Laois councillor attends his last Municipal Meeting
Cllr Pádraig Fleming Photo: Michael Scully
THE latest meeting of the Graiguecullen/Portarlington municipal district marked the final appearance of long-serving councillor Padraig Fleming, who has been serving this particular council area since 2009.
At his final meeting, he took the time to say a few words and was at times overcome with emotion as he reflected on his years of service.
He said: "Hello all, how are you keeping? I'm grateful for this opportunity to speak at the meeting, as you all know it will be my last meeting of the municipal district. It has been a great experience working here with my fellow councillors and council staff, representing the general public right throughout that period."
Cllr Fleming made a point of thanking his fellow councillors and highlighted the contributions of previous representatives and expressed gratitude for the work of the employees of Laois Co Council. "I want to thank everyone who works at LCC because they always do their best for the people in the area, that's why Laois is the best council in Ireland."
Cllr Fleming said that one of the aspects he enjoyed the most about his role was working with the public to help them secure grants for whatever ventures or projects that they were working on.
Among the many councillors and representatives who wished him well was Cllr Aisling Moran, who described him as an "absolute gentleman" and also highlighted his work ethic and dedication to the community. "You were at every event. There's definitely more than 24 hours in your day and everybody spoke so highly of you from all over the country."
Cathaoieleach of the Graiguecullen/Portarlington municipal district Vivienne Phelan, also expressed her best wishes and said: "I think I speak for us all when I say we have all really enjoyed immensely working with you since I joined the council and you've been a great source of information and help and support to me and I don't think you'd ever find a harder working, more positive, more dedicated public representative."
To commemorate his next chapter, the council presented him with a Japanese bonzai tree, miniature trees which are meant to represent harmony, peace and balance.
