Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Adam Donnelly

NEW CITY COUNCILLORS

Middleton hopes to bring common sense approach to Kamloops city council

Oct 18, 2022 | 4:08 PM

KAMLOOPS — With just three incumbents returning to Kamloops city council, there will be five new councillors around the table at City Hall come November 1.

One of those new faces will be Margot Middleton, a long–time businessperson in the city. CFJC Today caught up with Middleton at work this morning (Oct. 18), to find out more about her reasons for putting her name forth for Kamloops city council.

“My children, who are out living in Kamloops with their children and families, they’re seeing big declines in Kamloops’ livability, our facilities, just our whole future of our city,” Middleton explains. “They said ‘Mom, you should run for council.’”

The rest, as they say, is history. After 35 years of building Middleton Energy Services, Margot Middleton is set to take her seat on council. Middleton has spent years volunteering, including a decade spent filling various roles with Kamloops Minor Hockey. She hopes to bring that spirit of collaboration to City Hall.

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“A business background, an association, working as a team in many different capacities – I bring that to the table,” Middleton explains. “But I think it’s that sort of thoughtful, common sense approach – that practical approach to getting things done.”

Middleton acknowledges there are a number of challenges facing public figures in the current political landscape. One of those challenges can be the increased scrutiny and contempt for public figures.

“Council, moving forward, we’ve got to be real cognizant that we cannot allow ourselves to be driven by social media. We need to work hard, gain [the public’s] trust, and just do a good job.”

Middleton supports the construction of a performing arts centre, as well as the creation of more recreational facilities, especially on the South Shore. Along with those, she’s interested in the possibility of a space for trade shows or similar events somewhere in the city – similar to what the KXA used to be.

“Sort of an agricultural, exposition type of trade building that we could use for logging shows or mining shows or agricultural shows,” Middleton says. “You know, larger footprint events.”

Middleton believes this council will have a diverse set of viewpoints but doesn’t expect any difficulties working as a unit. As one of five new councillors around the table, she knows there’ll be a steep learning curve but is up for that challenge.

“We’re really looking at a transitional time of around six months before we’re really able to get back to the meat of what’s already going and what needs to go on, moving forward,” Middleton says. “So, I think six months before we see a real uptick in what council is doing.”