MAYOR SAYS SHE WILL SERVE ONLY ONE TERM
BETTY CAMPBELL PLEDGES TO DO HER BEST FOR LISBURN AND TO DO IT HER WAY
LISBURN'S new Mayor made it clear immediately after her selection at last week's council AGM that she would serve for one term only.
Councillor Mrs. Betty Campbell said the council was 'at the beginning of a new era' and while acknowledging continuity had been important during the campaign for city status she felt the heavy workload of the Mayor's office would now increase.
"It is my view a one year term as Mayor or Deputy Mayor is now more appropriate," she said.
"This would give more councillors the opportunity to hold the position and it is my intention to serve one term only."
Mrs. Campbell said when she first came to live in Lisburn 30 years ago she could never have imagined she would be the first elected Mayor of the borough when it became a city.
"That is the stuff that dreams are made of and I thank you all for the honour conferred on me today." she added.
She said she was aware she was following in the footsteps of a very hard working Mayor and also in the footsteps of a long line of mayors, two of whom were women.
"I know. in their different ways they have all made a contribution to the life of this council," she said. "Five of them are still serving members and when I reflect on the political parties they came from it demonstrates this council has moved on and has shown it is willing to share power. "However, I am not in the business of competing with previous incumbents.
Certainly
"I certainly will do it my way because we all have different ways of doing things but I promise to do everything I can to represent and promote our new city."
She went on to pay tribute to the outgoing Mayor Councillor Jim Dillon.
She said she believed his role as Mayor had 'been his life' over the past two years and recalled his pride at the successful city status bid.
Expect
"We did not expect it to be announced until mid morning and I came into Lagan Valley Island quite early to attend another event," she said.
"I met the Mayor coming out of his office and if ever I saw someone walking on air it was him.
"He said the bid had been successful and next thing he was down in the foyer talking to staff.
"I do not know how he got down so quickly. Did he fly down or slide down, the bannister. Perhaps in a previous life he was a stuntman."
Mrs. Campbell said her past year as Deputy Mayor had been 'a successful and very enjoyable apprenticeship'.
She wished Mr. and Mrs. Dillon well in the future and hoped they would enjoy a well earned holiday and more time to devote to farming.
"I am confident you will continue to be active and make a valuable contribution to the work of the council," she added.
"I look forward to working with all members, the Chief Executive and all the staff.
"While I know we will continue to have robust debates I hope we will continue to conduct our business in an orderly and civilised manner.
