Chairman to focus on industry and housing

June 1995

TACKLING housing problems, developing the Lee Valley and. bringing a new much-needed industry to the Kerry capital — these are the main aims of Tralee’s new first citizen, the newly-elected Town Council Chairman, Ted Fitzgerald.

But the Fianna Fail councillor, who is also a member of Kerry County Council, is no stranger to wearing the chain of office. This is his third time in the chair of Tralee ‘Town Council, and he has also ‘been acting Chairman of the current council since the death of Ok Michael O’Regan in May.

Cllr Fitzgerald, who is a well-known building contractor in the town, was proposed as chairman at Monday night’s annual general meeting of ‘Tralee Town Council by Cllr Johnny Wall.

He was seconded by Cllr Norma Foley and as there were no other proposals, he was elected unanimously. Cllr Donal Tobin was elected Vice-Chairman. On receiving the chain of office, the new chairman paid tribute to his predecessor, the late Cllr O’Regan, and then proceeded to outline his aims and hopes for Tralee during the year.

“The first thing I want to do is tackle the building of houses in the town and to ensure that there are houses available for the people on the list,” he said.

He later told The Kerryman that he hoped suitable land would be found in the Tralee area immediately, so that the Council’s full allocation of housing starts could be taken up as soon as possible.

“The town is also crying out for industry. We have developed tourism very well in Tralee and the town is full of tourists at the moment, but we still need industrial jobs to keep our people employed and I would like to see a new industry coming to Tralee during my year, “he said.

Cllr Fitzgerald said the role of Chairman of Tralee Town Council had expanded considerably since he last held the office in 1987 and he was anticipating a particularly busy year.

He said he would have plenty of help and support in his new role from wife Catherine, daughters Pauline and Una and sons John and David.