What can we do?

Max Powers

A lot of negativity on the board lately, we can help ourselves. These are just some of the things I have been personally making a big effort to do the last couple of years. There is no need for criticisim in this thread, this should be positive things most of us can do

1. Complain to local reps and TDs when I see lack of action or poor action. I posted list of contact e-mails in other thread. Let them know, they are getting paid well enough.

2. If im going out for a few pints, I drink in the city centre. If im out for dinner, I dine in the city centre. Creation of a vibrant city centre is vital to getting positivity in the city, making it a better place to be and more enjoyable for all. I like a pint in my local as much as the next man, but i have made the decison to spend my euros in our city centre as much as I can.

3. Support your local arts, plenty of stuff on in Garter Lane, Theatre Royal, Forum etc

4. Buy Irish, not always possible as the Irish one is often a bit more expensive so you can only do what you can afford.

5. Keep Waterford tidy, its my home town, I love it, I wouldnt dream of throwing rubbish on ground anywhere and if I see a newspaper or empty bottle on the street I often pick it up and stick it in the bin.

6. Be helpful to tourists, if they look a bit lost ask, even if they are fine, they go away with good impression. From past experience they are usually looking for Waterford Crystal or the main shopping area.

7. If you are lucky enough to have a job, turn up on time and do your job in as efficient a manner as you possibly can. If Ireland got the reputation as having a very efficient and work ethic workforce, companies would want to set up here.

8. Promote Waterford when you can, especially when visiting other counties/countries. This includes not slagging off your own county/country.

Potential-Monke

Max Powers wrote: »

4. Buy Irish, not always possible as the Irish one is often a bit more expensive so you can only do what you can afford.

Great point, but it's very confusing out there at the moment. The Musgrave group (Supervalu, Centra, Londis, Daybreak, Mace, etc) used 45% Irish products, Aldi/Lidl use 85% Irish products (ie: meats, chicken, fresh produce).

kkdela6

Potential-Monke wrote: »

The Musgrave group (Supervalu, Centra, Londis, Daybreak, Mace, etc) used 45% Irish products.

this really annoys me considering Ireland is 800-900% self sufficient in beef

cocoshovel

9. pick up your dogs shíte off the middle of the path please

MitchKoobski

10. Have a look around town for what you need before ordering online.

Was having trouble sourcing specific RCA components and cables both around town and online until someone suggested Toner's in The Glen/Ballybricken. Was going to pay roughly €30 online at least, ended up getting what I needed for €15 total in Toner's.

Bards

Potential-Monke wrote: »

Great point, but it's very confusing out there at the moment. The Musgrave group (Supervalu, Centra, Londis, Daybreak, Mace, etc) used 45% Irish products, Aldi/Lidl use 85% Irish products (ie: meats, chicken, fresh produce).

Musgrave carry more stock than Aldi,

for example if Aldi had just 2 items of stock and both were Irish they could say they carry 100% Irish Stock.

However, if Musgrave carried 3 items of stock and 2 of the items were Irish (Same as Aldi) they could only say that 66% of their stock is Irish

Punters would only see that all the stock in Aldi is Irish and bemoan the fact that Musgrave only had 66% Irish and slag them off

Remember, There's Lies, Damn Lies and statistics:D

gscully

MitchKoobski wrote: »

10. Have a look around town for what you need before ordering online.

Or just open a new thread on boards to have someone else come up with that answer for you

MitchKoobski

gscully wrote: »

Or just open a new thread on boards to have someone else come up with that answer for you

I did both...boards didn't help...

cocoshovel

cocoshovel wrote: »

9. pick up your dogs shíte off the middle of the path please

This..


For me this is one of the things I really hate about living here. O'Connell St is destroyed in it. A couple of grand fine would sort it fast enough. Its just not enforced though..

letsbet

cocoshovel wrote: »

9. pick up your dogs shíte off the middle of the path please

Edz87 wrote: »

This..


For me this is one of the things I really hate about living here. O'Connell St is destroyed in it. A couple of grand fine would sort it fast enough. Its just not enforced though..

Too right. Of course what'll happen is that they'll fine someone one the outer ring road for a little dog **** and leave the travellers' horses ****e all over the place there. It's a nightmare to walk dogs along that road with all the ****e. Can't stand people who won't clean up after their dogs but if the law was enforced can anyone see a traveller getting fined €500 or whatever it is for their horse ****ting on the road or footpath?

