Dieter Dudy, who has served on Kamloops city council since 2014, is one of five candidates running for mayor (Image Credit: CFJC Today)
DIETER DUDY

ELECTION PROFILE: Dudy ready to make jump from councillor to mayor

Oct 4, 2022 | 2:18 PM

KAMLOOPS — You can find Dieter Dudy every Wednesday and Saturday at the Kamloops Farmers Market.

The owner of Thistle Farms in Westsyde is hard at work year-round growing fresh, local produce.

On the side, Dudy has been serving as a Kamloops city councillor since 2014. However, the 67 year old says it’s time to take a run at the mayor’s chair.

“I’ve spent the last eight years on council and have brought a measured and reasoned approach to the way I deal with issues, and I feel I can carry that forward as mayor of the city,” noted Dudy. “I feel I can bring things together community-wise and share my vision with the community.”

Dudy’s vision for the city includes making it clear Kamloops is open for business. If elected mayor, he would also want to make changes to the engineering department.

“I think we’ve got to try to cut the red tape and make things more streamlined without compromising the integrity of developments,” he said. “But we need to speed up the process because so much hinges upon us to increase housing stock and developments in the community.”

Another priority for Dudy is cutting down on crime in the city — a major theme of this election. He acknowledges it is a responsibility of the province, but he says the city plays a role as well.

“We can be pat and say it’s the provincial government’s responsibility, but it’s our responsibility to make them aware of it,” noted Dudy. “What we’ve done in the past is engage with them. Now, it’s time where I pick up the phone every single day and say ‘We have an issue. What are we going to do about it today?’ Even take pictures of what we have and say ‘Take a look at this. This is what we’re dealing with.'”

It’s not Dudy’s first run at the mayor’s chair. In 2011, he joined the race and nearly won the election, falling 235 votes short of Peter Milobar.

While Dudy has his priorities and vision, he prides himself on being open to other people’s perspective.

“One thing I can promise people is that I will always listen and I don’t care what it is. I will always listen,” he said. “Then I’ll deliberate. I’ll consider what’s being said to me, then I’ll make a decision, whether that decision is pro or con depends on how I deliberate.”