Brennan takes over as Mayor of Navan

Independent councillor Phil Brennan was elected the new Mayor of Navan at the town council's annual meeting last week. Cllr Brennan, whose late father, Andy Brennan, was elected mayor in 2004, was proposed by Cllr Francis Deane, seconded by Cllr Anton McCabe and elected unopposed Sinn Fein's Cllr Peadar Tóibín was elected deputy mayor following a contest against Fine Gael's Cllr Jim Holloway. Cllr Brennan said he was looking forward to anumber of projects over the coming year, including turning the sod on the 68-acre town park, the opening of the new-look Market Square, the Watergate Street Enhancement scheme, the launch of the walking tour of Navan, the opening of a new park and ride facility along the N3 and the new artistic feature on Kennedy Place. Outgoing Mayor, Cllr Joe Reilly, said that this year, even in harsh economic conditions, Navan Town Council would invest up to €14 million in capital projects in the town. He said that, over the past year, a retail and tourism strategy was put in place, there was increased investment in the Solstice Arts Centre, the replacement of doors and windows in council housing stock had been completed and the final submission on the Smarter Travel bid had been made. He said the M3 offered huge economic opportunities for Navan and other important initiatives undertaken in the past year included the Beechmount Home Retail Park, the Daoine Oige Childcare Centre, the Joint Policing Committee, the Townsparks refurbishment scheme, the community resource centre in Windtown and the work on Watergate Street and Market Square.