Councillor Darryl Wilson Praises Outgoing Mayor and Deputy Mayor for Exceptional Service.

At a full council meeting on Monday evening, Councillor Darryl Wilson delivered a heartfelt speech responding to the outgoing Mayor's (Councillor Steven Callaghan) address. His remarks, brimming with gratitude and admiration, highlighted the exemplary leadership and dedication demonstrated by the Mayor and Deputy Mayor (Councillor Margaret Anne McKillop) over the past year.

"Thank you, Mayor and Deputy Mayor," Wilson began, echoing the sentiments of his colleagues. Reflecting on the swift passage of the year, he remarked, "Where has the last year gone? It goes by in the blink of an eye. But this year has been different."

Wilson, who has served for nearly a decade, praised the high standards set by the current Mayor and Deputy Mayor, calling it the highest he has ever witnessed. "To be the Mayor and Deputy Mayor for this borough, for any borough, is an ambassadorial role that should transcend party politics, religion, or any sort of bias," he stated.

He acknowledged the difficulty of achieving such non-partisan leadership without trailblazers willing to set an example. "From the very offset, Mayor, yourself and Margaret Ann metaphorically went hand in hand to ensure that this was a year where this borough was represented with compassion and commitment," Wilson said. "You set aside what had gone before, which was noted by the citizens across this borough."

Wilson emphasised the importance of brave leadership in Northern Ireland, calling for leaders to prioritise the well-being of the people over political differences. He shared personal anecdotes of his encounters with the Mayor and Deputy Mayor at various events, where public feedback consistently highlighted the positive impact of their leadership.

"You've been a credit to all of us and the borough," Wilson declared, extending his gratitude on behalf of the Ulster Unionist Party. He commended the quality of their service, noting, "It's not about quantity, but it was quality day after day, week after week."