The new municipal adviser for the City of Kamloops is in the Tournament Capital ahead of a series of in-person meetings with Mayor and Council.

Speaking on NL Mornings, Councillor Margot Middleton says she felt former Abbotsford Mayor Henry Braun’s presence at City Hall on Tuesday made “quite a difference” in the conduct of mayor and council.

“There was a lot less antagonistic sort of behaviour going on between Councillors and the mayor in public and so forth,” Middleton said. “It was definitely not our standard or our normal meeting, I’d certainly say that.”

“It would be nice to see that that is how we could evolve to having our meeting run like this.”

Middleton also said she hopes Braun will help Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson and council work though their differences.

“Ultimately, we can’t change the personalities of the individuals around the horseshoe. We are who we are, but we do have to find a way to work as adults,” Middleton said.

“There is going to be a lot of past history in the last year and a bit that has gone on that is going to be hard to overcome, but I think we are going to have to do our best to rise above that and get working together as a team.”

Middleton says Braun is expected to be back in the City next month, and said he is scheduled to also speak to some city staff as part of his work. He’ll also go though past council meetings minutes and recordings as part of his work, which is due to wrap up in June.

While his report is expected to include recommendations for mayor and council, Braun is also expected to do some coaching and mentoring work during his time in Kamloops.

Braun, who served one term as Abbotsford City Council and two terms as mayor between 2014 and 2022, replaces former Langley Mayor Peter Fassbender was originally appointed to the role of municipal adviser in December. Fassbender was relieved of his duties without any explanation not long after.

In September of last year, Kamloops Council reached out to the province asking for help in dealing with the “dysfunction and discord” that has plagued Mayor and Council since they took office in the fall of 2022.

More to come