The Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for the Sea to Sky corridor took it on the chin in the last edition of The Chief. Mayor Ian Sutherland criticized MLA Ted Nebbeling in a year-end interview with The Chief and then on the editorial pages Nebbeling took another hit.
The main criticism is that his profile in Squamish just isn't high enough.
The criticism is reasonable and Nebbeling needs to understand, if he doesn't already, that many in Squamish feel he hasn't been doing a good job.
With that said, Nebbeling will bow out of public life in May - assuming he doesn't step down before the end of the B.C. Liberal mandate. It looks like Nebbeling will leave quietly when the end the term comes.
He may want it to happen that way and in my eyes that is unfortunate because while a large number of people in Squamish might not be happy with his recent performance my memory of the work he did for Squamish and the entire corridor from West Vancouver to Pemberton dates back to a time when he was praised by community leaders for playing a key role in making positive changes.
As his ninth year as MLA comes to a close it is easy to focus on the recent past but in measuring the true character of an individual one must look much further back.
Nebbeling was the mayor of Whistler when he made the decision to go for the seat held in Victoria by David Mitchell.
Nebbeling went from being very Whistler-focused to very regional in his outlook. He appointed himself as the Whistler representative to the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District and this gave him a better understanding of the riding. He immersed himself in forestry issues and defended the local industry.
I witnessed his enthusiasm first hand as he auditioned to become the MLA. He watched the transformation from mayor to MLA through his regular appearances on my radio program.
Credit should be given where credit is due. As Nebbeling nears retirement from politics it must be remembered that he was elected twice as MLA and each time he won decisively. He served the riding for nine years and played a key role in securing a long list of things for Squamish and the rest of the riding over the course of his time in Victoria.
The list is far too long but worth noting is Nebbeling's involvement in bringing the Olympics to Whistler and Vancouver. He was a supporter from the start and realized the long-term benefits the games will bring to the corridor.
Despite current criticism, at the end of the day when he unloads the title of MLA many will remember Nebbeling as an individual who did good work.
