The NPA president has sent an e-mail to party members directing them to read a stunning paean (shall we say love letter?) to Vancouver NPA Mayor Sam Sullivan.

The opinion piece ("Sullivan a leader in ideas and action") was written by Sullivan's most loyal city-hall colleague, NPA Coun. B.C. Lee (or one of his ghost writers). It appeared in today's Vancouver Sun.

"In the lead up to the one-year anniversary of the 2005 civic election, Councillor Lee has provided an excellent overview of the accomplishments of Mayor Sam Sullivan and the NPA Council Caucus in their first 10 months in office," NPA president Matthew Taylor wrote in a message to party members.

In his article, Lee chose not to highlight Boss Sullivan's predilection for firing people (i.e. members of the Board of Variance, the child advocate, his behind-the-scenes takeover of the police board, and kicking Al De Genova out of the NPA caucus). Nor did Lee focus on Sullivan's failed promise to take steps to reduce the one-zone transit fare to $2.

Instead, Lee highlighted Sullivan's emphasis on "inclusiveness".

"Under Mayor Sam Sullivan's leadership, city hall has become a place of reasoned thought, innovative policy ideas and action," Lee claimed.

We'll find out how inclusive this mayor is when Vancouver police Chief Jamie Graham's contract comes up for renewal before the police board.