Former environment minister Terry Lake, left, announces additions to the Lac du Bois protected areas while former MLA Kevin Krueger looks on, April 04, 2013.
Image Credit: FILE PHOTO
June 05, 2017 - 3:01 PM
KAMLOOPS – After a several year hiatus, former Liberal MLA Kevin Krueger wants to return to government work, but this time as a city councillor.
The face of Kamloops' council is set to shift significantly with the departure of Coun. Marg Spina, Coun. Ken Christian and mayor Peter Milobar. The three will formally resign as of June 30 and there will be a byelection in the fall, likely in September.
Spina is leaving for health reasons, Milobar was elected MLA for Kamloops-North Thompson and Christian is running for the vacant mayor's seat.
Krueger says his wife encouraged him to run for a seat on city council and he's looking forward to working with people on issues that matter. He wants to stay away from discussions he doesn't think are are a good use for council's time.
"Some things probably don't have a place at council table. I think that's divisive to the community and not productive to council's time," he says.
As an example, he says the provincial government's decision to allow wine sales at grocery stores and the resulting discussion by council was a "waste of time." He added the debate over the former Daily News building has gone on for too long.
"We need leadership, not people who endlessly debate things, which they have no authority over, just to make a point," Krueger says. "It makes people feel like this is bush league activity."
Krueger also pointed to a recent incident where a photograph of Coun. Donovan Cavers showing a middle finger to KGHM documents circulated online. He calls Cavers' behaviour inappropriate. He says as a councillor he would approach his colleagues and persuade them to change behaviour like this and represent council in a better light.
He says he can bring life experience and common sense to council chambers.
While the byelection will take place some time in the fall, City staff are drawing up a report to present at the end of this month that will detail the next steps in the process.
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News from © iNFOnews, 2017