In April I contacted our MLA’s office to request a meeting to discuss some concerns I had about the PVSC. I finally got an appointment in June. She is a busy lady keeping her seat warm in the legislature. In June we had our discussion where I asked some specific questions and made some specific recommendations for possible legislative action. She assured me she would get the answers and raise my questions in caucus.
She was very attentive during the discussion having perfected the politician’s talent for looking like she cared about what I was saying while ignoring me. The only clue she was in this mode was the sound of air whistling through from one ear to the other. I ignored that as it might have been a draft. I was prepared for this having dealt with politicians in the past. So, I gave her my written notes so she would not have to do much thinking or rely on her own hand written notes. her notes, for all I know, may have been her shopping list for dinner.
She promised to get back to me with answers but never did. Fortunately the Chronicle Herald published a story that answered one of my questions – albeit two months later. She ignored the rest of my questions and comments. Granted, last week, she wrote a letter telling me how glad she was to meet with me and invited me to call her if I had any future concerns.
But why bother? Obviously she hasn’t the backbone to tell a voter she has no interest or ability in helping and, more importantly, she isn’t going to even put up a pretence of helping.
So, here I am thinking I had better apologize to Kerry Morash. When I voted forVicki Conrad I truly thought she would work for her constituency and I thought the stigma of Rodney was a sufficient reason change representation. I was wrong. Kerry would have done a better job in his sleep. This must cut NDP supporters to the quick. They were so jubilant after she won. How sad that it was a Pyrrhic victory. They got an NDP representative that produced nothing but a warm chair in Halifax.
I suspect Vicki means well but she may have gotten in over her head. The limits of her abilities appear to be limited to church committees or community committees where she can nod sympathetically but do no harm. As an MLA she is a huge disappointment. If she plans to run again I suspect she will do poorly against almost anyone the other parties put up against her. If she decides not to run, I pity the poor unfortunate NDP soul who has to run on her years of inaction.
On the positive side she won’t be missed in the legislature. She did nothing and followed her leader blindly. She was the ideal back bencher. She could have stayed home and sent her votes in by Email. Something like, “What he said”. About her only claim to fame is that she appears to be honest which, given the flexible ethics and morals of most most politicians is a reasonable claim to fame. Sadly one needs to be more than honest to serve your constituents. You actually have to work. Just listening is not enough.
So, Vickie, I hope I will be able to say goodbye to you after the next election. You kept your seat warm but it would have been better if you hadn’t done it while sitting on your hands.
