Local Elections 2014: What issues will you be raising with candidates on the door?

Mr. G · 07-03-2014 12:54am #1

With local elections in May, what questions will you be asking canvassers when they come calling to your door?

With household charges, water metering, flood defence and planning dominating the news over the past year, the forthcoming local elections are set to be a lively affair.

So if a candidate came knocking at your door tomorrow what would you ask them? What issues affect you and yours on a daily basis? What would you like to see changed or introduced? How satisfied are you with the current crowd and what would you like to see changed tomorrow? Do local politics even matter and how should a candidate justify themselves to the electorate?

This thread is intended to raise issues that are important to you, so hopefully local candidates can take notice. Also this thread is to have no canvassing by candidates or party representatives, and any such actions will not be allowed.

We at Boards.ie will be getting in touch with as many candidates as we can, and the aim will be for them to come onto Boards to explain their policies, and to answer the questions that you the posters have posed in this threads. When that time comes we aim to use seperate threads for the candidates so that those threads can be answer and policy specific.

Finally & importantly, we would like this thread to focus on the issues that matter to you & be able to provide the candidates with a clear list of local issues as seen by local posters. If you wish to debate the issues raised - we will create a separate thread.

Johnboy1951 · 07-03-2014 12:54pm

Q. for party candidates

On what issues are you prepared to vote against the party line?

haybob · 07-03-2014 5:09pm

Jobs
Blakes Corners
Roads
Hedge cutting

ger664 · 07-03-2014 8:57pm

Rates. They are crippling the Town and county.

dr.fuzzenstein · 11-03-2014 5:41pm

ger664 wrote: »

Rates. They are crippling the Town and county.

The logic there being "rates take is down, let's up rates"
I honestly don't think any more thought than that goes into it.
If there was a Monster Raving Looney Party, I'd vote for them, otherwise you're just pissing into the wind voting.

Round Bale · 12-03-2014 11:05am

Discussions with canvassers in my house, will be delegated to the dog:cool:

Claregirl · 14-03-2014 12:54am

Seriously what's the point in raising issues??

Hospitals? - don't have any
Water? - talk to Bord Gais
Roads? - talk to NRA
Property Tax / Household Charge? Gone to Europe
Driver Licences - talk to NDLS
Refuse Service - Gone

Value for Money? http://www.clarechampion.ie/mayors-claim-more-than-e40000-in-2013/

So what exactly are we paying for? Increasing Rates, junkets to the States and the decimation of our town and county?

Can anyone here give an example of a councillor providing anything other than what you are already entitled to?

Round Bale · 14-03-2014 10:34am

Claregirl wrote: »

Seriously what's the point in raising issues??

Hospitals? - don't have any
Water? - talk to Bord Gais
Roads? - talk to NRA
Property Tax / Household Charge? Gone to Europe
Driver Licences - talk to NDLS
Refuse Service - Gone

Value for Money? http://www.clarechampion.ie/mayors-claim-more-than-e40000-in-2013/

So what exactly are we paying for? Increasing Rates, junkets to the States and the decimation of our town and county?

Can anyone here give an example of a councillor providing anything other than what you are already entitled to?

Since Enda Kenny's, "call me anytime, about anything", speech in Washington yesterday, all councillors have become totally redundant.
We can now go straight to the top. Why bother faffing around with an underling:cool:

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/enda-kenny-call-me-anytime-30092244.html

Claregirl · 14-03-2014 9:56pm

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NO-Cold-callers-WE-KNOW-WHO-WE-ARE-VOTING-FOR-WE-HAVE-JESUS-Sticker-Vinyl-DOOR-/161164924841

Would this do the trick?

kollegeknight · 17-03-2014 10:00am

For me, it will be the new building regulations that have passed. any FG/Lab counsellors that come near me will get it with both barrels.
I do think parking in ennis needs to be looked at also.

ulinbac · 17-03-2014 10:16pm

- I agree with water rates but would want to know the price hikes and how to keep them at a minimum

- How they will account for EVERY PENNY in the property tax and how often reports will be published with income matching expenditure

- Roads: the Lahinch road being the most dangerous in the country AFAIK

- The big one is parking in town and getting the first half hour free should be a definite

- The IDA and Enterprise Ireland have offices in UL, what plans (if any) are there to bring some of the jobs they are creating to Clare

- Business' in town have been paying water rates for years and its extortionate the rates. These need to decrease to help business' grow

- What is being done to attract tourists? I have always thought that Ennis would be a very good place to host an All-Ireland weekend for the LGBT community. It would bring a great buzz to the town and the LGBT community are great drinkers and not afraid to spend

golfball37 · 18-03-2014 4:32pm

Why are we expected to pay for tap water we cannot consume.

poppyvally · 18-03-2014 6:28pm

golfball37 wrote: »

Why are we expected to pay for tap water we cannot consume.

