By Jill Sperling

Pat Wallace reflects on decades-long career in municipal politics

Oct 30, 2018 | 4:11 PM

KAMLOOPS — Tuesday (Oct. 30) marked Coun. Pat Wallace’s final Kamloops city council meeting. 

The 85-year-old Kamloops woman has served around the council horseshoe for 31 years. 

“I’m feeling very well and happy about having stayed so long and now going out with my own decision,” Wallace said. 

Wallace was first elected to City Council in 1980. An unsuccessful run at the mayor’s position in 1986 took her away from council duties until her return in 1993, and she has been serving her city faithfully ever since. 

Wallace says the first few years had their challenges. 

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“It was a little difficult. We had a very strong CAO, unlike today where we’re far more relaxed and there’s less tension, so it was a bit tough.”

Wallace persevered, becoming a voice for infrastructure development and business in Kamloops. 

“Virtually every piece of infrastructure that you see, the TCC, the water-treatment plant, those kinds of things have Pat’s signature on them,” said Mayor Ken Christian, “and so the impact that she’s had in terms of the development of Kamloops from what it was 30 years ago to what it is now is really part of her legacy.”

According to Wallace, it wasn’t always easy to win over the developers. 

“In the beginning there was some resistance,” she said. “Some people have their minds made up politically. I was known as a Socred — right wing — and some people just didn’t want to hear me because they thought I was politically different from them, and that I wouldn’t do what I said I would do, or that I wouldn’t promote their project.”

In January, Wallace announced she would not be seeking re-election due to health issues. 

Christian says her wisdom and guidance will be missed.

“She has such a great understanding of the history of decisions that have been made in the City of Kamloops and she imparts that and helps us find a path when sometimes we’re bogged down,” Christian said.  

“I’m certainly going to miss Pat for her wisdom and for her understanding of the city and for her compassion for those that are less fortunate in the city.” 

The long-time city councillor says she’s ready to close this chapter. 

“I just want to have a rest, read a lot of good books, which I haven’t had time (to do), and see friends that I haven’t seen for a while, and also go to visit my family.”