Arkins gets the nod over Crowe in mayoral ballot

Ruan Councillor Joe Arkins pipped his party colleague, Councillor John Crowe, to become the last Fine Gael mayor of this council’s term, following a secret ballot of 12 councillors on Monday last.
Councillor Arkins will be the last First Citizen of the county from July 2013 to July 2014 when the current term of Clare County Council ends, following in the footsteps of Councillor Pat Daly, who replaces current Mayor Pat Hayes next summer.
Councillor Tony Mulcahy became the First Citizen in the present authority and was subsequently elected as a Fine Gael Senator earlier this year. He was replaced by Councillor Christy Curtin as Mayor of Clare.
The latest election is yet another heart-breaking political disappointment for Councillor Crowe, who lost out on winning a Senate seat by the narrowest of margins earlier this year after he was the 10th candidate left standing in a nine-seat panel.
Despite completing an intensive campaign in the run-up to the last Senate, the Sixmilebridge retailer hung on until the finish and was never eliminated. Five years earlier, he also lost out on a Seanad seat by just two votes.
The Clare Champion has learned that the last vote, which was overseen by Fine Gael area manager, Jim McMahon, was actually decided on second preferences.
The two candidates, Councillors Arkins and Crowe, were tied on six votes apiece after the first count but the former emerged by the narrowest of margins securing four second preferences to his opponent’s three.
Before the election, Councillor Crowe was fancied to prevail. According to one well-placed source, Councillor Arkins was “shocked to win and Councillor Crowe was shocked to lose”.
The source claimed Councillor Arkins didn’t push for the vote and felt it could have taken place next year, while the other contestant was more anxious for a decision to be made this week.
Councillor Crowe was selected a group leader in the council replacing Councillor Mulcahy following his elevation to the Seanad. There has been some speculation that Councillor Crowe may take over the position of chairman of the Environment Strategic Policy Committee (SPC) when Councillor Arkins becomes mayor.
Councillor Crowe admitted he was very disappointed with the result. “I seem to be failing very narrowly in the most recent  political contests,” he said.
Councillor Arkins said there could be no greater honour for a Clare citizen than to be nominated as mayor and stressed he respected and appreciated the great responsibilities of that office.
“ I hope to fulfil that role to the best of my ability. I have the drive, the energy, the experience and enthusiasm for the job. I will act impartially and discharge my duties in a fair and objective manner. I have been involved in political activity of one sort or another all my life. I have been driven by a desire to see and to help bring about a better community I take great heed of our Proclamation which promises an Ireland, which would cherish all of her children equally.  We’re not there yet. 
“I believe the way to achieve it is for those of us who aspire to that goal to work for it in our communities and in our county. That is why I am involved in local politics.
“We are elected to represent the people of Clare and not to replicate the Punch and Judy Show that sometimes is national politics. It is necessary to move past the assumptions, which have failed us and to work together for a society and a county, which will restore trust and confidence in this authority,” he said.