Returning Kamloops councillor to Singh a new song
Kamloops This Week is sitting down with all newly elected city councillors and school trustees and introducing them to our readers. First up were city councillors Nelly Dever, Ken Christian and Donovan Cavers and school trustee Meghan Wade, whose stories can be read online at kamloopsthisweek.com. Today, we talk to incoming city councillor Arjun Singh, who makes his second trip to council.
He’s a new addition to the current crop of city councillors, but Arjun Singh won’t be all that unfamiliar to many in the Tournament Capital.
After losing his council seat in 2008, the Kamloops native came back in a big way, finishing fifth in the Nov. 19 civic election with 7,330 votes.
Singh, who ocassionally courted controversy during his first tenure on council — from 2005 to 2008 — said he has learned a lot in his last three years out of the public eye.
Singh said he wants to take a more collaborative and thoughtful approach when it comes to tackling issues.
He wants to make decisions that represent the entire community.
Singh will have the training to back up his new philosophy.
In the last three years, Singh has earned his master’s degree in professional communication.
Besides helping run family-owned apartment buildings in Kamloops, Singh has also remained active in the community, volunteering and working on issues close to his heart — specifically, democracy and public engagement.
Singh is involved with Fair Voting BC, a group trying to bring reform to the voting system in the province, and he has worked with a national organization that tackles public engagement.
In January 2009, Singh flew to Washington to watch U.S. President Barack Obama’s inauguration.
Though he is political enthusiast, Singh said he decided to run for council for a second time because of his passion for his hometown.
“This is my community,” he said.
“It’s a community that’s been very good to me and my family.”
His new approach will surely be put to the test in the next thee years.
Singh suggested council will have its hands full dealing with a number of issues, from downtown parking to a new official community plan and everything in between.
But, he has faith the new council will do a good job for Kamloops residents.
“Council has a great diversity to it,” Singh said.
“I think that could be a real strength for us if we can build respect and relationships into our work.”
COMMENTS
Let's keep comments:
We ask that all participants own their words by logging in with their Facebook account. It's a simple process that will take seconds and helps keep our comments free of trolls, cranks, and “drive-by” commenters.
We reserve the right to remove comments from anyone using screen names, pseudonyms or false identities. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.