Westport desperately needs a directly-elected mayor to ensure Westport develops in the 21st Century according to Cllr Keith Martin. Cllr Martin says the town needs one strong voice and the consistent policies that can only be provided by a directly-elected mayor serving a five year term of office.
According to the Labour councillor the current system of rotating Cathaoirleachs results in confusion over civic leadership, lack of direction and a change of policy, every year, for five years, as different people occupy the chair.
Cllr Martin says the role of the manager as a "nanny" to oversee the councillors is something that should be left in the 20th Century.
"Councillors need to have the power to effect real changes in their areas and the current system of management means it is far to easy to block councillors than it is for councillors to overrule management. This needs to change. The best way to move forward is to give more power to councillors and to have councillors work with an elected mayor instead of an un-elected manager.
"Managers come and go according to their career direction but a directly elected mayor is an individual with strong roots and a deep interest in their home town. More importantly they are chosen directly by the people of the town and this gives them an accountability to the people as well as a mandate for their policies."
Cllr Martin is calling on the people of Westport to write to the Green Paper Consultation Local Government Project Development at the Custom House or to email greenpaper@environ.ie in support of a directly elected mayor for Westport.
"The Minister for the Environment has the power to bring in directly-elected mayors for towns as well as counties and cities. It would be ridiculous to a have directly-elected mayor for Mayo and not in the towns of Westport, Castlebar and Ballina!
"To be the Mayor of this town, with the power to make a difference, is a dream job and the citizens of this town should have the opportunity to elect their Mayor. It's a job I would love to do and it would be an honour if I was allowed the chance by Minister John Gormley to contest it!"
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