Governance: What I’ve learned and what we’ve accomplished

Serving on Kamloops City Council over the past four years has reinforced how important steady, informed leadership is at the local level. Council decisions affect daily life, from roads, recreation and safety to housing, infrastructure and long-term planning. They also shape the kind of city we are building for the future.

Municipal government is very process-driven. That can feel slow, especially when there are urgent needs and residents want to see action. Cities also do not have full autonomy over every decision or community need. We work within provincial legislation, regulations and guidelines, and responsible leadership means understanding those limits while still pushing for practical solutions.

That is one of the biggest lessons I have taken from this term. Good governance is not about rushing decisions. It is about asking the right questions, respecting the process, listening to different perspectives and working with others in the best interest of the city.

This past term has not always been easy. There have been challenges, and at times, difficult dynamics around the Council table. My hope for the next term is a renewed focus on respect, teamwork and the work residents expect us to do.

There is also meaningful progress from this term that I am proud to have supported.

The Build Kamloops initiatives are an important part of planning for our city’s future. Moving the Performing Arts Centre and multi-rink facilities forward, supporting the new skating loop at Riverside Park, and seeing progress on a seniors facility at Cottonwoods are examples of investments that matter now and will continue to matter for years to come.

These are significant decisions. They require careful thought, public discussion and a clear understanding of both today’s pressures and tomorrow’s needs. Kamloops is growing, and growth brings opportunity. It also brings responsibility. We need to make sure our facilities, infrastructure, services and planning keep pace with the community.

My work with the Thompson-Nicola Regional District and the Thompson Regional Hospital District has also shaped how I see Kamloops’ role beyond City Hall. Kamloops is the major hub for our region. What happens here matters not only to our residents, but to people throughout the region who rely on Kamloops for services, health care, employment, recreation and connection.

That regional perspective matters. It reminds me that Kamloops needs a strong, thoughtful voice at regional and provincial tables.

One ongoing challenge for any city is balancing immediate concerns with long-term planning. We need to respond to the needs people are facing today, while also being honest about where past gaps have left us. In some areas, Kamloops is in catch-up mode. Needed facilities and infrastructure cannot simply be pushed further down the road without creating larger challenges and higher costs later.

As I seek re-election, my priorities remain clear: good governance, respect, teamwork and practical decision-making.

There is still important work ahead. We need to continue moving forward with Build Kamloops, address the need for a new RCMP building, keep a close eye on housing as community needs shift, and maintain service levels so all areas of Kamloops are served as well as possible.

el. To me, that means doing the work with care, staying grounded in the needs of residents, and making decisions that consider both where Kamloops is today and where we need to be in the years ahead.

Kamloops deserves leadership that is prepared, respectful, and focused on the future. That is the work I have tried to bring to Council, and it is the work I hope to continue.