Kamloops mayor removed as spokesperson for the city

The mayor of Kamloops has been removed as the official spokesperson for the city.

Earlier this month, in a closed meeting, Kamloops City Council passed a resolution that would see mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson removed following a report brought forward by a provincially-assigned advisor.

Kamloops City Council has been embroiled in conflict for about a year with allegations of bullying and harassment, lawsuits, staff leaves and heated arguments in council chambers.

On May 7, council was presented with a report prepared by former-Abbotsford mayor Henry Braun. That report identified 16 “top challenges” and made 23 recommendations to council.

“The current council governance situation in the City of Kamloops is not normal,” Braun said at the time.

During that meeting, eight city council members voted in favour of a motion calling for the mayor to step down.

Two weeks later, the mayor responded but was removed as the chair of that meeting.

The deputy mayor, which is on a rotating schedule, will now be the first contact with other levels of governments, organizations and community partners.

This month the deputy mayor of councillor Kelly Hall and in June it will be coun. Katie Neustaeter.

Earlier this month, Braun did not express a lot of optimism that Hamer-Jackson will change his behaviours.

The resolution says Hamer-Jackson “has repeatedly demonstrated that he is not willing to reflect the will of Council in accordance with his statutory and common law obligations.”

A statement from the city says the primary focus of council is to “effectively govern” the city.

The statement says the resolution will “protect the interest” of the city and residents.

“In face of challenges, our Council remains confident in our ability to govern effectively and lead our city forward,” the statement says.

“These measures signify Council’s resolve to maintain trust and transparency in our leadership. We will move forward with confidence and continue to put the interests of the community ahead of our own, knowing our actions will reinforce ethical governance.”

The resolution also says that Hamer-Jackson has, with 48 hours of being asked to execute municipal instruments and records, neglected, or refused to do so, he shall be deemed “absent or unable to act.”

The deputy mayor for each month is now authorized to execute such municipal instruments and records, the resolution says.