Cathaoirleach of Listowel Municipal District – Cllr John Lucid (FF), takes to the chambers at Kerry Conty Council Offices in Tralee.
Photo By Domnick Walsh – Eye Focus LTD – 087 2672033
Address by Cllr John Lucid on his election to the role at Annual Meeting on Friday, 30th June:
“I would like to welcome you all here this morning, especially to our visitors on this very special occasion.
Less than a year and a half ago I could not have possibly envisaged being in this position as the incoming Mayor of the Listowel Municipal District. Not even in my wildest dreams. Today is a great day for me, it is a huge honour and privilege for me personally, for my family, my wider family, relations, my friends, neighbours, my parish and my own area.
I am proud to have this opportunity and I can assure you that I will carry out my new role to the best of my ability.
In March 2016 I was co-opted onto the council seat vacated by Deputy John Brassil after his election to Dail Eireann. Since then I have learned great deal about the workings of Kerry County Council and the role it plays in the affairs of this county. Indeed that role is wide ranging and vast.
Kerry County Council is essentially about providing services such as housing, roads, footpaths , lighting, planning, environment etc, all issues that are very important to the people we represent. The Council also is about promoting, enterprise, tourism, heritage and development schemes and so on.
Our own work as Councillors has great variety, is very interesting and we get the opportunity to meet people all the time.
I look forward to the 12 months ahead with great anticipation. I look forward to promoting the Wild Atlantic Way. This tourism marketing initiative has been very successful to date and is of vital importance for the promotion of tourism in our area. It is more important now than ever given the threat of Brexit to the tourism sector. I look forward to the Wild Atlantic Way conference in September which is to be hosted in Listowel.
I will use my position to assist and drive for progress on LNG. I see this development as very important for the future of North Kerry. If it goes ahead it could well bring the beginning of the long awaited development of the landbank on the Shannon Estuary and other industries will follow. The jobs that will result will secure the future of North Kerry and give the area a huge advantage in the fight against rural decline. We need this to give our young people the opportunity to work and live in our county.
Roads have been a constant issue since I came into the council, I will be working together with my fellow Listowel councillors and with management in our customary spirit of co-operation and unity to address this issue going forward.
I look forward to representing Listowel, a town famous for its great literary tradition, it’s heritage, sport and culture and equally to representing the other towns and villages from Tarbert to Ballybunion to Ballyheigue on the northern side and Duagh to Kilmoyley on the southern side and those in between.”