Cllr Gerry Walsh elected new cathaoirleach
CLLR GERRY WALSH was elected cathaoirleach of Greystones Municipal District last Tuesday evening.
Members congratulated Cllr Walsh on his election, and paid tribute to the excellent work Cllr Jennifer Whitmore did during her year in the chair.
Cllr Jennifer Whitmore said that she was very honoured to be cathaoirleach of Greystones Municipal District last year.
‘It’s been a very enjoyable year, and I was proud to be involved with a number of key initiatives across the district. In particular, opening the Little Tern Playground in Kilcoole was a big day for the community,’ she said.
‘Also, the progress that the South Beach Playground Committee have made with the refurbishment of that playground to make it an inclusive one is fantastic.
‘We are now out for tender on it, so we should be able to deliver the new playground late this year.
‘One of the things that I valued greatly during my year of office was simply being able to normalise the idea of women in politics, particularly for children,’ said Cllr Whitmore.
‘My son brought his friend home one day because his friend had said that “a woman couldn’t be mayor” so it was great to be able to show him the chains and talk to him about it a little.
‘It’s only by seeing these things will children, both girls and boys, know that it’s possible and normal.’
She thanked her fellow councillors for their support, as well as the district officials.
‘ They have done great work over the course of the year and are instrumental in keeping the district working so well. I would like to thank all the local people that work every day, voluntarily, on making the district a better place to live.
And, I would like to finish off by thanking my husband and children who supported me hugely during this time – without them, none of my work would be possible.
I wish our new cathaoirleach, Gerry Walsh, the best for the year ahead.’
‘It is a great honour for me to be nominated and elected for the role of cathaoirleach of the Greystones Municipal District,’ said Cllr Gerry Walsh.
‘When I attended here exactly four years ago, to be honoured with a certificate to mark my retirement from An Garda Síochána, little did I think that I would be in this position today.’
He thanked everyone who had supported, encouraged and had belief in him during the local election campaign and since; those who canvassed, and those who supported him in the ballot box.
‘I sincerely hope that I have lived up to their expectations. He said that former councillor Kathleen Kelleher was so supportive and instrumental in his successful election.
A special thanks to my family for all of the support shown to me over the years, without which It would not be possible to carry out the role of an elected representative,’ said Cllr Walsh.
‘As a municipal council, I believe we have worked well together, ably supported by district administrator Myra Porter and staff. There has been plenty of frustration , especially around budget time, when faced with cuts and hard choices, but I believe we have at all times been motivated by and acutely focussed on the issues that effect the people we represent.’
He said that the members have worked constructively with staff, evidenced by monthly progress submitted by the engineer outlining improvement works and public realm projects undertaken across the district, such as road improvements, footpath repairs, lighting, solar bins and tree maintenance.
‘Over the coming two years and remainder of our term, we will be faced with both challenges and opportunities that come with significant new development proposals for the district,’ he said.
‘We must ensure that a balanced and sustainable approach is taken and that the quality of life, health and well being of our community is not adversely effected.
‘We need to strive to highlight the importance of investment in vital infrastructure, that will have an evidenced based approach, providing robust supports – social, fabric and environmental to the areas impacted by further growth, such as roads, transport wastewater treatment, community and employment facilities, broadband. The list goes on. These are just some of the challenges we face,’ said the cathaoirleach.
‘If I were to compile a wish list it would include , movement on the IDA site in Greystones, the M11/N11 merge new design completion, Delgany Village improvements, Enterprise Centre at Charlesland, footpaths to cater for commuters at Sea Road Kilcoole, and the building of a hotel in Greystones.