WATERFORD CITY’S new mayor has issued an open invitation to the public to come visit him at City Hall as part of a “concerted effort to open out the mayoralty during his term of office”.
Cllr John Halligan, yesterday issued the invitation to the people of the city – along with visitors during the peak holiday season – to visit Waterford City Hall on August 22nd.
Speaking about the event, Independent Cllr Halligan, known as an outspoken city councillor, said: “I spoke when I was elected mayor of my wish to be a people’s mayor in the best sense of that phrase and this open invitation is made in that context.
“I would be delighted to see individuals and families drop in to City Hall on the Mall between 11am and 2pm on August 22nd, where they can enjoy some light refreshments with their mayor and hear a little about how Waterford City Council works for them and what sort of things the mayor does on their behalf.
“I am also conscious that August is perhaps the busiest month of the year from a tourism perspective and – given this – I would be happy to extend a warm Waterford welcome to any visitors from elsewhere in Ireland or overseas who want to see our historic City Hall and learn some of the history of this great city.” The mayor said that he would be taking a number of other initiatives in coming months to ensure that his is an “accessible mayoralty”.
“A clear plan is emerging of various steps I can take through to the middle of next year but I would also very much welcome any public suggestions as I have no monopoly on good ideas,” said Mr Halligan.
“I am also keen to shine a spotlight on some of the exceptional work done by public servants attached to Waterford City Council – whether here at City Hall or in any of the various other locations the council team works from around the city.”
He added: “There can be legitimate criticism of how some services are delivered but there is a huge commitment among the council staff to meeting and surpassing public expectations.”
A father-of-three, Mr Halligan (54) was a Workers’ Party councillor before resigning from the party in February 2008 over voting in favour of the council’s estimates, against Workers’ Party policy. Mr Halligan easily topped the local elections poll for Waterford City South, with 1,430 first preference votes in June’s local elections.
