Anger over Mayfair Committee Reshuffling
Wednesday, 5 November 2008
THERE HAS been an angry response to plans passed reshuffling the committee that organises the May Fair.
In a statement to the Gazette Last week, Michelle McGuigan Chairperson of the Mayfair steering commitee, voiced her disgust at how Newtownabbey Council voted for the current Mayfair committee to be changed.
The new committee will be made up of twelve council representatives and nine independent members. These independent members will be interviewed before they take a place on the committee. "It's a real slap in the face for those who have been on the committee, some for the region of 20 years. It makes them feel that all their hard work and dedication has been for nothing."
A spokesperson for the council said it was agreed that a suitable recruitment and selection process be implemented to appoint the nine independent members to the Sub-Committee, however they stressed that the form this process will take has not yet been decided.
Councillor Paul Girven told the Gazette he didn't want to this process to go through but there was only 3 councillors who voted against the motion, he said: "Michelle is one of the hardest workers on the committee, and I totally agree with her. The work the committee have carried out over the years is nothing short of fantastic. We do not want to alienate these people who have given up their free time to work hard every year.
“I know that these people who have volunteered over the years will feel belittled when they have to go through the rigours of a selection process. These volunteers are a valuable asset in the committee and the situation needs to be addressed.
“We will be holding a meeting with those responsible for the funding of the May Fair."
The success of last years May Fair had been called into question at the recent council meeting, this caused anger from Michelle, she said: "I agree that last year's events were nothing to be proud of, but after the arguing had been done, and what was left of the committee got their teeth stuck into the event, the Ballyclare May Fair was arguable one of the best festivals which the town has had in years."
Former Mayor Alderman Nigel Hamilton agreed with Michelle's view, he said: "Last year was one of the best May Fair's we have had in a few years and for someone to describe it as a farce is unacceptable."
