Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Adam Donnelly

NEW COUNCILLOR PROFILE

Sustainable growth a priority for newly-elected Neustaeter

Oct 17, 2022 | 4:35 PM

KAMLOOPS — With just three incumbents returning to Kamloops city council, there will be five brand new councillors around the table at city hall come November 1st.

One of those will be Katie Neustaeter, the top vote-getter among the council candidates in Saturday’s municipal election. CFJC Today spoke with Neustaeter about the passion behind her council campaign.

“I’m excited, I’m enthusiastic. The core of my campaign was about loving Kamloops and believing in this city and advocating for its people,” Neustaeter says. “That is still the space I am in. I’m more excited than ever to be able to serve the people of Kamloops.”

If it’s passion and enthusiasm you’re after, then councillor-elect Neustaeter has buckets full of both. Neustaeter received the most votes out of any candidate in Saturday’s election — 11,583, to be exact. She was quick to give credit to her supporters for that accomplishment.

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“It was really, really important to the core of that team that we have diverse voices in there, that speak to me, that point out weaknesses, and offer me things I don’t know,” Neustaeter explains. “I think that’s what Kamloops saw and heard. Also, people know when you are for them and when you believe in something. That was the goal of my campaign, as it will be in my term.”

Neustaeter is currently the Director of Public Relations, Marketing and Communications for the United Way of British Columbia. Those who know her know she thrives when she is connecting with people around her.

“The best part of the election was talking to thousands of people, hearing their perspectives, bringing them together,” Neustaeter says. “I’m so excited that serving in this capacity means I will see more voices so we can get more things done.”

With the population of the city edging ever close to six figures, Neustaeter will be focused on sustainable growth as she enters her first term on council.

“Whether people like it or not, we are growing as a city — we are one of the top five fastest-growing cities in Canada,” Neustaeter says. “We need to acknowledge that and do what needs to be done so we can grow in healthy ways.”