Malcolm for mayor - first Green Mayor for Kilkenny

It was a night filled with anticipation in the mayoral Chambers at City Hall. People had an idea who might be mayor but it was not to be confirmed until the commencement of the meeting and official proceedings had began.

Labour Party Councillor Marie Fitzpatrick confirmed everyone’s suspicions by proposing that Malcolm Noonan was the choice of the Labour/Fine Gael candidates on the council who have had a voting pact with the Greens for several years.

And so Malcolm was to be mayor.

There wasn’t a soul in the house who didn’t believe that Malcolm was a fitting candidate, and although there were some hustlings from the Fianna Failers about the presence of a voting pact which eliminates any Fianna Fail councillor from having a chance of becoming mayor, nobody was of the opinion that it was a bad choice.

Malcolm Noonan is now in a privileged position. He is the first Green Party mayor of Kilkenny and he is the only Green Party mayor in the country and all this while he is one of only three county councillors for the Green Party left in the country - quite an achievement and more importantly, a true sign that Malcolm Noonan is one of Kilkenny’s most popular councillors - regardless of people’s political beliefs.

An issues-driven politician rather than a party man, Malcolm has garnered huge support from all walks of life in Kilkenny over the years and it is most appropriate that he holds the prestigious position of mayor.

Proposer, Marie Fitzpatrick was honoured with the deputy mayor’s title and she is also thought to be a most capable person for the job following her two stints as mayor in the past and her stint as deputy. In proposing Cllr Noonan she said, “I have known Malcolm and his family all my life and I know of his wholehearted support for Kilkenny. This can be seen through his work with local organisations and his participation in local activities. His concerns for the environment are shared regardless of party and he is well-known for his participation in the schools garden programme. He is also a well-known musician and he partakes in the Rockfall festival every year in aid of the O’Neill Centre in Kilkenny.”

In his own acceptance speech mayor Noonan opened with ‘People of Springfield!’

He told the packed public gallery of supporters, the members, officials and the press that he was truly honoured and humbled to be appointed mayor of Kilkenny - particularly in the year of the 400 celebrations.

“My appointment is testament to my close working relationship with the Labour Party. My commiserations go to Cllr John Coonan, the candidate selected by Fianna Fail - your day will come and it is long overdue. I believe that long-serving members of the council should be given the opportunity to become mayor. I believe in directly electing the mayor, which will be done in Dublin next year and I think that this should be replicated across the country.”

Cllr Noonan is a single Dad who will be juggling the rearing of his young son Colm with his mayoral duties over the next year. He has a large family many of whom were present in the chamber on Monday evening including his parents. He was also surrounded by supporters and friends who wished him well in his future role.

Meanwhile, Green Party leader John Gormley welcomed the election of Councillor Malcolm Noonan as mayor of Kilkenny city. He said Cllr Noonan makes history as the first ever Green mayor for the city.

“I am delighted that Cllr Noonan has been elected to this prestigious position on the Council. I cannot think of anyone better to lead the city throughout the next year, particularly during the city’s 400 year charter anniversary. Cllr Noonan has a proven track record in Kilkenny and I know that he has great plans for the coming year.”

And Green Party TD for Carlow/Kilkenny, Mary White, also congratulated Cllr Malcolm Noonan on becoming the first Green Party mayor of Kilkenny and she was present for his inaugaration on Monday evening.

The Green Party Deputy Leader said, “Monday night was a proud moment for Cllr Noonan, his family, and also for the Green Party. I was delighted to be there to support him. Malcolm’s election as mayor represents a great opportunity for the city to have green issues such as improved public transport, environmental sustainability in local authority decisions, greater encouragement of local initiatives such as allotments, climate change awareness, and support for local businesses and communities, to be focused on over the coming year. It is terrific that this coincides with the city’s 400th anniversary of gaining city status.”

The new mayor pledged to do all in his power to advance the needs of Kilkenny city during his term of office and put many of the issues of the people on his agenda.

 

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