Five, including mayor Christian, seeking re-election this fall, three others undecided

Jan 9, 2018 | 3:57 PM

KAMLOOPS — With less than a year away from fall’s municipal election, councillors are beginning to plan their futures. 

Some like mayor Ken Christian and councillors Donovan Cavers, Dieter Dudy and Kathy Sinclair have declared they will run again in November. 

Cavers noted at Tuesday’s council meeting that a third term, if elected, would be his last. 

“It is somewhat restraining to longer holidays, and I’m still young. I want to do some travelling as well,” he said. “Four more years, then I can do that with my fiance.”

Dudy will seek his second term, hoping to build on the experience he’s gained in his inaugural term. He wants to keep pushing for an all-year market in downtown Kamloops. 

“I’ve had a long-term vision to bring a year-round public market to this community,” said Dudy, who also owns Thistle Farms in Westsyde. “I would like to see more vibrancy brought to the downtown core by bringing projects that would not only bring local people into the downtown, but also make it a focal point for tourists.”

Sinclair said she’s had a taste of council life in these first three months and wants more. 

There are three city councillors still undecided, including one of the newest members to council Ray Dhaliwal, who’s juggling multiple businesses. Denis Walsh said he’ll announce his decision in May, as will Tina Lange who’s in her fourth term. 

“I have to make a decision, that’s where I’m at,” noted Lange. “Every day I change my mind, depending on what’s going on. It’s such a great job and I’ve loved every minute of it. But there’s a four-year committment attached to it, so I have to give it some thought.”

Pat Wallace declared publicly for the first time on Tuesday that she won’t seek re-election in the fall after 31 years as a Kamloops city councillor. 

UPDATE: Councillor Arjun Singh was absent from Tuesday’s meeting and was not immediately available for comment. He has since stated on social media that he will be running for re-election.