By Chad Klassen

Milobar, Cavers committed to City Council while running in provincial election

Nov 22, 2016 | 4:00 PM

KAMLOOPS — For nearly three months, Peter Milobar has juggled his role as mayor of Kamloops while campaigning to be the Liberal candidate in the Kamloops-North Thompson riding. 

Now that he’s been acclaimed, he says very little will change. 

“There will be the odd campaign-type event to go to,” notes Milobar. “I’m also mindful of the fact that I’m still the mayor and you make sure you separate those partisan-type events from civic events, and that’s my intention, just like I do with a civic election.”

Milobar says his campaign team working behind the scenes will allow him to focus on his full-time job as mayor, and he doesn’t see the double duty distracting him from civic responsbilities. 

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“I guess there’s always that potential,” he says. “But more the distraction would be that elevation of conversation in the community as it gets closer to the election.”

It’s why Mayor Milobar will be taking an unpaid leave of absence once the writ drops on April 11, as will City Councillor Donovan Cavers, running for the Green Party in Kamloops-South Thompson. 

“And if I am elected, I’ll cover the cost if a by-election is required if there’s an absence on Council,” says Cavers. “But I think until the writ period come down, just prior to that, it’ll be a bit challenging. But I know I’ll be able to maintain. I have a lot of energy, I’m a younger guy, so I know I have the energy to fulfill both roles.”

With Cavers and Milobar stepping aside April 11, there will be a rotation of councillors filling in as mayor, as they do now. 

The challenge for both candidates may be keeping their Liberal and Green Party opinions away from the council table, especially when it comes to issues like Ajax. But Cavers doesn’t feel that’ll be a problem. 

“I don’t see there being any conflicts where I might feel like I’m needing to satisfy what the party’s point of view is at a City Council meeting,” says Cavers.