By Cianna McNally

Tributes were paid to outgoing Mayor of Monaghan County Council Heather Humphreys as she officially handed the role over to incoming Mayor Jackie Crowe at a meeting held on Monday, 21 June.

Speaking before stepping down the outgoing Mayor said it had been an honour and a privilege to serve in the role for the past year and she thanked the members of the local authority and her Fine Gael colleagues for electing her as Mayor. She also commended the people of the county for the respect and courtesy that was shown to her at the many events she attended.

Councillor Humphreys described the past year as difficult in economic terms. During it, she served as Chair of the Economic Development Sub Committee which is made up of representatives from the statutory bodies, business people and elected members. “This committee has been looking at alternative ways to stimulate economic activity within the county and has developed a strategy that will be presented to you at a later date.  I want to thank the members of this committee for their commitment and hard work to date.  There are no easy answers to our current economic problems but I do feel it is only through working together in co-operations that we will make progress,” Cllr Humphreys stated.

Highlights of the outgoing Mayor’s year included involvement in the Peace III Programme with the theme ‘Building Positive Relations at a Local Level’ which allowed her to see firsthand the many different communities and organisations throughout the county who are working together in a spirit of co-operation. Another highlight of Cllr Humphreys term of office was the launch of the Clones Erne East Sports Partnership which she described as a tremendous achievement. “Without the huge commitment of all the various clubs and organisations together with Clones Community Forum, Clones Erne East Sports Partnership and Monaghan County Council this would not have happened.”

Cllr Humphreys expressed her thanks to the Directors of Cootehill Credit Union for allowing her the flexibility to carry out her duties and the staff for their co-operation. She also thanked her family for their patience and support. Thanks were also extended to outgoing Deputy Mayor Seamus Treanor and the County Manager, officials and staff of Monaghan County Council for their assistance throughout her term of office. The members of Monaghan County Council congratulated and thanked the outgoing Mayor for the courtesy and fairness she showed during her year in the role.