Laois Local Elections 2009

El Che

Its getting close to Election Time again. Anyone have any opinions on the way things are in Laois at the moment? Any funny story of visiting politicians or prospective candidates?

mr. vain

Im living in the portlaoise area and Ive had a few hopefulls knock on my door already. Pat buggy, Jim O Brien and Alan Hand.
The race is on , may the best team win.

Brand New

Come on Fianna Fail! Some Sinn Fein eejits called around. Like they even have a hope.

Danno

Had a visit from Ray Fitzpatrick, I thought he was very environmentally focussed for a Labour candidate!

CCCP^

Who do Fianna Fail have running in Laois?

mr. vain

CCCP^ wrote: »

Who do Fianna Fail have running in Laois?

Tony Walsh, Liam Phelan, John joe Fennelly, Ray Cribban, Jerry lodge, Dick Miller, Pascal Mc evoy, Larry Phelan, Paddy Bracken, Seamus Mcdonald, Tolita Horan, Catherine Fitzgerald, Willie Murphy, Pauric Fleming,.

Let me know if Ive left out anybody, thats most of them.

CCCP^

mr. vain wrote: »

Liam Phelan

Wtf? Is that a joke?

mr. vain

CCCP^ wrote: »

Wtf? Is that a joke?

No Joke, Liam is standing for election for Fianna Fail in Portlaoise.

He,s quite young alright but who knows? We will have the resuts on sat 6th june.

CCCP^

Jesus Christ. Say what you will about the quality of the other Fianna Fail candidates, but what experience does that lad have?

mr. vain

CCCP^ wrote: »

Jesus Christ. Say what you will about the quality of the other Fianna Fail candidates, but what experience does that lad have?

Look he is young and he is involved with the local Gaa, surely he wil get a few votes.

CCCP^

mr. vain wrote: »

Look he is young and he is involved with the local Gaa, surely he wil get a few votes.

Is that all it takes for Fianna Fail in Laois? Put somebody from the GAA on a ticket and SURELY somebody will vote for him? I think that's a joke. I think that's rather cynical of them and says alot for what they think of the people of Laois - which isn't alot.

They think they can stick a popular lad with GAA connections onto a ticket and get some votes. What the **** happened to somebody going on the ticket who had a genuine interest in the best interests of Laois? Somebody who has serious experience and capability and has worked in the community?

Fianna Fail must be desperate.

mr. vain

CCCP^ wrote: »

Is that all it takes for Fianna Fail in Laois? Put somebody from the GAA on a ticket and SURELY somebody will vote for him? I think that's a joke. I think that's rather cynical of them and says alot for what they think of the people of Laois - which isn't alot.

They think they can stick a popular lad with GAA connections onto a ticket and get some votes. What the **** happened to somebody going on the ticket who had a genuine interest in the best interests of Laois? Somebody who has serious experience and capability and has worked in the community?

Fianna Fail must be desperate.

Ok fair enough. who is working hard in this area and deserves a vote ?

Ms K Sir A

Am I the only one who thinks, given the current climate especially, that we should be insisting that our representatives should have to qualify for their privilege to be voted for by having at least a degree in Economics, Law etc? Instead we have a popularity contest that smacks of the stupidity of the beauty pageant to vote in our leaders.

"It's not what you know, it's who you know", keeps ringing in my ears.

Show me their qualifications.

mr. vain

Ms K Sir A wrote: »

Am I the only one who thinks, given the current climate especially, that we should be insisting that our representatives should have to qualify for their privilege to be voted for by having at least a degree in Economics, Law etc? Instead we have a popularity contest that smacks of the stupidity of the beauty pageant to vote in our leaders.

"It's not what you know, it's who you know", keeps ringing in my ears.

Show me their qualifications.

Look you have a point, but we should have candidates from all walks of life. Will you be voting in the laois local elections? and if so for whom?

ports best

i will be voteing in the laois elections and i will be voteing for the independant paul mitchell and for sinn fein aidan mullins, i will not be voteing for fianna fail i.e ray cribbin or willie murphy to me there just a joke completely useless, at least mitchell and mullins will show a bit of interest in local issues the other two just dont care

Ms K Sir A

mr. vain wrote: »

Look you have a point, but we should have candidates from all walks of life.

If your point is that once a person becomes educated they stop being from the walk of life they were from prior to education....

Perhaps you might argue that once a person becomes elected... they equally stop being from that walk of life they were from before no?
Or is it possible that an education effects these people while the massive salary, beauty treatments, dining in the company of famous people, invites to big events, new found power etc doesn't alter a person?

