Cllr. Ken Glynn was elected Mayor of the new Mullingar Municipal District, at the inaugural meeting of the District on Monday of this week, 16 June.
Proposed by Cllr. Paul Daly (FF), Cllr. Ken Glynn was elected unopposed to the new position, which he will hold for the next twelve months.
“It’s the first time the Mullingar Municipal District Area have met and I must say that it’s a proud day for me to take this position,” said Cllr. Glynn. “Having served 15 years on Mullingar Town Council, I never had the opportunity to chair that body so this means a great deal to me”
For his his tenure as Mayor for the next twelve months, Cllr. Glynn vowed to work for the people of Mullingar town and surrounding rural areas.
“Two things I would like to see during my tenure is the progression of the recently established, ‘Town Team’ – an action group established to keep Mullingar businesses thriving. I also hope to have the military museum returned to Mullingar from Athlone. We are a proud Garrison town and this should be acknowledged,” said Glynn.
Mayor Glynn’s plan for Mullingar was met with words of both caution and congratulations coming from party colleague, Cllr. Paul Daly.
“You spoke of Mullingar town in your thank you address, however I must say that irrespective of our political allegiances, I and my colleagues will be fighting every square inch for the rural community. Having said that, I think it was very important that the first Mayor of Mullingar would be a ‘true blue’ Mullingar citizen, and you fit that category.”
Followed by Cllr. Glynn’s appointment as Mayor was the appointment of Deputy Mayor – Cllr. John Shaw (FF) taking the title unopposed.
The new position of Mayor comes with an annual allowance of €15,000, in accordance with guidelines set out by the Department of Local Government.
MAYOR/CATHAOIRLEACH
Monday’s election of Mayor and Deputy Mayor, brought with it debate on the exact title to be given to position, with both the Irish ‘cathaoirleach’ and English ‘mayor’ as choices, the latter emerging as the majority favourite.
Labour Councillors, Michael Dollard and Johnnie Penrose both urged for the Irish title to be used. “Mayor is a title which I believe is more associated with large cities, while cathaoirleach is one which has been used for some time in Mullingar,” said Cllr. Dollard, himself a former Cathoirleach of Westmeath County Council.
Cllr. Paul Daly disagreed with Cllr. Dollard’s saying the term ‘Mayor’ would be suitable.
“Aside from the person themselves, the term Mayor and Deputy Mayor would be a distinguishing title for the town itself.”
Cllr. Daly’s favoured choice was seconded by Cllr. Frank McDermott (FG) “I’m inclined to support the term Mayor,” said Cllr. McDermott. “The municipality is a new set-up and category, and should be separate from the current title of cathaoirleach, given to the Chairman of Westmeath County Council.”
