TUESDAY, 10 MARCH 2009
Parting shot at Minister as Chambers warns of implications for Newport
Neill O’Neill
COUNCILLOR Frank Chambers attended his last hometown meeting as an elected representative yesterday (Monday), and used the opportunity to call on the County Council not to allow the electoral area division in Newport divide the people of the town.
Cllr Chambers called the re-drawing of the electoral area boundary through the heart of Newport a ‘disgraceful decision by any minister’ and expressed his concern that it could divide the town in that people on either side of the river would now be subject to the workings of different council offices and personnel. Cllr Chambers said the unity that exists among the people of Newport is integral to the local community, and sounded warnings that unless a concerted effort is made to protect this, Newport could end up in a situation like Charlestown and Bellaghy.
“One thing I don’t want to see happening is Newport town itself being divided by these new boundaries,” Cllr Chambers said. “There needs to be a unity among the groups in Newport such as the Tidy Towns and the Newport Development Company. We now have a situation where people will have to meet two separate engineers in order to get anything done on either side of the river, and separate offices will be deciding on funding and what can be done in different parts of Newport, even though it is the same town. The integrity of the town is fundamental and going forward things like planning need to be done for the whole town, and not just for some areas.”
Cllr Chambers used the example of how the river meanders in and out of different council areas as it enters Newport. He said this would lead to a lot of duplication and confusion over, for example, which engineer was in charge of the area and where applications or submissions should be made.
“We do not want to be divided,” he said. “In electoral terms we already are, but the community does not want to be.”
Cllr Margaret Adams agreed with her party colleague and called the redrawing of the boundary through Newport ‘unreasonable’. Cllr John O’Malley went one further and said it was ‘pure mad’ and among the ‘daftest’ things he had ever heard.
“The only thing we can do now is work to keep the town cohesive,” he said, as Cllr Adams called for a liaison officer to be appointed to deal with the issues Cllr Chambers had raised.
The decision to redraw the electoral area boundary through Newport forced Cllr Chambers to opt out of politics, according to Cllr O’Malley, with Cathaoirleach of Westport Town Council, Cllr Martin Keane, describing the decision as an ‘absolute disgrace’. Cllr Keane wished Cllr Chambers and his wife and family all the best for the future, and thanked him for his service to the Westport area over the past 30 years. These sentiments were echoed around the table, with Cllr Austin Francis O’Malley saying that he found it difficult to believe that Mayo had seen the end of Frank Chambers’ political career.
Director of Services in the Westport Electoral Area, Mr Peter Hynes, said that there were some advantages to the boundary change, adding that Newport would now have eight councillors with money to spend rather than four. He said that Mayo County Council is very aware of the need for integration in Newport and is keen to preserve it
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Hammered woman didn't hammer TD
Hammered woman didn't hammer TD
Athlone Advertiser, March 27, 2009.
By Finian Coghlan
A woman who attempted to assault Deputy Mary O'Rourke with an inflatable hammer on the reviewing stand of the St Patrick's Day parade had her case adjourned until early next month, at the District Court this week (March 25).
“F**k Fianna Fail and f**k the recession,” she was alleged to have shouted at the TD in her abortive attempt at some sort of political protest in front of a host of the town's dignitaries at the platform on the town bridge last Tuesday week.
The woman, a local in her fifties, has been charged with one public order offence on foot of her alleged drunken behaviour.
She appeared briefly in the District Court on Wednesday to hear Judge Elizabeth McGrath adjourn the hearing of her case until April 8 after the defendant's solicitor Paul Connellan told the court a medical certificate had not yet been completed on his client.
“It was one of the funniest things I ever saw,” said one of the people sharing the platform.
Athlone Advertiser, March 27, 2009.
By Finian Coghlan
A woman who attempted to assault Deputy Mary O'Rourke with an inflatable hammer on the reviewing stand of the St Patrick's Day parade had her case adjourned until early next month, at the District Court this week (March 25).
“F**k Fianna Fail and f**k the recession,” she was alleged to have shouted at the TD in her abortive attempt at some sort of political protest in front of a host of the town's dignitaries at the platform on the town bridge last Tuesday week.
The woman, a local in her fifties, has been charged with one public order offence on foot of her alleged drunken behaviour.
She appeared briefly in the District Court on Wednesday to hear Judge Elizabeth McGrath adjourn the hearing of her case until April 8 after the defendant's solicitor Paul Connellan told the court a medical certificate had not yet been completed on his client.
