Kamloops mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson's issues with two of the city's most prominent non-profits could get in the way of his efforts on the City's social issues.
Image Credit: FACEBOOK/Reid Hamer-Jackson for Mayor
December 12, 2022 - 7:00 PM
The new Kamloops mayor will continue to step away from anything on council that relates to two of the largest and most active non-profits helping the city's homeless.
Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson has letters to and from his lawyer between both ASK Wellness and Canadian Mental Health Association, putting his own personal issues in conflict with issues at city hall.
He's been in the spotlight over the past few weeks, first when he was accused of defaming ASK Wellness and its CEO in media interviews, and second when he recused himself from an entire meeting due to a report that outlined thousands in funding to the organization.
"When you can't ask questions because you could defame somebody, because their name is in the report, that's not a good thing," Hamer-Jackson said on Dec. 6.
He later told iNFOnews.ca he would also recuse himself from any issue related to CMHA Kamloops and its executive director Alfred Achoba, likely due to a dispute that dates back more than a year before he ran for mayor.
A series of letters included Achoba's lawyer David Edinger threatening legal action against Hamer-Jackson.
"Since January 2020, from time to time you have harassed, bullied and intimidated or attempted to intimidate Mr. Achoba and his staff. We are also advised you have uttered racist statements directed at Mr. Achoba and/or his staff," reads a letter from Achoba's lawyer to Hamer-Jackson, dated May 28, 2021.
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It continues to warn Hamer-Jackson that legal proceedings against him may be launched against him if any "further" acts or incidents occur.
Hamer-Jackson denies ever making racist comments toward Achoba or his staff. His lawyer David McMillan then sent a letter demanding more details or recordings of those conversations.
"Mr. Achoba does not wish to engage with your client in person and has instructed us not to debate our respective clients' undoubtedly differing view of the past," Achoba's lawyer David Edinger later responded in a letter Hamer-Jackson provided to iNFOnews.ca.
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The letters between ASK's lawyer and Hamer-Jackson's were only sent within the last month, in which the non-profit offered to work with the mayor because of their aligning interests to address street issues and homelessness in Kamloops, but also accused Hamer-Jackson of defaming both the organization and CEO Bob Hughes.
While he refrained from mentioning ASK Wellness or its CEO by name in media interviews after he left the Dec. 6 council meeting, Hamer-Jackson appeared to be referring to only that organization.
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Hamer-Jackson's campaign was centred largely on public safety and "accountability." He says he wants the city's homeless to get wrap around services while also addressing the city's crime. He also continues to stress his desire for a "third-party review" of the city's non-profit housing and shelter providers.
He said he would continue to recuse himself from any City business at council meetings that relate to either ASK Wellness or CMHA until his personal issues with them are resolved.
It's not clear when his legal issues between either non-profit will be resolved, but neither have ended up in court or with formal legal legal proceedings.
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