COUNCIL CHAIRMAN 'S MESSAGE TO THE PEOPLE OF OMAGH
Council chairman's message to the people of Omagh and district
IN HIS Christmas message to the people of the Omagh District, Council Chairman, Liam McQuaid, said the year 2000 had been a time for reflection and consolidation for Omagh and its people.
"It has been a year for taking stock and for planning for the future. The physical scars which were a consequence of the Omagh Bomb are unfortunately still very visible but I'm delighted that the rebuilding work is now well under way and am confident that the redevelopment of
Lower Market Street, which will incorporate the new Community House, will be completed next year. This will go a long way towards the rehabilitation of the town.
Mr McQuaid said he was also hopeful that next year will see an end to the uncertainty which, for too long, has surrounded the issue of acute hospital services in this area.
And he revealed his wishes for the year 2001.
"A speedy resolution, and one which serves the best interests of the entire South West region," was his number one
"Also at the top of my wish list is new investment and jobs. Omagh Business Forum launched a ten year plan Omagh 2010 repackaging the county town as somewhere to invest in as a commercial centre and raising the profile of the Omagh District as a positive and vibrant place. This is a tremendously positive step forward and I look forward with anticipation to its implementation and the Omagh District making the news for more positive reasons in the next decade.
Turning to the rural community, a place close to his heart, he said he had watched with growing dismay, the continued erosion of the agricultural industry.
"The Omagh District is, of course, heavily reliant on farming and the hardship being currently experienced by farmers in all sections of the business has a serious knock-on effect. Omagh District Council has lobbied fiercely on behalf of the industry over the past year and will continue to do in the coming year.
Christmas is traditionally a time of hope, of laying aside differences within families, among neighbours and communities. Perhaps this first Christmas of the new millennium will provide us with an ideal opportunity to reappraise what Christmas means to us. After all, the real meaning of Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus," said Mr McQuaid.
"While Christmas is essentially one of the focal points of the Christian faith, I am mindful of the growing number of people of other faiths who live in our district. In acknowledging that Christmas does not have the same meaning for you, you are, nevertheless, very much an integral part of our community and very much part of this Christmas Message.
Concluding his Christmas message, he said that on behalf of all the members of Omagh District Council, he wished to extend seasonal greetings to everyone and "to wish you all God's Blessing for this holy season".
IN HIS Christmas message to the people of the Omagh District, Council Chairman, Liam McQuaid, said the year 2000 had been a time for reflection and consolidation for Omagh and its people.
"It has been a year for taking stock and for planning for the future. The physical scars which were a consequence of the Omagh Bomb are unfortunately still very visible but I'm delighted that the rebuilding work is now well under way and am confident that the redevelopment of
Lower Market Street, which will incorporate the new Community House, will be completed next year. This will go a long way towards the rehabilitation of the town.
Mr McQuaid said he was also hopeful that next year will see an end to the uncertainty which, for too long, has surrounded the issue of acute hospital services in this area.
And he revealed his wishes for the year 2001.
"A speedy resolution, and one which serves the best interests of the entire South West region," was his number one
"Also at the top of my wish list is new investment and jobs. Omagh Business Forum launched a ten year plan Omagh 2010 repackaging the county town as somewhere to invest in as a commercial centre and raising the profile of the Omagh District as a positive and vibrant place. This is a tremendously positive step forward and I look forward with anticipation to its implementation and the Omagh District making the news for more positive reasons in the next decade.
Turning to the rural community, a place close to his heart, he said he had watched with growing dismay, the continued erosion of the agricultural industry.
"The Omagh District is, of course, heavily reliant on farming and the hardship being currently experienced by farmers in all sections of the business has a serious knock-on effect. Omagh District Council has lobbied fiercely on behalf of the industry over the past year and will continue to do in the coming year.
Christmas is traditionally a time of hope, of laying aside differences within families, among neighbours and communities. Perhaps this first Christmas of the new millennium will provide us with an ideal opportunity to reappraise what Christmas means to us. After all, the real meaning of Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus," said Mr McQuaid.
"While Christmas is essentially one of the focal points of the Christian faith, I am mindful of the growing number of people of other faiths who live in our district. In acknowledging that Christmas does not have the same meaning for you, you are, nevertheless, very much an integral part of our community and very much part of this Christmas Message.
Concluding his Christmas message, he said that on behalf of all the members of Omagh District Council, he wished to extend seasonal greetings to everyone and "to wish you all God's Blessing for this holy season".
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1526
Published Date: 21-Dec-00
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