Slugger O'Toole: Enduring the democratic test...

But, Gardiner says, the door of his office is open to anyone. He recalls a time when a Catholic man who'd been beaten by the IRA, came to him to be rehoused in another area. And if it's raining, they can borrow one of set of complementary umbrellas, so long as they bring it back. There were five still unreturned when Slugger visited.

He first entered council when he was only 23 and was Lurgan's youngest mayor at 28. He's been a mayor four times. He explains, "It's something in the system and you do it for your community and I get great satisfaction out of serving the community". Election time is something of an up and down period!

I don't care who you are, the count is the most nervewracking thing. Everybody's on tender hooks. One minute your pile is going up and then the next someone else is ahead of you. You're watching them all coming out of the pigeon holes, and there's not too many going out for Gardiner, or there's not many going out for one of my collegues and you feel a bit down, and then they open another box and there's a flood coming out.

For most of the campaign he says, "when you are out canvassing you are on a high to a degree. You go flat at the count. And when your name's read on the first, second or third count you just want to go home".

I think most councillors of all parties need to be applauded for their contributions to community service.

I think the phrase "community service" might have a whole new meaning for some UUP candidates by the end of the year.

he sounds like a nice man

Sam is indeed a very nice man, as those in Upper Bann will confirm. Yes indeed.

Oh dear - having DV sing your praises must make the hairs on the back your neck stand on end.

I beg your pardon. Please elaborate.

Snapper

I think what David means, if I may, is that Mr Gardiner doesn't hate all republicans, and all their works, and all their empty promises. Or if he does, he doesn't do it hard enough.

Interestingly, Mr Gardiner was soundly beaten for the crucial tenth place in Upper Bann in the first Assembly elections. I can't remember which heavyweight taught him that electoral lesson. Undaunted, Mr Gardiner rallied to win an Assembly seat in 2003.

Snapper

I think what David means, if I may, is that Mr Gardiner doesn't hate all republicans, and all their works, and all their empty promises. Or if he does, he doesn't do it hard enough.

..but the crucial question must be "Who's cutting his hedges ?"

is "cutting his hedges" some kind of double entendre? should the DUP be casting stones from their glass house?

double entendre? heaven forfend! A simple botanical enquiry MCT


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