WESTPORT
Neill O’Neill
WESTPORT Town Council received a makeover at last week’s AGM when new officers were elected for the next year.
Cllr Declan Dever was elected Cathaoirleach of the Council, a position he previously held in 2000/2001, while Fine Gael councillor Myles Staunton was elected Leas-Chathaoirleach for the forthcoming year – the penultimate term of this council.
Cllr Margaret Adams proposed her Fianna Fáil colleague for the role of Cathaoirleach and this was quickly endorsed by Cllr Peter Flynn and Cllr Martin Keane.
Cllr Dever was elected unopposed to the chair and was formally presented with his chain of office by outgoing Cathaoirleach, Cllr Tereasa McGuire.
The new Cathaoirleach immediately set out his stall for the year with an ambitious 12-point plan in which he vowed to work to bring to Westport new civic offices, a review of the town development plan, a gas connection, house improvement grants, a widening of the Sandyhill road and better rolling stock on the train routes into the town.
He also pledged his support to the Cathaoirleach’s Ball, the new youth drop-in centre, the many festivals hosted in Westport, the N5 Northern Relief Road, the Town Hall redevelopment and the idea of a world leader medical services centre being located in the town.
His elected colleagues took turns to congratulate him on his new role and welcomed his pledges, each stating that he had their full support.
In his first official duty he called for nominations for the role of Leas-Chathaoirleach and after Cllr Margaret Adams’ proposal of Cllr Myles Staunton was backed by Cllr Martin Keane and no other nomination were forthcoming, Cllr Staunton was confirmed as Leas-Chathaoirleach.
Cllr Tereasa McGuire received warm praise in the chamber on the conclusion of her term as Cathaoirleach. She was complimented on a fantastic year as the public face of the Council by her fellow councillors, the Town Manager, Mr Peter Hynes, and Council staff.
She was told she was the most photographed woman in Westport since Princess Grace came to Mayo many years ago and that she had been a wonderful ambassador for the town wherever she went.
‘You brought colour, style and passion to the job and were a shining example of what a Cathaoirleach should be, say and do’ they said to her, before she relinquished her chain of office and ushered Cllr Dever into the top chair.
FIRST COUPLE Cllr Declan Dever, the newly-elected Cathaoirleach of Westport Town Council, pictured with his wife Maire. Pic: Frank Dolan
