Elections are being held in the Donegal village of Carrick this Saturday to appoint members of the Carrick Development Committee.
An Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) of the Coiste Forbartha na Carraige (Carrick Development Committee) was held following the controversial loss of the Sliabh Liag Distillery and the potential for a heritage-based industry employing up to 40 people in the area.
The EGM was called in response to a number of very well attended public meetings demanding that the Carrick Development Committee be more transparent, representative and more responsive to the community’s needs.
The EGM established an Interim Development Committee to focus on: maintaining progress on existing projects, electing a new permanent committee and making the workings and objectives of the committee more transparent.
Voting will take place at the Old School, Carrick this Saturday between 4pm and 8:30pm.
Over the last fortnight, 294 ballots were cast, nominating 56 people for election to the committee. Of this number 14 agreed to allow their names go forward for election.
Everyone over 18 year of age who resides or works in the Carrick Development Committee area is entitled to vote. Representatives of surrounding development groups will be invited to supervise the election process and count to demonstrate the integrity and transparency of the process.
Seamus McGinley, Chairperson of the interim committee said they were delighted with the response to this new election process.
Mr McGinley said: “Considering our area is effectively confined to four townlands and Carrick village we are delighted to get such a large number of nominations. We are especially thankful to all the people who allowed their names to go forward for election.” He went on to say, “It is vitally important that people turn out and vote on Saturday between 4:00pm and 8:30pm and secure the change our community desires.”
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