Mayors Christmas Message

Christmas is a time for families and friends to share the best and for everyone to think about our fellow man and woman and extend the spirit of peace and goodwill. Luckily, we live in a city with a proud history and experience of making the best of everything. The people of Waterford city have a tremendous community spirit and resilience .

Our City is blessed with talented people in business, the arts, and in the community and voluntary sector. Our workers are hard working and decent. Our entire community of people deserve the best and we will continue to achieve in 2011 and build on our efforts last year in spite of the adversity facing our city and country .

Let this Christmas time be about the celebration of who we are as a city, a nation, as mankind and together we can enhance the celebration of this season for everyone and look to 2011 with confidence and hope.

In these challenging times, it is easy to forget what is the essential Christmas message, the message of hope for a better future. Let us not become isolated in our own thoughts. At Christmas time in our city we have the opportunity to value and celebrate the community of Waterfordians; locals, those who have settled in our wonderful city and those who have settled abroad and who cannot be with us at this time. Our thoughts and wishes go to all of you.

I would like to remember those individuals who for whatever reasons may not have the opportunity to enjoy Christmas in the way the majority of us do.
My thoughts are with those people are who are ill and hope that better health comes to you soon. And to those who have lost the security of employment. My wish is that our resilience and drive will create opportunities for positive change for all our citizens.

In my mayoral election speech in June this year I expressed a desire to work hard to inspire and bring hope to our citizens. Reflecting this Christmas, as Mayor, I have been privileged to see first hand the contribution of organisations, individuals and volunteers who work hard throughout the year to assist others. This has had the effect of filling me with great hope and pride when I have witnessed the contribution they have made. I have been inspired to continue our important work for the city; my sincere thanks go out to each and every one of them on behalf of all Waterford people.

At this Christmas time may I express the desire that peace and hope will be more than just aspirations at this time of year but that it will become a way of thinking for our people and city in the years to come.

May I take this opportunity to wish you all the very best for a Happy Christmas and a healthy and peaceful new year. Thank you.

Thanks to Everyone for their professionalism during the snow!

I want, as Mayor, to pay tribute to those people working in Waterford City Council who have kept the city up and running during the recent spell of snow and ice. Many worked long, cold hours gritting streets in the early hours of the mornings. Many made it to work in difficult circumstances themselves in order to live up to their commitment to public service.

I also want to acknowledge those in the health services who ensured our hospitals and health facilities remained open, safe and accessible. I know many who could not get to their own homes bunked in with colleagues locally, shifts were swapped and indeed every effort was made to make sure the public were able to access a full service.

To the Gardai and Emergency Services, and all the volunteer services including the Civil Defence, the Order of Malta and the Red Cross all of whom have been providing necessary assistance over the past week and a half a big thanks is also due.

On behalf of the people of Waterford and the South East I think it is important to let you know that we are aware of the work you did and continue to due, the extra efforts you made and to let you know that we appreciate those efforts on our behalf very much.