Image Credit: City of Kamloops / File

By Mel Rothenburger

Armchair Mayor

ROTHENBURGER: Snowy sidewalks and windrows and, yes, winter is on the way

Oct 20, 2021 | 4:20 AM

IT’S OFTEN BEEN SAID that the secret to leadership is to know when to lead and when to follow. Kamloops City council has been demonstrating of late that it has learned when to follow.

For example, somewhat belatedly, it announced this week that all City employees must be double vaccinated by Dec. 15. The move is in keeping with a growing number of employers who are doing the same — even Members of Parliament, as of yesterday, will have to be vaxxed in order to sit in the House.

And, in concert with public concerns about pedestrian safety, four new rapid flashing beacons are being installed at intersections on Mackenzie Avenue, Tranquille Road, Summit Drive and Whiteshield Crescent.

It’s part of an ongoing, gradual program of making pedestrian crossings — which have seen some of the City’s most tragic accidents over the years — more safe. It’s the right thing to do, but it also answers citizen concerns.

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Tuesday, council voted to spend an extra $120,000 a year to improve snow clearing at bus stops and on sidewalks. The extra money will make it possible to begin clearing within 24 hours of the beginning of a snowfall rather than 24 hours after it ends, as has been the case.

It’s a populist move because snow removal is one of the most contentious issues every winter. It’s one of those things most people are happy to have the City spend more of their tax dollars on but, for those who will insist on complaining about the budget increase, consider the upsides.

First of all, there’s the matter of safety, and this will definitely make getting out and about safer. Secondly, it will encourage people to take the bus, which is good for the climate and for Mother Earth.

Now, if we could only get rid of those winter windrows on residential streets. That would be a popular way to spend money.

I’m Mel Rothenburger, the Armchair Mayor.

Mel Rothenburger is a former mayor of Kamloops and a retired newspaper editor. He is a regular contributor to CFJC Today, publishes the ArmchairMayor.ca opinion website, and is a director on the Thompson-Nicola Regional District board. He can be reached at mrothenburger@armchairmayor.ca.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.