NEWBRIDGE, 4 July 2001: by Grace Halford. Cmmr Ray O’Brien (pictured above with Cmmr Murt Aspell) was last night elected Cathaoirleach of Newbridge Town Commission for the coming year. There were three nominations for the position - Cmmr Pat Black, Cmmr O’Brien and Cmmr Spike Nolan.
Cmmr Black’s nomination was not supported by his Fianna Fail colleagues Fiona O'Loughlin and Colm Feeney who had made the decision to support Cmmr O’Brien - who was also supported by Labour's Seamie Finn and Independent Murt Aspell. However his nomination was supported by Cmmr John O'Neill and by two of the Fine Gael representatives, Cmmrs Brian Maginn and Spike Nolan. Commissioner Black said he 'would do nothing to hurt the party' and then withdrew his nomination.
Cmmr Maginn said he 'observed a rift in the ranks of Fianna Fail' and was disappointed that Cmmr Black had not been elected, as they had worked well throughout the previous year - but he would give his full support to the new Cathaoirleach and wished Cmmr O’Brien every success in the coming year.
Cllr John O’Neill said that he 'honoured' Commissioner Black for what he had done and that 'party politics should not rear its head' at such meetings as they were all working together for the good of the community.
Cmmr O’Brien said he would have 'a hard act to follow' on last year's Cathaoirleach and he paid tribute to Cmmr Fiona O’Loughlin who 'had done a wonderful job'.
Future topics noted for discussion included a proposal to introduce a 'town gang' to Newbridge in order to deal with the maintenance of the local footpaths and roads, and a proposal to hold a 'town forum' to discuss with the citizens of Newbridge any future plans that may be in the pipeline.
©2001gracehalford/knn