Is independent park commissioner Allan De Genova mayoral material?

Vision Vancouver seems to believes so. According to De Genova, the party has asked him to consider seeking the party's nomination as its mayoral candidate in the 2008 municipal election.

"I was asked by Vision Vancouver”¦which was very nice that they asked me to do that as [NDP Vancouver-Fairview MLA] Gregor Robertson, I guess, has been asked to run," De Genova told the Straight .

De Genova said he "would never say no" to such an invitation, except that he needs until next spring to make up his mind. In October, he told the Straight that he was considering options, as he will not seek another term on the park board.

"After 15 years of serving the City of Vancouver, knowing every corner of every part of the city, I think I can certainly bring a lot to the city, and I guess I'm a good consensus builder," De Genova said. "I work well with the NPA, Vision, and COPE."

De Genova added that perhaps what the city needs is "an independent mayor that can help bring Vision and NPA together".

COPE park commissioner Spencer Herbert said De Genova hasn't told him that the former NPA member is thinking about City Hall. But Herbert noted that De Genova has shown his ability to work with various parties.

"He's very independent," Herbert told the Straight . "It's not the party label so much for him as what the idea is."

Will De Genova make a good mayor? "I think he could be," Herbert said. "A lot depends on your council. A mayor is only as strong as the council. If the council can't work together, the mayor can't do so much."

Link: Vancouver Park Board commissioners