Write a comment
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council hosted their AGM tonight and in his farewell speech outgoing Chairperson, Councillor Michael Savage spoke of how it was one of the most memorable and enjoyable years of his life.
Cllr Savage said "To say it has been an honour to wear the chain of office as Chairperson of Newry Mourne and Down is an understatement.
"The role of Chairperson brings with it responsibilities, protocols and the occasional opportunity to rub shoulders with the great and the good but most of all it brings the unique opportunity to connect with the best people on this planet - the citizens of our beautiful district.
"While I put a lot into this year I got so much more out of it, purely through the engagement I had with the ordinary men, women and children of our city, towns, villages and hamlets. Our citizens are quite remarkable and as someone who visited almost every corner of our district over the last 12 months I can say that with confidence."
Cllr Savage recalls the sense of community, belonging, pride and basic humanity he experienced.
"Be it meeting people at the local festivals from Ardglass to Hilltown, Loughinisland to Lislea and across the whole area last summer or the hundreds of community group volunteers, sports coaches, and local leaders of all ages I was amazed at how our district continues to thrive through the efforts of those working selflessly on the ground across our community.
"I have far too many highlights to recall this year but without doubt the Chairperson’s Civic Awards Night with stay with me forever. The truly remarkable people I met that night blew me away, not just by their sense of duty and commitment but also their humility." Cllr Savage said
The outgoing Chairperson continued "The Chairperson’s Charity Ball was another highlight and I am so proud of the £22,000 we managed to raise for my four local charities Southern Area Hospice, Suicide Down to Zero, Saint Vincent De Paul and Simon Community. To everyone who attended or contributed in any way thank you all again so much."
Cllr Savage thanked those who helped him throughout the year "Firstly to the team at Democratic Services, Sheila who kept my diary, kept me going in craic and was a constant guiding light and support throughout the year, thank you Sheila. A special thank you to Sarah, Louise, Linda, Donna, Patricia and Colette thank you all so much for your unwavering support and willingness to answer queries at the most ungodly hours while I made my way to or from an engagement. Nothing was ever any trouble to each of you thank you all so much. And I wish Patricia and Colette every happiness in their retirement.
"To Marie and the Management Team thank you for your guidance, support, patience and professionalism throughout the year."
Cllr Savage continued "To you the members thank you all for the courtesy and respect you have shown me throughout the last 12 months I hope you feel I was fair and gave adequate opportunity for debate to allow voices to be heard. I vowed to be a chairperson for everyone and I trust I have followed up my words with actions that reflected that over the last year. To all my former colleagues who either stood down or did not make it on this occasion I wish you all the very best for the future and I wish all the new Councillors every success in your first term. Thank you to my outgoing Deputy Aoife Finnegan for her support and willingness to step in when needed. Thank you Aoife.
"Finally to my wife Noreen who despite her own considerable challenges this year fully supported me in my role as Chair and to my children Caolan, Tara and Ella I hope I made you proud. Family time is now firmly back on the agenda for the next while anyway."
He concluded by wishing the new Chairperson well. "I wish new Chairperson Valerie Harte every success for the year ahead an offer just a little advice but knowing her I know it will come easy to her – that advice is to be people focused and the rest will look after itself - but most of all enjoy every minute of it – I did!"
Outgoing Deputy Chairperson Councillor Aoife Finnegan said "I just want to say a massive go raibh mile mhaith agat to the members here, the council officials for their support, and especially to my own colleagues on the Sinn Féin team for all their support over the past year. Thank you to chairperson Councillor Savage for the work that he has done this year. It's been great working with you and you've certainly covered a lot of ground, thankfully I was able to chip in the odd time. I'd like to wish the incoming chairperson Cllr Valerie Hart, and incoming Deputy Chairperson all the best for the year ahead"
Councillors from the other parties then thanked Cllr Savage for his year representing the district.
