While it was undoubtedly Billy Denault’s night last night as he becomes the newest MPP for Renfrew-Nipissing Pembroke, the presence of long standing leader in the region John Yakabuski was not unlike father handing off to son in many ways.
Progressive Conservative candidate Biilly Denault was a runaway winner in the election garnering over 58 percent of the overall vote easily defeating second place Liberal Oliver Jacobs and leaving the rest of the pack in the dust.
Yakabuski, son of former MPP Paul Yakabuski was first elected to the riding in 2003 and enjoyed 6 consecutive victories in the RPN riding. Last night as he moved amongst the crowd of Denault supporters, one could sense that this was a man who is used to the spotlight but that it was time to hand it over to the next generation.
For a man who has had such a storied career here in The Valley for as long as he has, to put the brakes on fully has got to be a daunting task. He doesn’t come across as the type to simply fade away and he himself says that there’s still some gas in the tank:
With no grandiose plans for retirement Yakabuski hinted that there might be a place for him in the halls of a local business here and there which is clearly indicative of his desire to keep involved in the community but certainly to a lesser extent than he has been for decades.
As Denault stood at the podium last night delivering his victory speech, Yakabuski appeared almost wistful as he took in the moment of glory from the young man who appears poised to carry on the legacy that Yakabuski himself has spent the greater part of his life building.
(Written By: Richard Evans)