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Rodriguez bows out of politics with retirement roast

Former Sudbury Mayor John Rodriguez celebrated his retirement from politics Thursday night with many of his closest friends, his political allies and even a few opponents during a roast and toast at the Caruso Club.
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Former Sudbury Mayor and Nickel Belt MP John Rodriguez was roasted, and toasted, by a number of his friends, colleagues, and political opponents at the Caruso Club Thursday night to celebrate his official retirement from politics. Photo by Jonathan Migneault.
Former Sudbury Mayor John Rodriguez celebrated his retirement from politics Thursday night with many of his closest friends, his political allies and even a few opponents during a roast and toast at the Caruso Club.

Speakers included former Sudbury MPP Rick Bartolucci, Bishop Jean-Louis Plouffe, retired Nickel Belt MPP Elie Martel, mayoral candidate Dan Melanson, former Sudbury councillor Ron Dupuis, United Steelworkers international president Leo Gerard and current Nickel Belt MPP France Gélinas.

Some, like Bartolucci, poked fun at Rodriguez's past political blunders, including the now infamous Elton John tickets scandal, but all those who took the stand also expressed their admiration for a man who dedicated the first part of his working life to education, and the second to a political career that spanned more than 40 years.

Many praised Rodriguez's support for the performing arts, and although his plans to extend Maley Drive and get the province to share more of its mining revenues with the city have not yet come to fruition, many of the speakers still congratulated Rodriguez for having a vision for the city.

Even though he had recently come back from a surgery that left him in a hospital for eight weeks, Rodriguez was in good humour, and received a standing ovation after a speech in which he thanked his friends and family for their support over the years.

He said in his retirement he will continue to share his ideas for the city “from the safety of a Tim Hortons.”

The tribute to Rodriguez was also a fundraiser to help him cover the costs of his 2014 campaign for mayor.

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Jonathan Migneault

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