Kamloops Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson has faced a number of controversies since he was elected last year. (Jenifer Norwell/CBC)
Hamer-Jackson is currently suing Coun. Katie Neustaeter for defamation, after she said at a March press conference alongside her seven fellow councillors that they had been “subjected to repeated disrespect, violations of personal and professional boundaries, belittling and constantly disruptive behaviour by the mayor.”
That alleged behaviour was the subject of a workplace investigation earlier this year, and another probe is underway regarding the mayor’s decision to record a phone call with the city’s top administrator.
Hamer-Jackson also made headlines when he feuded with the city’s fire chief over a torched SUV sitting on a used car lot owned by the mayor. The vehicle, which was deemed a fire risk, was subsequently towed.
Fassbender told CBC News he had begun virtual interviews with the mayor, councillors and city staff, and was doing his due diligence for the role. He was informed on Dec. 22 that he would be let go, with his contract officially expiring on Jan. 2.
Fassbender said he had not had conversations with councillors or the mayor about the sudden change, and said it would be inappropriate for him to comment further on Kamloops politics as he was no longer involved.