By James Peters

Two and Out

PETERS: The mayor of Kamloops does not need a gold chain

Apr 18, 2025 | 12:30 PM

MAYOR REID HAMER-JACKSON has not received a lot of love on Two and Out since he came to office more than two years ago.

This week, though, he struck just the right tone in his response to a councillor’s idea that the city replace the long-ago stolen Mayor’s Chain of Office.

The item is best described as ceremonial regalia. It is worn only during the most formal of ceremonies. Otherwise, it is kept on display at City Hall.

At least it was.

The chain was stolen during a break-in at City Hall in 2021, while Ken Christian was still occupying the mayor’s chair.

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Efforts to locate and return it proved unsuccessful.

Who knows? Maybe it’s in someone’s bedroom closet somewhere. Maybe it’s in some dingy pawn shop in Vancouver. Maybe it’s in the dump.

Regardless, it seems our city has survived just fine without it in the past four years.

Or, to put it another way, it hasn’t exactly been missed.

Early in this term, staff solicited ideas for a new chain. The person who would wear the chain, though, Mayor Hamer-Jackson, poured cold water on the idea.

This week, Councillor Margot Middleton brought the idea forward again, saying the regalia is an important part of the city’s tradition and history.

That may be true — but we always need to ask ourselves, when it comes to carrying on traditions, are we doing it for a good reason or is it tradition for tradition’s sake?

In this case, carrying on the tradition of the chain of office would be far, far, far down the priority list for most Kamloops citizens — especially if there is any expense associated with it whatsoever.

If the city receives one as a donation, that’s fine.

Otherwise, our mayor and all mayors to come will get along just fine without the bling.

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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.