Year of drama and fresh starts
HAVING been in the hot seat as cathaoirleach for two years running, Cllr John Fleming said he was honoured to have played a part in two defining years for the town of New Ross.
Cllr Fleming said: ‘Our first big summer events of 2019 were our festivals which went very well. The summer school had again with some outstanding guest/speakers including the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar. We must also remember the sad passing of Noel Whelan who played an integral part of the summer school.’
He said: ‘ The Eugene O’Neill festival was again a great success and growing with strong links now being forged between Danville, San Francisco and New Ross. There were many other top events during the year including the piano and library festivals and St Mary’s Church
The opening date for the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Bridge was the big question as the date moved back slightly from time to time (as you would expect on a project that size). Eventually the date came and excitement grew: there was a hugely successful charity walk the week preceding the opening raising thousands for charity. Finally the bridge was opened to everybody’s delight. I would love to claim it was all my work my plan my idea but I can’t, I only wished for a new bridge to alleviate the traffic congestion going through New Ross town.’
He said he was proud to be in the chair to propose the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy name for the iconic 887m structure.
‘Rose Catherine Kennedy Townsend came over from the us to represent the Kennedy family and was most impressed with the structure, unfortunately shortly after returning to the US lost her sister and nephew in a tragic boating accident. We also had the sad passing of Jean Kennedy Smith, another friend of New Ross.’
He recalled meeting the Ambassador of Mexico and the Ambassador of India during the year and was persuaded to participate in a yoga session in the Horse and Hound in his suit. ‘ The less said about that the better,’ he joked.
‘With the bridge opened and funding coming for greenways, tourism projects etc New Ross was finally going to take off but just then Covid-19 arrived and stopped us all in our tracks. We all know the effects the virus had and may I commiserate with the families of those who passed away and also may I sincerely thank all the voluntary groups including Wexford County Council staff and all front-line staff for their selfless work during the pandemic.
‘We are now coming out of lockdown with many issues facing us, but again we are starting positively with good news for New Ross, namely the managing of the port of New Ross is remaining in the hands of Wexford County Council as it would have been unacceptable to hand over the management to another county in my view.
‘We finally have an agreement to build an advance factory. A local group of experienced developers namely PJ Farrell and Liam and Eamon Wall have partnered with Wexford County Council to build an advance factory which is great news. For the past few years I pursued the development of an advance factory in Butlersland relentlessly, looking for updates and details of progress keeping the advance factory on the agenda. I must also like to thank all involved who made a contribution including Cllr Connick and especially Cllr Michael Whelan. Less than a year in the chair of the Economic SPC and delivering a factory would it be too much to look for an airport for Wexford next year?’
He said as an auctioneer he knows if a factory is built to the proper standards it would be far easier to attract a tenant. ‘ Now thankfully we will soon have that factory to showcase. When you have the right people involved in any project progress will be made and thankfully we have the right blend here.
‘ The only disappointing aspect was the news of the agreement to build a factory went public to soon as we were trying to keep the news quiet until contracts were signed and sealed which won’t be for at least a month.’
Concluding he thanked the executive team of Ger Walsh, Eimear Kennedy and David Lee who could not have been more helpful and accommodating and Daniel McCartan and Eilis Furlong for their cooperation. ‘I would like to compliment our district manger Mick McCormick who only took up his position last September and hit the ground running and again Mick has been so accommodating and helpful in every way.
‘Our director Eamon Hore who, over the years, is responsible more than any for positive developments/projects in New Ross district; a man with New Ross in his heart. We are lucky here in the New Ross district to have such an ambitious, hands-on team.
‘Finally I would like thank my fellow councillors for their positive contributions during the year and I hope I was fair to all. I would also like to commend David Looby of People Newspapers for his balanced reporting throughout the year. I’m looking forward to working with the whole team here in New Ross lead by Eamonn Hore: they are all a positive team and you don’t often get no or we can’t do that it’s get stuck in and get it done.’
He finished by thanking his family who supported him in his endeavours to be a better councillor and to be the chair of the municipal council. ‘So I ask ye all to please let’s be positive for the rest of 2020, work hard for the district of New Ross and we will be in a better place this time next year.’