New Trim councillor Michael Kenny

Trim's new town councillor Michael Kenny paid tribute to the "quiet heroes" who volunteer their time to make Trim a beautiful place.

Speaking in the council chamber after being formally ratified as the Labour Party's replacement for Donall O'Brien who resigned for health reasons, Mr Kenny said volunteer workers attract revenue to Trim.

"It is my intention to promote their efforts from within the Town Council and to link them more effectively with the staff of the Council," Mr Kenny told councillors and officials at the council meeting on Tuesday evening.

Statistics show Tidy Towns awards attract additional income for towns, according to Mr Kenny, who is a lecturer in Adult, Community and Further Education at NUI Maynooth.

"With support of the Town Council and the people Trim a gold Tidy Towns award is within grasp. A gold award will increase visitor numbers by 5%. Winning the Tidy Towns outright, the next step after gold, will bring more than a 20% increase in visitor numbers.

"That would bring visitor numbers to over 100,000. If each of the extra visitors left €10 in Trim that would be half a million euro. It makes sense in my opinion to go all out to win the Tidy Towns title," Mr Kenny said.

He also referred to his seven years as relief worker in Africa where he witnessed the aftermath of the genocide in Rwanda.

"I want to be an ambassador for where I live. Yes, life is tough for us in Ireland now but we are a proud people and my time with Concern in Africa has taught me that we are the 10% best off people in the world. With this privilege comes a responsibility, and I seek to do my part to the best of my ability on Trim Town Council," he added.

Cllr William Bligh was elected cathaoirleach at the council annual meeting.

Mr Kenny's speech ....

Mr. Chairman, Councilors, Town Manager and Staff, Members of the press. Guests, ladies and gentlemen,

I am honoured to be proposed by Cllr James O'Shea and to be accepted as a member of Trim Town Council. I respect the fact that I am sitting into the seat vacated by Donall O'Brien and I recall the spirit of Danny O'Brien whose larger than life character is very much missed.

I am a neighbor of Danny's family in Eldergrove. A fine mature estate of c 90 houses where I am active with a vibrant team in the Residents Association. I have made good friends there and it is a base for my local community work.

In the 7 years I am in Trim I have come to appreciate the great beauty of Trim through Trim Tidy Towns group. Brain Heffernan, Noel, Brian, Stephanie, Paddy, etc., are quiet heroes working away early and late, during the week and at weekends. It is my intention to promote their efforts from within the Town Council and to link them more effectively with the staff of the Council. Visitors remark on the cleanliness of Trim. A tour bus driver recently said "Visiting Trim was preferable to visiting Glendalough".

With support of the Town Council and the people Trim a gold Tidy Towns award is within grasp. A gold award will increase visitor numbers by 5%. Winning the Tidy Towns outright, the next step after gold, will bring more than a 20% increase in visitor numbers. That would bring visitor numbers to over 100,000. If each of the extra visitors left E10 in Trim that would be 0.5 million. It makes sense in my opinion to go all out to win the Tidy Towns title.

To do this Trim Tidy Towns needs all of us to get on the team for the next few years. As you walk, don't pass a piece of litter. Pick it up. If you are sweeping in front of your house or yard, sweep to the left or the right as far as the next persons space. Every estate needs active residents associations to manage their upkeep. Trim Town Council needs to prioritise support for community effort.

I have come to appreciate the tradition of Trim through the Scourloughstown Olympiad which presents it's haymaking day on Sunday next the 17th. Iris Douglas, John Marron, Michal O'Connor, Pat Farrelly and all that great team in the Olympiad do great work. 5,000 people will visit Trim on haymaking day. They will see the Porchfields, the Castle and the river Boyne and many will come back. If each of these leaves E10 discretionary spend in Trim; that's E50,000 out of one day.

I know and respect my councilor colleagues and the management team of Trim Town Council. I am honoured to work and serve with them,

I am enthusiastic about the possibility. I want to be an ambassador for where I live. Yes life is tough for us in Ireland now but we are a proud people and my time with Concern in Africa has taught me that we are the 10% best off people in the world. With this privilege comes a responsibility and I seek to do my part to the best of my ability on Trim Town Council.

Thank you Chairperson, colleagues, ladies and gentlemen.