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Councillor Gavin Malone has publicly announced that he isn't standing in the May local government elections. The popular Newry City councillor topped the poll when he put his name forward at the 2019 elections, being elected with 23.19% of the vote. The Independent candidate was elected at the first count.
In a post on Facebook Cllr Malone spoke of his term. "Being elected in May 2019 as an Independent Councillor for Newry was an honour and probably one of the proudest and most humbling moments of my life. Four years have flown by and I have done my best to make every moment count. I have learned so much and given everything I could to enable me to serve a political term. I loved it all. And I gave it my best.
"Taking the leap in 2019 to stand was a momentous decision for me. I heard myself reported on the local news with the headline, ' from binman to councillor.' And that summed me up. I hope that my journey will inspire anyone out there, reach for your dreams, you define your own life, do not let others write your story. Do not wait until life gives you perfect conditions to begin. Beginning is what makes the conditions right."
Cllr Malone spoke of the importance of his family and how he wants to concentrate on them. "My wonderful family have been my rock, they have been supportive and they have been patient. Time goes by so quickly. And now it is their time. I want to be present with the people who have given so much to me, my beautiful wife Geraldine and my brilliant children.
"Moving forward I will be concentrating on work and family. I cant give everything I have to the role of Councillor but there will be others who can and I wish them well."
