Kamloops Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson speaks to supporters and the media, Monday, July 15, 2024.

(LEVI LANDRY / iNFOnews.ca)

OPINION

I suppose it was our fault for trusting him.

Just because the mayor of the second largest city in the B.C. Interior calls a press conference teasing a major announcement, doesn’t mean we have to go, right?

If we weren’t aware before the Kamloops Klusterfluffle on Monday that Reid Hamer-Jackson had used his last chance at sincerity to cry wolf once again, we’ve got it now.

Understood, Your Worship.

Hamer-Jackson teased reporters by calling it a ‘resignation-related’ announcement which was a bit like a used car salesman promising rock bottom prices. It got us in the door, but didn’t save us from sticker shock.

The announcement was billed as a press conference, which is often for, you know — the press.

Marshall Jones, managing editor

But it was the ol’ classic bait-and-switch. Hamer-Jackson invited a few dozen of his, shall we say, most ardent supporters. They thought the press conference was their opportunity to yell at and cajole the press. They chased out Radio NL’s Brett Mineer with chants, because he had the audacity to ask questions.

As a member of the press. At a press conference. Where he didn't resign.

I want to say Mineer and to a lesser extent our own Levi Landry weren’t in any danger, but this is 2024 when the difference between serious concern and absolute catastrophe are only separated by the thickness of a human ear. The Mayor of Kamloops was reckless to incite a mob against journalists, knowing he couldn't control what they'd do.

Noted.

We’ve given Hamer-Jackson a long leash, longer than most. As I have said before, I really want a guy like him to succeed.

But at some point, we’re no longer bringing transparency and scrutiny to local politicians, we’re simply providing an audience that bullies need.

He’s still somehow got Mel Rothenburger as his chief apologist. Rothenburger appears to have chosen willful blindness in his pursuit of the RHJ mob as his audience, even praising the mayor for how he handled this debacle.

He’s no longer the Armchair Mayor, he’s the Mayor’s Armchair. He can’t seem to figure out that Hamer-Jackson’s shenanigans on public display are just a fraction of what councillors and staff have been dealing with from Day One in office.

Nope, they haven’t been perfect, not by a long shot, but on balance, they’re way ahead and doing as they should.

Go on Mel, show us one articulable point from the mayor to prove he deserves to retain power and regain our attention. One real, tangible, actually possible action or plan Reid has proposed for the greater good of the city and to deserve all your digital ink to his favour. Explain why all this is worth it.

You go on and play Charlie Brown to Reid’s Lucy, if you want.

We’re done playing these games.

— Marshall Jones is the Managing Editor of iNFOnews.ca

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