Cllr. Michael Whelan has spoken of his vision for New Ross during his term as Cathaoirleach of the Municipal District Council
THE NEWLY elected Cathaoirleach of New Ross Municipal District Council, Cllr. Michael Whelan, has spoken to the Echo about his vision of the future.
Cllr. Whelan, who was elected to the position on Thursday, said it’s a great honour for him personally.
Thanking his proposer and seconder he said the support he receives from his family is very important to him along with the support he has received from within the community since being elected onto the County Council.
He made reference to his late father, Seamus Whelan, who, he said, instilled an interest in politics in him.
“There have been interesting developments in the district in the last couple of years,” Cllr. Whelan told the Echo.
He complimented everyone involved with the unveiling of the new Library Park in the town and paid particular credit to District Director, Eamonn Hore, Senior Executive Engineer, Abraham Dunne, District Manager, Sinead Casey, Senior Staff Officer, Mick McCormack and the staff for their work on the project.
“There are more projects to be tackled in the year ahead,” he said.
“In New Ross town there is the development of the Royal Hotel site and the oil thanks on the quay,” he added.
“We also have to encourage new business to the town with the bypass imminent.”
He said other towns that were by-passed experienced prosperity but only because good preparations were made ahead of the by-passes being completed.
“We have to work with our retail sector and businesses to ensure New Ross is ready for when the bypass opens,” said Cllr. Whelan.
“We have a couple of factory sites, which we have to work hard to get occupants for and bring jobs to this district,” he added.
He also said the local authority needs to look at bringing new business to areas outside the town and within the district including Campile, Wellington Bridge, and Taghmon.
“There are some exciting ventures coming to this area with Ireland’s Ancient East [trail], the Norman Way, the Helen Blake Replica, and the newly launched Duncannon Fort,” he said.
“These are some of the projects that will help the district grow along with established projects like ‘the Kennedy Park’, the Homestead, Hook Lighthouse, Tintern Abbey and the Colclough walled garden,” he added.
Cllr. Whelan also expressed hope that the sewage issues in Duncannon will be addressed in the short term future as it has “one of the finest beaches in Ireland”.
“I hope also to increase the number of Gardai in the district and get the rural stations manned,” he added.
“I’m looking forward to working with the councillors and staff in helping promote and grow New Ross town and district.”
