Improving access for those with disabilities as well as pushing the case for the restoration of town councils will be two of Cllr Arthur Gibbons’s priorities as mayor of Sligo during the year ahead.
The Sinn Fein councillor was unanimously selected as mayor at this morning’s meeting of councillors from the Sligo Borough District.
Cllr Gibbons succeeds outgoing mayor, Fianna Fail Councillor Rosaleen O Grady.
He was proposed by Independent Socialist Cllr Declan Bree and seconded by Cllr O’Grady.
After the formal handing over of the mayoral chain of office, Cllr Gibbons gave his reaction to Ocean FM News and elaborated on two of his priorities for the coming year.
Cllr Gibbons says there’s a need for a greater awareness and understanding of the work that councillors do on the people’s behalf.
The new mayor, a Sligo town native, also says he will be very proud to be representing the borough area and to be one of the decision-makers when it comes to Sligo.
Meanwhile, Solidarity People Before Profit Councillor Gino O Boyle was selected this morning the new deputy mayor.
He was proposed for the position by Fianna Fail Councillor Tom MacSharry and was seconded by Cllr Gibbons.
Cllr O’Boyle previously served as mayor.
Prior to the selection of mayor and deputy mayor at today’s AGM, Fine Gael Councillor Sinead Maguire asked Cllr O Grady if the de hondt system was being used in the municipal district for choosing the mayor.
Cllr O Grady confirmed that the system was being used in the MD.
This means that Fine Gael, as a political grouping in the municipal district, expects one of its councillors will be eligible for the mayoral role next year or the year after.
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