Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson has offered up a statement following a decision by his councillors to push back against his proposed changes to the makeup of the council committees.
“Shortly after noon on March 16, 2023, I directed City Council’s Executive Assistant to forward a proposed list of Standing Committee appointees for 2023 to our eight (8) City Councillors, to CAO David Trawin, and to Legislative Services Manager Maria Mazzotta,” said Hamer-Jackson in his statement issued on Saturday. “My purpose in doing so was to invite their input and discussion on the changes that I felt were necessary to improve the effectiveness of these committees.”
The statement goes on to note the list was sent to all members of council shortly after noon on Thursday.
“Unfortunately, one of the recipients of my confidential e-mail chose to release the list of proposed committee appointees to the media within minutes of receiving it, without my knowledge or consent,” said Hamer-Jackson in his statement.
The statement also takes issue with the news conference the members of council organized at city hall on Friday over the noon-hour.
Kamloops councillors holding a news conference on March 17. (Photo via Paul James)
“Our eight (8) City Councillors then staged a media event on Friday, March 17, 2023, in which they publicly attacked this initiative. A prepared statement was read aloud by Councillor Neustaeter, which was rife with untruths and personal allegations against me, all based on the false premise that they had been “disrespected” and excluded from a process that is the Mayor’s duty to perform. In their statement, Council members acknowledged the value of accountability and transparency in municipal governance. In the days and weeks ahead, they will be invited to provide the public with any factual basis for their statements, in the interests of both truth and accountability. As well, the individual who leaked this confidential e-mail to the media should take personal responsibility, and should publicly apologize to the citizens of Kamloops for their irresponsible conduct,” the statement reads.
The statement from Hamer-Jackson then points to his abilities through his role as the Mayor of Kamloops.
“Under s.141 of the Community Charter, mayors of municipalities in British Columbia have the sole authority to establish or change the memberships of standing committees,” notes Hamer-Jackson in his statement. “However, I chose to involve all of Council and senior staff in this process, in this manner, well in advance of the next regular Council meeting where the changes would be presented and debated publicly. The proposed changes were, and remain, a work in progress with one or more further appointees to be added,” the statement reads.
The statement from Hamer-Jackson finishes with a call for his proposal to amend the committee assignments to be given a chance.
“I would urge my fellow Councillors to put their bruised egos aside long enough to consider the merits of the changes that I am proposing, and the value that the new committee appointees will bring to our City,” the statement concludes.
