Barbara Ellington, Lifestyle Editor

Danville Walker: There is a value in public service that is hard for me to turn away from. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer

He is husband, father, straight-talking and efficient. Danville Walker took on the post of director of elections at a time when there was need for radical reforms at the Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ). But he recently walked away from it when given the choice between keeping the job or holding on to his United States citizenship.

It is a long way from almost not passing his GCE O'Level examinations in high school, when he was in such dismal academic shape, that his principal told his father he would save a spot for him to repeat. Following his father's ultimatum to find a place to live if he failed, the young Kingstonian teamed up with a friend in a similar position; forgot about attending class and consumed the two-year syllabuses for his subjects in six months; taught each other and passed all seven subjects. That made him realise that hard work pays.

Walker had a happy childhood, received pocket money, and had relative freedom as long as chores were done. But he had to speak in respectful language to his parents. Walker strives for high ideals but is not an idealist; he believes in being a responsible man and is spiritual, although not a church man. He likes what money can do but is not driven by monetary gain. He is a remarkable human being of whom Jamaica can feel proud.

From the patio of his St Andrew home, in the first detailed interview since his resignation, Walker shared with The Sunday Gleaner the story of his journey.

How did you feel to hear all those comments about you in the media when you announced your resignation?

It felt good, but different - because the comments were about me and not the commission. It was uplifting to hear, but I find it uncomfortable and embarrassing to be praised. We did good work and it's good that people realise it. Many who were there before me could make the contrast but I had no institutional memories. I had the anecdotes but began from a point of management. My point was, if these are what we want to achieve, so why can't we?

To hear the negative experience of some political candidates who were so passionate was eye opening. Some were so wronged, and it sealed my resolve that no one should experience that in their own country. Some related stories in which they felt they should have done more to steal an election themselves rather than have it stolen from them. It is very clear to me what a clean election is and I see no reason why we cannot have them all the time.

Did you achieve all you set out to do in the 11 years?

There is a lot more to do but we have not reached there yet. Things like campaign financing and boundaries were on the schedule, but we are now just getting there. There is a lot of work in the electoral system, but we did what we had to do and moved on.

The things I wanted to achieve as director, up to when I left, we had achieved them. I was of the view that the '07 elections would be my last, so my staff took on greater roles. I mainly guided them without being as hands-on as I normally am; that's why we train them. Mistakes can be made, but the goal is how to deal with shortcomings of staff. So I was ready to leave and I promised myself to leave by December 2009, with enough time for the commission to find a new director.

Was it very easy for you to make the decision to leave?

Leaving the commission would have been a much more difficult decision to make if the revelation of my dual citizenship and what I know now was so when I was being interviewed for the job. I would have had to make a decision then. It is hard for me to say whether back then I would have decided to renounce citizenship, but based on how I think now, I would not rule out renouncing it at that time. It would have been a tough family decision.

What does US citizenship mean to you and why have you opted to keep it?

Like many Jamaicans, I have a great deal of love and respect for the United States. "My vision of the US is similar to the inscription at the base of the Statue of Liberty that beckons all to come and have their dreams realised.

"Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me."

America is a country of immigrants except for the Native Americans. Jamaica and my family have benefited from America tremendously. Most of my family live in the United States.

But it took me three attempts to settle down there. Each time I would spend a year then come back home. I was finally convinced when my father said it was time to go to college. I spent a total of 12 years there and returned in 1984.

So you are saying that you chose not to give up US citizenship because ...?

I couldn't give it up to remain director of elections because I had served my term. It is not that I would not one day contemplate giving it up, but when you get to my age (approaching 50), you look at responsibilities differently.

So, you will not consider any future appointments that stipulate not having dual citizenship?

The only other ones I know of with those restrictions are members of the House and Senate. You can be the commissioner of police, chief of staff of the defence force and the governor general; those don't disqualify you at all. I had lawyers check this.

And, speaking of commissioner of police, were you ever offered that job?

I was never offered. I was asked on more than one occasion if I would apply for the job, and I was asked if I would consider it some time. This last time around, in a very unofficial way, I was asked if I would consider going there if not as commissioner, as someone to assist him. But I would only go there as commissioner, and I would only go if I felt I could really make a difference and that there was a reluctance from any other suitably qualified persons to come forward. That's how I see myself in the force; it's not a job you run down, but I would do it if there was a need for me.

With that said, what other offers are now on the table? Are you taking a break before you go back to work? I know the finance minister has said publicly he would like your services. But I also wonder whether you would prefer to go to the private sector to make some 'real' money now?

The money question is interesting. I was 37 when I started at EOJ. The monthly salary could not cover my mortgage but I was seized with the idea of commitment to the job. After 11 years and approaching 50, I start to define what's important to me differently. I believe that although I still think and approach problems in an entrepreneurial way, there is a value in public service that is hard for me to turn away from.

Being a part of something large and which benefits my country is always important to me, and that is why I joined the army reserves in the '80s. It was a difficult time in the relationship with my father, who felt I was just becoming canon fodder. Now that I have one son too, I understand it.