Westport Chamber of Commerce has new President

Westport Chamber of Commerce has new President


Neill O’Neill

WESTPORT Chamber of Commerce has a new President after Maurice Mellotte was elected to the post at last week’s AGM. A native of The Neale, Maurice has been the manager of Permanent TSB bank in Westport for the past 18 years, and lives in Rosbeg with his wife and children. He succeeds Danny McLaughlin in the role, who formally handed over the chain at the AGM with his head held high, after 18 months of stewardship, that are now regarded among the most pro-active and successful Presidential tenures of Westport Chamber of Commerce.
Addressing the AGM, Maurice said that he was privileged to take the role, though with more uncertainty looming large, the ‘business community of Westport needs each other now more than ever’. He lauded the role played by his predecessor, saying he hoped to be able to show such tremendously enthusiastic leadership over the next year or so, and added that he looked forward to working with all the existing members and potential new ones.
In his outgoing address Danny McLaughlin reflected on a busy year-and-a-half, and recalled the many initiatives that were begun and accomplished during this time. Among them were the Christmas ‘Shop ‘n Spraoi festival’ on The Mall, the mid-summer shopping extravaganza weekend, and the hugely successful inaugural ‘Get Out There Festival’. He also outlined the lobbying that the Chamber had continuously being doing to national and local agencies on issues such as the reduction of local rates – which was achieved in Westport this year for the first time - and the securing of the 110KV power line to Westport which will safeguard local power requirements into the future.
While the Chamber continues to oversee the work of 21 FAS employees, monthly forums on issues affecting business were another initiative of the past year, as was the inaugural and very successful Chamber Golf AM AM. Westport Chamber of Commerce was also among the main drivers of the ‘Covies’ internet series, which has gone on to win awards and critical acclaim, while acting as a major promotional tool for the town and surrounding area.
Mr PJ McDermott, vice-principal at the Sacred Heart Secondary School in Westport was elected Vice-President, replacing local pharmacist Sheila O’Donnell in the role, while Tom Treacy, Robert Coakley and Neill O’Neill retained their positions as Secretary, Treasurer and PRO respectively.
Nationally-prominent economist Jim Power gave an informative and enlightening keynote speech and answered questions from the floor on many topics at the Westport Chamber of Commerce AGM. Read what he had to say about Ireland’s economic position and his thoughts on the future in next week’s Mayo News.