I'm led to believe that the tap water in Ennis is perfect for drinking. Didint we get a super water treatment plant a few short years ago. Has something gone wrong?

dr.fuzzenstein · 19-03-2014 9:22am

poppyvally wrote: »

I'm led to believe that the tap water in Ennis is perfect for drinking. Didint we get a super water treatment plant a few short years ago. Has something gone wrong?

I think building more and more sophisticated treatment plants is a shining example of refusing to acknowledge the root of the problem:
Why is the water so poor in the first place? And the fact that no one is prepared to tackle the real reasons for it. Thousands of leaky septic tanks and millions of gallons of cowsh*t being spread around.
Of course that would upset all the people in one-off housing and the farmers, no politician would dare to do that.
The septic tank inspection is a step in the right direction, but look at all the demonstrations along the lines of "I have a right to sh*t on the countryside!"
I'm afraid with water, as with everything else, it's a case of "crap in-crap out"
If your water came from a river and that river had to flow through a cesspool, would you filter the water and drink it, or would you do something about that big pool of sh*te?

golfball37 · 19-03-2014 1:06pm

poppyvally wrote: »

I'm led to believe that the tap water in Ennis is perfect for drinking. Didint we get a super water treatment plant a few short years ago. Has something gone wrong?

Haven't been able to drink ours for years anyway. I live in town

periodictable · 21-03-2014 1:08am

Why it takes 4-5 man crew to go fix potholes.
No planner has lost their job since the building bust...why?
Same old faces...why should I vote for an older person?
Why are council tenants not held accountable for damage to their homes?
No more money for Traveller accommodation. It's money down the drain.
No subsidy for farmers to cut their hedges-it's a legal requirement so make them do it.
Overhaul of planning requirements for new houses.....planners are NOT architects.
Cut Glor and Cliffs of Moher Centre loose to make a profit on their own.

Round Bale · 31-03-2014 9:45am

dr.fuzzenstein wrote: »

I think building more and more sophisticated treatment plants is a shining example of refusing to acknowledge the root of the problem:
Why is the water so poor in the first place? And the fact that no one is prepared to tackle the real reasons for it. Thousands of leaky septic tanks and millions of gallons of cowsh*t being spread around.
Of course that would upset all the people in one-off housing and the farmers, no politician would dare to do that.
The septic tank inspection is a step in the right direction, but look at all the demonstrations along the lines of "I have a right to sh*t on the countryside!"
I'm afraid with water, as with everything else, it's a case of "crap in-crap out"
If your water came from a river and that river had to flow through a cesspool, would you filter the water and drink it, or would you do something about that big pool of sh*te?

Do you actually know ANYTHING about the spreading of cow****?

Massive controls and regulations are strictly applied to the storage and spreading of farm slurry. Farmers in Clare, have to have six months storage facilities, which have to meet dept standards.
Spreading can onll be done between mid February and late October.

It's fair to say, agriculture has seriously cleaned up it's act with regard to slurry in the past decade or so.

dr.fuzzenstein · 31-03-2014 10:00am

Round Bale wrote: »

Do you actually know ANYTHING about the spreading of cow****?

Massive controls and regulations are strictly applied to the storage and spreading of farm slurry. Farmers in Clare, have to have six months storage facilities, which have to meet dept standards.
Spreading can onll be done between mid February and late October.

It's fair to say, agriculture has seriously cleaned up it's act with regard to slurry in the past decade or so.