At the very least.... once a person decides they wish to rally our support for election, I think they have a duty to us to get their asses into the classroom. I can't become a garda to serve and protect the people without an education, even though I know the difference between right and wrong. Why should I be permitted to represent the people without an education?

CCCP^

It's just very insulting to the Democratic process that Fianna Fail have picked this guy because they believe his background in the GAA will garner votes - "ah sure he's a good lad and plays GAA, vote for him!" That mentality I cannot stand at all.

A candidate should first and foremost care about their town, care about the people in it and the issues affecting them. And thats people from all over the town and all over the county. I have serious doubts that Liam Phelan gives a flying **** about people in, say, Lakeglen or Knockmay or O' Moore Place or any other disadvantaged area in Laois. Yes those are rough areas, but they're also areas which need serious attention if they are to improve and not just be a sorespot to be avoided. I doubt you'll see Liam knocking on any doors down there.

Infact I doubt you'll hear him make any serious political statements or opinions, I doubt you'll see him make any real stands for any real causes.

Matt Santos

Has anyone any hard data as to how many 1st preference votes a candidate would need to garner to get elected in the 1st count?
Or how many 1st preference votes gets you over the line down the count process?

sydthebeat

Matt Santos wrote: »

Has anyone any hard data as to how many 1st preference votes a candidate would need to garner to get elected in the 1st count?
Or how many 1st preference votes gets you over the line down the count process?

http://electionsireland.org/results/local/council.cfm?election=2004L&area=257

heres the results from the 2004 elections

it appears jerry lodge at 667 votes made the quota for 1st preferences at the lowest level... others needed transfers......

mr. vain

ports best wrote: »

i will be voteing in the laois elections and i will be voteing for the independant paul mitchell and for sinn fein aidan mullins, i will not be voteing for fianna fail i.e ray cribbin or willie murphy to me there just a joke completely useless, at least mitchell and mullins will show a bit of interest in local issues the other two just dont care

Good Choice on your behalf. I will be voting that way here in portlaoise, I HAVE MY MIND MADE UP. SF IND LAB IN that order 1, 2, 3

DJCR

Brand New wrote: »

Come on Fianna Fail! Some Sinn Fein eejits called around. Like they even have a hope.

mr. vain wrote: »

Good Choice on your behalf. I will be voting that way here in portlaoise, I HAVE MY MIND MADE UP. SF IND LAB IN that order 1, 2, 3

Quick Q on the "Sinn Fein eejits", I'm not a Shinner by any stretch of the Imagination but is Brian Stanley running. I've met him on a few occasions, he's heavily involved in the community... does a lot of good work. Nice bloke too...

Anyone be able to tell me please?? He would definately be hogh up on my list of preferences!!

(You know its a classic case of local politics vs. national politics)!!

ports best

i will be voteing IND SF AND LAB in that order, fianna fail have had it to handy for a long time around portarlington and with paul mitchell and aidan mullins they will be a good change and they will do alot for the community as they are already doing

Roaster

I voted PD last time because unlike the rest they actually did some good for our residents. I won't go into detail but I had exhausted all other avenues (and that includes Paul Mitchell) and when I contacted Tom Parlon he actually got stuff done. I won't be voting Mitchell as I've heard stories regards planning, etc..

I also had the shinners collecting at the door the other night and when I mentioned that they'd better have a good mandate for the elections, well the look I got. All these muppets think they can just knock on a door say who they are and walk away.

It's going to be hard to decide who to vote for as I don't thinking there will be much (if any) funding to improve infrastructure in Laois.

voodoo

Guys,

You cant be serious about Mitchell! He has done feck all for the town as far as I can make out! He spends more time out in Bulgaria working on his development projects than doing what he should for the town.

I am neutral on Sinn Fein, but I know Aidan Mullins and he is a good guy! Seems very sincere and someone you could trust to get something done.

Ray Cribbin, despite what people think is actually a nice guy, will help the "average joe" if they need anything. Not so sure if he really does anything proactive for the town though!

Agree with Willie Murphy, dont know how that muppet got in in the first place...

As for the rest of them, it's going to be a tough one! There was a guy from Portlaoise running for Labour last time that I thought seemed good so will be giving him a second thought this year!

mr. vain

voodoo wrote: »

Guys,

You cant be serious about Mitchell! He has done feck all for the town as far as I can make out! He spends more time out in Bulgaria working on his development projects than doing what he should for the town.

I am neutral on Sinn Fein, but I know Aidan Mullins and he is a good guy! Seems very sincere and someone you could trust to get something done.

Ray Cribbin, despite what people think is actually a nice guy, will help the "average joe" if they need anything. Not so sure if he really does anything proactive for the town though!

