Local entrepreneur Taj Sandur has his name in the race to be on Kamloops City Council.

Sandur is a realtor and this will be his first run at municipal politics because he is “a citizen that is concerned about the future of our city.”

The focus of his platform includes three priorities: affordability, culture and supporting local businesses. 

Sandur says his first hand experience in real estate has shown him the challenges faced by home buyers and tenants when it comes to the lack of affordable housing.

He explains that, if elected, he would push to speed up the permitting process, better staff the city’s developing services and engineering department, increase density, expand city limits, create more accessible land for development and become more proactive for redevelopment.

Another way that Sandur believes city council can address affordability issues is by supporting the city’s arts and culture sector.

Photo Credit: Taj Sundur/City of Kamloops

“If we can create more experiences for residents to enjoy within our city, we can mitigate the need to leave Kamloops to have these experiences,” he explains.

Finally, as a local entrepreneur, Sundur would prioritize supporting local businesses which he calls “the most important component of our town.”

He believes the city can provide city backed initiatives and incentives and also provide better support to business owners who are victims of vandalism and theft.

“Having been personally targeted multiple times and being a victim of vandalism and theft, I know firsthand how infuriating and frustrating these experiences can be,” he states.

Residents of Kamloops can learn more about Sundur, and all the other candidates, at the all candidates forum being hosted by the Chamber of Commerce in TRU's Grand Hall on Oct. 4 from 6:15 pm to 9 pm.