There was a great sense of camaraderie at the final meeting of the Claremorris electoral area where the four sitting councillors wished each other well in the forthcoming election.
It was the final meeting of the four-seater Claremorris area in its current format, with the three-seater Ballinrobe area to join with Claremorris under a new six-seater Claremorris area. That will see the loss of one seat but who the casualty will be remains to be seen.
Chairman of the Claremorris area Cllr John Cribbin, who has served the area with Cllr Pat McHugh for the past 10 years, said they, along with councillors Tom Connolly and Michael Carty (who were both elected at the last local elections ), worked in the interest of all the people in the area. He said because of their willingness to work together and co-operation the area is now a better place to live in.
“Many schemes and projects have been delivered by all of us working together and we worked exceptionally well together,” he told their last meeting.
Cllr Cribbin expressed his wish that all four of them are returned to office again.
Cllr Connolly said he hoped it would not be one of the Claremorris area councillors who will lose out following the election.
Better Local Government, the Government initiative that came up with the idea of area meetings, has been very successful, according to Cllr McHugh who said it allowed them to deal with issues specific to their area.
In 10 years Cllr McHugh said he doesn’t recall the local councillors ever being divided politically, with them donning the Claremorris area jersey rather than a political jersey.
Director of Services for the area Mr Seamus Granahan thanked the councillors for their excellent co-operation with staff and expressed his hope that they are all returned due to the fact that they have worked well together for the benefit of their area.
