speech, challenging local historian Ken Favrholdt's quote in the paper that the his terms in office have been "uneventful". The new Council were all given special "Inauguration 2005" fountain pens.

After the ceremony, there was a reception for the new Council and invited guests. Quite a lot of amazing foods and an open bar. It seemed a little indulgent to me, but I was happy to have many of the people who helped me get elected be entertained so well.

The Pomp and Circumstance of a Council Inauguration

Led in by red serged RCMP and pipers playing "Scotland the Brave", tonight's the night when all the new members of Council officially take their office and it is the night where our new Mayor, Terry Lake, officialy becomes Mayor.  For me, I am learning that the pomp and circumstance part does not really have the meaning it may have for some - for example, my parents. I am just really anxious to get to work on all the issue that my community would like me to help with. I am looking forward to hearing what the outgoing and incoming Mayors say tonight in their remarks and to some good socializing. But, I can't wait for the first regular Council meeting tomorrow.