“Let’s get working” was the message of newly elected mayor of Athlone, Alan Shaw, as he accepted his chain of office on Monday.
The Mayo-born councillor, who has lived in Athlone for the past 20 years and been a councillor for the past two years, was joined by fiancee Claire McKenna (who he will marry next Friday ), his parents, brothers and sisters, and friends, many of whom had travelled from Mayo to celebrate with him.
“Today I have become the first citizen of Athlone after 20 years living here,” said a proud Cllr Shaw as he accepted the mayoral chain of office.
The Fine Gael councillor was proposed by Labour’s Cllr Jim Henson and seconded by Cllr Mark Cooney. Cllr Henson was himself elected deputy mayor.
Cllr Shaw vowed first and foremost to listen to the public during his tenure as mayor.
“It is important to listen as well as speak, and I will be organising a number of public meetings and inviting residents associations and other groups and listening to their priorities. Our priority must be the public’s priority,” he said.
One of his chief goals and aspirations for the coming year is to create greater awareness of the work of the council among the youth of the town.
“Every day we make decisions that affect the lives of the next generation. I hope to meet with the personnel of schools and colleges,” he promised.
Cllr Shaw is also committed to organising a number of charity events in the coming year, and is looking forward to work progressing on several big projects in the town.
“The council have numerous projects that will come to fruition. I am looking forward to the extension of Burgess Park, the expansion of the town’s green areas, the O’Connell Street carpark, the Castle works, art gallery, Marist memorial, the John McCormack exhibition, and the completion of phase 2 and 3 of the west side streetscape.”
Councillors joined in congratulating Cllr Shaw and wishing him well for the year ahead, and in his upcoming nuptials.
Cllr Sheila Buckley Byrne praised his “honest and forthright approach”, while Cllr Kieran Molloy described him as “an exceedingly nice person” and said he hoped he would maintain his strong interest in the art while
