Karpuk looks for big ideas to bring to the Kamloops City Council table

KAMLOOPS — With just three incumbents returning to Kamloops City Council, there will be five brand new councillors around the table at City Hall come November 1.

Stephen Karpuk is one of those new faces. The chiropractor and long–time Rotarian campaigned on a platform of fresh ideas and different approaches – now that he’s on council, he’ll have an opportunity to test those ideas around the table.

“I met people where they were at a little bit more, and I think perhaps name recognition – you can’t discount that, I think that’s how an incumbent often gets in,” Karpuk explains. “But I was happy with how it came down, overall. I’m very, very honoured and appreciative that I can be here and serve our community.”

Once, twice, three times elected. On this third try, Stephen Karpuk broke into the top eight and will serve on council for the next four years. He’s looking forward to collaborating with his new colleagues once his term officially begins.

“I think the nine of us will really be able to come together. Some people question whether that’s going to happen – I totally disagree,” Karpuk tells CFJC Today. “I think the underlying interest of all of our issues, we have a commonality of how we want to make Kamloops better. I think we’re going to be able to do that. What we get done, time will tell.”

Karpuk has been a chiropractor in Kamloops for almost 20 years. He believes that experience will serve him well when dealing with the citizens of the city in his new role.

“I’m a pretty good listener. I mean, it’s kind of my job as a doctor. You’ve got to tease out what’s really the vital parts, and you’ve got to meet people where they’re at. I think when you can let someone know you’ve heard them and reflect that you’ve heard them, that goes a long way to get rid of some of their concerns and fears. It’s not saying you’re going to be able to fix [the problem], but at least let them know – that’s why they’re reaching out – that they’re heard.”

Karpuk wants to bring a fresh perspective to City Council. He has ideas on how it could do things differently – whether that’s the possible location of a performing arts centre, connecting the breadth of the city via the River’s Trail, or adding a crossing on the North Thompson River.

“This may be a pie-in-the-sky dream, but I’d love to see a second bridge built – or third bridge, however we want to count them up – but we need that alternate route out for Rayleigh, as well,” Karpuk suggests. “We’ve been building this infrastructure up for the people in Juniper, after the fire. Last year. Why don’t we look at what the options are?”