SYDNEY, N.S. — In hindsight, Whitney Pier’s Melting Pot memorial probably wasn’t the best place to chat with Jim MacLeod about his decision to leave politics after a 38-year career.
After all, as the 80-year-old CBRM councillor sat on a nearby bench Wednesday morning reminiscing about his many years as a grassroots politician, there was no shortage of interruptions as more than a few passing motorists tooted their horn and waved. At one point, a constituent even pulled into the parking to ask him about an issue at city hall.
But then again, MacLeod has always been about making a little noise, especially when it comes to getting things done. And the location was suggested by the veteran councillor himself who was one of the driving forces behind the multi-flagged monument that honours the rich multicultural composition of the working-class Sydney community.
“I have always loved serving the people – I’ve met a lot of people and made many friendships, you know, family isn’t always blood, it’s the people in your life who want you to be in theirs,” said MacLeod.
“I’m going to miss it for sure, but I’m not going anywhere, I’ll still be around.”
That’s a statement that was met with full concurrence by CBRM Mayor Cecil Clarke.
“I do not think we’ve heard the last of Jim MacLeod – he works tirelessly for his constituents and is a true community leader,” said Clarke.
“I know he always has lots going on and he has many interests that will keep him busy.”
According to MacLeod, he became interested in the political arena through his advocacy for affordable housing back in the early 1980s. He said helping people find better accommodations was something he was committed to and that gave him immense gratification.
“I knew what it was like – I grew up on Forrest Street, I lived off the city dump, I stole coal from the coal bank, my father was an alcoholic and all he did was beat me, I only got Grade 9,” he said, adding that he was proud to eventually obtain grades 10, 11 and 12 before attending agricultural college.
MacLeod was re-elected as a Sydney alderman in all subsequent elections held prior to the amalgamation of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality in 1995. And then he was elected to the CBRM’s inaugural council before losing the next election to Lorne Greene, who ironically is seeking to replace MacLeod as the District 12 representative.
However, the feisty MacLeod didn’t give up and reclaimed the seat in the 2000 election. He was re-elected in 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2016.
Although he has represented a specific area of the CBRM, he has always maintained that he is a regional councillor.
“People know they can turn to me no matter what the issue, municipal, provincial or federal, day or night, I’m here to serve the people – I’ve learned that it’s the squeaky wheel that gets the grease,” said MacLeod, who can often still be found cruising District 12 looking for a pothole, burned-out streetlights and whatever else he might come across.
MacLeod hesitates when asked about his biggest accomplishments.
“I think it has to be the fact that Sydney became the first place to have public smoking bans in place – it wasn’t popular with everybody back then but time has proved us right,” he said.
“And I liked tobacco back then – but I haven’t touched it since.”
Other notable initiatives he was involved with include the linking of the Sydney Ports Access Road (SPAR) to Lingan Road, the Melting Pot monument in Whitney Pier, the Sydney boardwalk and, more recently, the removal of signs from municipal and utility company poles.
“I just want to say any success I had was always with the help of the incredible staff I worked with,” he said.
But every fight doesn’t end in victory. MacLeod said he is disappointed that he wasn’t able to get the controversial Sydney-Whitney Pier overpass issue resolved. The councillor has long maintained that the province is responsible for the road and said he remains frustrated that the two-bridge overpass has not been effectively repaired or even torn down and replaced. That issue will become someone else’s fight in the future.
For now, MacLeod is content to offer some common-sense advice to those seeking to replace him in the CBRM council chamber.
“Never forget that you’re doing this for the people – to make their lives and communities better,” he said.
So far, four candidates have declared their intent to run in District 12. They are Greene, Donald Campbell, Jr., Kim Sheppard and Trevor Allen.
