Outgoing Westport Cathaoirleach reveals possible economic links with Canada

Staunton reveals possible new economic links with Canada


Aine Ryan

RATE reduction, youth facilities, Communities in Bloom and the potential of new economic links were all cited as key highlights of outgoing Cathaoirleach of Westport Town Council, Myles Staunton’s tenure as the town’s first citizen.
“Importantly and significantly, the nine elected members can be proud of the fact that this year for the first time, a rates reduction of two-and-a-half per cent was achieved at our budget meeting which was the first time I understand a rates reduction was ever passed by Westport Town Council.”
Addressing the elected members last Thursday evening at the council’s AGM, he noted that this, along with presentations by both the Chamber of Commerce and Destination Westport sent out ‘a clear message that this council understands the anxieties and concerns which businesses are facing and will not shirk from playing its part in reacting to economic situations’.
Cllr Staunton also welcomed plans by the council management ‘for a skateboard park and outdoor youth facility’. 
Among the other important moments for Cllr Staunton were the Communities in Bloom awards, at which he officiated in Canada.
“On a personal note I will never ever forget addressing 650 people on behalf of the international delegation.” He observed that another highlight was ‘the poignant ceremony at the Mayo Peace Park where he accompanied the mother of Robert McKibben to lay a wreath for her son who was killed on duty [in Afghanistan].
The National Famine Commemoration in Murrisk, the delivery of the Early Bird train service, as well as the ongoing Smarter Travel bid were also important milestones during his busy year, he said. 
“Smarter Travel, win, lose or draw, I will never forget the campaign, and if successful I have no doubt that generations of people in this town will be very thankful for the work put into the campaign which will lead to improvements of infrastructure in Westport which will last for years.” New business opportunities
CllR Staunton also reminded the meeting of how trips abroad ­– even for such fragrant awards as the Communities in Bloom – can lead to pivotal new economic opportunities.
“As previously announced, the Town Clerk, Anne Moore, and I held discussions with the Economics Department of Vaughan City Council when we attended the Communities in Bloom conference and I am delighted to announce that I received  confirmation this week that Vaughan representatives will be attending Westport to progress economic discussions and that in the coming weeks the Director of Economic Development will be taking an initiative forward to the City’s Senior Management Team to discuss potential economic opportunities that Vaughan and Westport could advance.”
He continued: “I am particularly pleased with this development and in my view the only way we will succeed in attracting further industry is if councillors and business representatives in Westport make it a priority to go direct as we would certainly be waiting a long time if we were to wait for any State agency to make Westport a priority given the fiasco which is currently in existence in relation to Westport’s disadvantageous status in not being a hub town.”