New mayor of Dunmow takes office
Milan Milovanovic - Credit: Archant
New mayor for Great Dunmow Town Council Milan Milovanovic took office at a civic service last Thursday (May 12) and has wasted no time getting stuck in to his first few official engagements.
“I’m honoured to have been elected, but I’m just an ordinary Joe,” he said. “The only difference is I get to wear a cow bell. I’m looking forward to getting beneath the surface of the community.”
The 55-year-old, who was deputy mayor for the last 12 months, accepted the chains of office from outgoing mayor Barrie Easter and will receive a blessing during a service at St Mary’s Church on June 12.
Cllr Milovanovic plans to promote the town and its services for the community, as well as promoting and raising funds for his three nominated charities – Dunmow and District Stroke Support Group, the Disabled, Blind and Housebound Society Group and Scotty’s Little Soldiers.
“The reason I want to support the first two local charities is simple: we’re all getting older and but for the grace of god go we” said the new mayor who has lived in Dunmow for ten years.
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“We could all need these charities at any point and they provide people with a much better quality of life. Scotty’s Little Soldiers is a national charity that supports the children of British troops killed in action, which also has great relevance for us locally.”
The mayor is also keen to create a town and parish forum for the surrounding parishes.
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“We all have common issues,” he said. “I want to include all the chairmen and mayors to discuss what we have in common and look at how we can tackle them collectively.”
The mayor believes that future housing developments are also high on the list of people’s concerns, especially the knock-on infrastructure issues on health and education, as well as roads and communications.
“Development is the most important subject for communities. There are 2,000 new properties planned over the next five years and this will have a profound effect on villages like Little Easton. People have legitimate fears.”
Cllr Milovanovic and his wife Julia have two very energetic Border Collies, Ben and Bonnie, and, having spent several years restoring a cottage in Norfolk, enjoy property renovation. “Julia is very hands-on and takes things on at 150 per cent. I couldn’t ask for a better consort.”
