McCusker gets his knuckles rapped

UUP Councillor Colin McCusker was made an example of before council on Monday night for comments which appeared a fortnight ago in the Lurgan Mail.

The UUP man told the ‘MAIL’ how he was surprised that the Mayor didn’t mention the job losses at BDG during his opening announcements at the meeting which came four days after the redundancies featured as the ‘MAIL’s front page.

At this Monday’s meeting the Mayor of Craigavon Alan Carson began proceedings by saying: “I was disappointed to read about issues regarding opening announcements in the Lurgan Mail.

“If there’s councillors in future who would like to raise an issue, please come and see me, I don’t bite. It’ll save you going to the Lurgan Mail.”

He said if anyone was unclear about how council’s standing orders work they should come and see him or speak to member services.

Although Colin McCusker wasn’t named by the Mayor Councillor McCusker was the only one quoted in the ‘MAIL’ article of a fortnight earlier.

Mr McCusker was contacted by the ‘MAIL’ but declined to make a statement, saying the issue over opening announcements had already been discussed at length.

Meanwhile, during Monday night’s opening announcement councillors congratulated the Ski-ability team based at Craigavon Golf and Ski Centre for their recent medal haul at the Qualifying Heats at 2013 Special Olympics Winter Games in Dublin.

Councillors also welcomed the news that someone had been arrested in connection with the recent spate of tyre slashing in Portadown.

Mention was given to a £300,000 contract for Ulster Carpets in Dubai and Almac who have signed a global distribution deal with a leading US company.

Council was told that five Craigavon based companies including Wilson’s Auctions, Hamilton’s in Lurgan, Irwin’s in Portadown, Kingspan and Avondale Foods are in the top 50 SMEs as reported in Ulster Business.

Positive news was also relayed about Faith Jewellers who have opened a second branch in Rushmere.

Finally, SDLP Councillor Declan McAlinden welcomed the news that Classic Mineral Water in Lurgan have secured a US contract worth £250,000.