In an era where politicians tend to be disposable commodities, it's nothing short of amazing that Lois Jackson has served - or should that be survived? - for four decades.
Delta's first female politician has seen this area change dramatically since being elected to municipal council way back in 1972 and she has, in an act of political self-preservation, evolved right along with the community.
Jackson has long been considered an astute amateur meteorologist, having shown an uncanny ability to know which way the political winds are blowing. It's mind-boggling to think of how many decisions the current mayor has been part of at the council table over the years, each and every one of them an opportunity to please, or alienate, potential voters.
She initially ran with right-leaning groups like the Delta Voters Association and the Delta Electors Committee, and even sought the federal Tory nomination at one time, yet emerged from a three-year retirement in the mid-1990s to be the first candidate for TriDelta and its limited growth platform.
She appears to have split the difference in recent years with the Delta Independent Voters Association, likely sensing those political winds might just be blowing back toward the middle of the spectrum.
Jackson is in her fifth term as mayor and when she completes it in the fall of 2014, her 15 years of service in Delta's top job will trail only the 21 years logged by Alex Paterson during the first half of the last century.
The fact voters continue to re-elect her certainly speaks to her popularity, but what I find more remarkable is the fact she still has such a passion for the job.
Talk to former politicians and almost all of them will say while they enjoyed their time in office, they're quite happy to let someone else have a turn.
Doing your bit for the greater good only goes so far when you stack up the pay and the "prestige" against the tedium as well as the bruising that can be inflicted when you're out on the front lines.
Jackson has not only survived, but she has thrived in an environment where almost everyone else comes with a best before date, whether that's set by the candidate or the voters.
Forty years is a long time for anyone to be doing anything, but to have accomplished the feat in civic politics in Delta, where political activism is considered a recreational pursuit, is extraordinary.
There's little doubt that even after four decades, Jackson is right where she wants to be.