Agree with Willie Murphy, dont know how that muppet got in in the first place...

As for the rest of them, it's going to be a tough one! There was a guy from Portlaoise running for Labour last time that I thought seemed good so will be giving him a second thought this year!

Good stuff, only thing is Labour dont have anyone from Portlaoise this time im sorry to say. There is a guy from a village 15 miles away near Offaly who has put his name forward for Portlaoise. Good luck to him.

mr. vain

DJCR wrote: »

Quick Q on the "Sinn Fein eejits", I'm not a Shinner by any stretch of the Imagination but is Brian Stanley running. I've met him on a few occasions, he's heavily involved in the community... does a lot of good work. Nice bloke too...

Anyone be able to tell me please?? He would definately be hogh up on my list of preferences!!

(You know its a classic case of local politics vs. national politics)!!

He is running alright and is trying to get a running mate in with him this time.

Independent01

Anyone know what's happening in Emo and Luggacurren on the election front?

emcc

http://www.micandidate.eu/default.aspx

DJCR

emcc wrote: »

http://www.micandidate.eu/default.aspx

Thanks for that:-

I think its amazing:-

In Portlaoise

Fine Gael - 6 candidates
Fianna Fail - 4 candidates
Sinn Fein - 1 candidate (though 2 has been mentioned on the forum)
Labour - 1 Candidate (shocker :eek::eek::eek::eek:)

I'm really surprised at Labour.....

For a party that's ready to rule (and had a surge in popularity) it sure isn't putting itself out there!!!

sydthebeat

emcc wrote: »

http://www.micandidate.eu/default.aspx

no independants???

Independent01

Am suprised at the low level of independent and labour candidates. I definitely thought labour would put a few more in place.

the_barfly1

No independant candidates? Thats a shame.

So let's send portlaoise down the sh1tter again for another few years then.

Party politics is what has this country in a mess, people who have to tow party lines rather than think for themselves.

Independent01

Agree to some extent but perhaps there are members of parties out there who do think of their communities first rather than whatever party they are from. However, from what I have seen the candidates are simply running on whatever party banner or on the back of having a family member as a councillor, td etc., but have done little or nothing at a local level in terms of ordinary peoples issues discounting involvement in GAA. But GAA is the national sport, most of the country are involved in GAA but that does not get a light fixed, or a footpath installed, or ensure that a response is received from council officers. Have all those with independent minds left the country already ........

ports best

lads that dosent seem right, paul mitchell is running and he is indepedant,

sydthebeat

THAT WEBSITE JUST SEEMS TO have party candidates..

francis emerson is also running and shes independent...

moose112

Yeah Tom Jacob in Portlaoise and the Hesh McCormack is back from retirement (going to shoe the footless people all over again)

mr. vain

moose112 wrote: »

Yeah Tom Jacob in Portlaoise and the Hesh McCormack is back from retirement (going to shoe the footless people all over again)

Yeah and Michael Moloney brother of John TD for FF is running as an independent in P/L.

mr. vain

I had canassers at my door tonight from Fianna Fail, Some guy called jack Nolan. I left him with a flea in his ear. Has Anybody else had polititions call in the Portlaoise area.

moose112

mr. vain wrote: »

Some guy called jack Nolan.

You obviously not a local so if you not heard of Jack Nolan

mr. vain

moose112 wrote: »

You obviously not a local so if you not heard of Jack Nolan

Would know some of the Public reps, I knew there was a shop near the main st that cuts keys called J Nolan. Same Guy?

moose112

Yeah same guy alright, he been involved in local politics long time now was the PRO of the laois county board a few years back.
Does commentry for midlands radio on GAA matches, he was one of the people who re-started the patricks day parade, think he also involved in the christmas lights committeee.
As regards to local reps he def seems to be one of the most active

mr. vain

moose112 wrote: »

Yeah same guy alright, he been involved in local politics long time now was the PRO of the laois county board a few years back.
Does commentry for midlands radio on GAA matches, he was one of the people who re-started the patricks day parade, think he also involved in the christmas lights committeee.
As regards to local reps he def seems to be one of the most active

Sounds good, I will consider Jack for a preferance, I promised the two Sinn Féin lads a vote. Both very well versed and they knew the local issues in the estate. Thanks for the info.

JupiterKid

Fianna Fail have brought this country and indeed this county to economic ruin. Anyone who votes for FF candidates frankly needs their head examined.

