KILDARE GENERAL, 3 July 2001: by Trish Whelan & Brian Byrne. Cllr John O'Neill of Newbridge is Kildare's latest first citizen after being elected chairman of Kildare County Council at yesterday's AGM of the council. Cllr Jim Reilly of Carbury was elected vice-chairman.
Many tributes were paid from all political sides of the chamber to outgoing chairman Cllr Rainsford Hendy, who had to conduct his last meeting from a wheelchair following an accident at the weekend Budweiser Derby, where he had been honoured for his work in promoting Kildare as 'the thoroughbred county'.
In the course of the tributes, Cllr Emmet Stagg criticised the system which had infiltrated Kildare Council whereby the two major parties made deals which ensured that the office of chairman was effectively excluded from councillors representing 30% of the electorate for the life of the council. He noted that this will not happen when proposed reforms are made to the local government system which will have the Cathaoirleach elected directly by the people.
Prior to the meeting, council members and staff and their guests were entertained by members of the Kildare Orchestra.
©2001trishwhelanbrianbyrne/knn