Kamloops Critic

10/14/2026

It's a democratic process. Right? Right?

10/14/2026

A reported threatening voicemail to former Kamloops CAO David Trawin became part of a confidential letter from Council to Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson.

But several questions remain. Was the recording preserved? What did the reporter independently verify? And how did Trawin know the caller’s alleged connection to the Mayor?

I reviewed the Council letter, media coverage and text messages. Here’s what the available material tells us—and what it doesn’t.

👉 Read the article: https://kamloopscritic.ca/post/2026/david-trawin-threat-call/

Please Like, Follow, and Share with the rest of your community

A reported threat to former Kamloops CAO David Trawin raised questions about the evidence, a curious detail about the caller and City Hall’s response.

10/13/2026

Councillor Mike O'Reilly wouldn't support the Mayor's proposal. Calls it half-baked.

After 4 years of control, O'Reilly now has a fully baked plan. It just needed some land.

Please Like, Follow, and Share with the rest of your community

10/12/2026

Will Council release the Honcharuk report before Election Day — or are they hoping to keep it buried for another four years?

I have to wonder whether Council’s Communication Strategy includes releasing the Honcharuk report at the last minute, when there’s little time for the public to examine it. Or are they hoping enough incumbents get re-elected to keep the report out of public view for another four years?

For the past term, we’ve heard repeated allegations about Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson. Yet some reports and investigations used to support criticism of the Mayor remain out of public view.

The question isn’t whether the allegations are serious. It’s whether the public has been given enough information to judge them fairly.

Doesn’t the public deserve to know the truth? And doesn’t the Mayor deserve the opportunity to have the evidence examined openly, rather than have allegations follow him while the reports remain hidden?

If Council believes these reports justify its criticism, why not release them and let the public see the evidence for itself?

Kamloops voters deserve transparency before they cast their ballots, not another four years of unanswered questions.

Please Like, Follow, and Share with the rest of your community

10/12/2026

Your Council Candidates

Here's how I've currently ranked them. This changes as I learn more about the candidates. Do you agree?

👉 Check out the list here: https://kamloopscritic.ca/elections/2026-2030/council/

Please Like, Follow, and Share with the rest of your community

There are 29 candidates seeking your vote on October 17, 2026. Who has earned your trust? Who has earned your respect? Who best represents the values that matter to you?

10/12/2026

Kamloops’ Mayoral Campaign: Facts vs. Allegations

As Kamloops' mayoral election approaches, the debate is becoming increasingly personal. But how much of what we're hearing is supported by evidence, and how much is interpretation, assumption or political positioning?

I've examined the disputes surrounding the candidates, the claims about Pivot Kamloops, and the questions voters should ask before accepting allegations as fact. I've also explained what I've observed about each of the six mayoral candidates and where important questions remain unanswered.

The goal isn't to tell you what to think. It's to show you how I reached my conclusions and encourage you to apply the same standard to every candidate.

👉 Read the article: https://kamloopscritic.ca/post/2026/kamloops-mayoral-campaign-facts-allegations/

Please Like, Follow, and Share with the rest of your community

10/11/2026

Mike O'Reilly says he's a consensus builder. But what did he build during his eight years on Kamloops council?

At a recent mayoral forum, O'Reilly pointed to the relative lack of dysfunction at TNRD meetings, where seven of Kamloops' eight councillors also sit.

It's a fair comparison to raise. But does it explain the problems at City Hall, or does it leave unanswered questions about the responsibility councillors have for their own behaviour?

I look at O'Reilly's claims, his record and what residents should expect from someone seeking the mayor's chair.

👉 Read the article: https://kamloopscritic.ca/post/2026/mike-oreilly-consensus-builder/

Please Like, Follow, and Share with the rest of your community

Mike O'Reilly calls himself a consensus builder. We examine his record on Kamloops council and ask what he did to address its dysfunction.

10/10/2026

Kamloops Critic Recommends Pivot Kamloops

I've followed their campaigns, spoken individually with each member, and reached a decision: I'm recommending Nelly Dever for mayor, and Kathrine Blair-Wunderlich, Dennis Giesbrecht and Randy Sunderman for council.

But I know there are questions about this group. Are they a voting bloc? Is Coley Ecker directing them? What about Dennis Giesbrecht's recent video? And what about my own biases and connections to local civic groups?

I've addressed those questions in my latest article, along with why I believe each candidate deserves your consideration.

My recommendation isn't a blank cheque. I'm recommending four individuals based on my assessment of their judgment, experience and approach to the issues facing Kamloops. If my assessment of any of them changes, I'll say so.

You don't have to agree with me. I encourage you to read the article, consider the evidence and make up your own mind.

👉 Read the full article: https://kamloopscritic.ca/post/2026/kamloops-critic-recommends-pivot-kamloops/

Please Like, Follow, and Share with the rest of your community

Kamloops Critic explains why it recommends Nelly Dever, Kathrine Blair-Wunderlich, Dennis Giesbrecht and Randy Sunderman, addressing concerns about the Pivot slate, independence and judgment.

10/10/2026

Nelly Kicks O’Reilly’s Rebuttal

At the September 23 mayoral forum, Mike O’Reilly argued that Nelly Dever’s record showed she didn’t support capital investment in the arts.

But what do the records actually say?

I reviewed the City’s 2014 borrowing documents and contemporary reporting about PAC Not Yet and the revised performing arts centre proposal. The history is more complicated than O’Reilly’s rebuttal suggested.

There’s a difference between opposing an arts centre and questioning how it’s financed.

👉 Read the evidence and decide for yourself.

https://kamloopscritic.ca/post/2026/nelly-dever-oreilly-arts-claims/

Please Like, Follow, and Share with the rest of your community

Mike O’Reilly questioned Nelly Dever’s arts record. City documents and past reporting reveal important context about the PAC and its financing.

10/09/2026

O'Reilly defends the AAP throughout his campaign.
Even if you agreed with them before, what happens when you don't?