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municipal politics
Kamloops set to boost rent bank
KAMLOOPS - A program aimed at helping working people struggling to pay their rent is set to get a boost from the city through affordable housing funding. Administered by the Elizabeth Fry Society, the rent bank has been helping individuals and families by providing loans to help cover rental costs for just over two years....
Strong start to 2015 construction year
KAMLOOPS - With 28 new residential units approved through the permitting process in January, Kamloops has kicked off 2015 with some strong numbers. In total eight single family and 20 multi-family units were approved last month, up from a total of just five units in January 2014. Permit values for just residential units were valued...
Half of 2014 development on South Shore
KAMLOOPS - The number of lots created over the past several years has continued to decrease, leaving 2014 well behind the 10-year average of 392 new lots. With about 200 new lots created in 2014, last year had the second lowest number of lots created in the past 10 years and was well behind the...
Kamloops to take a look at what kind of arts centre best suits the city
KAMLOOPS - Arts and culture has taken yet another leap forward thanks to approval of a study that will outline exactly what Kamloops needs in a performing arts centre. While the study into what a performing arts centre would need to look like in Kamloops was approved alongside the city budget earlier this year the...
Petition against tethering in Kamloops gaining traction
KAMLOOPS - Earlier this month city council dismissed the idea of pursuing an anti-tethering bylaw for the city because they had not heard many complaints. Now a local dog rescue is hoping a petition with 1,500 signatures will be enough for city council to sit up and take notice. In a letter to council at...
UPDATE: Anti-tethering bylaw not on agenda for Kamloops
KAMLOOPS - The City of Kamloops will not be joining the ranks of the 14 municipalities and two regional districts that have alread put restrictions on tethering dogs outdoors. The B.C. SPCA has been lobbying councils across the province to adopt bylaws that help promote animal well-being and human responsibility. In late 2013 the Regional...
Merits of adding Secwépemc to stop signs debated
'THERE'S NO ABILITY TO SAY YES TO THIS' KAMLOOPS - Provincial legislation says we can’t add another language to stop signs but that did not stop council from spending nearly 20 minutes debating the merits of adding Secwépemc to the signs Tuesday afternoon. According to the Motor Vehicle Act, the only word permitted on the...
Tax rate increase currently sitting near 2.6%
KAMLOOPS - With many budget requests from staff and the public yet to be decided on, the average homeowner can already expect to pay an additional $35 in property taxes this year. That $35 is based on the 1.91 per cent mill rate increase set out in the core services budget, but Assistant Finance Director...
Stop signs featuring Secwépemc would not meet standards
KAMLOOPS - The Secwépemc language is featured around the Thompson Rivers University campus but drivers will not likely see the word on city stop signs in the near future. In July, city council enquired about adding ‘estil,’ the Secwépemc word for stop, to appropriate signs within Kamloops. After reviewing the regulations and standards for both...
Lorne Street will no longer be part of official truck route
KAMLOOPS - City staff is looking to amend the traffic bylaw to remove several downtown streets from the official truck route. Low-clearance underpasses, a roundabout, road improvements and park areas are listed as some of the many reasons for wanting to remove Lorne Street, River Street and 10 Avenue north of Victoria Street from the...
ELECTION 2014: Innovation changes everything in this campaign
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Knocking on doors, shaking hands, advertising and putting up signs: If you ran for council anytime before the last 10 years, that’s how you got exposure. If you ran in 2011, you probably added Facebook and Twitter to your arsenal. But this year, candidates have all the tools of a major political party...
UPDATE: Bepple wants back on council
KAMLOOPS - Former Coun. Nancy Bepple stepped down from her council seat in March due to health reasons but Wednesday morning she announced her intention to run in the upcoming election. Bepple said her health is now under control and it will not impact her ability to be serve the city. "It was a chronic...
Labour council lending hand to candidates
KAMLOOPS - Several candidates have received endorsement from the Kamloops and District Labour Council after making it through the first round of interviews. Barb Nederpel, the first vice president of the labour council, says after a round of ‘speed dating’ type interviews with several candidates last week they decided to offer endorsement to Peter Kerek,...
THOMPSON: City focus should be on small business
KAMLOOPS - Yes Ajax is a big issue, but small businesses should be where the city focuses resources according to the most recent candidate to announce he is running for a city council seat. Glen Thompson, 51, moved to Kamloops earlier this year. He has been a community activist for most of his life and...
ELECTIONS 2014: Let the filing begin
KAMLOOPS - Today is the day the civic elections really get rolling. It is the first day nomination papers can be filed for anyone interested in running for city council, regional director or school trustee. Nomination papers must be filed between Sept. 30 and Oct. 10 at City Hall and by Oct. 20 the candidates...