In The Loop
HUNTER: Spring cleaning, social media style
THE SPRING EQUINOX, also known as the vernal equinox, came yesterday, March 20 at 2:24pm in the northern hemisphere. This is the moment the sun's rays shine directly down on the equator equally on both halves of the Earth. The equinox is also when we have roughly 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness. (There's ...
Mar 21, 2023
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In The Loop
HUNTER: The future of governance starts today
AT A RECENT THOMPSON-NICOLA REGIONAL DISTRICT (TNRD) meeting, Director Bill Sarai raised the idea of forming a youth board of directors similar to the Junior Council established by the city of Kamloops.I think this is a great idea and kudos to Sarai for starting the discussion. I am a bit biased as the former appointed...
Mar 14, 2023
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In The Loop
HUNTER: Embracing equity equates to inclusion
THE THEME FOR INERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY, (March 8, 2023) is #embraceequity.I'm all about alliteration, but what does this theme really mean and why is it important?Women make up just over half of the Canadian population yet continue to be underrepresented in political and professional leadership positions. Barriers to l...
Mar 07, 2023
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In The Loop
HUNTER: On public inquiries, stop editorializing for dramatic effect and start educating
I WANT TO PREFACE THIS WEEK'S TOPIC by stating I unequivocally support public discourse and the ability of the public to engage in discussion with elected officials.What I don't support, is the fear-mongering, sky-is-falling narrative being shared in a recent editorial by Mel Rothenburger. Sure, editorials are by their...
Feb 28, 2023
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In The Loop
HUNTER: Council valentines can come in the form of conduct and community budget
ON THIS VALENTINE'S DAY, Kamloops city council will be discussing two very different, but important items - budget and conduct.Both of these items are in the best interest of all of us taxpayers to get right. Setting the annual budget is really the heart of the job of a councillor.Let's start with the 2023 budget. Toda...
Feb 14, 2023
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In The Loop
HUNTER: Accessible transportation - a vehicle for equality
LAST WEEK, THE PROVINCE OF B.C. announced the launch of the Passenger Transportation Accessibility Program. The goal of the program is to help offset extra costs taxi owner-operators face when providing wheelchair accessible taxis. Approximately $3 million is available for the first funding stream under this program, w...
Feb 07, 2023
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IN THE LOOP
HUNTER: Participating in active reconciliation
THIS WEEK, CITY COUNCIL will consider a request for $10,000 to support the 2027 North American Indigenous Games (NAIG). The request is a small amount in comparison to the $500,000 approved by council in September 2022, which would come in the form of facilities, staff time, and a potential cash contribution. This appro...
Jan 31, 2023
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In The Loop
HUNTER: Tournament Capital means more than sports
WE WEREN'T A HUGE SPORTS-CENTRIC FAMILY but most of us played a team sport at some point. I played soccer and volleyball, my sister and I both played softball, one of my brothers played hockey, and at one point my parents played beer-league slo-pitch. I consider this to be the average sport experience for most kids, es...
Jan 24, 2023
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In The Loop
HUNTER: Kamloops deserves proper representation
I DON'T THINK I WAS THE ONLY ONE hoping the January "new year, new me" vibe would also apply to city council. The first couple of weeks of 2023 have shown the holiday break did nothing to shift perspectives and attitudes toward working as a team.It appears the rest of the council is finding its way together a...
Jan 17, 2023
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In The Loop
HUNTER: Appealing your property assessment is not daunting - and may save you in the long run
WHEN I OPENED THE ENVELOPE containing my 2023 Property Assessment Notice from BC Assessment last week my jaw dropped and expletives came out.While the average change in property values across the city of Kamloops is an increase of 13 per cent, my property value increased by 73 per cent. My spouse's response was similar...
Jan 10, 2023
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