Gregor Robertson wishes B.C. Liberal premier Gordon Campbell “every success in the years ahead” on “behalf of the people of Vancouver and the members of the Vancouver City Council”, according to a letter written by the former NDP MLA turned Vancouver mayor.

In his “Dear Gord” letter to Campbell a week after the New Democrats suffered their third successive defeat in the May 12 provincial election, Robertson told the premier that “We have much to do together as we prepare our city to host the world during the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.”

The former NDP star candidate also scribbled a personal note. “Congrats,” started Robertson’s handwritten message that continued: “looking forward to a very productive run-up to the Games and a strong partnership for Vancouver’s future!”

The Straight obtained a copy of Robertson’s correspondence through a freedom-of-information request to the city.

The letter was dated May 19, 2009, less than two weeks after former Vision Vancouver executive board member Mike Bruce quit the party in protest over Robertson lavishing praise on Campbell at a public event in March.

In a May 7 e-mail to the mayor and Vision Vancouver councillors, Bruce noted that Robertson didn’t even bother to respond to his letter “several weeks ago” seeking clarification on Robertson’s “fawning remarks” about Campbell. According to Bruce, the mayor’s “exuberant comments” in support of Campbell indicate a “tremendous disrespect and contempt” for Vision councillors, who are mostly identified with the NDP.

A separate information request by the Straight didn’t turn up any election-campaign or postelection correspondence up to June 15 between Robertson and NDP Leader Carole James.