Waterford laddy

great thread -
i do as much as i can in the city centre -
shop local
locals clothes shops
locally owned electrical shops
locals cafes & restaurants
Pubs in city centre

im trying to set up a voluntary group for tourist info -
people wearing an "ask me" Shirt or jacket
fully trained in tourist info -
each person to do 5 hours a week
and located on john Roberts square, The Mall & The Quay

Max Powers

Great idea Waterford Laddy, i think they have a kiosk like that in Galway Eyre Square.

More like that lads and ladies, ideas not discussion. Please open a separate thread if need to discuss in more detail otherwise this thread will ramble off topic.

comeraghs

plug plug & plug

http://www.imagineartsfestival.com/

Lets see if we can match the arts festivals in the other cities! add it on facebook & share with your friends

great idea .... lets be positive!


It's better to light a candle than curse the dark!

dayshah

MitchKoobski wrote: »

Was having trouble sourcing specific RCA components and cables both around town and online until someone suggested Toner's in The Glen/Ballybricken. Was going to pay roughly €30 online at least, ended up getting what I needed for €15 total in Toner's.

Good point. Its often cheaper to buy it in a normal shop. I often check online to get a sense of what's a fair price, and then go into town to buy it (unless they are ripping me off of course).

seanybiker

MitchKoobski wrote: »

10. Have a look around town for what you need before ordering online.

Was having trouble sourcing specific RCA components and cables both around town and online until someone suggested Toner's in The Glen/Ballybricken. Was going to pay roughly €30 online at least, ended up getting what I needed for €15 total in Toner's.

yeah toners is a grand little place.

puppetmaster

Spending a couple of euro's even on a coffee in town, will have you in there and walking about. Imho more people add to the vibracy of the city and will bring more people back to enjoy it when they have more than a couple of euro to spend.

letsbet

letsbet wrote: »

Too right. Of course what'll happen is that they'll fine someone one the outer ring road for a little dog **** and leave the travellers' horses ****e all over the place there. It's a nightmare to walk dogs along that road with all the ****e. Can't stand people who won't clean up after their dogs but if the law was enforced can anyone see a traveller getting fined €500 or whatever it is for their horse ****ting on the road or footpath?

On a related issue (of horses, not necessarily travellers) I saw an infuriating thing today. Two lads were riding horses (or ponies or whatever they are) on the cork road. It's one thing when they're out on the road holding up traffic etc. but these two lads were going along on the footpath and just knocking people out of the way. They weren't flying along by any means but still going fairly quickly and not taking any care of who was around them. One girl who they forced their way past looked shocked and scared. Every part of me hoped that they'd bump into the wrong person who'd teach them a lesson.

Max Powers

10. Be more positive about your city,country, what you have, your health, your family and friends.

Media999

Max Powers wrote: »

10. Be more positive about your city,country, what you have, your health, your family and friends.

Let me guess. Mortgage paid off and employed.

chelloveks

Media999 wrote: »

Let me guess. Mortgage paid off and employed.

Either one of them would be nice....

Max Powers

Media999 wrote: »

Let me guess. Mortgage paid off and employed.

No, negative equity like a lot of people and have been out of work for over 2 years up to recently. Took a job that pays about 100 more than the dole. This thread is trying to be constructive so keep the negativity for your billy mcCarthy/joe duffy phone ins or another thread

Max Powers

11. Show some manners in your dealings: please, smile (without looking like a lunatic), thank you, etc. Park in parking spaces not on double-yellows, dont be an obstruction to other drivers or pedestrians whether it be in shop car park or in the city centre.

12. Do as much as possible of your Xmas gift buying locally. CHeck out and support the market in red sqaure and garter lane (when in place in december) etc

looksee

I think there is a great deal happening already. In the face of all the problems in the country, we have the new Waterford Crystal, the Viking longship, the museums. Yes there is a lot you can point to as problems, but some things are happening. If you have walked around the Viking Triangle it is obvious that there are things moving, lovely craft studio and prospects of more artists' studios.

Be positive about our city, if you can do anything to contribute, do it. If you have any influence to stop vandalism, do it. If we can be positive in the face of all the problems in the country it will be reflected in the atmosphere of the city. It seems idealistic but attitude is everything. Lets Love Waterford!

comeraghs

lots of facebook pages for attractions in Waterford!

if you use it .... add them as your friends & share with your friends ...

www.itsafeeling.com is a good one http://www.itsafeeling.com/


Spraoi, Waterford Treasures, Christchurch cathedral, Theatre Royal are all on there ......... spread the word about Ireland's BEST city!

nice_very

Waterford laddy wrote: »

im trying to set up a voluntary group for tourist info -
people wearing an "ask me" Shirt or jacket
fully trained in tourist info -
each person to do 5 hours a week
and located on john Roberts square, The Mall & The Quay

Great idea, I have had a similar idea for a while but with little or no contacts etc

If you want to send me a PM to exchange any ideas I would be more than happy to help.

