Newry and Mourne Councillor has been ed by his party colleagues to replace South Down MP Margaret Ritchie in the Assembly. The former principal of St Louis Grammar School in Kilkeel is a father of five and a long serving community worker in his local parish and GAA club. Speaking following his selection in the Burrendale Hotel, the incoming MLA said: ” I am honoured to have been selected to represent the people of South Down in the Assembly and would like to pay tribute to our MP Margaret Ritchie who will continue to do an excellent job in standing up for our people in Westminster. I am a bridge builder, I bring people with me as an MLA for South Down I intend with my Assembly colleague Karen McKevitt and SDLP councilors to pursue the interest of people in every corner of our constituency. I will do everything in my power to help build a vibrant rural economy, to help tackle the problems facing farmers and fishermen in our communities and to create jobs for people here. I would like to thank people for their support and I look forward to taking my skills gained through years of experience working in the community to Stormont,” Mr Rodgers said.
Newry Democrat
6th December 2011
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