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SDLP's PJ McAvoy is Ballymena's first nationalist mayor | SDLP's PJ McAvoy is Ballymena's first nationalist mayor |
(about 14 hours later) | |
Ballymena Borough Council has elected PJ McAvoy as its first ever nationalist mayor. | Ballymena Borough Council has elected PJ McAvoy as its first ever nationalist mayor. |
The SDLP councillor, who has served as deputy mayor four times, said it was a "historic" development for the County Antrim town. | The SDLP councillor, who has served as deputy mayor four times, said it was a "historic" development for the County Antrim town. |
Mr McAvoy said he was "humbled" and added it would send out a message to the community about working together. | Mr McAvoy said he was "humbled" and added it would send out a message to the community about working together. |
His newly elected DUP deputy mayor, Beth Adger, said the decision showed that Ballymena was "moving forward". | His newly elected DUP deputy mayor, Beth Adger, said the decision showed that Ballymena was "moving forward". |
Mrs Adger confirmed that his election was "unanimous" and added that she looked forward to working with the SDLP representative in his new role. | |
'Honour' | 'Honour' |
Mr McAvoy said: "I've been in council now for 27 years, I have served four terms as deputy mayor, but this tonight is the big bonus". | Mr McAvoy said: "I've been in council now for 27 years, I have served four terms as deputy mayor, but this tonight is the big bonus". |
He added: "I must say it's very good, the way the DUP is 50% of this council, but yet they saw fit to give me this honour tonight, so that in itself says a lot." | He added: "I must say it's very good, the way the DUP is 50% of this council, but yet they saw fit to give me this honour tonight, so that in itself says a lot." |
The new mayor said he would use his term of office to improve conditions for traders, help people in deprived areas and look after the town's growing ethnic minority population. | The new mayor said he would use his term of office to improve conditions for traders, help people in deprived areas and look after the town's growing ethnic minority population. |
His DUP deputy was asked if Ballymena was likely to elect a Sinn Fein mayor in the future. | His DUP deputy was asked if Ballymena was likely to elect a Sinn Fein mayor in the future. |
"Well I wouldn't go so far as saying that now, I don't know. I wouldn't predict on that one, so I wouldn't," Mrs Adger said. | |
Meanwhile, Omagh District Council has elected its first ever DUP chairman since it was formed 39 years ago. | Meanwhile, Omagh District Council has elected its first ever DUP chairman since it was formed 39 years ago. |
Errol Thompson, who topped the poll in last May's local election, is in his first term as a councillor. | Errol Thompson, who topped the poll in last May's local election, is in his first term as a councillor. |
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