My Mayoral Acceptance Speech
July 1st, 2005Firstly, I’d like to congratulate Cllr Larkin on his excellent year as Mayor and Chairman of this Council. He ran an orderly ship at all times, and contributed significantly to the successes of Letterkenny Town Council over this last year. On behalf of all the Council, I’d also like to wish him all the best in his year as Chairman of the County Council.
I’m both deeply humbled and honoured by this election. One year ago this month, the people of Letterkenny gave me the chance to become a member of this council, and I’d like to thank those members who supported me today for giving me this opportunity to further serve the people of this town.
I would like to thank all the members, and indeed Town Clerk Paddy Doherty and all his officials, for their help and support in this last year. They have, at all times, been approachable and willing to help a novice public representative to “learn the ropes�.
I would like to thank everyone who supported me through the elections, and since. Most particularly, I’d like to thank my girlfriend Mary and my family for all their support since. They’ve gotten me through a very busy year, between finishing University and starting politics. They’ve put up with an awful lot, and I’d like to dedicate this honour to them.
Tonight, as I receive this honour, my father turns 50. In 1985, he was elected to this council. Nearly twenty years later, he did everything he could to dissuade me from standing for election, followed by three months of outstanding work to help me get elected. I’d particularly like to thank him for his help over the last year.
This is easily the greated honour I’ve ever received, and I intend to treat it with the respect it deserves.
As a council, we face many challenges in the year ahead. In about 6 weeks time, we will host the Fleadh Cheoil, the biggest event ever to take place in our fair town. We face issues with housing, sanitation, roads, parking, community facilities and much, much more. I look forward to working with all the councillors, officials and members of the community to help deal with these issues in the best manner possible.
I have a number of priorities for my term as Mayor. These include dealing with issues such as CCTV, youth and community facilities and improvements in waste management and recycling. I hope to bring proposals and motions forward in the coming months regarding these issues, and look to forward to working with the members on these and other important issues.
On a personal level, I’d like to push forward moves on the old council offices at Covehill, which were destroyed in a fire almost a year ago. Another important issue is the Mart site, which I hope we can secure for the future benefit of all the people of Letterkenny.
Most particularly, I’d like to use my term as Mayor to encourage more young people to get involved with politics. Five years ago, I was too young to vote. My election to this council, and to this position, is a very real vote of confidence in the young people of this town. I’d like to use this year to show people that it is possible to make a difference, the first step is to get active in your communities and become interested in politics.