Like so many things in life, the frosty relationship between Vicki Huntington and her civic counterparts seems to boil down to personalities.
I guess the recently re-elected MLA for Delta South finally had enough of what she views as slights from those in charge over at municipal hall to go public with her complaints last week. It's an issue that's been simmering for years and has its genesis some 15 years back when Huntington was a civic councillor.
When Lois Jackson looked to join the ruling IDEA party prior to the 1996 municipal election, she was rebuffed and instead formed TriDelta with her supporters. Huntington was the first IDEA member to reach out to Jackson, who became mayor three years later, but it wasn't long before the two running mates were on opposite sides of many issues that came to the council table.
Huntington became a burr under Jackson's saddle and that acrimonious relationship has followed the pair to Victoria since Huntington was elected MLA in 2009. I understand there are hard feelings, but surely those can be put aside in order to work together for the betterment of Delta.
I get that the mayor is busy, but two months to schedule an appointment to meet with the area's MLA? This isn't me or you asking for a sit down, this is our provincial representative who wants to discuss the potential ramifications on Delta of pending legislation in Victoria. Surely there can be 30 minutes set aside for that.
There's little doubt Huntington is hypersensitive to any slights because, as an independent, she needs to show constituents she's out there working on their behalf. There's also a sense of frustration that she's unable to do her job to its fullest extent.
Those over at municipal hall have told me they don't need the MLA's help in lining up meetings, which is valid enough given the civic administration and the ruling Liberals have both been in power for over a decade and in that time the locals have developed many relationships in Victoria.
They've also told me - and this is the more telling part - that it's not their job to make the MLA look good. So it's not surprising the group that endorsed Wally Oppal in 2009 rarely turns to Huntington for assistance and seems to go out of its way to exclude her.
The fact one of their own is now the Liberal MLA for Delta North means the need to go to the Delta South MLA for help will be reduced, if that's even possible.
