Daily Gleaner | Editorials As published on page C11 on April 2, 2005
Rector was a part of history
When family, friends and acquaintances bid a final farewell to Albert (Ab) Rector at a me morial service today, they will be saying goodbye to someone who played an interesting role in what can only be described as a unique chapter in New Brunswick's history.
The former MLA for the old riding of Oromocto-Burton-Geary, and one-time leader of the Confederation of Regions Party, was elected in 1991 as part of a protest vote.
The CoR party was the so-called voice of English speaking New Brunswick.
Rector, a 31-year veteran of Canadian military and a man everyone seemed to like, met a need within the riding at the time and he rode his personal popularity to a seat in the legislature.
He and other members of the CoR party broke up Frank McKenna's 58-0 stranglehold on seats and went on to form the official Opposition.
During that timeframe there was lots of controversy as the party locked horns with the governing Liberals on everything from rising taxes to their commitment on official bilingualism.
The Springhill, N.S., native, despite being an active and often feisty participant in a lot of the debates, was always available to his constituents and to the press.
In the latter part of his time in the legislature, Rector's presence was required by the media more and more especially when he took on the job of party leader in the spring of 1995, following the resignation of Danny Cameron.
All eight of the elected CoR members of the party, including Rector, were defeated in that year's general election, a fate brought on largely by public reaction to in-fighting among the party leadership.
Despite his political defeat, Rector remained an active member of the Oromocto and area community and could often be seen at various functions where his hand was always extended and his friendly manner exhibited.
In the latter part of his life, Rector battled health problems and quietly remained in the background, declining to get involved in debate and wishing to remain out of the spotlight.
We were saddened by word of his death Wednesday at the Oromocto Public Hospital.
Regardless of his political stripe, Rector will be remembered as a hard-working politician who stood up for what he believed in and for what he thought the people who elected him believed in.
Other features: » Back to article list » Print this article » Print this article with picture
1 comment:
Daily Gleaner | Editorials
As published on page C11 on April 2, 2005
Rector was a part of history
When family, friends and acquaintances bid a final farewell to Albert (Ab) Rector at a me morial service today, they will be saying goodbye to someone who played an interesting role in what can only be described as a unique chapter in New Brunswick's history.
The former MLA for the old riding of Oromocto-Burton-Geary, and one-time leader of the Confederation of Regions Party, was elected in 1991 as part of a protest vote.
The CoR party was the so-called voice of English speaking New Brunswick.
Rector, a 31-year veteran of Canadian military and a man everyone seemed to like, met a need within the riding at the time and he rode his personal popularity to a seat in the legislature.
He and other members of the CoR party broke up Frank McKenna's 58-0 stranglehold on seats and went on to form the official Opposition.
During that timeframe there was lots of controversy as the party locked horns with the governing Liberals on everything from rising taxes to their commitment on official bilingualism.
The Springhill, N.S., native, despite being an active and often feisty participant in a lot of the debates, was always available to his constituents and to the press.
In the latter part of his time in the legislature, Rector's presence was required by the media more and more especially when he took on the job of party leader in the spring of 1995, following the resignation of Danny Cameron.
All eight of the elected CoR members of the party, including Rector, were defeated in that year's general election, a fate brought on largely by public reaction to in-fighting among the party leadership.
Despite his political defeat, Rector remained an active member of the Oromocto and area community and could often be seen at various functions where his hand was always extended and his friendly manner exhibited.
In the latter part of his life, Rector battled health problems and quietly remained in the background, declining to get involved in debate and wishing to remain out of the spotlight.
We were saddened by word of his death Wednesday at the Oromocto Public Hospital.
Regardless of his political stripe, Rector will be remembered as a hard-working politician who stood up for what he believed in and for what he thought the people who elected him believed in.
Other features:
» Back to article list
» Print this article
» Print this article with picture
Post a Comment