George Savage passed away last month, having served the people of Craigavon for over 25 years. His son Kyle will now be co-opted to represent the Lurgan DEA.

Ulster Unionist Party Leader Mike Nesbitt said:

“This is both a fitting and courageous decision by Kyle to follow in the footsteps of his late father George, who was a loyal, dedicated and universally respected public servant.

“I am delighted Kyle has committed to follow in his father’s footsteps. These are big shoes to fill, but Kyle is the right man to do it. I look forward to working with him and his colleagues in the coming months.”

Kyle Savage said:

“It was my father`s wish that I finish his term on Craigavon Borough Council and that is what I am going to do. I want to thank my Mum and my Wife and Family who have been a bedrock of support. And I also want to thank the Party for giving me the opportunity to fulfil my father`s wishes.

“I will be putting people first during my term in Craigavon Borough Council. I want to inspire people with cancer and to say “Don`t give up, there is hope out there”.

“My father died from cancer and I have my own personal experience of it. I hope that some good can come out of what my family and I have faced.

“I want to thank all of the staff at Craigavon Area Hospital, especially in Ward 4 South who looked after my father and the staff of 3 South who looked after me when I was diagnosed with Kidney Cancer.

“More needs to be done for those fighting cancer and I shall use my time as a public servant to do all I can.”

Kyle`s Ulster Unionist colleagues in Upper Bann also welcomed him.

Sam Gardiner MLA said:

“I had the privilege of working with Kyle`s father George for many years at both Council and Assembly level. I now look forward to working with Kyle in the coming months.

“I know how pleased his father would be that Kyle is replacing him on the Council.”

Jo-Anne Dobson MLA said:

“I know that Kyle will make an excellent Ulster Unionist public representative for Craigavon.

“Our families have neighbouring farms and I have known Kyle for many years. He has in him the same ethos of hard work, commitment and caring nature which his late father George brought to his role as a political representative.

“I look forward to working alongside Kyle and my colleagues on Craigavon Council as we continue to do what's right for Northern Ireland.”

Picture:

L-R Sam Gardiner MLA, Councillor Kyle Savage and Jo-Anne Dobson MLA