Message of thanks from ‘twin town’

Mr Fudali, who has been succeeded as Mayor by Mr Piotr Kuczera, was Rybnik’s first citizen for 16 years.

During Monday night’s (December 15) Development Committee meeting, Cllr Ken Robinson said that Mr Fudali had been “an absolutely outstanding Mayor” who had shown great vision for his town in the post-communism era, particularly in terms of issues such as education and the environment.

The meeting was informed that Mayor Thomas Hogg has sent a letter to Mr Fudali and his family wishing them well for the future.

Another letter has been sent to Mr Kuczera congratulating him on his new position as Mayor.

The wider issue of twinning - including the future of Newtownabbey’s existing links with Rybnik, Dorsten in Germany and Gilbert, Arizona - will be considered by the new Antrim and Newtownabbey District Council in the New Year.