“It was one of the funniest things I ever saw,” said one of the people sharing the platform.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Campaigner welcomes Minister Maloney’s speech
Campaigner welcomes Minister Maloney’s speech
Dear editor
The Centre for Independent Living (CIL) Carmichael House launched, its
Strategic Plan (2009-2014) by Mr. John Moloney TD for Equality, Disability and Mental Health along with the DVD of Strasbourg Freedom Drive (2007) in the Park Inn Hotel on Saturday 31st January 2009. Proinsias De Rossa, MEP and Mary Lou McDonald, MEP both attended the launch and described the Strasbourg Freedom Drive campaign as the most effective lobbying campaigns targeting the EU Parliament.
Mr. Moloney stated in his opening speech that he would like to “reassure people with disabilities that their services and rights will not be hit even though we are facing very difficult times” He confirmed that he specifically would not be using the line of economic downturn in relation to disability sector. This was warmly welcomed by Disability Campaigner Tom Chambers Newport Co Mayo.
Chairperson of CIL. Michael McCabe highlighted the concerns of disabled people in relation to the cutbacks. “The disability sector in Ireland in the last number of years made some progress and the quality of services provided improved significantly. This must be protected despite the worsening economic climate” He also said that he was pleased that Ireland has signed the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and hoped that its ratification and implementation will be supported by all parties.
The Minister invited CIL Carmichael House to put Direct Payments on the agenda for the quarterly meetings he committed to direct payments are cash paid to individuals to enable them to employ, either directly or indirectly, individuals to assist them with their everyday tasks. This system proved to be a very efficient way of Personal Assistance (PA) service delivery in the UK and Sweden. Ireland still does not have legislation on this. Minister Moloney said that he is fully supporting the area of Direct Payments and recognizes that several savings can be made by implication of this.
“Politicians are not experts on disability, people with disabilities are,” said Ms. McDonald. “So continue planning, strategizing and raising voices at your campaigns.”
“In the current economic climate we are all going to take a hit one way or the other,” said Mr. De Rossa. “However people with disabilities should not be expected to pay the price.”
Finally, Mr. Chambers informed MEPs that attended the launch of the 2009 Strategic plan that the Strasbourg Freedom Drive 2009 which will be coordinated by Ireland supported from Germany the date is set for the week of 9th September. He also will be making contact with his local MEPs.
Yours truly,
Tom Chambers
Disability Campaigner
The Billy Ranch
Newport
Co Mayo
Is this more promises said Tom Chambers
HOME News €150,000 Mill Street
€150,000 Mill Street
Monday, 16 March 2009
€150,000 Mill Street upgrade should get under way shortly
Neill O’Neill
PLANS are at an advanced stage to revamp Westport’s longest street, in a project that will cost upwards of €150,000.
Work should begin as soon as the public consultation period of six weeks is finished, and the aim of the project will be to bring Mill Street in line with other streets in the town, with projected tree bays, street crossings and general upgrade works to footpaths and kerbing.
Westport Town Architect, Simon Wall, told last week’s monthly meeting of Westport Town Council that there will be three raised street crossings as part of the plan – in front of Paddy Powers, in front of the new physiotherapy practice and in front of the Tidy Towns monument on The Fairgreen. There will be projected tree bays at a number of locations, including at the Mill Times Hotel, Herterich’s Butchers and Navin’s Funeral Home, to name a few. Two loading bays will be in place, one either side of the entrance to the hotel car park, while the work will mean the loss of six car-parking spaces.
However, Mr Wall also stated that parking spaces will be lined out on the street which will make for even more spaces than currently exist, and could negate the number of spaces lost to as low as one. Upgrades to kerbing and footpaths, including disability works, will also form part of the project, though the level of the street surface will not be raised. The trees used in the project will be among the biggest semi-mature trees ever brought into Ireland.
Another feature of the works will be the continuation of the footpath in front of the car-parking spaces at The Fairgreen, which will be marked out by a different colour surface, and should eliminate the practice of double-parking in the area.
Cllr Dave Keating, who has long campaigned for Mill Street to be upgraded, said he would not be complaining about this kind of investment, but called for the parking spaces outside the Grove Medical Centre to remain, and for the wishes of the residents to be part of the plan.
There were also calls to ensure that safety was the priority and not aesthetics, and Cllr Declan Dever asked that car-parking also be facilitated outside the pharmacy on Mill Street.
