On taking up office Councillor Armstrong said:
Mr Mayor, may I be among the first to congratulate you on your appointment and I trust that we will forge a constructive working relationship during the next year. May I also commend the outgoing Mayor and deputy mayor for their efforts during their term in a time where things simply were not as we have known them.
I am both humbled and honoured to accept the position of Deputy Mayor in the greatest of Northern Irelands boroughs’ and give my thanks to my party colleagues who nominated me. I count it as a privilege to be involved in public service and am ever thankful for the support and encouragement of my family who make sacrifices daily and for that I will be forever grateful.
We share differing political views in this chamber, though it is my ultimate wish – as I am sure it is yours – to make Mid and East Antrim a happy and prosperous place for our children to grow up, live and work.
It is especially important as we continue to commemorate and celebrate the 100th birthday of Northern Ireland whilst being ever mindful of the challenges which are posed to our province and our borough.
Covid-19 was and is a cruel visitation on our people – one which sadly claimed the lives of over 200 of this boroughs citizens and it is our continuing response to the pandemic as a council that will shape much of the next 12 months.
From the outset, our response was swift and effective. From community grants to daily communications and the endeavours of councillors in helping both business’ and the public.
As we ease our way out of restrictions and God willing continue to witness the decline of the virus itself it is of key priority for me and for this council that the support network that has been in place for well over a year continues its job of work and we look forward collectively towards a return to normality as quickly as possible.
Our message must be one of both recovery and delivery
It is vital that our business’, particularly our small independent traders are supported and encouraged as they find their feet again and I am most willing to help in any way that I can.
Vital too that we continue to engage with community groups and associations as they remain the life blood of our localities and have been a driving force in maintaining good spirits throughout. Again it is my intention to assist in this key task.
In tandem with covid, our borough also faces the very real challenges posed by the Northern Protocol particularly at Larne port and I am fully supportive of this Councils direction in challenging the cumbersome, needless and potentially financially restrictive diktats imposed upon us – all done without the consent of a single ratepayer or citizen.
My position on the protocol was, is and will remain crystal clear. For the good of Northern Ireland, the union and this borough It must go in its entirety.
For those in other forums of government who may choose to fiddle while Rome burns, let them look to this borough as an example of how to say what you mean, mean what you say and be guided by courage, conviction and principle.
My father always told me that you could count close friends on the fingers of one hand, I suspect that Northern Ireland and Mid and East Antrim will found out if that bears true sooner rather than later.
Mr Mayor, we must strive to thrive and I will have no difficulty in putting my shoulder to the wheel in achieving that most important goal.