Independent councillor appointed to Ballina chair following 'strange year'
COUNCILLOR Seamus Weir is the new Cathaoirleach of Ballina Municipal District.
The Knockmore-based Independent was elected unopposed at a meeting of the local authority today in Crossmolina, home town of outgoing chairman, Councillor Michael Loftus (Fianna Fáil).
“It's great to have the honour of being chairperson,” said Councillor Weir, who recalled that he was the first cathaoirleach of Ballina Municipal District in 2014 following local government reforms that abolished town councils and established the municipal districts.
The difference between now and 2014 is that he has a chain to wear.
“I didn't wear a chain at all that year,” he recalled as he thanked councillors for pushing to get chains of office for the different districts.
“I think it's important to have them. It's a great honour to wear the chain on behalf of your local municipal district.”
Councillor Weir, who was proposed for the position of cathaoirleach by Councillor Mark Duffy (Ind) and seconded by Councillor Annie May Reape (FF), said Councillor Loftus would be a hard act to follow but was looking forward to working with all the officials.
“I will do my utmost to get things back to normal as soon as possible. We have a very vibrant bunch of councillors and officials here. We will get back to normal, but it will take time.”
Before signing off as cathaoirleach, Councillor Loftus welcomed everyone to Crossmolina Civic and Cultural Centre – a perfect example, he said, of what can be achieved when they work together as councillors.
He thanked all the council staff, and his fellow councillors too, for their courtesy and help over what was a 'strange' year.
Running through some highlights from the 12 months, he singled out the Other Voices festival in Ballina in late February, but he also noted that it's many of the smaller matters they deal with as councillors that add up and go a long way in a community.
Regarding a potential loss of €5.25 million to Ballina Municipal District this year due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the economy, Councillor Loftus said support from central government is necessary and he called on Mayo's national politicians to ensure it is provided.
Councillor Loftus noted that Covid-19 had caused much harm to businesses and to communities but it also showed the best in people as they rallied around to help with deliveries, etc, and it also changed how business is done as people adapted to working from home.
He asked the council to try and work with providers so that better broadband is delivered to the public.
Finally, Councillor Loftus thanked his wife and family for their patience and support in his year as cathaoirleach, which he regarded as 'an absolute honour'.
Fellow councillors – Annie May Reape, Mark Duffy, John O'Hara (Fine Gael), Jarlath Munnelly (Fine Gael) and Seamus Weir – all congratulated the outgoing cathaoirleach on his year in office, while Declan Turnbull, head of Ballina Municipal District, and Tom Gilligan, director of services for the region, both thanked him on their own behalf and on behalf of the staff, Mr. Gilligan noting that he handled the Covid-19 situation 'brilliantly and professionally' since its onset earlier this year.
Annie May Reape was elected leas cathaoirleach, proposed by Cllr Michael Loftus and seconded by Cllr Mark Duffy.CaptionThe newly elected cathaoirleach of Ballina Municipal District,
*Councillor Seamus Weir (left), is handed the chain of office by the outgoing cathaoirleach, Councillor Michael Loftus.