All change at the top
Thursday, 12 June 2008
The new Chairperson of Magherafelt District Council, Sinn Fein councillor, Kate McEldowney.
SINN Fein Councillor Kate McEldowney has taken the reigns as the new Chairperson of Magherafelt District Council following a vote which took place at Tuesday night's monthly meeting.
UUP Councillor Elizabeth Anne Forde was voted in as vice Chair, while Committees were kept the same. Before handing the reigns over to his successor, outgoing Chairperson Paul McLean spoke a few words about his term in office. Referring to the Chief Executive he said: "Some people have made my life very easy over the past year. Firstly I would like to thank the Chief Executive John McLaughlin, he has been very good, his words of wisdom have been greatly appreciated."
He also thanked staff in the council offices for all they had done for him, "To all the staff, to see the faces that make the machinery work, I would like to pass on my thanks to all members of staff," he said.
Mr McLean also expressed his sincerest gratitude to the District of Magherafelt as a whole saying: "I started off with a deprevation, there were so many areas of the district I didn't know, so many people I didn't know. I want to pay tribute to my constituents, I appreciate all of them. Everywhere I went I was treated with the highest regard and greatest dignity"
Finally, referring to his fellow councillors, Mr McLean paid "homage to the manner, the dignity and the respect given" to him "by everyone."
