Mulherin elected

Mulherin elected to the Chair

Ballina
Emer Gallagher

IN THE END it was down to Cllr Mark Winters to cast the vote that would ultimately decide the fate of his Fine Gael colleague, Cllr Michelle, Mulherin last Thursday night in Ballina.
Having signed an agreement with four Fianna Fáil councillors to elect Cllr Frances McAndrew as Chairperson of the Ballina Town Council for the 2008-2009 term, the Fine Gael representative was faced with the dilemma of whether to honour the agreement or vote to elect his party colleague.
As everyone waited on his decision, in a barely audible voice he announced it was to be Cllr Michelle Mulherin.
Cllr Padraig Moore then ended his reign as Mayor of Ballina and handed over the chain of office, thanking the people of Ballina, the local media, Council officials and staff and his fellow councillors for their help and support during the year he described as ‘far from boring’.
Cllr Mulherin had been proposed by Cllr Tommy Cooke and seconded by Cllr Mary Kelly. Outlining the reasons for the nomination, Cllr Cooke said it was only right and fair that she be elected as chairperson of the Town Council. “The time has come for somebody who has been involved in politics and the Council for so long to get the Chair,” said Cllr Cooke.
Cllr Cooke urged Cllr Winters to show ‘courage and backbone’ in supporting Cllr Mulherin and Fine Gael. Cllr Mulherin was supported in her successful election by Cllrs Cooke, Kelly, Clarke and Winters.
Entering her tenth year as a member of Ballina Town Council, the newly-elected Mayor thanked the elected members for the honour and said she was particularly delighted for the wonderful opportunity afforded to her. Cllr Mulherin thanked Cllr Winters and said that, party allegiances aside, he had a choice to make and she appreciated his decision.
She also thanked Cllr McAndrew for her contest and said the end objective in her role as Mayor was for the good of the town.
“There are great things happening in Ballina and I look forward to achieving the best results for Ballina,” said Cllr Mulherin, who added that she would be encouraging open and full debate during her year-long reign. Cllr Mulherin said the unemployment problem in the town was of concern, though great strides had been made in the retail sector. “I would like to root out the problem of the IDA business park in the year,” added Cllr Mulherin.
Cllr Mulherin also outlined her plans for the development of a youth forum in an effort to engage with the youth as a council and raise awareness of the workings of the chamber among the younger members of society.
“Openness and frankness is the only way we are going to get to grips with what is going on in the town. I see this chamber as a vessel of accountability and transparency,” said Cllr Mulherin.
Welcoming the new mayor, Cllr Mary Kelly said her position was well-earned. Her words of congratulations were echoed by the elected members of the Council.
Mayor Mulherin immediately set about her duties of electing her Leas-Mhéara upon taking the Chair. Three contenders emerged in the race for the position of vice-chair, with Cllr Mulherin proposing Cllr Peter Clarke, Cllr Tommy Cooke proposing Cllr Mary Kelly and Cllr Willie Nolan putting Cllr Johnnie O’Malley forward. Both Cllrs Clarke and Kelly seconded themselves for the position with Cllr McAndrew seconding Cllr O’Malley. With a majority of five votes to four, Cllr O’Malley was deemed elected having received the votes of support from Cllrs Moore, Nolan, McAndrew, Winters and himself.