Max Powers

I asked anyone who is buying me an Xmas present that they try and buy local products or buy locally at least. I will be doing same obviously.

comeraghs

it's not in the city I know but next July 16-22 The Munster Fleadh will be held in Dungarvan.

www.munsterfleadh.ie

The Fleadh usually attracts about 10,000 people many from abroad ....

lots of people will travel from Limerick, Clare, West Cork & Kerry & many of these will visit the city too while in the county ...

lets help spread the word ....if tourists who are in the country decide to come to The Deise to experience some Trad music & culture instead of heading to Galway or Clare or elsewhere it's great for the city & county!

comeraghs

buy Azzurri Waterford GAA or Waterford Utd gear instead of Nike / Adidas or some other multi-nationals soccer gear!

Max Powers

urge all people who see people drinking on the street or whatever to be reported. Saw a gang of lads having a cider picnic today on Peter Street entrance to City Square, they were there both times i passed so rang the gards, I hope they have the common sense to take their drink.

These were only young lads too in their early 20s, standing around sharing a flaggin of cider intimidating all those who passed by including tourists in the area, old people coming out of mass etc. This is not a good image for our city or our Viking triangle/tourist area.

Waterford Gardai 305300

SillyMcCarthy

MitchKoobski wrote: »

10. Have a look around town for what you need before ordering online.

Was having trouble sourcing specific RCA components and cables both around town and online until someone suggested Toner's in The Glen/Ballybricken. Was going to pay roughly €30 online at least, ended up getting what I needed for €15 total in Toner's.

I was quoted €200 more for a camera lense in Waterford than Dublin.
When purchasing a second lense went to a new store & no movement
on the price but in Dublin they reduced the price for me!!!
I tried to shop local but what's the point!

spankmemunkey

I agree.

HOWEVER!

I think everything youve said SHOULD BE standard for most people,

They should be doing all this anyway its your civic duty! I think the day that you have to remind people to do their civic duty is when things are bad!

spankmemunkey

letsbet wrote: »

Too right. Of course what'll happen is that they'll fine someone one the outer ring road for a little dog **** and leave the travellers' horses ****e all over the place there. It's a nightmare to walk dogs along that road with all the ****e. Can't stand people who won't clean up after their dogs but if the law was enforced can anyone see a traveller getting fined €500 or whatever it is for their horse ****ting on the road or footpath?

Well this is really true, there cant be rules for one part of society and other rules for other, ye cant even walk past the halting site there in ballybeg where Templers Hall is, The footpath is covered in broken glass car batteries horse sh+t Horse Boxes and sometimes caravans, so its impossible to get by, call the guards and theyll tell you theres nothing ye can do, call the council and youll get spin.

While i dont want to run down the travellers i think the only way to resolve these issues is to involve them in any debate and try and discuss the issues with them, The issues cant be resolved, moaning about it, rather acting upon it.

Max Powers

Disabled car-parking spots are there for people who need them (disabled, wheel-chair, pregnant, old people who need them and people who have the sticker). They are not for waiting, nipping into get cigs or when your passenger has 1 or 10 mins worth of stuff to do in tesco, city centre etc

Nothingbetter2d

cocoshovel wrote: »

9. pick up your dogs shíte off the middle of the path please

there is a potential new product.... a doggie nappy... make it the law to have a nappy on a dog if your taking it out for a walk.

Max Powers

Just a reminder lads on point 6 already mentioned as we come into the tourist season:

6. Be helpful to tourists, if they look a bit lost ask, even if they are fine, they go away with good impression. From past experience they are usually looking for Waterford Crystal or the main shopping area.

And also, the city council have been pushing recently to do something about dog mess on the road. All owners have a responsibility, dogs should be on a leash in all public areas including the park. Non dog owners should tell them and as Cocoshovel so succinctly puts it:

9. pick up your dogs shíte off the middle of the path please

comeraghs

promote promote promote!

FishBowel

Max Powers wrote: »

6. Be helpful to tourists, if they look a bit lost ask

Get an old ice-cream van and put it in the city centre with someone inside answering tourists' questions. They can hand out city maps and brochures for where to visit.

BBM77

Max Powers wrote: »

5. Keep Waterford tidy, its my home town, I love it, I wouldnt dream of throwing rubbish on ground anywhere and if I see a newspaper or empty bottle on the street I often pick it up and stick it in the bin.

