Ballyhaunis Chamber Elects New President

Ballyhaunis Chamber held a very upbeat meeting on Monday evening last in the Enterprise Centre. Mondays meeting took place to elect the new officers for the next Chamber year. The officers elected were as follows :

President Alison McDermott
Vice President Michael Dee
Treasurer Martin Gavin
Secretary Sue McMillan
P R O Martin Fitzmaurice
Assistant P R O Lisa Finn
Officers: John Dillon-Leetch, Tom Forde, Mike Griffin, Paul McDermott

Ballyhaunis Chamber Council Executive with invited guests Alan Biesty & Elaine Donnelly

President Alison McDermott & PRO Martin Fitzmaurice - Ballyhaunis Chamber

Outgoing President Martin Fitzmaurice presenting the Chain of Office to incoming President Alison McDermot
 

The outgoing President, Martin Fitzmaurice thanked all who helped him on the way over the last two years. While it was a very challenging period, it was a very enjoyable experience. He was very anxious to emphasis that while he held the chair and got the kudos for work completed, it would not have been possible without the help and support of so many ; Officers of the Chamber Council, general members of the Chamber, volunteers from the community who assisted in running events and of course a number of businesses in the area who supported Chamber initiatives. He gave special thanks to a small number of businesses who get actively involved in events and initiatives and is adament that there needs to be more input from businesses in the town if Ballyhaunis is to survive. He complimented all the incoming officers who will give our Chamber a complete new look. Already new initiatives are in place involving the new officers in the form of our First Christmas Festival starting on 27 th November. He reassured all that we are in safe hands in our incomming President ; Alison McDermott, who has been involved in everything good that has happened over the last few years. She has given of her skills and life experience to everything and particular, our most recent feature ; Our community website " www.ballyhaunislife.com " which is being received very well and already is being looked at in the Irish Centres in London and Leeds.

Looking to the future, the business people of Ballyhaunis need your custom to secure their future. A number of them have put on special deals which are available in our Christmas Festival brochure. Many of them are doing individual deals to attract your custom for the Christmas season. There are loads of free events on for all the family over the three week-ends prior to Christmas. Brochures are being sent out in the post to all the local area. If you would like a brochure containing Festival schedule, vouchers etc, you can pick them up in our local shops or give us a ring at the Chamber office 094 96 30311. Your custom is very valuable to our local shops and businesses. Even if you like to do your shopping outside of your local area, please think of your local business now and again - Maybe some day you will need a job for your child or sponsorship for an event. One thing you will always get in your local business is a good, honest, friendly service and great value.

Martin would like to wish good luck and good fortune to all the new officers and hope they can make "Our Town - A better place to live, work and do business.