Ahead of the Oct. 15 municipal election, CFJC Today asked candidates for Kamloops City Council to complete a questionnaire, offering voters the chance to evaluate their candidacies.
QUESTIONNAIRE:
Describe yourself, your occupation and your historical connection to the Kamloops area.
I am retired from Canada Post where I was a letter carrier for over 31 years. My historical connection to the Kamloops area is that my wife was born and raised here, and her family has been here since 1964. As for myself, I spent 24 of my 31 years as a letter carrier delivering mail to the residents of the beautiful city of Kamloops in various neighborhoods where I made lasting friendships. We raised our three kids here and I volunteered and coached all my kids in soccer and served on the Norbrock soccer executive board. I also served on the A.E. Perry PAC for a number of years. Volunteered for the BC Summer and Winter Games and also served one term on the Kamloops Social Planning council. For the past 25 years I have been a member of good standing of the Kamloops Sikh Cultural Society.
What differentiates you from the other candidates?
I am a people person and pride myself on being available, approachable, and willing to go that extra mile to get things completed and have residents’ issues resolved. I take great pride in getting all the information available before I make any decisions in council chambers for the best interest of our residents. I was a blue collar worker in a blue collar city and will continue to bring that voice to council chambers.
What do you think is the best way to resolve disagreements or conflicts with your peers, those in a different department or those in a different jurisdiction?
It is very healthy to agree to disagree in a healthy manner, especially in council chambers. That is what democracy is all about — healthy debates. We are elected to show a higher degree of respect than you would find in a standard workplace. Sit down and talk it out and come to a compromise respectfully.
What do you think is the biggest issue facing the City of Kamloops and how would use your elected position to address it?
Street crime and homelessness are the biggest issues facing our city. I will continue to push to have the pendulum shift back to support the law-abiding citizens of our city. Mental health and addiction is a health issue from its core. I will keep pushing for IHA to be at our table to assist us which is one of the biggest gaps that is impeding any meaningful improvements to the street issues. I have recently advocated on behalf our TRU Law Professor and recently appointed judge and numerous local agencies with the support of our mayor and council to implement a Kamloops Mental Health court. I will continue to fight for this much needed alternative to our expensive and time-consuming provincial court system to address petty crime and community disorder. I also have put successful motions forward asking the provincial government to support Kamloops in receiving detox beds and recovery options for individuals that are willing and for the ones that are a safety concern to themselves and our community.
How do you plan to involve Kamloops residents in your decision-making?
I will continue to reach out and work with our recreation and cultural associations along with neighbourhood and business associations on their concerns. I have also personally met with residents and businesses on a regular basis in all four corners of the city to listen to their personal ideas, concerns, and issues and will continue to do so.
What does a sustainable future for Kamloops and area look like to you and what does it need from mayor and council?
Researching better environmental ways to move forward without burdening our tax payers. Climate change is real, and we must adapt. But the core direction and majority of funding must come from the provincial and federal government. We have recently initiated a climate action fund that we just received an award from UBCM. This fund will be used in the future to purchase a fleet of cleaner city vehicles, assist in our changeover to pick up organic waste if needed and help us upgrade our civic buildings to a higher energy efficiency. We must always look to see what is working with other communities and what is not. Technology is rapidly changing, and we must also.
