Plymouth County GOP
Lifetime Achievement Recipients
2012


 
Dr. Chester E. and Eleanor Claff Jr.
Brockton

Chet and Eleanor Claff are known as two of the longest serving members of the Brockton Republican City Committee. Dating back to the early 1960's Chet and Eleanor have been an institution in the city committee and leaders in Brockton's Ward 4 committee. Chet has acted as the city Parliamentarian as well as the Membership Director while Eleanor has kept the city committee informed and organized in her role as the Corresponding Secretary. Eleanor has long been credited for attracting many to the meetings with her notoriously delicious baked goods. The Claff's have been strong advocates for less intrusive government,individual freedoms and personal responsibility.
The Plymouth County GOP and The Massachusetts Republican Party join the Brockton Republican City Committee in mourning the recent loss of our friend and dedicated colleague Chet Claff.
We offer a heartfelt thanks to Chet and Eleanor for a lifetime of public service.

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The Honorable Charles W. Mann
Hanson

The Hanson Republican Town Committee would like to recognize Charles W. Mann for his five decades of exemplary public service not only to the citizens of Hanson but also to the people of Plymouth County and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. In 1963, Charlie won his first election as a member of Hanson’s school committee. Just three years later he was elected to the House of Representatives for two terms. In 1970, Charlie joined Governor Frank Sargent’s administration as Legislative Secretary. Charlie returned to the House of Representatives in 1980 and served seven terms, including four in leadership as the Republican Whip. In 1992 Charlie was elected in a write-in campaign for Hanson Town Moderator. He is retiring after 20 years of service with a legacy of being fair and skilled and perhaps the most respected moderator in the region. For the last half century, Charlie Mann has been the “man in the area.” In Hanson he is “Mr. Republican.”  The Hanson Republican Town Committee has created the “Charles W. Mann, Republican of the Year Award,” to honor local Republican Party activism.
Thank you for your service, Charlie.

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The Honorable Edward (Ned) Kirby
Whitman

A life long Whitman native Ned graduated from Holy Cross and Boston College Law School. Ned served in the Army as a JAG Officer during the Korean War and followed as a Captain in the Army Reserves. Ned served in the House of Representatives for 3 terms and was the youngest Republican House member when first elected. Ned was elected Plymouth County Commissioner and served for 8 years. He founded the Plymouth County Development Council, gained state backing for a countywide radio system for police communication. Senator Kirby served 6 terms in the Senate and served on Ways & Means, the Transportation and Judiciary committees and was the assistant Minority Leader. The Senator was appointed Administrative Law Judge by Governor William Weld, and was an Appeals Judge in Workers Compensation. Retirement never came as the Senator continues to be actively involved regionally with the Republican Party and our candidates. The towns and the region he represented were forever changed for the better because of his commitment to serving his constituency. He remains an active Whitman RTC member and mentor to Representative Geoff
Diehl and numerous candidates and elected officials.
Thank you Senator Kirby.

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