Rumours have been rife in the valley all week that the veteran Fine Gael Stranorlar Councillor had tendered his resignation to Fine Gael Dublin headquarters but when contacted by the Democrat yesterday, Tom Curran, National Secretary of the party, said that although he had heard the rumours regarding Councillor Reid's position, he could neither confirm Nor deny that he was stepping down.
"I know that rumours are rife up there regarding Councillor Reid but that is all I can say at this stage", Mr. Curran commented.
When contacted yesterday and asked whether he was resigning this weekend, Councillor Reid said, "That's news to me. If I decide to step down you will be the first to know".
It has been suggested locally for some time now that Councillor Reid will not be seeking re-election at the Council elections next year. However, he did indicate he reserved the right to change his mind on the matter depending on the outcome of the proposed electoral area boundary changes.
Speaking at the Ballybofey- Stranorlar Fine Gael branch's annual general meeting in March of this year, Councillor Reid said as it was the local branch who first nominated him for the Council over 40 years ago, it was only fitting that branch should be the first to know of his retirement.
If and when Councillor Reid steps down, the party will have to hold a convention to co-opt his successor.
With the changes in the electoral boundary in place for the next election and the Finn Valley area becoming a five-seater instead of a three-seater, the party would be hoping that they can take two seats next time around. In order to do so and to maximise the party vote, the candidates would have to come from opposite ends of the new district.
However, it is the person who will be co-opted to fill Councillor Reid's seat who will be first out of the starting blocks; have the best chance of taking the seat again and the party would be hoping that the second candidate selected would also be well in the running for an additional seat.
Names being mentioned in relation to the co-option include Councillor Reid's nephew, Gareth Reid; Steven McNamee from the St. Johnston area; Winnie Callaghan (nee Scanlon) from Killygordon and Martin Harley from Ballybofey who was Councillor Reid's running mate at the last election and polled a very creditable 700 votes, ending up closer to 800 when the final tally was reached.
A source close to the party told the Democrat yesterday that with the local elections in June of 2009, any new candidate would need time to prepare.
" Now that the electoral area boundaries are changed it is vital that we have our homework done in advance because it is expected both Fianna Fail and Sinn Fein will be pushing hard to win seats here. There is also a possibility that if the bypass problems are not sorted out, the McFeeley's Brae- Daisy will protest group will also field a candidate," he said.