MULLINGAR man Bill Collentine had what amounted to a dream day as he attended the AGM of Mullingar Municipal District as an elected member on Monday of this week.
The AGM of the Municipal District took place at Áras an Chontae and saw the Fianna Fáil Councillor elected as Mayor of Mullingar.
Saying that he was looking forward to working with all of the members in the years to come, Cllr Collentine said that he was ‘honoured’ at his election.
He takes the chain of office from outgoing Mayor, Cllr. Andrew Duncan (FG), who said that he had a most enjoyable year and he thanked his colleagues and the staff and Executive of Westmeath County Council for the support he was shown.
MAYOR OF MULLINGAR
Cllr. Collentine was proposed by fellow Fianna Fáil elected member, Cllr. Ken Glynn, who described him as “a true Mullingar man”.
It was a view shared by Cllr. Paddy Hill (FF), who seconded the proposal, saying that the Mullingar businessman was a friend for many years.
In taking his post as the town’s First Citizen, Cllr. Collentine said that “it was a great privilege”.
He thanked his Council colleagues for their support and said that he was looking forward to the year ahead.
“I will work hard and do my best for the local community,” he said. He paid tribute to Cllr. Duncan on his year as Mayor and his achievements and set out what he identifies as the top priorities moving into the coming year.
MAYOR’S PRIORITIES
“Myself and my party, Fianna Fáil, are very committed to bringing the Fleadh to Mullingar, where it first began. The €40 million it generates would be a huge boost, and as a businessman myself, I know we need this,” he said.
Cllr. Collentine also highlighted business expansion as a key area for Mullingar. He thanked the staff of Westmeath County Council, the Executive and also his wife, Teresa and their family for their generous support over many years.
Cllr. Collentine was co-opted onto the Council following the election of Aidan Davitt to Senate.
ELECTED DEPUTY MAYOR
Cllr. Michael Dollard proposed Fine Gael Councillor Emily Wallace for the post of Deputy Mayor, seconded in turn by Cllr. John Shaw. Unopposed, Cllr. Wallace was elected.
Cllr. Wallace joined the elected members, filling the vacancy in the Fine Gael ranks created by the election of Deputy Peter Burke TD to Dáil Eireann in 2016.
There were congratulations for the newly elected Mayor and Deputy Mayor from their Council colleagues and from Director of Services with the Executive, Martin Murray.
