Annie May Reape elected unopposed to chair of Mayo municipal district
COUNCILLOR Annie May Reape is the new cathaoirleach of Ballina Municipal District.
She was elected unopposed at the authority's annual meeting today in Ballina Civic Offices.
Councilor Reape (Fianna Fáil) succeeds Councillor Jarlath Munnelly (Fine Gael), who was highly praised for his year at the helm.
“You did great in the role for the year,” said Councillor Reape to Councillor Munnelly upon accepting the chain of office.
“You were excellent on the higher stage,” she continued, “and if I do half as good I will be lucky.”
The new chairperson described it as a 'great honour' to take up the role for the year ahead and thanked her proposer, Councillor Michael Loftus (Fianna Fáil), and seconder, Councillor Marie Therese Duffy (Fine Gael), and the rest of the Ballina MD members (Councillors Jarlath Munnelly, Joe Faughnan and John O'Hara) for proceeding by agreement.
“I'm looking forward to working with my colleagues and the officials,” Councillor Reape stated. “I will not be difficult – not too difficult anyway!”
In proposing her for the role, Councillor Loftus said the cathaoirleach position is very important to them as councillors.
“They have represented us over the years with distinction,” he pointed out, adding that it was a great honour to propose Councillor Reape for the chair.
Councillor Duffy said the cathaoirleach role was perfect for Councillor Reape due to her experience, expertise and capability.
Her first duty as cathaoirleach was to ask for a nomination for the position of leas cathaoireach. Councillor O'Hara (Fine Gael) was nominated for the position by Councillor Munnelly and seconded by Councillor Faughnan (Ind).
Accepting the nomination, Councillor O'Hara thanked his proposer and seconder, and he wished Councillor Reape the best of luck in the year ahead.
“It's a great honour to be proposed for leas cathaoirleach,” he said.
“I will be taking all the lessons I can for the year off Councillor Reape. I might have to take the chain of office the odd time; I might get a job driving her around!”
On behalf of the staff, Olivia Gallagher, deputising for director of services Catherine McConnell, and Anna Connor, head of Ballina MD, congratulated Councillor Reape and Councillor O'Hara on their new roles and said they looked forward to working with them during the year ahead.
Ms. Gallagher also said she wanted to show appreciation to Councillor Munnelly on behalf of Ms. McConnell and staff, while members praised him for being even-handed, fair and balanced in the chair over the past year.
Councillor Munnelly thanked everyone for their support during his year in office, especially Councillor Reape for deputising for him on a number of occasions.
* Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.