The CITY council, ever the bastion of civic zeal, recently mourned the loss of a fellow councillor who decided to make a dramatic exit from the stage of life in July. Spoiler alert: it was not a happy ending.
Labour councillor Bob Gann, a retired digital health consultant who seemed to have an affinity for politics, was elected to the council in a nail-biter of an election back in May. With 488 votes, he found himself a cozy seat on the Salisbury City Council. I guess you could say he was ‘digitally’ drawn to public service.
Tragically, Bob decided to leave this mortal coil at the ripe age of 72 on Thursday, July 31. The news wasn’t exactly the breaking story everyone was hoping for at that Monday council meeting. Perhaps they believed he was just taking an extended coffee break?
At the first full council meeting since his departure to the great unknown, councillors gathered to pay tribute. Mayor of Salisbury, Cllr John Wells, reported to have kicked off the session with a minute’s silence. Quite the awkward moment, you know—it’s hard to applaud a minute of silence.
In a moment truly befitting a low-budget soap opera, fellow Labour councillor and friend, Cllr Patricia Podger, took center stage to reminisce. “It’s deeply sad that Bob is not with us today,” she said. Yes, well, being dead tends to limit one’s council attendance options.
Patricia went on to state how passionate Bob was about the environment and how he was a trailblazer for the NHS, which is quite commendable—if only he could have found a trail to lead himself out of depression.
Bob’s tragic end was officially reported on August 4, and it was noted that he had been struggling with “a period of severe depression.” At the recent council meeting, it was evidently crucial to discuss mental health issues, a topic that was approved for future workshops. Because why not get the councillors to learn after the fact? Priority planning at its finest!
Mayor John Wells expressed his shock, like someone finding their favorite pen in someone else’s pocket: “I was shocked and saddened by the news… Bob was a knowledgeable politician, committed Labour Party member for many years, and above all, a kind and thoughtful person.” It’s always nice to hear kind words after someone has already left the party—what a heartfelt farewell!
When life drags you down and you find yourself in the depths of despair, remember the Samaritans are available 24/7, waiting for your call at 116 123. After all, good advice is just a call away—hopefully, unlike the councillors’ handling of mental health until it was too late.
