New Sinn Féin Chair of Mid Ulster District Council looking forward to building stronger and more successful communities
Sinn Féin Dungannon Councillor Deirdre Varsani has been named as the new Chair of Mid Ulster District Council at its annual meeting on Monday night.
Cookstown Councillor Eva Cahoon (DUP) was named as Deputy Chair. Both appointments are for one year.
Council Chair, Councillor Varsani has served as a Councillor since 2023 and has held the position of Deputy Chair of the Council’s Environment Committee and has also served on its Planning Committee.
She is a politics graduate, and has worked as a teacher and vice-principal for 25 years, and advocates for a wide range of community issues as well as sitting on a number of outside bodies on behalf of the Council, including the Coalisland and Dungannon Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership; the Mid Ulster Labour Market Partnership; the Mid Ulster Housing Forum; the Mid Ulster Policing and Community Safety Partnership; the NI Housing Council; the Southern Child Care Partnership; and the Tullyvar Joint Committee.
She has a long-standing interest in heritage, history, culture, sport and the Irish language.
Cllr Varsani said: “My theme for the year, le chéile/together, reflects the importance of supporting one another and working together to build stronger, even more vibrant and successful communities.
“Mid Ulster is rich in culture, heritage and community spirit. The Irish language is undergoing a major revival across our council area and I look forward to supporting and promoting its continued growth. Beatha teanga í a labhairt agus beidh mé ag tapaigh an deis seo mo chuid Ghaeilge féin a labhairt agus a scríobh más cuí.
“I also look forward to celebrating the rich diversity, ambition and strong entrepreneurial spirit of our district throughout the year ahead."
Council Deputy Chair, Councillor Cahoon was elected as a Mid Ulster Councillor in 2023. She has served as Chair of the Council’s Policy and Resources Committee and as a member of the Environment Committee.
She has served on several outside bodies including the Cookstown Town Centre Forum; the Mid Ulster Policing and Community Safety Partnership; and the PEACE Partnership.
Councillor Cahoon has also been a member of the Pomeroy Forest Centre Advisors Committee and the Reserve and Cadets Association for NI, serving as Veteran’s Champion, acting as a support for ex-service personnel and their families.