I know that there's usually a correlation between areas where cowsh*te is prevalent and areas with boil notices, this even applied to where I lived in Bavaria.
I would also guess that a small island with something like 20 millions head of cattle will have an issue with the resulting waste product.
And that the timeframe when it's spread is not entirely relevant, since the time of year has little or nothing to do whether it finds it's way into streams, rivers or groundwater.
Of course things have improved, but my point remains:
When you have water and sh*t, it's bad to mix the two. There are two sources for sh*t in Ireland and it's farm animals and septic tanks.
Much has improved, but more needs to be done.
Building hugely complex and expensive water treatment plants that allow us to drink the contaminated water has been a very expensive way of allowing us to further ignore the issue.

Carry · 01-04-2014 1:10am

What I would ask a candidate knocking at my door is:
What power does a local councillor actually have?

It's a futile question because they don't have any power to move anything. They are just administrators for government policy.

Fine, they do the usual local pompousness flutter, look pensively at potholes, have a pint with the farmers and see to it that their cronies go on the fast lane.

But they actually can't do anything to change the world or at least the locality (well ... the parish pump, maybe).

So asking them about jobs, infrastructure, tourism and what not is pointless.
They might have an opinion on it, but they certainly don't have any power to do anything useful about any issue. The decisions are made in Dublin. The local councillors are just there to maintain the government policy - and feeling important.

Or has anyone another experience? Would be glad to hear about it.

Round Bale · 02-04-2014 2:04pm

Carry wrote: »

What I would ask a candidate knocking at my door is:
What power does a local councillor actually have?

It's a futile question because they don't have any power to move anything. They are just administrators for government policy.

Fine, they do the usual local pompousness flutter, look pensively at potholes, have a pint with the farmers and see to it that their cronies go on the fast lane.

But they actually can't do anything to change the world or at least the locality (well ... the parish pump, maybe).

So asking them about jobs, infrastructure, tourism and what not is pointless.
They might have an opinion on it, but they certainly don't have any power to do anything useful about any issue. The decisions are made in Dublin. The local councillors are just there to maintain the government policy - and feeling important.

Or has anyone another experience? Would be glad to hear about it.

So the councillors, have some sort of axis of evil, with the farming community? Spending morning noon and night together in the pub, plotting how to stay in the fast lane together, to the detriment of upstanding, righteous, hard working citizens, of the state such as yourself, and all the other non councillors and non farmers. :eek:

muggles · 10-04-2014 10:32am

Does anyone have, or know where you can get, a list of those who have declared themselves to date for each of the Clare areas?

poppyvally · 20-04-2014 11:49pm

Round Bale wrote: »

So the councillors, have some sort of axis of evil, with the farming community? Spending morning noon and night together in the pub, plotting how to stay in the fast lane together, to the detriment of upstanding, righteous, hard working citizens, of the state such as yourself, and all the other non councillors and non farmers. :eek:

Unfortunatly they have the power to re-zone land which got us into the sh!t in the first place

Claregirl · 21-04-2014 10:49pm

This would probably be worth asking about.

http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/lives-of-firefighters-at-risk-under-new-plan-265865.html

golfball37 · 22-04-2014 2:48pm

A Labour guy left a flyer in my letterbox with a note saying sorry I missed you. He never even knocked as we were in the living room and saw him coming up the driveway.

Is their new tactic? Drop and run

Clareman · 22-04-2014 6:02pm

golfball37 wrote: »

A Labour guy left a flyer in my letterbox with a note saying sorry I missed you. He never even knocked as we were in the living room and saw him coming up the driveway.

Is their new tactic? Drop and run

Few candidates do this to make it faster to do an area and to avoid difficult questions. I got 1 from a guy on Monday morning when I was out walking my daughter, 9am on a Bank Holiday Monday canvasing I thought was a bit much till I met the guy putting them through the letterboxes, simple mail delivery service rather than a canvas.

Lady Chatterton · 22-04-2014 8:21pm

golfball37 wrote: »

A Labour guy left a flyer in my letterbox with a note saying sorry I missed you. He never even knocked as we were in the living room and saw him coming up the driveway.

Is their new tactic? Drop and run

I'd imagine that government party candidates (particularly Labour) aren't too anxious to meet people at the moment.

crazyguy01 · 23-04-2014 9:08pm

Probably bordering on Europe as much as local but did anybody speak to Michael Martin/Timmy Dooley around Ennis today?
The reaction from people around Dunnes and up into the market did not seem too enthusiastic as I just happened to pass them twice.

