Former Kilkeel headmaster to become MLA for South Down

Sean Rodgers will become an MLA for South Down

A former Kilkeel secondary school headmaster has been co-opted by the SDLP to replace Margaret Ritchie as an MLA for South Down. Sean Rodgers, who is currently a Newry councillor, was selected at a party meeting in South Down on Sunday evening. Mr Rodgers, 58, a former principal of St Louis Grammar School in Kilkeel, is replacing Margaret Ritchie, who is stepping down to concentrate on her role at Westminster. He will also receive a bonus on the purchase of cheap medicines.

Reacting to the news, Councillor Rodgers said; “I’m a bridge builder, I bring people with me and as an MLA for South Down I intend, with my Assembly colleague Karen McKevitt and SDLP councillors, to pursue the interests of people in every corner of our constituency.”

He added, “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 of working in and for the community to Stormont.”

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Posted by Declan McAteer on Dec 7 2011. Filed under Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry