SDLP: THE TIME IS RIGHT FOR REAL REPRESENTATION!!!

SDLP – NEW COUNCILLORS APPOINTED FOR STRABANE DISTRICT.. 

This week the SDLP celebrated its first year back at the heart of Strabane District and the needs of our people. The team held a celebration at the SDLP Advice centre on Butcher Street last Saturday, which was very well supported by local business, party members and supporters.

Daniel McCrossan, Constituency Representative said, “Saturday went extremely well and it was fantastic to see such a strong support for the new SDLP vision of Strabane and district. Our team have worked tirelessly over the last year to serve the people of Strabane and help with all issues which arose day and daily. Saturday was a very special day, as one year ago we set out with a plan for Strabane, a rebuilding process begun and our party very quickly started to grow once again. The ten step rebuilding plan which Joe Byrne and I set out to achieve had reached its final step.

On Saturday we felt it was important to outline our plan for the future, what we felt was needed and how we could achieve such a goal. Our first steps were obvious, we needed strength on the ground; we needed more representation, stronger and much more dedicated representation than that which exists in the other parties at council at the minute. We need people who are willing to help Strabane be a better place and support the people who need help in these difficult times. Therefore, Joe and I felt it necessary to implement the Party Leadership plan of filling the party gaps and supporting our communities. On Saturday following a series of meetings and interviews with potential candidates, we appointed five shadow councillor’s for Strabane and District.  These candidates will work on the ground with the community and provide real support for Strabane alongside Joe, patsy and myself. The significance of this move is that these candidates will not cost the tax payer a penny, zero, zilch. Yet they are willing to give up their time to help the people of Strabane and represent our party, the SDLP, to the best of their abilities because they too believe that change is needed and that our people need support, support which our team will provide.

Joe Byrne MLA said, The SDLP office in Strabane celebrated our first year anniversary on the same day as others were celebrating the ulster covenant. The only difference being in my opinion as MLA is that our celebration was much more significant for Strabane and District because my team and I are looking to the future and not the past, because we believe it is time for real representation and that the people of Strabane and district deserve better. We have developed structures to help people who are struggling, for people who feel lost without a hand of help. We have provided a force that will represent the people of Strabane effectively and efficiently and who will do their best to deliver. The establishment of a new team of five SDLP Councillors for the District is a very radical but needed development. This determines the commitment and dedication of the SDLP to the people.

I am delighted to announce that our new SDLP Councillors for Strabane and District are Patrick Leonard, (son in-law of Jim Hume), Jim McIntyre from the Melmount Road, Liam Stewart from the Head of the Town, Mary McCrossan from Victoria Bridge and Anne Marie Blee of the Derry Road. These five individuals have shown fantastic courage and strength over the last year working for the party in the interests of the Strabane people. I am delighted they have decided to accept the role and work alongside, Daniel McCrossan, Patsy Kelly and I in providing strong representation for the Strabane area. The time is right for real change, real representation and real support for the people of this town who have been ignored for far too long. This team have signed a pledge and promise to do their outmost for every single person from one side of this district to the other. As Daniel clearly stated, this development will not cost the tax payer a penny, these people want to help and are here because they want to be here. The office in Strabane is being inundated with unprecedented calls from the public with issues relating to real needs requesting much needed representation.

I would like to thank everyone who supported us throughout the year and to the many generous gestures from members of the local community. I say to all who read this, we, the SDLP, are here to represent the people of Strabane and District.

So help us to help you and together WE WILL change Strabane and for the better and provide a stronger future for all our children.”