File Photo (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Doug Collins

One Man's Opinion

COLLINS: Anyone expecting positive news from Henry Braun’s report?

Mar 31, 2024 | 6:00 AM

IN A COUPLE OF MONTHS, Henry Braun will be presenting a report to the province in his efforts to ease the tensions around the Kamloops council table. Most of you will likely say, “Henry who?”

Henry Braun was appointed by the government earlier this year after the city requested some help to calm things down after a tumultuous first year under Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson’s leadership. Or, as councillors would say, lack thereof. A year, now a-year-and-a-half, of ranting, raving, accusations and even lawsuits.

I don’t really think Braun’s report will say anything we didn’t know already. In a recent interview with CFJC Today’s Michael Reeve, Braun admitted it was a daunting task. Basically, he said if council didn’t get along, there was no hope of change. He told us that if he only started working on the top 12 priorities, he might be able to change a few things. But he didn’t really sound terribly optimistic.

My reaction to seeing Michael’s interview was, “Hold on a second — 12 top priorities? Are you serious? How many priorities are there in total?” I cannot believe that Braun has identified this many problems in this short of time. Even if we focus on one problem, that will be time-consuming enough. We’ll take years to go through 12 or more.

Braun says better communication is the key. It’s the foundation on which progress is made and everyone gets all the facts to consider a decision that makes sense in the best interest of the community. Did you get that, mayor and Council? “The best interest of the city.” Not the best interests of your personal agendas, not to automatically vote against anything the mayor proposes or vice versa.

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There is no trust, and I don’t think anything Braun says will make much difference. Nothing will change anytime soon — well really, anytime ever, as long as the members around the horseshoe remain the same.

Back in 1732, Alexander Pope, in his “Essay on Man,” wrote that, “Hope springs eternal in the human breast.” It means we keep hoping even though a positive outcome is unlikely. I must say, Mr. Pope, there is no hope springing in my breast that something positive will happen in the relationship between the councillors and the mayor. It’s just not going to happen.

I’m Doug Collins and that’s One Man’s Opinion.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.