NotInventedHere · 23-04-2014 9:10pm

periodictable wrote: »

Overhaul of planning requirements for new houses.....planners are NOT architects.

correct

Clareman · 23-04-2014 9:18pm

crazyguy01 wrote: »

Probably bordering on Europe as much as local but did anybody speak to Michael Martin/Timmy Dooley around Ennis today?
The reaction from people around Dunnes and up into the market did not seem too enthusiastic as I just happened to pass them twice.

Strangely enough, as much I don't have much time for Mr. Dooley or FF, FF getting back into power could mean a very powerful Ministerial position for him, he seems to be 1 of the top FF TD's now.

dr.fuzzenstein · 23-04-2014 9:27pm

crazyguy01 wrote: »

Probably bordering on Europe as much as local but did anybody speak to Michael Martin/Timmy Dooley around Ennis today?
The reaction from people around Dunnes and up into the market did not seem too enthusiastic as I just happened to pass them twice.

Despite everything that happened under the current government (and it has to be said it had to happen) people haven't forgotten what happened under the last government. And the current FF leader doesn't help, he is too much associated with the rot and culture of corruption that is synonymous with them.
Whether he had anything to do with it is almost irrelevant, politics is all about image.
FF in its current form is completely unelectable, they may gain a few points, but hopefully won't get in. If they do, there is no hope for this country.
I'm not saying they'll never get elected again, but they'll have to be completely reformed.

Clareman · 23-04-2014 9:31pm

FF are like a lot of sport teams that were successful for a long time, in order for them to rebuild they will have to get a completely new team together, the next election will probably be soon soon for them but they'll be back soon after that. Clare is also a very FF county, I wouldn't be surprised if they get a high percentage of the vote in the local elections.

Lisbeth Salander · 23-04-2014 9:37pm

I will be asking where they stand on evictions, why the sheriff is acting against his powers, why the courts are handing down these orders to the sheriff when they have no powers to act in repossession of a family home?

I will be asking what their view on Internships are, if they are in favor of them or if they think that they are just decreasing any possibility of a real job being created.

If they genuinely think that people can afford the new water charge or if they are really that out of touch with people.

Clareman · 23-04-2014 9:55pm

Lisbeth Salander wrote: »

I will be asking where they stand on evictions, why the sheriff is acting against his powers, why the courts are handing down these orders to the sheriff when they have no powers to act in repossession of a family home?

I will be asking what their view on Internships are, if they are in favor of them or if they think that they are just decreasing any possibility of a real job being created.

If they genuinely think that people can afford the new water charge or if they are really that out of touch with people.

As local representatives they will have no impact on any of the above, I would imagine that if any politician was asked those types of questions they would gauge by the person asking them the way they wanted them to be answered and answer that way.

golfball37 · 25-04-2014 3:24pm

Clareman wrote: »

As local representatives they will have no impact on any of the above, I would imagine that if any politician was asked those types of questions they would gauge by the person asking them the way they wanted them to be answered and answer that way.

In a nutshell. Politicians can be all things to everyone and thats their craft.

poppyvally · 25-04-2014 10:33pm

I'm back to drinking bottled water, as I believe the amounts of FLOURIDE in our domestic water is not strictly controlled. Some days I can smell the bloody stuff! I know it's difficult to filter flouride out of drinking water so I checked out the popular bottled waters. Evian was tops, also Volvic. No flouride!

Johnboy1951 · 26-04-2014 1:06am

poppyvally wrote: »

I'm back to drinking bottled water, as I believe the amounts of FLOURIDE in our domestic water is not strictly controlled. Some days I can smell the bloody stuff! I know it's difficult to filter flouride out of drinking water so I checked out the popular bottled waters. Evian was tops, also Volvic. No flouride!

Make that every day here

CptSternn · 28-04-2014 11:29am

In regards to candidates and canvassing it seems most of them still rely on antiquated means of communication. That bothers me. I would vote for any candidate who stands up to the culture of waste and brings us real change.

For example, election posters. Why? Seriously, in today's day and age why does anyone spend thousands on such a waste of money which damages the environment and no one really gives two shytes about? Although I did not vote for him Sean Gallagher had the right idea when he decided to have no posters at all for his campaign (and he came close to winning). I thought he really made a statement with this.

