Welcome to Your Kamloops!

A National Conversation on Public Engagement...

I'm in Toronto for a couple of days attending the Canadian Community for Dialogue and Deliberation (C2D2) conference. I've served on the board of C2D2 since early 2008, and its been an incredible experience to meet very committed and talented public engagement / public participant practioners from across Canada, the US, and even a few from overseas.

The Mayor of Toronto gave a speech last night about the important of listening to citizens, and forming plans and policies from there. A Toronto Councillor talked about the importance of conflicting points of view, coupled with a committment to "stay in the room" until agreements can be reached.

Pretty cool stuff. Here is the conference page on the C2D2 web site.

Domtar gets Air Emissions Extension AND Black Liquor Subsidy...

In my mind, the folks I have heard from Domtar have basically made a committment that if they received the subsidy from the federal government, they would not need any the extension for their air emissions improvements. Hope they carry through. From the Kamloops News story:

"But a spokeswoman said Wednesday if the company board directs some of the $143 million in black liquor credits it received from Ottawa to its Kamloops pulp mill the work to reduce emissions by 70 per cent will be done years earlier." 

Meanwhile a group led by Bronwen Scott and Ruth Madsen intend to appeal the granting of the air emissions permit, based at least part on an argument that Domtar's data is not reliable.

Congrats to 2009 Business Excellence Award Winners...

The Kamloops Chamber of Commerce has a great photo page of all the 2009 Business Excellence Awards. Here is the Kamloops News story and here's Kamloops This Week.

Podcast: A Conversation with Dr Tom Owen, Director of Environment and Sustainability at TRU

Early in 2009, Dr Tom Owen assumed a very important job in Kamloops. He became the first Director of Environment and Sustainability at Thompson Rivers University. I was really honoured when Tom agreed to an interview on Your Kamloops Radio. Under the player below, you will find an "audio map" of our conversation:

00:33 - how did he come to TRU
01:49- state of environment and sustainability of TRU when you arrived
03:41 - steps taken to carbon neutrality
05:15 - challenges and successes in measuring carbon footprint
06:48 -examples of new sustainability practices
07:48 - ways to provide feedback for TRU sustainability plan
08:55 - is it too late to stop climate change impacts?
10:21 - what the loss of species like salmon and grizzly bears could mean for humans
11:17 - what motivates you to work for sustainability and the environment
13:07 - does the economy in recession trump the environment? Political capital for core environmental value of environment
15:45 - environmental demographic change strategy
17:45 - climate change messaging, be positive, be pragmatic
19:47 - the green economy in Kamloops
21:58 - whats on deck in terms of TRU sustainability office activities in the near future
23:14 - sharing sustainability info with other BC Universities

Crazy Busy...Blogging Might Be Light

I'm blessed to be living my life these days. My wife and I are just about to take possession of our first home, after years and years of renting (and living under our parents' roofs).

I am really enjoying my certificate program in public engagement and have just been accepted into a mostly online MA program in Professional Communications at Royal Roads.  

And I'm off in the next couple of weeks to two very exciting conferences - the Blogworld and New Media Expo and the Canadian Community for Dialogue and Deliberation Bi-Annual Conference.

I might be posting here with all these thought provoking experience, but I may also ease up a little. If I ease up, it shouldn't be for long.

Kamloops End Homelessness Update...

Last Wednesday, I again had the great honour of attending the monthly Changing of the Poverty committee meeting. The meeting's major topic: various activities to assist homeless folks in our community:

Homelessness Action Week: This coming week is Homelessness Action Week in Kamloops. Activities include a homeless count, a community breakfast at the Kamloops Spirit Square on October 16th, and a volunteer opportunity for youth who will be cooking a meal at the United Church Pit Stop. For more information on the homeless count, Ken Salter at the ASK Wellness centre is your man.

Homelessness Action Plan: Another quick update on this really exciting initiative, facilitated by the Kamloops Thompson United Way. There are 3 different issue specific subcommittees working on the issues of housing, support, and bridging to financial independence. These groups will make recommendations to the community towards the end of the year. People are energetic, but are grappling with scope of the problem.

Out of the Cold Extreme Weather Shelter: gearing up again for weekly Wed and Sun operation and also every day when mercury drops below -10. There is a strong likelihood of a second North Shore location.

Podcast - Melissa Lampman on Networked Journalism, Being a Reporter in Kamloops

A trailblazer in using social media for news reporting in Kamloops, Melissa Lampman graduated from journalism school at TRU. Find her at Kamloops This Week Online or on twitter (@mlampy):

 - 01:26 - Melissa's social media and the use of social media at Kamloops This Week
 - 02:23 - web first content at Kamloops This Week - twitter, facebook, web site
 - 02:55 - Melissa's use of twitter, Kamloops use of twitter
 - 06:50 - What Kamloops is like for a young journalist
 - 07:42 - big stories in Kamloops, Aug 2009
 - 08:17 - details on proposed cuts to arts funding
 - 10:02 - lots of interesting news in Kamloops
 - 11:40 - getting behind the issues of the day
 - 13:17 - importance of bringing positive, community content
 - 14:42 - journalistic input at Kamloops This Week
 - 16:04 - online at kamloopsthisweek.com

Why isn't BC Lotteries Sharing Results Addressing Problem Gaming?

Sean Holman's story is troubling, especially the part of BCLC wheeling and dealing with public's right to know...

Chief Shane Comes Close...

Really impressed by Tk'emlups Indian Band Chief Shane Gottfriedson's very close 2nd place finish in the election for BC Assembly of First Nations Regional Chief. I've watched Shane give some very classy, down to earth speeches - particularly after a close local election against former Band Chief Bonnie Leonard. I've also appreciated Shane's commitment to better race relations overall in Kamloops. As a member of the Diversity Kamloops Committee in the early 2000s, I was surprised and pleased to see a leader at his level (with such a busy schedule) attend so many of the meetings.

Here is  Shane's platform in this election. His strong results, as a first time candidate, allow him more influence provincially to help First Nations communities. I think this will be a good thing.