Posted online: Oct 4th, 2011

The race for the Presidency may be dominating the news nationally, but Inishowen has a bigger and better election underway!
Three budding local personalities have declared themselves as candidates in the bid for one of the hottest tickets in town – the Mayor of Greencastle.
The gloves are off as driving instructor Pat Gillespie, takeaway owner Shane Carey and vice-president of the Greencastle Community Centre Committee George McGuinness seek votes to determine who becomes first citizen of the picturesque fishing village from November 26 next.
It’s all in good spirit and humour however, as the endeavour is being undertaken to raise much-needed funds for Greencastle Community Centre.
Speaking at their very first “press conference” in the centre last week, the trio enjoyed some good-natured banter as they outlined the benefits of the campaign and revealed how it wouldn’t be a case of “first-time lucky” for the only female candidate, Pat.
“I was Mayor before, 25 years ago, when the community centre was first set up,” she said.
“It was the first, big fundraising event we did and since then, the chain has been lying in a trunk in someone’s attic. When we were deciding on how to raise funds again, we thought on the Mayor of Greencastle and that’s how this has come about.”
When asked why they put themselves forward as candidates, Shane quipped: “Pat put herself forward and we were pushed!”
However, he added he was delighted to be able to help the centre in some way and promised an interesting campaign.
George explained how the community centre was in great need of funds.
He said: “It can be tough to keep it going. We borrowed money for various projects, which we have to pay back and like NAMA, we got conditions put on us as well. The money would be a great help.”
Patricia said: “They want us to show them how the community are behind us and this is part of that.”
The campaign hopes to raise a total of 10,000 euro, although all money raised will be of benefit.
Each euro raised for each individual candidate counts as one vote. So, the candidate who raises the most euros – or votes – will be crowned the new Mayor of Greencastle.
The candidates said when the Mayor was elected, their two-year tenure would be “what they make of it,” although Patricia revealed that in her previous reign as first citizen she was “invited to everything going.”
They added while their campaign is unlike the presidential election in that their votes “cost money” it was all “going to a very good cause.”
And, it was revealed how the local community had already been getting in on the act.
Patricia said: “There’s a wee bit of fun starting up already. Somebody was putting up posters of Martin McGuinness the last night and a person came in and told me they were of Shane.”
And, when asked if any ‘tactics’ would be deployed in the campaign, she quipped: “Well I’ll not be eating any fish and chips for the next few weeks!”
Candidate Carey also wouldn’t confirm whether a vote could be traded for food and Mr McGuinness opted to stay silent on the subject.
The campaign has already kicked off and your votes are crucial. Keep an eye out locally and in local press in the coming weeks for fundraising events.

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