Independent Cllr calls for power sharing on Westport Town Council

mayo | politics / elections | press release Thursday July 08, 2004 01:24 by Cllr Keith Martin - Indepdent Candidate newseditor at ireland dot com Westport Mayo

Cllr says power should be shared equally

Westport Town Cllr calls for end of exclusion from seat of power.

Independent Councillor Keith Martin has called for the rotation of the positions of Cathaoirleach and Leas Cathaoirleach of Westport Town Council.

Cllr Martin says that there are 10 positions to be filled over five years. We have nine councillors, if Westport Town Council really is the council where politics is left outside the chamber why shouldn't these positions rotate to members irrespective of their political affiliation?

My Independent colleague Cllr Martin Keane has been a councillor for over ten years yet he was never elected to the chair. I think Cllr Keane deserves to serve a year as Cathaoirleach and this is something I would strive to secure during the coming five years.

Likewise my fellow freshmen councillors Dave Keating and Myles Staunton would make excellent first citizens. They polled extremely well and by giving them a chance in the chair, we their fellow councillors, would be acknowledging the people of Westport's call for change.

That is not to say that the excellent work of veteran councillors should be ignored but I am calling for the power to be shared equally irrespective of party politics or years served.