Having your cake...

Vision Vancouverites hoping for a massive bloodletting among the partisans at the Non-Partisan Association might not be pleased, but NPA politicians are so far trying to avoid an embarrassing food fight for the centre-right civic party's mayoral nomination.

"I have a tremendous amount of respect for Sam [Sullivan]," said NPA park board commissioner Ian Robertson, who today announced he's siding with Peter Ladner in the upcoming leadership tussle.

"I am supporting Peter but regardless of the outcome after the nominations I will support whoever is the leader," Robertson said in an interview. "And I will work hard on behalf of the NPA to ensure there is a majority NPA re-elected."

And NPA Coun. Suzanne Anton, a Sullivan supporter, has also left a slot open on her dance card.

"I believe Sam deserves another term. But as I said I really like Peter, and if things go a different direction, then I'll be backing Peter," Anton said in an interview. "I'm sorry, I can't say bad things about either of them."

Hmmm... It's all so civil. Perhaps we should all sit down for a stimulating coffee party.

Or maybe I'll wait another seven months for more sandpaper. That's when this ridiculously long election campaign should have begun.

For his part, Robertson did muster up some criticism about his current boss, slapping Sullivan for failing to quash the political bickering that has come to characterize city hall.

"I hear from a phenomenal number of people across the city that they are not happy with the way the city is under his leadership," Robertson said. "I believe that Peter is the one that can bring a greater sense of leadership to the city."

Robertson's talking points:

Vancouver, February 29, 2008. NPA Park Board Commissioner, Ian Robertson, has announced his support for Vancouver mayor-hopeful, Peter Ladner. “Today I am announcing my support for Peter Ladner’s campaign to secure the NPA nomination for mayor.”

“I have known Peter for many years, he is a natural leader whose integrity is well known; he commands respect, and his love for this city obvious.”

Said Robertson, “I have been overwhelmed with calls from NPA supporters and citizens, everywhere I go, indicating they want a change at the top. Peter is the better choice to be the NPA mayoral candidate.”

“Tax payers deserve principled leadership, I believe Peter exhibits exemplary principles and has both the experience and patience to build stronger teams at City Hall. Civic decisions need to be made through debate, consensus and often, compromise,” said Robertson. “We can, after all, disagree, without necessarily being disagreeable. I believe that Peter Ladner, through his experience as a business owner-operator, statesman, community leader, is the best possible candidate to return respect and conciliation to City Hall.”

“I want the citizens of Vancouver to know that my decision to support Peter has been made with their best interests at heart. I also want what is best for Vancouver: fairness, open dialogue and debate, principled elected officials running consultative government which results in respectful resolutions from the bottom to the top of the political agenda.”

“To me, Peter Ladner and his campaign to be Mayor of Vancouver, embody all these principles and I am 100% behind his candidacy.”

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