It appears we now know three of the names that will be on the Mayoral ticket when Kamloopsians vote in the 2022 civic election.

Reid Hamer-Jackson says he is planning to take a run at the city’s top elected position. The owner of Tru Market Truck and Auto Sales on West Victoria Street, has been outspoken on issues relating to the city’s most vulnerable and recently floated the idea of building a wellness centre for people with mental-health and addiction issues out in Rayleigh.

The thought was to have a location away from the core of the city where people can go and have the ability to access wrap-around services. His idea was brought to the council table by Denis Walsh in October, 2021 but it did not receive enough support to move ahead with a feasibility study.

Speaking on the NL Morning News, Hamer-Jackson said that he believes we need to focus more on recovery and less on just housing individuals overnight without helping them into recovery or finding other supports.

“We wouldn’t need to ask for two Portland loos for $1 million if we help people get better. I just think we’re spending too much money on the properties, whether it be BC Housing or whoever, I think we need to spend more money on the people to make it better for the whole community,” he said.

When asked why should people vote for Reid Hamer Jackson? “Because I am going to listen to the citizens. The citizens of the community are speaking and I think that we’ve got to listen to them and then go from there.”

Hamer-Jackson joins Ray Dhaliwal and Arjun Singh in stating their intentions to run for the Mayor of Kamloops.

Incumbent Ken Christian previously announced he would not be seeking reelection leaving the Mayoral race wide open.

The civic election is set to be held on October 15.