How to get the mayor’s goat

I know how to get the mayor’s goat.
If you want to get on his nerves some time, just ask Peter Milobar how his “task force on the economy” is going.
He insists it is not a task force. I’m not sure what it is, but if it looks, smells and sounds like a task force, to [...]

Something missing in Place In Sun video

I’ve probably seen the Our Place In The Sun video at least 50 times, and it never fails to make me proud of Kamloops.
Last night, I saw it again during the civic dinner for the Communities in Bloom judges who were in town to look at our city. One of the people at our table [...]

The unsung heros on the other end of the phone

Armchair Mayor column, Kamloops Daily News, July 25, 2009
When I call up technical support at my satellite TV service provider, there’s a certain comfort in the words, “Yes, Mel, I can definitely help you with that.”
Right away, I figure he or she is going to be able to tell me why my screen just went [...]

At the opening of Spirit Square. . .

Got there a little late for the official opening of Spirit Square this morning and missed the speeches but had a burger and some chitchat.
It’s a nice new feature for the Tranquille Road shopping area, tying together the business corridor and McDonald Park. It cleans up an otherwise very average piece of land, and when [...]

Flying Phil looks good in bronze

Monday’s unveiling of the statue of Flying Phil was an emotional occasion for Bob Gaglardi and his daughter Andrea, who both came up from Vancouver for the event.
It was gratifying to see so many people attend, but especially important that members of the former highways minister’s family were there. Bob was scheduled to speak but [...]

One thing missing when Flying Phil statue is unveiled

Armchair Mayor column for the Kamloops Daily News, Saturday, July 18, 2009
Aside from the man himself, there will be one other thing missing from the unveiling ceremony Monday for the statue of Flying Phil Gaglardi.
I’ve watched the various stages of creation of the statue by sculptor Terry Norlander, and it has turned out magnificently. It [...]

No sneaking peeks on statue of Flying Phil

I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking you’ll go take a sneak peek at the city’s newest piece of public art — the statue of Flying Phil Gaglardi — before the official unveiling Monday at St. Andrew’s on the Square.
Forget it. The 5 ft. five inch lifesize bronze won’t be erected until very shortly before [...]