Cllr Tereasa McGuire questioned the wisdom of placing a loading bay outside private houses, and said she had reservations about the area around the clock where Mill Street, High Street, Bridge Street and Shop Street converge. Cllr Brendan Mulroy agreed with this assessment, saying the clock area needs to be re-negotiated as part of this proposal. He suggested re-opening the avenue at the back of the clock to free up traffic.
Westport Town Manager, Mr Peter Hynes, said that while the practicality and safety concerns of the proposal were key concerns, he would make no apology for considering the beauty of the town as an important part of this plan.
“A lot of the commerce of this town is dependent on its pretty image,” he stated
€150,000 Mill Street
Monday, 16 March 2009
€150,000 Mill Street upgrade should get under way shortly
Neill O’Neill
PLANS are at an advanced stage to revamp Westport’s longest street, in a project that will cost upwards of €150,000.
Work should begin as soon as the public consultation period of six weeks is finished, and the aim of the project will be to bring Mill Street in line with other streets in the town, with projected tree bays, street crossings and general upgrade works to footpaths and kerbing.
Westport Town Architect, Simon Wall, told last week’s monthly meeting of Westport Town Council that there will be three raised street crossings as part of the plan – in front of Paddy Powers, in front of the new physiotherapy practice and in front of the Tidy Towns monument on The Fairgreen. There will be projected tree bays at a number of locations, including at the Mill Times Hotel, Herterich’s Butchers and Navin’s Funeral Home, to name a few. Two loading bays will be in place, one either side of the entrance to the hotel car park, while the work will mean the loss of six car-parking spaces.
However, Mr Wall also stated that parking spaces will be lined out on the street which will make for even more spaces than currently exist, and could negate the number of spaces lost to as low as one. Upgrades to kerbing and footpaths, including disability works, will also form part of the project, though the level of the street surface will not be raised. The trees used in the project will be among the biggest semi-mature trees ever brought into Ireland.
Another feature of the works will be the continuation of the footpath in front of the car-parking spaces at The Fairgreen, which will be marked out by a different colour surface, and should eliminate the practice of double-parking in the area.
Cllr Dave Keating, who has long campaigned for Mill Street to be upgraded, said he would not be complaining about this kind of investment, but called for the parking spaces outside the Grove Medical Centre to remain, and for the wishes of the residents to be part of the plan.
There were also calls to ensure that safety was the priority and not aesthetics, and Cllr Declan Dever asked that car-parking also be facilitated outside the pharmacy on Mill Street.
Cllr Tereasa McGuire questioned the wisdom of placing a loading bay outside private houses, and said she had reservations about the area around the clock where Mill Street, High Street, Bridge Street and Shop Street converge. Cllr Brendan Mulroy agreed with this assessment, saying the clock area needs to be re-negotiated as part of this proposal. He suggested re-opening the avenue at the back of the clock to free up traffic.
Westport Town Manager, Mr Peter Hynes, said that while the practicality and safety concerns of the proposal were key concerns, he would make no apology for considering the beauty of the town as an important part of this plan.
“A lot of the commerce of this town is dependent on its pretty image,” he stated
Sunday, March 22, 2009
With the upbeat campaign message and song of "Things can only get better!" Labour's Cllr Keith Martin is hoping to make a historic breakthrough in south-west Mayo and take one of the four seats in the Westport Electoral Area.
But campaigning in an area as big as County Louth is no easy task, especially when one considers the number of boreens, bog roads and back roads than Cllr Martin must travel up to meet the those thousands of elusive voters who do not live in the towns and villages of west Mayo
So to allow him to meet the electorate in a bit of comfort and privacy Cllr Martin has converted a small caravan into a mobile clinic which travels the electoral area allowing him to work from his office-no matter where he is.
"It was a case of Mohammad going to meet the mountain as this is one of the largest electoral areas in the country and my constituents are spread out from the town of Westport out to Clew Bay and Clare Island, down to the boarder with County Galway and back up to Westport. This mobile clinic allows me to meet people in comfort and privacy. Its also great for my canvassers and I to have a base to operate from."
The caravan is decked out with Labour Party logos and Cllr Martin's website and contact details, and inside it is kitted out with a gas stove and sink, shelves of books and application forms and a desk for paperwork and a laptop.
