File Photo (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By James Peters

Two and Out

PETERS: A clear glimpse into city hall dysfunction

Aug 1, 2025 | 12:30 PM

VERY EARLY ON in their careers, young journalists learn this important truth about news releases generated by companies and organizations — what they purposefully conceal is often more important than what they reveal.

Certainly, there were some things concealed in the City of Kamloops news release this week — but what was revealed was plenty eye-opening.

The release announced former CAO David Trawin is no longer employed by the City of Kamloops, effective the end of June.

It was a noteworthy piece of information, as the CAO is the top employee of the municipal government. Trawin essentially ran an organization of hundreds whose revenue comes from all of us.

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Trawin reported to city council and was guided by council’s strategic plan but he had a great deal of decision-making latitude on his own — as does any CAO.

It’s also noteworthy information because Trawin had been employed by the city for 22 years, including 12 years in the top job. That’s rare stability in this line of work — time enough to make both friends and foes, and there were certainly those who wanted him out of the CAO’s chair.

Most of the reactions to his departure, though, have been lamentations for a dedicated and professional public servant who filled a difficult role well.

How the city announced Trawin’s departure was most unusual.

The city said Trawin was leaving because of the actions of one person and one person alone — the mayor of Kamloops.

Trawin took a leave of absence in March of 2024. He has had health challenges in the past and the public wasn’t made certain whether those were a factor in this leave, or whether it was related to his friction with the mayor.

Now, we know.

The city says Mayor Hamer-Jackson made Trawin’s continued employment unsustainable and untenable, and negatively or adversely impacted him on both a professional and personal level.

Trawin signed off on those words. That’s how he feels and that’s why he cut his career short.

While council has touted its own commitment to transparency, legal and privacy concerns have kept much of the details of city hall’s workplace dysfunction confined to closed meetings.

With this release, the window into the discord has scarcely been so wide and clear.

Whether you find yourself on Team Hamer-Jackson or Team Everyone Else, you have to acknowledge this outcome is not good for the short-term morale or the long-term recruitment prospects of city hall.

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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.