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Flip that - Election candidate selected on coin toss

Thursday, 07 August 2008

THE Green Party has selected its candidate to contest the Swords ward in next year’s local elections.
Ken Duffy pipped fellow party member Joe Newman in an incredibly close battle that was ultimately decided by the toss of a coin.
Both Mr Duffy and Mr Newman had garnered exactly 50 per cent of the vote each.
A spokesman for the Green Party told Northside People that the decision is now being appealed by Mr Newman, but said that in the meantime Ken Duffy will remain the Swords ward candidate.
He confirmed that the coin-toss result is currently under appeal and said the chosen candidate won’t be officially approved until after that process is completed.
“We are privileged to have two great nominations for the ward,” the spokesman stated.
“We understand that the vote was very close and had to be decided with a coin toss, according to the rules.”
“Our Election Task Force will now look into the situation before we approve the Swords candidate.”
When contacted by Northside People, Joe Newman confirmed he will be appealing the decision but declined to comment further.
Mr Duffy has been a local activist for the Green Party for some time and has been working hard to bring the party’s policies into the local community.
He will now work closely with Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Trevor Sargent, to represent the needs of local people and push for a greener environment.
“I am happy to have been selected to run after narrowly missing out on a seat in the last local elections in 2004,” Mr Duffy told Northside People.
“The Green Party were lucky to have two experienced candidates willing to put their names forward and it was unfortunate that only one candidate could be selected.
“Joe Newman was a very worthy candidate and a reflection of the strength of character within the Green Party’s membership in Fingal.”
Mr Duffy said it was an honour to be selected to stand for the Green Party in the Swords ward.
“I am looking forward to representing all the people of the ward,” he added.
Mr Duffy outlined a number of important issues in the area, which he believes the Green Party will be in a strong position to tackle.
“The Swords Local Area Plan is a huge issue and we will make sure that it is as ‘green’ as possible,” he declared.
“The Swords population is increasing so much and is expected to grow even more over the coming years. This situation has to be taken very seriously.
“We will need to look at setting up a third level institution here, along with a hospital for the area.
“There are issues around the local bus services, including access to the Port Tunnel, a tunnel paid for by taxpayers that should be put to use by taxpayers.”
The recently announced boundary changes will see the Swords ward hold onto its five seats, but part of it has been removed, including Lusk.
“I believe that we should have kept Lusk and gained an extra councillor for the area,” added Mr Duffy.
“Swords has a growing population and needs more representation.”
Meanwhile, if anyone has any issue that they would like to raise with Mr Duffy, he can be contacted on 086-6008313.

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