Alex Baird thanking his supporters at the Omagh Leisure Centre
IT WAS a good election for outgoing council chairman Alex Baird.
The Ulster Unionist councillor not only topped the poll in his DEA (district electoral area) of Erne West but also received the highest number of first preference votes of any candidate in the Fermanagh and Omagh council.
The current chairman of Fermanagh District Council said he was ‘ecstatic’ when elected receiving 1619 first preference votes in an electoral area that had one of the highest turnouts of this local election – at 68.21%.
Councillor Baird said he was delighted that in his third election he had increased his vote from 1258 last time around to now 1619.
“I have tried to work hard for the people of Erne West and they have given me their first preference votes.
Councillor Baird said he also would like to thank all those who gave him their second preference votes, ‘although I’ll never know who they are’ he continued.
Accompanied by his wife Joy Alex was congratulated by supporters and party colleagues including Rosemary Barton and Raymond Farrell who were both elected to Erne North on the first count on Friday last.
As the results filtered out councillor Baird also took a number of phonecalls from friends and family who had heard of his excellent result.
Erne West was the first count to be completed and was also the first to be officially announced in the reception area of Omagh Leisure Centre by returning officer Joan McCaffrey.
Taking to the podium councillor paid thanked all those who had voted for him and those who had worked on his campaign trail.
“I want to thank the 1619 voters who put their trust in me. I won’t let them down” a triumphant Mr Baird declared.
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