Blackie makes Dot proud with chain of office

FIRST CITIZEN Cllr Blackie Gavin. Pic: Keith Heneghan

Anton McNulty

Working with organisations to make Mayo a better place to live, work and visit was Castlebar councillor Blackie Gavin’s pledge for the next 12 months, after he was elected as the Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council.
The popular Castlebar Fianna FΡil councillor was elected unopposed to the role of Mayo’s first citizen after succeeding outgoing Cathaoirleach, Cllr Richard Finn, at yesterday’s (Monday) annual general meeting of Mayo County Council.
A member of staff with Mayo County Council, Cllr Gavin was joined in the Council Chamber by his mother Dot, sons, CiarΡn and Caolan, brothers, Pat and Paul, sister, Mary and many of his supporters, including TDs Dara Calleary and Lisa Chambers.
Speaking after receiving the chain for the first time, Cllr Gavin (whose Christian name is Kieran but he is known by his nickname Blackie) paid tribute to his late father, Kerr, who worked as a delivery driver for Lavelle’s Bakery. He recalled travelling with him as a boy and how he learned ‘what a beautiful county we live in’. He also added that he was sure his mother was ‘proud to see her son sitting here today’.
He said he wanted to use his term in office to promote the county at home and abroad.
“While the position of Cathaoirleach is an honour, it brings with it responsibilities and I pledge to use all of my energy to promote my native county which has enormous potential. During my term in office, I want to work with all groups, organisations and individuals who are promoting our county and creating jobs and opportunities for our people.
“I compliment all the voluntary groups who work hard to make Mayo a better place to live, work and visit. I look forward to meeting them all at events during the year and to supporting them in every way possible,” he said.
A native of Lucan Street in Castlebar, Cllr Gavin has served as a public representative for the past 24 years. He was first elected to the old Castlebar Urban District Council in 1994 and continued to serve on Castlebar Town Council until its abolition in 2014 and was first elected to Mayo County Council in 2009.
Some of the issues he said he wished to address during his year as Cathaoirleach were the continued growth of Knock Airport, supporting services in Mayo University Hospital, attracting jobs and investment to Castlebar, as well as advancing projects such as the Military Barracks in Castlebar.
Cllr Gavin was proposed for the role by his Fianna FΡil colleague Al McDonnell who expressed his confidence in his colleague’s ability to represent the county.
“I have every confidence that he will represent this area with distinction and confidence and a style over the next year and the people here today will be proud of him too,” he said.
The proposal was seconded by Cllr Michael Kilcoyne who stated he has served with Cllr Gavin for over 20 years and his work is reflected in Castlebar and the county.
Cllr Michael Loftus from Crossmolina was elected as Leas-Cathaoirleach.