New ‘Mayor’s Challenge’ goal for Pio

ANNOUNCES NUMBER OF INITIATIVES TO REVITALISE DROGHEDA AND MAKING IT A ‘LIVING WAGE TOWN’

CLLR Pio Smith has spoken of his pride in being elected the new mayor of Drogheda, stating that it is a huge honour for him and his family and the Labour Party.

He paid tribute to those who had assisted him in the past, including Michael and Betty Bell.

And he wasn’t slow in outlining his hopes for the year ahead, with the emphasis on promoting Drogheda and workers’ rights.

“In regards to town regeneration it is vital that The Living Cities Initiative be extended to Drogheda. Each councillor on Drogheda Borough District has a party colleague on the Oireachtas Finance Committee and we can make contact with them and convince them of the merits of extending the initiative to Drogheda. Also, all of Louth’s Oireachtas members can add their collective weight to the campaign,’ he stated.

He wants to see the Purple Flag awarded to Drogheda. ‘ This will allow Drogheda to compete with our neighbours on an equal footing for visitors from abroad.’

Making Drogheda a ‘Living Wage Town’ is also on his list. ‘I intend to host a conference on The Living Wage to explore the positive benefits that could arise to employees, employers and society if Drogheda becomes a Living Wage Town.’

He also intends to host a ‘Mayor’s Challenge’, aimed at transition year students who will be requested to make a presentation to the council on how they would like to see Drogheda develop over the coming years. There will be a prize for each participating school and an overall winners prize.

His fellow councillors congratulated him on his elevation, with Cllr Tommy Byrne saying it was great to see a Marsh Road man get the job.

‘But you’re not the first,’ he quipped, recalling Tom Leslie and James Byrne in the past.

Cllr Richie Culhane was elected as deputy mayor.