Then there are the people drop leaflets in my postbox. Again, why? You have an army of your friends wasting their evenings doing the job of the post office because you are too cheap to pay for stamps. Better yet, have a website and again save money and time.

But the most annoying thing I find is canvassers who do not know where their candidate stands on the important issues. This is a big pet peeve. Ask them a real question about water charges, abortion, or a good one to really throw them - coursing and they act like you asked them to recite the Constitution verbatim. If you do not know where the candidate stands, why are you trying to get me to vote for them? Because they live near you? You are related? Seriously, none of those are good enough reasons to vote for someone.

Needless to say I have fun with any and all canvassers during the run up to elections.

So my questions would be about water charges, where they stand

A womans right to abortion, where they stand

Coursing (as this for some reason in many areas is more hotly debated than abortion and makes most uncomfortable)

And of course, where they stand with wasting peoples time and resources on stupid antiquated electioneering as outlined above. This is a great one to close with.

periodictable · 06-05-2014 12:57pm

golfball37 wrote: »

In a nutshell. Politicians can be all things to everyone and thats their craft.

"...Because that now it lies you on to speak
To the people; not by your own instruction,
Nor by the matter which your heart prompts you,
But with such words that are but rooted in
Your tongue, though but bastards and syllables
Of no allowance to your bosom's truth..."

Volumnia's advice to Coriolanus when he sought election

Carry · 08-05-2014 12:45am

Now I would be interested what issues you actually raised with candidates? That is, if you bothered at all.
And I'd like to know the responses. Could be fun

I had a candidate at my door today, with a very aggressive attitude which he probably confused with confidence, accompanied by a local guy I actually know who was deeply embarassed and prefered to enjoy the view or study his toes and the gravel.

I asked him what he actually can do to change things or what influence he has, since policies are done in Dublin not in Ennis.

He said, that he can help people to get things done.

Like what, said I.

I did something for you already, he said.

Yeah right - I phoned him years ago as a builder (recommended by a neighbour) because I needed two new windows. He came along said he'll send someone, which he did, I got the windows and paid for it. Handsomely.

I said, that's your job, innit? And you cashed in?
But what can you do as a politician?

I can do anything you want - he got slightly annoyed.

So what exactly?

Just call me and I do whatever you want or need.

And swanned off to the relief of the guy who must by now know the very details of his toes and the gravel in front of my door.

I'd like to take him by his word.
Like, I need someone to clear the overgrown patch behind my house or get me decent wine without the equally overgrown tax or such like ...

Not to mention the more pressing issues for the country.

But as we all know it's all talk and no action.

I'd like to meet a candidate yet who actually talks politics, to discuss things, not babbling parochial shyte.

Any experiences?

His respones were a bit longer, but I zoomed out after I got bored with his stilted and bland phrases and thought about dinner.

Claregirl · 09-05-2014 1:20am

Final List of candidates here (local elections): http://www.clare.fm/news/final-list-clare-local-election-candidates-confirmed

My OH said he heard a piece on Clare FM today with some of the candidates and he wouldn't vote for any of them on the basis of what he heard no policies just more of the I'll sort ye out I'll get things done - same vein as in Carry's post above :rolleyes:

Clareman · 09-05-2014 7:24am

To be fair to the candidates who say they'll look after you when you need them, at least they are being honest. I've seen some candidates saying that they are going to sort out water rates or other stuff, pie in the sky, they can't do anything except local really. 1 candidate had in their manifesto that they were going to get an app created to allow people register their problems, what a waste of money, another was going to setup cheap creches, again, pie in the sky.

cgarvey · 09-05-2014 7:45am

Claregirl wrote: »

My OH said he heard a piece on Clare FM today with some of the candidates and he wouldn't vote for any of them

Listened to John Cook (who was a great chair in the debate) for about an hour with the Ennis area candidates on. Not one of them (from seasoned councillors, to inter-party switchers, to new candidates) seemed to grasp what was within their remit as a councillor. Cooke had to correct a number of the candidates numerous times.

The newest candidate/party seemed to be interested in going on about how the established parties had done nothing, but had not one single idea to bring to the table when she was asked for ideas on employment, tourism, and property tax.

