This article is from page 10 of the 2011-06-28 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 10 JPG
THE new mayor of Kilrush has called for a new coalition of forces to emerge in the west Clare capital to ensure that the town becomes a growth hub the development in the next decade.
Mayor Ian Lynch made his comments after the annual general meeting of Kilrush Town Council on Monday office after taking the chains of office from fellow Fine Gael councillor, Liam Williams.
“Kilrush has a lot of things going for it,” Mayor Lynch told The Clare People, “but the key for the town going forward is that everyone works together as a unit, so that the town can be created as a destination for living, a destination for commercial and industrial activity and a destination for tourism.”
Cllr Lynch, who served as Deputy Mayor for the last year, was unanimously elected unto become First Citizen on Kilrush, while independent member, Cllr Mairéad O’Brien was elected Deputy Mayor.
“This council must stand strong and face the people of Kilrush and indeed West Clare that look to us for solutions and inspiration in how we can effect change,” continued Mayor Lynch.
“While there is no doubt that the coming 12 months and possibly coming years will indeed be tough, but I’m a great believer in the reliance of our people to adapt and innovate.
“Kilrush Town Council will have to adapt to a reduced budget in many areas that will affect the services we can offer and how we prioritise the needs of the town. I hope as Mayor in the coming year to encourage and promote practicable and speedy solutions to the everyday concerns of the people of Kilrush.
“Many of theses concerns, such as the condition of our local roads, support for children be it education, after school activities or for those with special needs or indeed the urgent need to address unemployment and our local health care services are in fact the common concerns of all the people of Kilrush and County Clare,” he added.
Cllr Lynch, who was first elected to Kilrush Town Council in 2009, was proposed for the mayor’s position by outgoing mayor, Liam Williams and seconded by former mayor, Marion McMahon-Jones.