Sometimes it's just not worth getting out of bed for an unsuccessful Nationals candidate and mayoral hopeful

Sometimes local politics brings a broad smile to the face when suddenly the biter gets bit.

In this case Chris Gulaptis, Clarence Nationals chairman (his sexist word not mine), unsuccessful candidate at the last federal election and frequently unsuccessful candidate for Clarence Valley mayor, must wish he had never opened his mouth in The Daily Examiner letters to the editor.

Chris managed to get himself exposed as one of those people who may have looked to a federal political career not out of conviction but because it pays well with good superannuation.

 

Here is a reply to Gulaptis' foray into the letters column which turned up in yesterday's issue of that paper.

 

Chris cross

 

THERE is an old Turkish saying that goes something like this: "If you don't tell the truth make sure you have one foot in the stirrups."

The level of fiction in the Chris Gulaptis letter (DE March 22) almost guarantees he'll shortly be in the market for a good horse.

Probably about the time Janelle Saffin, and not Steve Cansdell, delivers on Grafton Base Hospital.

But it's the last paragraph of his letter that really should have Chris Gulaptis galloping off into the sunset.

He's on pretty shaky ground when he starts accusing people of being something they are not.

I've been around the Labor Party a long time and I wouldn't know Craig Howe if I fell over him.

The Gulaptis story, however, is a little different. His claim to be National Party first, last and foremost is a road to Damascus conversion and came after he couldn't get what he wanted from the ALP.

He shed plenty of sweat chasing a position with Labor, right down to travelling to Sydney to meet with the then NSW general secretary, Mark Arbib, former minister Harry Woods and Harry's chief of staff Mike Fleming.

His comment that Steve Cansdell won seven primary votes to every one of Craig Howe's only proves he knows how to use a calculator.

The fact that Janelle Saffin is now in Federal Parliament proves that what the ALP thought of Chris Gulaptis was spot on.

 

Terry Flanagan

Orara Way