Gannon ends political career

Gannon giving up on politics


After 15 years of service, and ‘with a heavy heart’, Westport Town Councillor Ollie Gannon has decided to bow out of public life. In his own words, below, he tells Neill O’Neill his reasons and delivers a parting message.

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“WESTPORT Town Council has been at the heart of our town for over 100 years now. Over this period the town has developed to the vibrant place it is today. This success is down to the individuals who invested in their businesses and created jobs. It is also down to the many voluntary organisations who have always, and continue to give of their time for the benefit of our town, and all who live in it. Westport Town Council has played an important role in working with all these groups to create a community that we all can be proud of. This was clearly underlined last year when Westport was voted the Best Place in Ireland to Live.
“However, the decision by the current Government under the charge of Environment Minister, Phil Hogan, to abolish all town councils is in my opinion a disastrous one. It was ill thought out and has more to do with some limited cost savings than with real reform. There are 80 town councils in the country. The Government made no distinction between the poor performing councils and the ones that run their affairs well. Westport is, by any standard, a very well run council. Reform by all means, but to throw out the baby with the bath water makes no sense.
“The announcement by the Government that 900 councillors will be eliminated as part of this reform programme is nothing more than political spin. Based on the feedback I have got, the public are not buying this. The savings are not as much as Minister Hogan says they are. As far as I am aware no council officials will lose their jobs as part of this exercise. To state they will be relocated elsewhere in the public service will not result in cost savings.  These people will still have to be paid.
“It is with a heavy heart that I have decided to withdraw from local politics. I will not contest the upcoming new municipal district election. To the many people who encouraged me to run and pledged me support, I would like to extend my sincere thanks. Ultimately, for me, it comes down to time. The new electoral area, which covers a vast territory stretching from Louisburgh to Belmullet, will be very demanding in terms of time. The reality for me is that I have a day job to keep, to survive. The new arrangements would not permit me to keep my job and give the commitment that will be required to be an effective councillor.
“It has been a privilege for me to have served the people of Westport as an elected councillor for fifteen years. I would like to thank the many people who voted for me over this period. I would also like to thank all the people of the town for the courtesy shown to me on the many occasions I called to their doors. I would also like to thank my employer Allergan Pharmaceuticals who have always been very supportive of me in terms of time off work to carry out my civic duties.
“Looking back over my time on the council, I take pride in the achievement of the council in developing the town. Yes we did get some things wrong, no doubt. Overall, any reasonable person will agree that Westport Town Council, has been a positive force for the town. Its demise I believe, will be something we come to regret. We will no longer have a situation where the interests of the town are represented by nine elected councillors. Under the new arrangements we may end up with one or perhaps two councillors representing the town, on the municipal district of seven members. It can’t see how this will benefit our town.
“Westport Town Council has been very fortunate to find itself in a position of financial strength, and runs a surplus. Most of this is down to the many businesses both small and large in the town that pay commercial rates. Many of these businesses have gone through some very difficult years but have still managed to pay their rates bill. These individuals are to be commended. All money raised by the town council stays in the town.  For the €2.5 million paid in rates in the past year, people can see for themselves that the money is being spent locally. I am not so sure this will be the situation when the new municipal district comes into place. I fear that some of the money collected in Westport may find its way out of the town to other areas in the new district.
“In the absence of a town council I believe it is vital that the voluntary organisations in the town come together to form a community type council. This council, as I see it, would be made up of representatives of the 97 voluntary organisations that exist in the town today. The object of the council would be to ensure that matters that affect Westport are put in front of the new municipal district in a streamlined way. The views of this council would, I believe, carry weight and help address the vacuum that will arise after next May. For my part I will be more than happy to chair a meeting to facilitate a discussion on this, if the voluntary organisations in the town, see merit in my suggestion.
“For me, having served as Westport’s first citizen on three different occasions was a great honour. In the past year the highlights included the signing of the contract for the new community facility at Westport Quay. The signing of the contract for the commencement of work on the Town Hall. The turning of the sod on Westport United’s new all weather facility. I was also very pleased that, as Cathaoirleach of the council, no increase took place in commercial rates this year and that I could preside over the awarding of many accolades to the town that included the Best Place in Ireland to Live from The Irish Times, the award by Retail Excellence Ireland on the high standard of hotels, shops, bars and restaurants in the town and the continued success of the Tidy Towns Committee. I was also pleased to have officially opened the northern section of the Greenway and was delighted to have been in a position to recognise the sporting achievements of a number of our citizens at both national and international level, with civic receptions.
“I leave local politics in the hope that I made some small contribution to our great town, which we are all proud of. To the people who elected me I again extend my heartfelt gratitude to you all. To the people of Westport I say it was my privilege to have served you. To the voluntary organisations I say keep up the good work. Your contribution to our town means so much to so many. To my fellow councillors on the town council, may I thank you and the officials for your support over the years. Last and by no means least, may I thank the local media for bringing the affairs of the town council to their readers.”