CCM goes international

CCM establishes "sister" partnership with Ireland Association

With a visit and meetings in September in Ireland, CCM established a formal "sister" partnership with the Association of Municipal Authorities of Ireland. The visiting Connecticut delegation included Betsy Paterson, Mayor of Mansfield and CCM President; and Jim Finley, CCM Executive Director and CEO.

CCM and the AMAI are planning to exchange information about municipal best practices common to towns in Connecticut and Ireland; as well as discuss intergovernmental legislative issues that pertain to both groups of municipalities.

The top officials with the Ireland Association led the meetings in their homeland and recently traveled to Connecticut to take part in CCM’s Annual Convention and Exposition on October 22 at the Connecticut Convention Center. The Irish officials are:

Dermot Collins, President of the Association of Municipal Authorities of Ireland -- Collins is a member of Kinsale Town Council, County Cork, since 1985 and has been Mayor of Kinsale on four occasions and is Chairman of the Kinsale Harbour Commissioners. For many years, Dermot has been the Chairman of the Gen. Michael Collins Commemoration Committee. Michael Collins is one of Ireland’s War of Independence heroes. Mayor Collins’ committee organizes a national commemoration event every year at Beal na mBlath in Cork where Michael Collins died. Mr. Collins is married to Breda and they have four children.

Tom Ryan, Director of the Association of Municipal Authorities of Ireland -- Ryan has been involved with the AMAI for almost 30 years. He has served as President in 1993/94 and had been Treasurer for over 10 years. Mr. Ryan comes from Nenagh in County Tipperary. Before Tom took up his present position in 2004 he served on Nenagh Town Council and North Tipperary County Council for 25 years, being Mayor on four occasions. Tom is married to Mary and they have four children.