Following are emailed reader responses to stories or letters to the editor for the second week of October 2024. They have been edited slightly for readability. 

Got something you want to add? Send an email to editor Marshall Jones at mjones@infonews.ca.

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Hamer-Jackson kicked out of Kamloops mayor's office at city hall

I wish that this city council could see themselves as the majority of the Kamloops citizens see them, being immature, snivelling snowflakes. Their bad behaviour started election night and has been non-stop since. We are tired of it. We elected a leader and would like him to have a chance to lead without the constant game playing. He may not be a smooth talker but he will get things done, in an above board way, with taxpayers knowledge and I would venture to say that the drug, homeless and crime scenario that has dragged this city down to the lowest level it could possibly be, would soon take on a new look and it certainly would not be acceptance and enabling the problems to continue. You have all just about a year to play your games with not much to show other than the city taxes going up, so I would like you all to give our mayor at least three to four months, without the constant backstabbing innuendos. If this is allowed, you, Mr. Mayor, be prepared to pull up your socks, best foot forward and show them how it is done and do not forget to say pretty please, just so everyone gets a warm fuzzy feeling.  — Sharon Rickson, via iNFOnews.ca

Please be careful how you write about our Mayor in Kamloops, Reid Hammer-Jackson. You article today was borderline expressing a mood of bullying. You are looked to be a news source, not an opinion pole. If it is your opinion, stand up and be counted. We want the news and statistics. When are you going to research the complaints about the Mayor being abrupt or demanding of city employee complaints. What did he do or say specifically that created and issue. As a news source, you talk around it, but never any details or specifics. I call bull shit. By not digging out the details, you are supporting Kamloops Council and city employees as bullies. — David Monsees, via email

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'I lost $50K': An Okanagan summer without Airbnb

As a tourist, maybe concentrate on the homeless, the thefts, people staring and bothering at out door cafes. People begging on every corner, the out and blatant use of drugs. Why would I come here? — Marilyn Leszczynski, via iNFOnews.ca

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Pit bulls in Kamloops pet mauling tested positive for meth, cocaine, city says

The owners need to be charged. — Bonnie Derry, via iNFOnews.ca

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What Kamloops, Okanagan public can expect when saving overdose victims

Glad to hear there are people who would take that action. Although I see it when we are out and about, I would not stop to check on someone who I think is passed out on drugs. — iceblueaccent, via X.com

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Kamloops businesses frustrated with RCMP and bylaw officers

This is beyond shocking, and not at the same time. We are going to lose all our local business owners. This isn't sustainable. — M1315094M, via X.com

I won't shop either place anymore, so potentially, they are losing money that way too. — KoiKelly, via X.com

We are a mess. — lynneborle, via X.com

I've saved the document to read again. I would like to see the comment sorted into 'like' responses. It was difficult reading the same comments by different people. I do not blame the police. I blame the courts and lack of accountability. Being an addict is not an excuse. — iceblueaccent, via X.com

Our fourth reason we moved. — Kevin Brett, via X.com

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RCMP cleared in 2022 Kamloops deadly shooting after violent abduction

Sad situation for his ex and children, but I am grateful we no longer have to worry about this man bringing violence to his family or elsewhere in our communities. — iceblueaccent, via X.com

Mob mentality at work in teen swarming attack: Prof

I was the victim of violence, started by two classmates. It ended with a bully threatening me and shoving me against a wall in front of many witnesses, enough to have stopped the guy who attacked. They watched or stayed out of the way. Years later, I was attacked by a criminal and only a colleague in a car, interrupting the attack, saved me from possible death. The police aren't even worth mentioning when they aren't upholding racism and colonialism in every city of this country.  — Patrick Longworth, via email

iN RESPONSE to newsletter

Today's elections seem to me are like time machines. Jump in a  Conservative designed machine and you're heading back to the past, jump in a more liberal time machine and you're heading to the future. Neither machine works very well but those are your choices. — Ron Wat, via email 

I was disappointed that Peter Milobar chose to hang with John Rustad, thereby declaring himself against the COVID 19 vaccine and boosters, a non-environmentalist, bring back plastic straws and bags, supporter of private auto insurance. Belair Direct dropped it from their platform, couldn’t compete. Alberta’s All State Insurance is just about on par with ICBC, removal of SOGI from schools thereby accepting the former discrimination, his rejecting climate change, introduce private medical thereby contravening the Canada Health Act and they have nothing exceptional in Indigenous relations albeit The Moose Hide Campaign withdrew their approval of Rustad from wearing their pin saying, “It is our position that you are not upholding these standards.” I had hoped Peter would have joined the scores of other BC United candidates and run as an independent. — Jon McCormick, via email 

My parents were staunch Liberals, until Trudeau the elder. They were never onboard for anything CCF (Co-operative Commonwealth Federation) did, but thought health care was the Christian way of it. I am Conservative for Federal elections. I will hold my nose and vote NDP. Rustad’s main fault is extreme racism, and he’s a bully.  He was an antivaxer and is very likely an accomplice in the deaths of many. — Janice Crape, via email 

As voters, we deserve representatives who not only understand our community’s needs but also demonstrate a genuine commitment to serving all constituents. Our representative in Victoria should be someone who understands the value of every voice, who listens and leads with empathy, and who is prepared to represent the varied perspectives in our city.

I strongly believe that Loyal Wooldridge is that candidate, and he will represent all of Kelowna and help move our city forward and be an effective representative in Victoria for our community. He has shown respect and concern for all of Kelowna’s residents. He pays attention to all the varied problems we are facing as a fast growing city from our housing crisis to our unhoused population, from our farming community to our small business owners. He has been actively engaged in the community, and has shown a willingness and eagerness to meet people and talk about their concerns. He is respectful, knowledgeable and willing to gather information to further understand our issues. We know that from his work as a Kelowna City councillor over the past several years and saw his actions during the McDougall Creek fire of 2023. When compared with the other candidates vying for the new seat in Kelowna Centre, he is far and away the best person to be in Victoria to stand for Kelowna.

We do not need someone there who displays troubling behaviour, has made derogatory remarks, has shown a dismissive attitude towards certain community groups and demonstrated a profound disconnect from our diverse population. We need a stand up, person of character and commitment and Loyal Wooldridge has shown again and again that he is that person. — Beverley Kalmakoff, via email

First, thank you for your unbiased reporting, we need a lot more of that. But to the question of not knowing who or what your local candidate stands for is priority one for me. I’m a free thinking voter and if I don’t know what you stand for then I will not even consider you on voting day. If you hide from scrutiny then that speaks volumes of who you are. So if you want the job then show up for interviews. — Anthony Plourde, via email

Economy is the number one issue, without economic growth we would not have the resources to help in all the other needed areas. — Ken and Lynn Ganden, via email

BC Conservatives to bring back common sense. — Sherin Gauvin, via email

Hey I don't normally respond to your questions, but I have to say that I'm sick and tired of street crime and drugs. There are so many issues out there but this one is driving me crazy because I think it can be dealt with differently than how the NDP has been handling it which is clearly not working. On the other hand some of the Conservative candidates are a bit nutso and I'm also concerned about cuts they may make. But hey, it might be time to try something different. I guess it's decision time soon. Time to start praying for wisdom. — Kathy Russell, via email

My most important issues are climate change, fix logging practices and the environment. We don't have any time left for climate deniers or money hungry politicians. — Debbie Oakland, via email

To contact a reporter for this story, email Marshall Jones or call 250-718-2724 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

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