File Photo (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By James Peters

Kamloops City Hall

Kamloops mayor recuses himself from entire regular council meeting Tuesday

Dec 6, 2022 | 3:13 PM

KAMLOOPS — In an unusual turn of events at Kamloops City Hall, Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson recused himself from the entire regular council meeting Tuesday (Dec. 6).

Shortly after the meeting began, Hamer-Jackson stated he may have potential conflicts of interest and left council chambers. Deputy Mayor Bill Sarai took over the chair for the remainder of the meeting.

A CFJC Today crew went to City Hall in an effort to speak to Hamer-Jackson about his decision, but the mayor was no longer in the building. He did not answer several phone calls.

Hamer-Jackson’s decision may be due to the content of a report updating council on staff’s work to address a series of motions passed by the previous council in relation to social issues in Kamloops.

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The report, authored by Social, Housing and Community Development Manager Carmin Mazzotta, was delivered during Tuesday’s meeting. It contains several references to ASK Wellness.

Last month, ASK Wellness, through its lawyer, asked Hamer-Jackson to stop making defamatory statements about the organization and its Chief Executive Officer, Bob Hughes. Hamer-Jackson responded, through his lawyer, by asking the organization to identify the statements he made that were defamatory.

Typically, if a member of council feels they may be in a conflict of interest or perceived conflict with a particular agenda item, that council member recuses themself and exits the meeting. The council member returns to the meeting once it moves beyond that specific agenda item.