Rodney MacDonald gave his old friend and biggest supporter, Angus MacIsaac, a break when he shuffled him from Transportation to Economic Development. As Transportation Minister he would have had to sign off on one of the most contentious issues in Antigonish County, the route for the twinning of Highway 104.
Since Angus came back to the House of Assembly in 1999, the twinning of 104 has been a black cloud, hanging over his head. The Antigonish people are divided on the issue and, quite frankly, the outcome of the next election could be determined by where the pavement is laid.
In Antigonish they take their politics seriously. A quick example….
During the years of the John Savage Government, the then member, Bill Gillis, was under pressure to deliver goodies to people shut out during the John Buchanan years. Bill was also under pressure from his boss and cabinet colleagues to hold the line on spending.
One evening, at a meeting of his riding association, Bill, under more pressure to deliver, tried to explain his Catch 22. Finally, an elderly gentlemen stood up and delivered a line that may have made Bill realize his days as an MLA were numbered: “Bill”, he droned, “When you were in Opposition you said your hands were tied. Now you’re in government your tongue’s tied.” That ended the meeting and, when next they voted, 25 years of Liberal representation.
Back to Angus ….
Today, the current road snakes past the campus of Saint Francis Xavier University and the business core of the Town of Antigonish. It is a great example of “location, location, location!” It has become a natural stopping point for travelers.
For obvious reasons, the business and corporate leaders do not want to lose this traffic and want the new highway in the same area. Others see it being moved several kilometers away.
Until now, it has been kept off the current agenda. However, the coming of monies for the Atlantic Gateway will, among other projects, see the completing of the twinning of Highway 104 from the current terminus to Sydney. If that happened tomorrow, the new minister of Transportation, Murray Scott, will wear the black hat, not Angus.
So, intentional or otherwise, the reassignment of Angus MacIsaac may have guaranteed his re-election - should he choose to re-offer. Another topic for another day.
(Al Hollingsworth is a retired journalist and once served as Director of Communications for Labour Minister Angus MacIsaac) |
