As May soon approaches, Cllr Minford shares his vision of his community as a dedicated mayor on at grassroots level.
“Knowing what is going on in the street and listening to people,” is what Cllr Minford does to build a closer connection to his community.
As he longingly reflects over his career as the mayor and as a Cllr, his care for his community is has remained potent throughout his years in politics. He continues, “Knowing your area is very important.”
“Community safety is a big thing, I think if we have a safe community, we have a good community.” He said it is vital that the community feel heard and that the council listen to them.
As an active Cllr who dedicates his life to his community, Cllr Minford said he felt he knew a lot of his community individually and therefore understands their issues better.
He said he prefers to be at a local level as opposed to a ministerial. “As a councillor I can get things done, roads, housing executives, jobs get done, new playparks built.”
He continues, “At a council level, we do what used to be described as the bogs, bins, and burials, there is a bigger portfolio now and a bigger budget.”
Cllr Minford Jackson rewinds the clock to reflect on what led him to his current political career as his journey as Mayor comes to an end. “Since Northern Ireland was created, there was a Minford in government”, he said.
After leaving school, he had to decide whether it was politics or a career. He said, “Politics was going nowhere when I left school, so I chose the road service as a traffic engineer.”
Throughout his career in the road works service, he met many politicians and built strongrelationships with them. He wondered whether he was the “right person for council or whether it was something I would want to do.”
“I was driving up to Antrim one day and Robbin Swan, who was party leader at the time, rang me and told me I was going to stand for Westminster.” He continues, “I was shocked, but his idea was to profile me for council.”
He was then elected in 2023 as a Councillor.
He said once he got into the role that “I like engaging with folk on the doors, talking to people, that’s the part I enjoy about campaigning. Because you get to meet people and hear about real problems. If I can help them in any way, I will do that.”
His passion for his community radiates through his dedication to the role.
One final reflection Cllr Minford had when recalled what his defining decision as mayor was, was whether to accept the invite he received to attend the King’s birthday in London. Thisfollowed the end of the conflict within Ballymena in 2025.
“I thought, I’m not sure I should be going to this, what will this look like the mayor going to London to the King’s birthday while Ballymena has burned down?” He said.
However, the mayor said it after taking advice from senior levels, he decided to go because he said to tell people, “What Ballymena is really like, not just what they have seen on National news.”
“I had a story to tell.” He said.
“I flew out and when I was there, I spoke with many people in Military, in politics, in law during my short time there and I put them right about Ballymena.” Cllr Minford said they responded with gratitude for his attendance because they would not have known what Ballymena was like otherwise.
He continued, “I felt I had achieved something for Ballymena that day, that was one of the best moments as mayor where I achieved something for the Burra and for Northern Ireland as well.”
“You are going to be busy.” Is Cllr Minford’s final message for the incoming mayor.
