WITH A new age in local politics about to begin the outgoing members of Wexford County Council have created their own bit of history being the last ever councillors to sit on the 21-member local authority.
When the new look County Council convenes for the first time next month – following the local elections – it will be expanded to include 34 members. This month’s meeting of the local authority was the final ever one under its current guise but it was also the final meeting for certain members who are retiring from public life.
The Chairperson, Cllr. Ted Howlin, said at the end of the monthly meeting that it was not “just the end of a five-year term”.
“The builders are coming in tomorrow to change the set up of the chamber,” he said [referring to the fact that facilities wise works will have to be carried out to the Council Chamber to accommodate the extra 13 members next month].
Cllr. Howlin said it was a pleasure and a privilege to take on the role of Chairperson. He thanked the officials and staff in County Hall for their accommodating nature and help during his tenure in the Chair.
He wished the members who are retiring the best of luck in the future and thanked them for their contribution to local politics in Wexford and for their hard work and commitment to the county during their time on the local authority.
“To the rest, well I hope you will be back here as part of the 34,” he said.
Cllr. Michael Sheehan then addressed the meeting: “On behalf of this side of the house I would like to compliment you on an outstanding year.”
Cllr. Sheehan also paid tribute to the members who are retiring and said: “Public representatives get a lot of stick.”
Cllr. Paddy Kavanagh also complimented Cllr. Howlin on his “year in the Chair” and said: “You were always fair to the members and I wish you the best in your retirement.”
“You and your family have contributed a lot to politics in Wexford,” he added.
Cllr. Kavanagh also said ‘it’s not an easy task to please people all the time’ and added: “We do our best.”
With regard to the criticism levelled at public representatives he said: “I don’t see too many people banging down the door to run.”
He referred to the other members who are retiring and said they all left their mark: Cllrs. Declan MacPartlin, Anna Fenlon, Pat Codd and Padge Reck.
“I also wish those who are running [again] the best of luck,” said Cllr. Kavanagh.
Tributes were also paid by Cllr. George Lawlor and with regard to Cllr. Howlin and his family ties with the Council he said: “You have given decades of life to local politics.”
“Being a public representative can be a blood sport,” he added.
Significantly, he then commented: “It will be the first time in over 60 years that the Howlin name will not be on the ballot.”
Cllr. MacPartlin complimented the retiring members and with regard to Cllr. Reck said: “I would not always have seen eye-to-eye with him but he represented his people well.”
“I wish all those retiring well and I hope all those who are running will be returned to office,” he added.
Cllr. MacPartlin also complimented the officials who he said were always accessible.
The County Manager, Tom Enright, paid tribute to the elected members for their contribution to the Council over the last five years.
Though in the post for a very short period of time Mr. Enright said: “I have seen over the last couple of months that you do your work in a very professional way.”
Mr. Enright also wished the best to the retiring members and their families and with regard to the ongoing candidates said: “I wish you the best of luck.”
The County Manager’s final tribute was directed at Cllr. Howlin who he said was ably assisted by his wife.
“I wish you well and I look forward to working with the new Council.”
With those words a chapter closed on local politics in Wexford as the most radical change in local Government since the foundation of the state will come into effect following next weekend’s local elections.
