Tidy Towns silverware hopes
SLIGO TIDY TOWNS’ NEW CHAIRMAN SETS HIGH GOAL FOR NEXT TWO YEARS
THE new Sligo Tidy Towns chairperson has said he hopes to secure silverware for the town in the next two years.
Peter Tiernan, who takes over from out- going chairperson Jim Lawlor, told the committee’s AGM yesterday ( Monday) that he has set this goal after the town’s growing success in the last few years.
The former Credit Union Chairman added that his management team is currently setting priorities and objectives for the next three years as well as shorter term goals for the coming year.
He said: “As Chairman, and by agreement with the team, I intend, over the coming year, to consolidate the work relating to the many projects we have in progress.
“We have been steadily increasing our marks over several years now, receiving an increase of 12 marks in 2016. I have therefore set a target for ourselves of winning a significant award for Sligo over the next two years. We can only do that with the co- operation of you all.”
Mr Tiernan also announced John Kielty as his vice- Chairman who he described as a “hard- working team member”.
He told the meeting that Sligo Tidy Towns is more dependent on volunteers than any other organisation in the county and issued a plea for more members to come on board.
“We don’t live in an ivory tower,” he said. “We have committee meetings once a month, and after that what we do is old fashioned work, a lot of it physical work. Whatever your background, we’ll kit you out in wellingtons and a high- visible vest to get you working with a paint brush or litter picker.”
He added: “The exercise will do you good, and you’ll have contributed to making your town a better place in which to live or work.”
Mr Tiernan called on local business and property owners to continue keeping their surroundings tidy.
He acknowledged the ongoing co- operation of the business community who are the source of major funding for the organisation, as well as Sligo County Council.
He said: “A Tidy Towns group cannot make progress without the goodwill of the local authority. We know that Sligo County Council is short of money at present, but some things are more important than money. You cannot buy goodwill and co- operation, and this is where the County Council is invaluable to us.”
Finally, Mr Tiernan told the meeting that he is proud to be appointed chairperson of Sligo Tidy Towns and is conscious of the responsibility that comes with the title.
“Jim Lawlor in particular is going to be a very hard act to follow. His energy and enthusiasm for the job is legendary.”