At the Navan Municipal District Annual Meeting Fianna Fail Councillor Padraig Fitzsimons was voted the new Mayor, he was challenged by Fine Gael Yemi Adenuga. He won the vote comfortably four to two with Cllr Adenuga supported by fellow party Cllr John Duffy. Cllr Francis Deane won with a similar vote to be elected Vice Mayor for the coming year. It was the continuance of the Fitzsimons name filling the post that gave Padraig great pride when he referred to the long family involvement in local and national politics for over 90 years. His grandfather, father, uncle and Padraig have served the town and county. His uncle Jim last year was delighted to see his nephew re-elected in the local elections and hoped they would see the Fitzsimons name continue in politics into the future and hit the milestone of 100 years.
Cllr Edward Fennessy
Cllr Fitzsimons complimented the role that had been played over the last three years as mayor to the outgoing Sinn Fein Cllr Fennessy. Cllr Fennessy addressed the chamber saying he enjoyed the last three years and that he was in his time and office available to all the community. ” It has been a true privilege together to navigate the challenges and celebrate triumphs and build connections that will last a lifetime ”. He took great satisfaction in a number of projects in his tenure ” the conservation of the towns Medieval town walls ” preserved a piece of our history but also for us to connect to our past and in a way that might resonate with generations for years to come ”, also the development of the towns bus service and the cycle network making the town more accessible for workers and shoppers alike. He also spoke of the old St Pats study hall acknowledging the work of previous councillors with work to commence later this year. He paid thanks to all the executive, staff and councillors who worked with him and last but not least his wife and son ”I couldn’t have got through these past three years without their support” he concluded, handing the baton to Cllr Fitzsimons.
Cllr Yemi Adenuga did ask ”the boys club” to consider in their voting pack and embrace a gender balance and consider having a woman elected. However Cllr Alan Lawes suggested” she look in at her own party before she talks about the arrangement in place. The councillors and executive paid praise to Cllr Fennessy. Martin Murray saying ” You were a very amiable mayor. The answer was always ‘Yes,’ your positivity, your wisdom.” Cllr Deane also said ”Eddie has been a very fair mayor” this was echoed By Cllr Lawes ‘ He made it very easy to work with”
