Image Credit: Kent Simmonds / CFJC Today

By Dylana Kneeshaw

WHAT'S NEXT

Kamloops mayor looking forward to family and travel after time in office ends this fall

Feb 22, 2022 | 4:30 PM

KAMLOOPS — After nearly three decades spent in some form of public office, the mayor of Kamloops has confirmed he will not be seeking re-election in the fall of 2022.

“It’s an opportunity for someone with a new vision to come in and take over this office, and to lead council,” Ken Christian says.

Christian announced over the Family Day long weekend that he will not be running in the upcoming municipal election. The long-time public servant was first elected in a 2017 by-election and won the seat again in 2018. Christian wanted to make his intentions about not running clear, so any mayoral candidates could have time to prepare for the upcoming election.

Looking back on municipal accomplishments, Christian notes things like water and sewer main upgrades aren’t flashy, but the city made sure those major projects went forward.

“But it’s not about what you accomplished as the mayor, but what council accomplishes. I think that the official community plan, the direction for Kamloops going forward, the climate action initiatives that we’ve done, a lot of the stuff in terms of asset management, and taking care of business that is important,” he explains. “And often it’s not the flashy things but it is things that are so important to local government and I’m proud that we have been able to accomplish a lot there.”

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Two of Christian’s year spent as mayor have been during the COVID-19 pandemic, and he says there are a number of items to re-direct attention to as the city emerges from it.

“One was the centre for the arts, and I think we need to work hard to rebuild that initiative,” Christian says. “The other sadly is the toxic drug situation that we have. We’ve lost ground there and I think we need to double-down on our efforts to get back on top of that.”

Christian hopes whoever winds up succeeding him will have a team-mindset to work with council and staff. And given that he’ll still be on the job, the mayor doesn’t plan on endorsing candidates leading up to the civic election.

“I am the mayor, I will still be the mayor until Nov. 1, and I think it’s important to kind of stay out of that (election) and let the people decide. It’s their office, it’s their decision, and I think they will make the right choice. They always seem to have.”

And once his time in office is up, Christian isn’t quite sure what his future will look like, but there are definite plans for travel and family.

“I think I’ll take some time to do a bit of a holiday with the family, and focus on our new grandson,” he says. “And also some coursework that I want to take that I’ve been putting off, and then maybe find a new gig — who knows — down the road. But for now, it’s an opportunity to reflect on family and the values that we have.”