Depressing stuff, to be honest (even if that was just a sample of the candidates in a short debate).

ulinbac · 09-05-2014 8:34am

Who or what are FIS NUA?

No real stand out candidates. A few who could stir it up for a laugh but nobody who gives me confidence. That said I dont know them all.

Wont be home to vote either way. Makes me think if I ever mives home to run but would probably lose as don't know many people back home anymore.

Working on trading systems isnt really transferrable but Maybe the arguements and presentations and amount of ****e I have to tak is

cgarvey · 09-05-2014 9:21am

ulinbac wrote: »

Who or what are FIS NUA?

I'm guessing that's the question most listeners would have asked, especially after Vera spoke each time!

They have a website (with candidates for EU and local elections), with very, very vague policies most of which have nothing to do with either EU or local elections.

dr.fuzzenstein · 09-05-2014 9:34am

cgarvey wrote: »

I'm guessing that's the question most listeners would have asked, especially after Vera spoke each time!

They have a website (with candidates for EU and local elections), with very, very vague policies most of which have nothing to do with either EU or local elections.

Now there's dangerous, deluded hogwash if I ever saw it.
If they got in, Ireland would look like Afghanistan in a week.

periodictable · 09-05-2014 10:46am

cgarvey wrote: »

They have a website (with candidates for EU and local elections), with very, very vague policies most of which have nothing to do with either EU or local elections.

Load of Bollixology. People need to be responsible and productive and to stop looking to the government to subsidize their lifestyle choice.Nothing comes from nothing.
Considering they want to roll back progress, presumably they would like to do away with modern medicines.
With this gang we'd be living under the hedgeqrows and weaving willow baskets.

ger664 · 09-05-2014 1:38pm

Local elections and councils are a waste of time what can they do ? nothing, as has been proved time and time again, Enda runs the show thats it end off. Whatever Enda says goes. Labour, Shatter and Lucinda learnt this the hard way.

Carry · 09-05-2014 9:51pm

Clareman wrote: »

To be fair to the candidates who say they'll look after you when you need them, at least they are being honest.

Not in my experience, about the looking after or at least give advice.

I once was asking around in the neighbourhood to get advice for a grant for a new thatched roof. (It's complicated because at that time you've got a grant from the national heritage council and one from the local council)

People told me to ask the local councillor, whom I got hold of in the local pub eventually (where else :rolleyes:)

He said that he is the right man to ask (supping his pint and beaming), what's the problem.

I asked him, what is the best way to apply for the grant and where? Do you know someone who is responsible and can you actually help me to get in contact?

A simple question in the realms of a councillor, I thought.

His smile disappeared, instead you could see his three ff-braincells frantically moving around - because he actually didn't know.

Eventually he told me to call the local council to get advice.

That was something I never had thought of myself, while asking a local councillor, now wasn't I ...:rolleyes:

What was that again? We'll fix it, call me if you need help ....

These people wouldn't know their backside from their elbow, but promise you everything.

Useless, absolutely useless.

I eventually found out all on my own whom to contact, by the way. But the responsible officer for the grant was as useless as anything, even too lazy to do a survey for the grant. I payed for preserving Irish heritage all on my own eventually. But that's another story.

Did I mention useless?

Mr. G · 10-05-2014 11:59am

I have deleted the last 2 posts and issued Pilate with a warning. Please remember to keep things on topic and civil at the same time. Thanks

pilate 1 · 10-05-2014 12:27pm

point taken mr g. however being civil should also include posts directed to particular candidates and their parties.bringing up their occupations,drinking habits and politicial affilliations in such negative tones is in itself going way off topic.ie what issues will you raise.
the thread is not about having a go at elected reps. or is it

Mr. G · 10-05-2014 12:55pm

pilate 1 wrote: »

point taken mr g. however being civil should also include posts directed to particular candidates and their parties.bringing up their occupations,drinking habits and politicial affilliations in such negative tones is in itself going way off topic.ie what issues will you raise.
the thread is not about having a go at elected reps. or is it

This thread is not for having a go at an elected representative, rather more for bringing up issues in your local area and what you would like done about it. Please read the OP. Carry did not name the representative whom was in the pub.

Please don't question a Mod's decision on-thread as it de-rails it, instead please PM a Mod.

Local Elections 2014: What issues will you be raising with candidates on the door?

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