"Its not super high tech but we do have Sat-Nav, wireless broadband and tea and coffee facilities on board and I use the shower room as a soundproof area to use the phone for my radio interviews and when discussing sensitive or confidential issues. Its not Air Force One but it does the job. In fact, we call the caravan Labour Force One and it's getting a great reaction from the public who often wave or give a honk on the car-horn when we pass by."
In addition to setting up shop in villages and on the side of the road Cllr Martin is taking his clinic to every church in the area to maximise the number of voters he can meet before polling day on June 5th. From a speaker system in the towing car Cllr Martin addresses a crowd wherever he can find them and when on the road the speakers blare out the 1990s hit "Things can only get better!" by D:Ream.
A Town Councillor in Westport for the past five years Cllr Martin is ready to take the step up to Mayo County Council and while very familiar with the challenges faced by towns like Westport he is very aware of the rural issues like broadband, clean water and housing.
"Working on my Uncle's farm I know what it is to milk cows, cut and save hay and turf and even to help make butter in a plunge churn. I know that farming in Mayo is hard work for little return and that cattle and sheep farmers are hurting since the last budget. The issues are those of jobs, housing and basics like water, roads and broadband.
"Tip O'Neil once said that 'All politics is local' and I believe the same can be said for economics. I believe that we need to fight the recession at a local level here in Mayo and I am ready to lead that fight. Already I have proposed a three point plan for businesses of Rates freezes, Rent reductions and Rates rebates for start up businesses which will keep people in work and help to create new jobs and opportunities. We also need Mayo County Council to start work on a new N5 link to Mullingar."
Once elected Cllr Martin has given a commitment to keep his mobile clinic on the road so that voters will see as much of him after he's elected as they did before.
"I think the message has to be one of hope. People are tired of recrimination and blame and we all know who is responsible for putting us in this mess. My message is one of hard work and hope. I believe if we're positive, if we work together then things can only get better!"
Contact:
Keith Martin
086 0691182 Mobile
098 24852 Office
www.thingscanonlygetbetter.ie
But campaigning in an area as big as County Louth is no easy task, especially when one considers the number of boreens, bog roads and back roads than Cllr Martin must travel up to meet the those thousands of elusive voters who do not live in the towns and villages of west Mayo
So to allow him to meet the electorate in a bit of comfort and privacy Cllr Martin has converted a small caravan into a mobile clinic which travels the electoral area allowing him to work from his office-no matter where he is.
"It was a case of Mohammad going to meet the mountain as this is one of the largest electoral areas in the country and my constituents are spread out from the town of Westport out to Clew Bay and Clare Island, down to the boarder with County Galway and back up to Westport. This mobile clinic allows me to meet people in comfort and privacy. Its also great for my canvassers and I to have a base to operate from."
The caravan is decked out with Labour Party logos and Cllr Martin's website and contact details, and inside it is kitted out with a gas stove and sink, shelves of books and application forms and a desk for paperwork and a laptop.
"Its not super high tech but we do have Sat-Nav, wireless broadband and tea and coffee facilities on board and I use the shower room as a soundproof area to use the phone for my radio interviews and when discussing sensitive or confidential issues. Its not Air Force One but it does the job. In fact, we call the caravan Labour Force One and it's getting a great reaction from the public who often wave or give a honk on the car-horn when we pass by."
In addition to setting up shop in villages and on the side of the road Cllr Martin is taking his clinic to every church in the area to maximise the number of voters he can meet before polling day on June 5th. From a speaker system in the towing car Cllr Martin addresses a crowd wherever he can find them and when on the road the speakers blare out the 1990s hit "Things can only get better!" by D:Ream.
A Town Councillor in Westport for the past five years Cllr Martin is ready to take the step up to Mayo County Council and while very familiar with the challenges faced by towns like Westport he is very aware of the rural issues like broadband, clean water and housing.
"Working on my Uncle's farm I know what it is to milk cows, cut and save hay and turf and even to help make butter in a plunge churn. I know that farming in Mayo is hard work for little return and that cattle and sheep farmers are hurting since the last budget. The issues are those of jobs, housing and basics like water, roads and broadband.
"Tip O'Neil once said that 'All politics is local' and I believe the same can be said for economics. I believe that we need to fight the recession at a local level here in Mayo and I am ready to lead that fight. Already I have proposed a three point plan for businesses of Rates freezes, Rent reductions and Rates rebates for start up businesses which will keep people in work and help to create new jobs and opportunities. We also need Mayo County Council to start work on a new N5 link to Mullingar."
