PETERS: We could use more leaders like Dieter

In almost every conceivable way, Dieter Dudy was a polar opposite.

Dudy, who passed away suddenly this week at the age of 71, was soft-spoken and understated. He took time to consider an issue and its full impact on the community before he weighed in on it.

Dudy was collaborative and encouraging, building people up with his words and his actions.

He was elected to Kamloops council twice, and also served on boards of various community organizations.

It was tough to tell whether Dudy was staunchly on one side of the political spectrum or the other – one of the highest compliments you can pay a local leader. His adherence was to common sense and community good, not left or right.

And while Dudy was rarely the first person to rush into a charged debate, his voice was often the one others waited to hear.

That’s the definition of a respected leader and it’s part of the reason so many glowing words have been spoken about Dudy this week.

Unfortunately, many more words have been spoken about the toxic heel-turned-martyr Kirk.

In 2026, there’s little difference between being genuinely revered in death and being turned into a meme.

It’s still better to be the former.

We need more leaders like Dieter Dudy in our politics – and while we should stop short of wishing death on anyone, we can say our political discourse is better without Charlie Kirk taking part.

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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.

by James Peters

PETERS: We could use more leaders like Dieter

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