I'm sick to the teeth of this brainwashed, ignorant and gombeen pattern of voting for sons and daughters of former politicians and voting a certain way because your family votes that way. Can people even think for themselves?:mad: I despair at much of the Irish electorate at times.:(

I will be giving my votes to Labour and FG in that order. I'm also pretty surprised that there aren't more Labour candidates running in Laois. They would pick up votes in the urban areas.

artful_codger

FF did blow the celtic tiger big time, but they blew it on wage inflation in the public sector and cost overruns in infrastructure. Would FG have scrapped the pay deals at the time, or taken over the West Link, or taken us out of the EU so we could control our own interest rates when inflation got out of control? i don't think so. Labour may be the answer to tighter regulation of financial markets, but they're definitely not the answer to our bloated public sector where 350,000 people out of 2 million workers in Ireland are public sector. I've never voted before but i might vote this time as it's more than just taking the pepsi challenge like in previous years. I'd choose someone who has a proper education and achieved something in the real world, like George Lee has, which would tell me a lot more about a person than them sitting on a port pride or tidy town committee.

alternatively, if Tesco run a candidate i'll vote for him/her so we can get a shop in Port.

sharethepain

artful_codger wrote: »

FF did blow the celtic tiger big time, but they blew it on wage inflation in the public sector and cost overruns in infrastructure. Would FG have scrapped the pay deals at the time, or taken over the West Link, or taken us out of the EU so we could control our own interest rates when inflation got out of control? i don't think so. Labour may be the answer to tighter regulation of financial markets, but they're definitely not the answer to our bloated public sector where 350,000 people out of 2 million workers in Ireland are public sector. I've never voted before but i might vote this time as it's more than just taking the pepsi challenge like in previous years. I'd choose someone who has a proper education and achieved something in the real world, like George Lee has, which would tell me a lot more about a person than them sitting on a port pride or tidy town committee.

alternatively, if Tesco run a candidate i'll vote for him/her so we can get a shop in Port.

Tesco's are putting there staff in portlaoise on a 3 day week. I think this has put the Portarlington store in doubt......shame really, and they after bribing certian councillors to rezone the land:D

mr. vain

sharethepain wrote: »

Tesco's are putting there staff in portlaoise on a 3 day week. I think this has put the Portarlington store in doubt......shame really, and they after bribing certian councillors to rezone the land:D

Sorry to hear about the staff, Fianna Fail have realy messed up the country.

Crann na Beatha

This post has been deleted.

smiths

I know FF have made their mistakes but what must be remembered is this election is a local one..local people..local issues. Personally, its the person i vote for every time..regardless of what party they're affiliated to.
I do like the fact there are a few young first timers running this time around..its time for some young blood/fresh ideas!
Much known about aoife o meara? She called to my door last night...seemed nice and down to earth (not like many more of them!!) Seems to have some good ideas.

RayM

smiths wrote: »

I know FF have made their mistakes but what must be remembered is this election is a local one..local people..local issues.

Fianna Fail's mistakes (for want of a stronger word) have seriously affected "local people". Their national mistakes have resulted in widespread unemployment, which is a local issue. A vote for any Fianna Fail candidate in the local elections (even the ones who sneakily hide their affiliation on their posters and leaflets) is a message of support for the Fianna Fail government.

smiths wrote:

Much known about aoife o meara? She called to my door last night...seemed nice and down to earth (not like many more of them!!) Seems to have some good ideas.

She's running for Fianna Fail, isn't she? Frankly, that's all I need to know.

smiths

RayM wrote: »

Fianna Fail's mistakes (for want of a stronger word) have seriously affected "local people".

Im not saying local people havent been affected, what i am saying is that a person should be voted for on what they will do for your community not what ticket they happen to be running on. The party is completely irrelevant at local level.

RayM wrote: »

She's running for Fianna Fail, isn't she? Frankly, that's all I need to know.

Very immature statement..hope this outlook isnt to the detriment of Laois.

RayM

smiths wrote:

Im not saying local people havent been affected, what i am saying is that a person should be voted for on what they will do for your community not what ticket they happen to be running on. The party is completely irrelevant at local level.

If the party is completely irrelevant at local level, why are the majority of local councillors members of political parties, as opposed to independent? It's funny - you're not the first person I've heard claiming that the party is irrelevant at local level. I've heard a few Fianna Fail members saying the same in recent weeks. You wouldn't happen to be a member or supporter of any particular political party, would you? Of course, I'm not suggesting anything...

smiths wrote:

Very immature statement..hope this outlook isnt to the detriment of Laois.

It's not immature at all - it's utterly pragmatic (particularly given the fact that Portlaoise is one of the worst-hit towns in the country regarding recent growth in unemployment). I'm sure plenty of perfectly decent and hard-working FF representatives will suffer as a result of the anti-FF backlash, and that's unfortunate for them, but in the interests of forcing a much-needed change of government, their loss will be the country's gain.