Mel Rothenburger

Kamloops

Contributor at CFJC-TV (Kamloops, BC)

Retired daily newspaper editor, former Kamloops mayor, armchair mayor, news/ political addict.

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Articles

URBAN TRANSPORTATION - Bike Valet service gears up for a second year

6 days ago | armchairmayor.ca | Armchair Mayor.ca |Mel Rothenburger

In partnership with Tourism Kamloops, the City’s Kamloops Bike Valet has entered its second year in operation with program improvements, including a second location. The Kamloops Bike Valet is like a coat check, where bikes are dropped off, owners receive a claim ticket, and personnel watch over the parked bikes until owners return to claim them.
REFERENDUM REALITY? - Alberta, Sask. talk independence but few would leave

1 week ago | armchairmayor.ca | Armchair Mayor.ca |Mel Rothenburger

Concessions on emissions caps, Bill C-69, east-to-west pipelines sway many “leave” votersBy ANGUS REID INSTITUTEMay 8, 2025 – The path for a referendum on separation in Alberta was laid out this week by Premier Danielle Smith, even though she has been adamant that she does not support the movement. In Saskatchewan, Premier Scott Moe has said his government does not support separation, but he wouldn’t stand in the way of a vote.
TARIFF WARS - Consumer boycott of U.S. food brands is working, for now

1 week ago | armchairmayor.ca | Sylvain Charlebois |Armchair Mayor.ca |Page One |Mel Rothenburger

Retailers are scrambling as shoppers reject U.S. brands. This isn’t an online tantrum – it’s a fundamental economic shiftBy SYLVAIN CHARLEBOISDalhousie UniversityWHILE GOVERNMENT ACTION has its limits, Canadian consumers are taking matters into their own hands, one grocery trip at a time.
CITY OF KAMLOOPS - Homeowners to start receiving tax notices this week

1 week ago | armchairmayor.ca | Armchair Mayor.ca |Mel Rothenburger

Kamloops homeowners will start receiving their 2025 property tax notices this week. Those opting to receive e-bills should watch for their email notice to arrive soon, says the City in a news release. Property taxes and Home Owner Grant applications are due Wednesday, July 2, 2025. A 10% penalty for late payments and late grant applications will apply as of July 3.
BUSINESS BEAT - Rough start for year for Canadian Tire, Tim Hortons

1 week ago | armchairmayor.ca | Armchair Mayor.ca |Mel Rothenburger

Why Donald Trump is no doubt furious with his country’s central bank, a rough start to the year for Canadian Tire and Tim Hortons, and lousy news for a telecom giant’s shareholders…in your Thursday, May 8 edition of Canada’s Business Beat. Click on microphone to link to audio.
POLICE - Images of suspects in Tranquille Road assault released

1 week ago | armchairmayor.ca | Armchair Mayor.ca |Mel Rothenburger

The Kamloops RCMP Detachment is releasing two images to help further an investigation that saw a youth receive serious injuries earlier this year. On March 14, 2025, police issued a news release asking for witnesses and information that could be connected to an altercation the night before. According to the report, on Thursday, March 13, around 9:30 p.m., a person had been travelling in a grey Volkswagen on the 700-block of Tranquille Road when a confrontation occurred with a group of people.
TNRD - Free chipping days for East Barriere Lake, Neskonlith, Knouff

1 week ago | armchairmayor.ca | Armchair Mayor.ca |Mel Rothenburger

The Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) FireSmart™ program will be offering free chipping day events for residents in East Barriere Lake, Neskonlith Lake, and Knouff Lake later this month. East Barriere Lake: May 20, 2025Neskonlith Lake (properties within TNRD Electoral Area “P”): May 22, 2025Knouff Lake: May 31, 2025Residents are encouraged to clear out brush, branches, deadfall, and trimmings, to reduce wildfire fuels and help mitigate the risk of wildfire.
CHARBONNEAU - Look to Australia for how to trade with China

1 week ago | armchairmayor.ca | Armchair Mayor.ca |Page One |Mel Rothenburger

CHINA IS AUSTRALIA’S largest trading partner. Exports to China are 15 times those to America. Australia has leaned how global trading really works. Canada has been rewarded for its loyalty to the U.S. with punishing tariffs. Canada showed solidarity with Washington by imposing 100 per cent tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles and 25-per-cent levies on Chinese steel and aluminum. Look at how far that got us.
CITY ISSUES - ‘Point in time’ count outlines increases in homelessness

1 week ago | armchairmayor.ca | Armchair Mayor.ca |City Issues |Mel Rothenburger

More than 300 people were experiencing homelessness in Kamloops at the time of a “Point in Time” count taken last fall, according to a report presented to City Council this week. A Point-in-Time Count provides a snapshot of the number of people experiencing homelessness within a community in a 24-hour period.
EDITORIAL - The City’s business belongs to the public, not to councillors

1 week ago | armchairmayor.ca | Armchair Mayor.ca |Mel Rothenburger

An editorial by Mel Rothenburger. KAMLOOPS CITY COUNCIL continues to be confused about its job. At Tuesday’s (May 6, 2025) meeting, councillors approved by a count of 7-2 gutting the “Public inquiries” section of its agendas for regular meetings and replacing it with a “Public Input” section. The new moniker comes with new rules that set up so many roadblocks to public participation that only the most determined citizens are likely to partake.