Once elected Cllr Martin has given a commitment to keep his mobile clinic on the road so that voters will see as much of him after he's elected as they did before.
"I think the message has to be one of hope. People are tired of recrimination and blame and we all know who is responsible for putting us in this mess. My message is one of hard work and hope. I believe if we're positive, if we work together then things can only get better!"
Contact:
Keith Martin
086 0691182 Mobile
098 24852 Office
www.thingscanonlygetbetter.ie
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Castlebar gardaí warn of zero tolerance over
Castlebar gardaí warn of zero tolerance over
Mayo Advertiser, March 13, 2009.
A 31 per cent increase in the number of people failing breath tests over the month of February in County Mayo, shows the battle against drink-driving is never ending. If St Patrick's Day revellers decide to drive drunk, they had better have more than the 'luck of the Irish' to cover the financial consequences of a drunk driving arrest. A campaign is being launched in Mayo which will tie into the Road Safety Authority’s message to “Never, ever, drink and drive”.
“Twenty-nine is an unacceptably high figure, and we are disappointed that so many people have risked their own and other people's safety by getting behind the wheel while over the limit,” said Noel Gibbons, road safety officer for Mayo County Council.
“Because St Patrick's Day is a notorious drinking holiday, we are launching an aggressive campaign to address drunk and other dangerous driving behaviour that puts our families at risk,” said Sergeant Joe McKenna, Castlebar Garda headquarters.
“Rest assured that in the coming year we will continue our efforts to educate motorists to the dangers of drink-driving, as well as enforcing the law. Everyone is being given ample warning that there will be zero tolerance for those caught getting behind the wheel after having too much to drink.”
Mayo Advertiser, March 13, 2009.
A 31 per cent increase in the number of people failing breath tests over the month of February in County Mayo, shows the battle against drink-driving is never ending. If St Patrick's Day revellers decide to drive drunk, they had better have more than the 'luck of the Irish' to cover the financial consequences of a drunk driving arrest. A campaign is being launched in Mayo which will tie into the Road Safety Authority’s message to “Never, ever, drink and drive”.
“Twenty-nine is an unacceptably high figure, and we are disappointed that so many people have risked their own and other people's safety by getting behind the wheel while over the limit,” said Noel Gibbons, road safety officer for Mayo County Council.
“Because St Patrick's Day is a notorious drinking holiday, we are launching an aggressive campaign to address drunk and other dangerous driving behaviour that puts our families at risk,” said Sergeant Joe McKenna, Castlebar Garda headquarters.
“Rest assured that in the coming year we will continue our efforts to educate motorists to the dangers of drink-driving, as well as enforcing the law. Everyone is being given ample warning that there will be zero tolerance for those caught getting behind the wheel after having too much to drink.”
Division of Newport into two electoral areas is ‘crazy stuff’
Westport area briefs
Mayo Advertiser, March 13, 2009.
By Geraldine Carr
Division of Newport into two electoral areas is ‘crazy stuff’
With the last Westport area meeting in Newport, due to the change in electoral boundaries, Fianna Fáil councillor Frank Chambers commented that it was “crazy stuff” that half of Newport would fall under the Belmullet Electoral Area, before he added that it was a “disgraceful decision” and said that “the unity of the town” needed to be maintained as Newport “does not want to be a divided community”.
Party colleague Cllr Margaret Adams said that the decision was “off the wall” and “totally unreasonable”, before she commended Cllr Chambers for his hard work representing Newport over the past 30 years.
Fine Gael councillor John O’Malley said that it was an “unfair decision” which forced Cllr Chambers to opt out of politics and wished Cllr Chambers and his family well in the future, while Cllr Martin Keane said that what happened to Cllr Chambers in his own electoral area was “a disgrace”.
Houses and grants delayed due to lack of funding
Martin Keating, executive housing officer, outlined that the Kilmeena housing units and community centre is progressing, but that the Killeen project is delayed as there was still no capital allocation given from the department. This allocation also affected the provision of housing grant funding.
Cllr John O’Malley said that he was bombarded with people contacting him every day about the essential repairs grants, with many submitting their application a year ago and still awaiting a response. The Fine Gael councillor said that it was ironic that the “green Minister” has announced €100 million for insulation, where every “Tom Dick and Harry” whose house was built before 1996 without a means test can apply, yet the old and vulnerable cannot get their windows and door replaced with the essential repairs grants.
