CANDIDATE PROFILE: Robin Reeb

I’ve owned businesses in Kamloops since 1980. I was 22 years old and I am now 68 years old. I ran for alderman in the 80s and narrowly missed out. Civic duty has always been something that I’ve wanted to move forward and invest in. I’ve lived in Kamloops since 1968 and I love our town. I grew up here, my kids grew up here, I’ll retire and die here.

What do you think is the biggest issue facing the City of Kamloops and how would you use your elected position to address it?

Spending. We need to spend money, but spending money recklessly and without due process is not how we move forward as a community. From giving out raises, to cutting funding, pushing through major projects using the AAP, we need to be responsible to the taxpayers and use their money wisely. Revising the how, when, and why we spend money needs to be fundamentally uprooted and taken back to the drawing board.

Following a term highlighted by infighting and tension at city hall that impacted Kamloops’ public image, how would you ensure civil discourse and good governance would take place between yourself, fellow elected officials and city staff?

Communication. All nine people on that panel have a voice. Whether we like them, privately or professionally, every one of those seats is a voice that has to be heard. It’s time to leave our egos at the door and work towards bettering our city, the way my fellow Kamloopsians would approve of. The discourse is rampant, and as a potential councillor, we need to make it a priority to work together.

Considering recent years of large municipal tax increases in Kamloops, how would you address the city’s tax rate going forward?

The current tax plan adopted by city hall recently is outrageous. I did not sign up for a debt projected to be over $500 million by 2030. Nobody did. For a city our size, that’s a monumental and generational burden we are putting on future generations.

In 2025, our total debt was less than the projected amount we are about to spend in interest alone by 2030. Logically, that makes zero sense. Zero common sense, and zero accountability from this current council. This needs to change.

As major infrastructure projects are on the horizon in Kamloops, how would you prefer the city go about gaining the electorate’s approval – via referendum or the alternative approval process (AAP)? Why?

Simple answer is both. Referendum when a project is over a specific amount, say $50 million. Tag it along with a civic election to keep costs down if applicable. AAP for projects that are in need of immediate/emergency attention that cannot wait for an election, and that are under $50 million only. Of course, that number can change, but using it as an example.

What are your thoughts on communication between the City of Kamloops and its residents? Are there areas of improvement you’d like to see?

Well communication starts with city council meetings. This nonsense of closed doors and processes to ask questions is out of hand. City hall works for the people of Kamloops, and we have forgotten that over the course of time. Open doors, open discussion, and open policy in regards to community communication practices. The hurdles this council and past councils have put in place are not democratic and needs to change.

by CFJC Today

CANDIDATE PROFILE: Robin Reeb

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