Lizzie Harrison, Coachford, prizewinner in the Regional Foroige/Aldi National Junior Baker competition.
Moynihan to chair Council’s nothern area committee
IT was all change at the helm of Cork County Council’s northern area committee this week as members met for their AGM to elect a new chairperson for the coming year.
The chain of office will be worn for the next 12-months by Fianna Fail’s Cllr Bernard Moynihan (FF) who was elected to the position unopposed following his nomination by party colleague Cllr Frank O’Flynn.
Prior to handing over the reigns outgoing incumbent, Mitchelstown-based Social Democrat councillor June Murphy, said she had enjoyed her time in office.
“It has been both an interesting and challenging year. But, certainly I have to say that the council staff, and particularly in Mallow, have been absolutely wonderful and were always there of offer me help and advice,” said Cllr Murphy.
“We appreciate the hard work that you do to ensure the smooth running of this area,” she added.
Prior to nominating Cllr Moynihan for the chair, Cllr O’Flynn praised Cllr Murphy the “fair and even handed” manner in which she conducted the committee’s monthly meetings.
These were sentiments also expressed by various other committee members.
Nominating Cllr Moynihan for the chair, Cllr O’Flynn described his party colleague as a “very hard worker who is rooted in his local community of Kiskeam”.
“He is known as a very hard worker and when he gets involved in something, he doesn’t let it go. He is like a dog with a bone. Therefore, I have no hesitation in nominating him for chair of this committee and know he will do a great job,” he said.
The nomination was seconded by Cllr Timmy Collins (Ind), who was himself nominated and elected unopposed to serve as vice-chair of the committee for the coming 12-months.
Accepting the chain of office, Cllr Moynihan praised his predecessor saying she had done an excellent job and would be “a difficult act to follow”.
He said there were a number of issues he would like to prioritise during his term in office, most notably the traffic calming measures at Ballymacquirke Cross and the proposed new national school in Kanturk.
“These are two pieces of crucial infrastructure that need to be sorted,” he said.
“I hope to carry on the good work of the people who have chaired this committee in the past and thank my colleagues for placing their trust in me for the year ahead,” he added.
Accepting the chain of vice-chair, Cllr Collins said one of his main priorities for the year would be to ensure more progress is made on the Mallow Northern Relief Road.