Welcome to Your Kamloops!

How was the Year at the North Shore Business Improvement Association?

At city hall on tuesday, the Executive Director of the North Shore Business Improvement Association (NSBIA), Steven Puhallo, stated that 2016 was a great year for the association. There has been a lot of recent and significant road and bridge upgrades / repairs that made it more difficult for some to access North Kamloops commercial areas. In 2016, all that work had been completed. The new, expanded North Shore Policing Office has also been welcomed by the BIA.  A new sign replaced the tired old one by the Tranquille Rd overpass over the Overlanders Bridge. Slides from Mr Puhallo's presentation to council are available in the council agenda package for this week. 

Business Improvement Associations (BIAs) are funded by an additional levy put on commercial properties in a geographically defined neighbourhood. These levies are collected by city hall and, after a council vote, the funds are released to a BIA for its activities. The BIA promotes and supports businesses within their neighbourhood. Kamloops has two BIAs at the moment - the NSBIA and the Kamloops Central Business Improvement Association. Both these associations have turned into critical hubs of business activity and of community events. 

Why It's Sometimes Important for People to Attend a Council Meeting...

We heard an application at today's council meeting for a resident to keep 3 dogs on their property. The limit is 2 but residents can apply to council for a variance to keep 3. Typically for these applications, the resident wanting the variance comes to council to verbally present their arguments as to why approval should be granted and to answer any questions council may have. This did not happen today. We did turn down the application. I am not saying we would have approved it if the applicant had appeared but, at least, it might have given the applicant more of a chance. I did a short Facebook live video on this soon after the council meeting:

https://www.facebook.com/bettercitizen/videos/10158035619560247/?l=6715786865035595522

Snow Patience...

 

We are in an extended deep freeze, the likes we have not seen in a long time. Add to this the snowfall in the past day or two, things tend to start to go a bit funny. Cars spinning out, people slipping, etc. If anyone needs help shovelling snow, feel free to be in touch - 250 320 6532 or [email protected]. 

I am thankful for the city crews who are keeping the roads, paths, and public sidewalks passable. And thank you to all the store owners, staff, and homeowners / renters who are keeping sidewalks cleared. It is enormously helpful.

We will need a bit of patience with all this for a while. Be careful for yourselves and for others.

A Couple of Early Thoughts on Kamloops in 2017...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Most of the awesome members of the Kamplan (Kamloops' Official Community Plan) Review Committee at our December 2016 Meeting

All the very best in 2017 to you and to those you hold dear!

Here's a few early thoughts on happenings in the community in 2017:

1) The Media: It would be awesome if a more daily print publication reappeared in Kamloops. I will also be interested to see what substantive changes new Radio NL news director Shane Woodford makes with the mighty NL's coverage. Will NL New's reputation as Fox News Kamloops continue? When is Kamloops media legend Doug Collins contemplating retirement? How will Mel Rothenburger's desire to be both a commentator and a politician play out this year? 

2) Ajax: I'm hoping the revised Ajax mine application will be made public soon. This continues to be a very challenging issue for the community and I think we have to find ways to bridge some of those divides in 2017. Perhaps, supporters and opponents of Ajax can be brought together to think about economic development projects they could all largely support. As I have committed, I will take a position on Ajax after I have reviewed the next revised mine application.

3) Engaging Business on Climate Change: I am a huge advocate of proactive work to address greenhouse gas emissions. As a longtime businessperson, I feel this is also in our long term economic interests. I look forward to working with local business organizations to showcase opportunities and challenges in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Kamloops. There is a lot more common ground than we often think. The ideological and partisan battles in BC often get in the way of the best solutions. 

4) The Provincial Election: It's going to be a little more tricky for Kamloops city council in this provincial election. We have 2 council members running for different political parties. Council, as a whole, will stay neutral and above the partisan fray. Obviously, credible candidates should have policies that speak to local government. If Mayor Milobar and/or Councillor Cavers get elected, council will have some decisions to be made as to whether or not to hold a byelection. 

5) The Official Community Plan Revision: This is a huge piece of community work but one that sometimes totally flies under the radar. The revised plan, done properly, should reflect community values in the design, look, and feel of neighbourhoods and commercial centres. It will help influence how much we use our vehicles and the types of shopping and public facilities we have available. Much more also. I would certainly suggest this section of the city website for more info. I will be soliciting citizen input and there will be also staff led opportunities for public input before the approval of the plan this spring.