They threw a party for Billy Joe on the weekend, and it seemed everybody came.
Billy Joe MacLean stepped down as Mayor of Port Hawkesbury this fall and Saturday about 400 people turned out for a party for him at the civic centre. There were people who came from as far away as Yarmouth and New York.
MacLean told the Cape Breton Post it was marvelous, a very emotional time for his family.
Maclean has been in politics in the area for over half a century as an MLA and provincial cabinet minister and then Mayor. His retirement comes just before he celebrates his 80th birthday Thursday.