From Where I Sit

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July 6, 2010

by: Manny Paiva

I guess all good things have to come to an end.

Just one phrase used by Bruce Grey Owen Sound MPP Bill Murdoch on Monday as he announced his decision not to seek re-election in 2011.

For Bognor Bill as he is known -- it has been a good run for him after serving at Queens Park for 20 years and 13 more years in municipal politics.

Love him or hate him -- the fact Murdoch won four Ontario elections -- quite handily I might add -- says a lot about what his constituents thought of him.

And when you think about it -- that will be Murdoch's legacy -- not a four lane highway into his riding and a multi million dollar facility in Walkerton or Owen Sound.

Murdoch will be known more locally about his connection to the people and the fact people could easily pick up the phone or walk up to the MPP on the streets and explain their issues.

For others around the province -- especially in Toronto -- Murdoch will be known as the maverick and renegade MPP.

Tenacious is how Ontario Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak describes Murdoch.

He was that too -- I remember his war of words with newspaper staff one election night when Murdoch wouldn't allow them into his party.

Love him or hate him -- Murdoch always spoke his mind and you knew where you stood with him and where he stood.

I am sure you can pick out some qualities that you don't like about Murdoch -- but there are some you wish every politician had.

Someone who looks after the people in the riding and speaks their mind -- not the party line.

And that is a legacy Bill Murdoch should be proud to have.

From Where I Sit, I'm Manny Paiva

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