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Antigonish: The Cathedral Town or Seat of Power? |
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Written by Al Hollingsworth
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Thursday, 29 January 2009 |
When they begin the twinning of Highway 104 near Antigonish, the three levels of government involved with the infrastructure project should set aside a few pennies for the construction of a look-off. Nothing special; a bit of parking, a bench or two, and most importantly an unobstructed view of what many refer to as the Cathedral Town.
This would provide a place where Nova Scotians can stare at the spire of St. Ninian’s and, when leaving, pause and genuflect. Not because St. Ninian's Cathedral is the Episcopal Seat for the Catholic Diocese of Antigonish, which includes Antigonish, Pictou, and Guysborough Counties on the eastern Nova Scotia mainland, and the entire Island of Cape Breton. But rather, out of respect to the Antigonishers who rule over us. For the truth is that those who think our world revolves around the House of Assembly or One Government Place should think again.
Lest I be accused of pettifogging, let me explain.
When Dr. John Hamm decided to step down as the Leader of The Progressive Conservative Party, and gave up the premiership of his Province, most insiders felt his Finance Minister Neil LeBlanc would succeed him. As you know, that didn’t happen.
Those doing the planning for Neil’s coronation forgot to tell Angus MacIsaac, a fellow cabinet minister and a lay cleric at St. Ninian’s. Angus had his own plans, and he set out to create Rodney MacDonald, a 34-year-old from Mabou, better known as a fiddler than a fixer. That was the beginning of the shift of power.
For those who neither heed nor care, I must explain that Antigonish residents take their politics very seriously.
When Bill Gillis was their MLA, he sat for many years in Opposition. In the last six years that he served he moved to the Government side of the House.
One evening, at an Antigonish Liberal Association meeting, Bill was trying to explain why the milk and honey was not flowing through the County. Finally, an older gentleman stood and in a slow and deliberate voice (an area trait) said; “Bill, when you were in Opposition, you said your hands are tied. Now that you’re in Government, your tongue is tied.”
This weekend the Central Nova federal riding association is holding a meeting, and one of the items being pushed is for every member who worked for Elizabeth May to turn in their membership cards. Yeah, they take it seriously and then some.
Back to my point. I have always believed that the real power in our current government is Angus MacIsaac. After he created a new leader, his first action was to make a personal sacrifice and send his Executive Assistant, Bob Chisholm, over to join the new Premier’s staff, and he eventually become the Chief of Staff. Think about it, folks. Because as far as I know no working journalist has made the link and recognized the pipeline it created.
When they speak of Bob in Antigonish, they say he is “under doctor’s care.” I digress.
Now, another hometown boy has taken a seat near the throne. On January 26th, Kevin Cameron was installed as the Deputy Chief of Staff. No white puff of smoke from St. Ninian’s; just a press release crafted by Paul Palmeter.
Kevin completes the trinity, if you will. Nothing arcane, all above board and, above all else, all-powerful.
(Al Hollingsworth is a retired journalist and broadcaster)
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