A Bit of a Bittersweet Start to September….
Mayor Peter Milobar announces his bid for the Kamloops North Thompson BC Liberal Party Nomination.
I’ve always wondered why people run for provincial or federal elected office. I have a lot of time and respect for our current local MLA duo and for our MP. My Dad even tried twice to get elected an MLA.
But, at city council, we look for reasons to agree and to work together. That’s in the culture of most local governments. In Victoria and Ottawa, it seems they look for reasons to disagree. At least, thats how it often seems. I’ve shared these sentiments, from time to time, with our local MLAs – so hopefully its no surprise to them how I view this.
Just recently, two of my council colleagues, Mayor Peter Milobar and Councillor Donovan Cavers, have announced bids to get into provincial politics. Peter first has a tough nomination election against another very solid candidate, Stephen Puhallo. And, Donovan will have a tougher battle trying to be the first Green ever elected in Kamloops in a provincial election.
Councillor Donovan Cavers announced as BC Green Party Candidate for the Kamloops South Thompson Riding.
So, although I wish them the very very best, I can’t help but have a bittersweet feeling. Council is potentially losing contributing members. And they are going into a pretty tough place for people who are more use to working together than working against folks.
And another person dear to me, former city councillor Nancy Bepple, recently posted a new shiny profile picture on facebook. All excited, I commented “Nancy 2018”, thinking this was the early steps in a bit to get back on city council. And then Nancy also announces for the provincial NDP.
Former councillor Nancy Bepple’s Shiny Facebook Photo
I am also hoping that, if elected, they will bring more cross partisan styles to their work. I’ve seen the three of them do this for a long time locally.
Arjun Singh
Arjun is a trained facilitator and is currently co-chair of the Canadian Community for Dialogue and Deliberation.
Arjun was born and raised in Kamloops. His parents, Dr Gur and Mrs Manju Singh, immigrated to Canada from India in the 1960s. He previously served on council from 2005-2008. He has a MA in Professional Communication from Royal Roads University and a Certificate in Dialogue, Deliberation, and Public Engagement from Fielding Graduate University.
Arjun welcomes your questions or feedback on any community issue or initiative.
Since 2005, he has written a blog for Kamloops citizens and people interested in Kamloops – www.yourkamloops.com.
You can also find Arjun on twitter at @yourkamloops or @arjunsingh.
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