Saying it’s a first for her, former Delta South MLA Vicki Huntington is endorsing mayoral candidate Jim Cessford in Saturday’s civic election.
In a statement Wednesday, Huntington, a former two-term independent MLA, said the city desperately needs honest, ethical leadership that is capable of making decisions based on a commitment to represent the people.
“We need leadership that is strong enough and confident enough to use common sense when faced with questionable advice. We need leadership that can say no when a development proposal is not answering the needs of its neighbours. Leadership that is capable of listening and making decisions based upon what it heard. Leadership that can build and execute a plan for the future of Delta that we can rely on, believe in and trust,” said Huntington.
“We need leadership on the environmental front, on agriculture; on working with our community of seniors, on youth and sport and culture. We need fiscal leadership and we need to once again become partners of - not dictators to - our dedicated community of non-profit organizations. And most of all, we need honesty. We must return ethical leadership to city hall,” she added.
Huntington, also a former long-time Delta city councillor, told the Optimist that while she endorses Cessford, she isn’t endorsing his slate. His slate includes council incumbents Jeannie Kanakos and Bruce McDonald. She served with both during her years on council.
During her eight years as MLA Huntington didn’t exactly have a rosy relationship with council, particularly Mayor Lois Jackson and former CAO George Harvie.
In a 2013 story in the Optimist, the MLA expressed frustration that Jackson, as well as council and civic staff, have been bypassing her when it came to dealing with local issues that have provincial connections.
Asked about that relationship again this week, she said, “Let’s just say that the lack of respect for the office of the MLA was beyond belief and showed not only a troubling level of nastiness, but also a complete disregard for democracy. It continues today with the elected MLA of North Delta, who has faced exactly the same attitude.”