Fianna Fáil councillor Adams said that it was important to focus on what has been done, with many looked after by the mobility grants, and Cllr Adams said that she looks forward to second round of funding for maintenance grants.
Mr Keating explained that at present there is some €2 million worth of housing grant approvals and until the council receives an allocation, expected after the forthcoming budget, further work will not be approved.
Councillors disappointed with Westport United’s planning refusal
The recent decision by An Bord Pleanála to turn down a planning application for Westport United’s new pitch, which was raised at the meeting by Cathaoirleach of the town Councillor Martin Keane, led to councillors offering their support to the club if needed and condemning the decision as “disappointing”.
Cllr Adams said that both town and area councillors had pledged money to upgrade the road leading to the ground if a planning decision was granted and that with the “disappointing decision” the doors are still open to Westport United if they need further assistance.
Her party colleague Cllr Chambers said that this decision was a disappointment for the community’s needs, and that with the draft development plan of the town being reviewed the needs of the community must be taken on board with greater focus on quality of life of people.
Fine Gael councillor John O’Malley said that he was “absolutely devastated “by the news and couldn’t understand the mentality of stopping a sports group from being developed, while Cllr Austin Francis O’Malley said that the turning down of the development resulted in the stagnation of other projects in the area.
Childcare facility for Louisburgh
Cllr Austin Francis O’Malley welcomed the news that disposal of land at Ard Caher, Louisburgh, would enable a childcare project— which has capital funding and planning permission to construct such facilities.
Road reconstructed in Newport
Engineer Michael Lyons told area members that the regional road R311 in the townlands of Clooneshill and Cuilemore, Newport would be realigned and reconstructed for 790 metres towards Newport, with the acquisition of land from three landowners.
Cllr Chambers said there should be a verge in the road to allow people to walk or cycle on it. Cllr Adams concurred that all new roads should have walk or cycle lanes
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Newport will have one voice
Cllr Keith Martin says Newport will have a strong voice in Mayo County Council when he is elected to Mayo County Council in June. Cllr Martin made his comments when wishing outgoing Newport County Councillor Frank Chambers a "happy and restful retirement" following Cllr Chamber's decision to bow out of politics after 30 years of service.
Cllr Keith Martin pledged that he will hold clinics on "both sides of the Black Oak River" to ensure that Newport's issues are addressed and raised in Mayo County Council following Cllr Chamber's departure.
According to Cllr Martin "I will represent the people of Newport town from the river to Furnace whether or not they can vote for me in June. It defies logic and common sense to include Newport in the Belmullet Electoral Area. Newport and Westport are only miles apart and for Newport's administration to be based out of Belmullet 60 miles away makes no sense. It was a lazy way for the Electoral Boundaries Commission to solve a problem for the Belmullet Electoral Area at the expense of the people of Newport.
"Newport is the social and community centre for a large area on both sides of the river and I will ensure that Newport is serviced effectively by Mayo County Council and that the voice of Newport from Meddicott Street to Knocknageeha is heard as one voice in the chamber of Mayo County Council, and not two.
"I will be holding clinics in the coming weeks in Newport and I expect these to be well attended by people from both sides of the river and they will be most welcome. There will be no discrimination based on a silly decision from Dublin!"
086 0691182
Cllr Keith Martin pledged that he will hold clinics on "both sides of the Black Oak River" to ensure that Newport's issues are addressed and raised in Mayo County Council following Cllr Chamber's departure.
According to Cllr Martin "I will represent the people of Newport town from the river to Furnace whether or not they can vote for me in June. It defies logic and common sense to include Newport in the Belmullet Electoral Area. Newport and Westport are only miles apart and for Newport's administration to be based out of Belmullet 60 miles away makes no sense. It was a lazy way for the Electoral Boundaries Commission to solve a problem for the Belmullet Electoral Area at the expense of the people of Newport.
"Newport is the social and community centre for a large area on both sides of the river and I will ensure that Newport is serviced effectively by Mayo County Council and that the voice of Newport from Meddicott Street to Knocknageeha is heard as one voice in the chamber of Mayo County Council, and not two.
"I will be holding clinics in the coming weeks in Newport and I expect these to be well attended by people from both sides of the river and they will be most welcome. There will be no discrimination based on a silly decision from Dublin!"
086 0691182
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