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Mayor Graham Spring next to a photo of his late grandfather Dan Spring, a former Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council. Photo by Dermot Crean
THE new Mayor of Tralee Municipal was elected this morning at Kerry County Council chambers.
Labour’s Cllr Graham Spring was the only candidate put forward at the meeting and takes over from Cllr Norma Foley, who received plaudits from her fellow councillors and management for her great service to the town over the past year.
Mayor Spring was elected to the Tralee Municipal District four years ago for the first time and continues a family tradition of holding office.
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The grandson of former Labour TD Dan Spring, nephew of Dick and Maeve Spring and brother of former TD Arthur, Graham told TraleeToday.ie he was honoured to take up the role of mayor.
“It is an honour to be selected as Mayor. As Cllr Terry O’Brien said when he proposed me earlier, it was my aunt Maeve who proposed him for the position around 15 years ago, so that was a nice connection.”
He outlined a few things he would like to see happen in the coming year, including establishing a link between the Kerry Technology Park and the Island of Geese site.
Mayor Graham Spring with his mother Patsy, wife Carmel and children Sinead, Ciara and Daniel. Photo by Dermot Crean
“With a centre so successful as Kerry Tech Park and a great space like the Island of Geese, it would be great to establish a hub there for small companies who want to stay in the town centre, under the umbrella of the Kerry Technology Park, and that would bring more people into town,” he said.
He also hoped to see the Tralee-Fenit Greenway come to fruition soon.
“Greenways are so important for tourism and this has now gone forward to part VIII planning. It will be a great facility for families and as a tourist attraction which could lead to spin-off industries,” he said.
Also, Mayor Spring wants action when it comes to social housing.
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“We have a long housing list, as many counties do, but we need to use the landbank we have correctly and get projects funded and ready to go. This will ease the housing list and create construction jobs. Social housing projects haven’t been to the forefront in Government in a while now, so we need to start building,” he added.
Graham is married to Carmel and their children, Ciara, Daniel and Sinead, and Graham’s mother Patsy were there to see him accept the mayoral chain.
Mayor Graham Spring at Kerry County Council buildings. Photo by Dermot Crean
