In The Loop
A long-time writer and community enthusiast, Sadie joined CFJC as a columnist in the fall of 2022. As an entrepreneur, a scientist, journalist and a former city councillor, she brings a broad and diverse voice to her writing. Sadie moved to Kamloops in 2001 from northern BC to attend what was then the University College of the Cariboo and ultimately graduated with Bachelor degrees in both Science and Journalism and later a MSc in Environmental science, with a focus on policy. She also has a graduate certificate from Royal Roads University in Values-Based Leadership. Sadie’s enthusiasm for community shines through in everything she does. When not writing or consulting through her business Hunter Ink Communications, she enjoys chilling with her cats, friends and family.
In The Loop
HUNTER: Nursing our appreciation back to health
NATIONAL NURSING WEEK takes place from Monday, May 8 to Sunday, May 12 - Florence Nightingale's birthday.This year's theme is 'Our Nurses. Our Future.' According to the Canadian Nurses Association website, the theme "showcases the many roles nurses play in a patient's healthcare journey. The pandemic brought to li...
May 09, 2023
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In The Loop
HUNTER: Mental health is human health
MAY 1-TO-7, 2023 MARKS Mental Health Week in Canada. This year's theme is #mystory, which is aimed at encouraging people to share their mental health experiences because, after all, mental health is part of our overall health."Storytelling is a fundamental part of being human. Stories help build connections and st...
May 02, 2023
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In The Loop
HUNTER: The North American Indigenous Games - the true spirit of reconciliation in action
THIS WEEKEND, Tk'emlups te Secwepemc (TteS), the City of Kamloops and the provincial government hosted the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) delegates to tour our world class facilities and amenities. The delegates were greeted at Kamloops Airport by enthusiastic community leaders from both TteS, the City of Kamlo...
Apr 25, 2023
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In The Loop
HUNTER: Codifying expectations - new bylaw aims to set standards for council conduct
THE NEW COUNCIL CODE OF CONDUCT Bylaw No. 53 being presented to Council Tuesday (April 18) is intended to add a resolution process for handling complaints and add some specificity around some actions over and above what's already included in the Community Charter. This includes more language around how to handle possib...
Apr 18, 2023
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In The Loop
HUNTER: Neighbourhood associations could have a stronger voice than any committee
THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF DISCUSSION about public involvement in city issues and the ability of the public to have a voice or say in many important issues.What seems to be missing from some of this discussion is the fact there are several fairly established ways to get involved and to raise issues of community concern.It's...
Apr 04, 2023
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In The Loop
HUNTER: Helping everyone enjoy some sunshine in city parks
WALKING THROUGH RIVERSIDE PARK THIS WEEKEND, signs of spring were everywhere. I walk Rivers Trail frequently and this weekend the trail and park sprang to life with activity.Pickleball, tennis, bicycles, scooters, walkers and rollers, all signs of what's to come over the next few months. The first really nice weekend a...
Mar 28, 2023
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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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In The Loop
HUNTER: Entering 2023 with cautious optimism
THE BEGINNING OF A NEW YEAR is a natural time for people to reflect on the last year and on what they may want to leave behind, change, or keep going forward. Reflection is a good practice in general, but I do think having a temporal marker to set aside time for reflection is important, it's really easy to get caught u...
Jan 03, 2023
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In The Loop
HUNTER: Traditional Diversity
FIVE DAYS OUT from Christmas, I thought I'd use this week's column to explore a few holiday traditions from around the world. This idea was inspired by a recent conversation I had with a friend of mine from Mexico about her family's holiday traditions.In Mexico, New Year's Eve is a big celebration with numerous traditi...
Dec 20, 2022
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