I was passing a shop today (here in Waterford city) and there was a woman at the checkout serving and smoking. When she was finished she threw the cigarette out the front door on to the footpath. Basically littering in front of her own premises, not to mention smoking in the work place. This attitude just boggles my mind. :mad:

thomasm

BBM77 wrote: »

Max Powers wrote: »

5. Keep Waterford tidy, its my home town, I love it, I wouldnt dream of throwing rubbish on ground anywhere and if I see a newspaper or empty bottle on the street I often pick it up and stick it in the bin.

I was passing a shop today (here in Waterford city) and there was a woman at the checkout serving and smoking. When she was finished she threw the cigarette out the front door on to the footpath. Basically littering in front of her own premises, not to mention smoking in the work place. This attitude just boggles my mind. :mad:

Name and shame, no excuse for that crap

SimonLynch

Potential-Monke wrote: »

Great point, but it's very confusing out there at the moment. The Musgrave group (Supervalu, Centra, Londis, Daybreak, Mace, etc) used 45% Irish products, Aldi/Lidl use 85% Irish products (ie: meats, chicken, fresh produce).

Londis are nothing to do with Musgraves, Mace and Spar are BWG, Costcutters and Checkout are Barrys. Gala also are nothing to do with Musgraves.

wmpdd3

BBM77 wrote: »

I was passing a shop today (here in Waterford city) and there was a woman at the checkout serving and smoking. When she was finished she threw the cigarette out the front door on to the footpath. Basically littering in front of her own premises, not to mention smoking in the work place. This attitude just boggles my mind. :mad:

What? today or in 1985? long time since i've seen anything like that.

BBM77

wmpdd3 wrote: »

What? today or in 1985? long time since i've seen anything like that.

Yes today, that is why I wrote the word today in the first sentence.

wmpdd3

Oh, your post doesnt seem to have aknowledged my sarcasim.

BBM77

wmpdd3 wrote: »

Oh, your post doesnt seem to have aknowledged my sarcasim.

No it was acknowledging your pointless and irrelevant comment.

BBM77

thomasm wrote: »

Name and shame, no excuse for that crap

Well I will if a mod won't delete it.

So can I?

old gregg

BBM77 wrote: »

Yes today, that is why I wrote the word today in the first sentence.

name the scumbag or GTFO. Seriously. This is where we live so pucker up or spare us the rhetoric.

ex_infantry man

Potential-Monke wrote: »

Great point, but it's very confusing out there at the moment. The Musgrave group (Supervalu, Centra, Londis, Daybreak, Mace, etc) used 45% Irish products, Aldi/Lidl use 85% Irish products (ie: meats, chicken, fresh produce).

the musgrave group don't include londis as its adm and mace/spar is bwg foods get it right lol

Max Powers

Who on here mailed, wrote or spoke to any of their reps or others in power about Waterford's issues?
- Jobs
- Economy,
- IDA
- Political reform
- smaller local issues

If yes, what was your issue about, who did you write to and responses?

Max Powers

Max Powers wrote: »

Who on here mailed, wrote or spoke to any of their reps or others in power about Waterford's issues?
- Jobs
- Economy,
- IDA
- Political reform
- smaller local issues

If yes, what was your issue about, who did you write to and responses?

Surely, people are informing their reps of the situation in Waterford, to get the ball rolling, I have recently posted letters/e-mailed/spoke to:

- RTE director re: possible closure of SE RTE office and its negative effects in light of many offices elsewhere

- Local councillors re: issue with same group drinking, urinating and intimidating on street behind city square (Olaf St. i think)

- local TDs and ministers re: highest unemployment rate in country here.

- Barry O Leary of IDA on lack of IDA visits/activity in Waterford

- Min. for jobs (Bruton) on lack of IDA visits/activity in Waterford

I have gotten reponses from most of them, Im a firm believer in if enough people do it, they will have to take notice. We all need to do our bit.
Did anybody write to others on different issues or same issues as Im begginning to think people just write their complaints on boards.ie and think that will better the situation.

Max Powers

So nobody has wrote to their Reps in relation to concern about unemployment, jobs etc in Waterford and the SE. (Maybe some have and just didnt post it).

On WLR news today, it was saying that unemployment in the South East has risen from 19 to 20% (CSO figures) + more long term than short term unemployed also, needless to say, still worst unemployment black spot in the country. F-all but a report done about it. Surely this is good enough reason for people to get onto the powers that be.

Im asking everyone to start writing/mailing their TDs and especially Minister for Jobs, Richard Bruton, Taoiseach, Brendan Howlin and Phil Hogan.

taoiseach@taoiseach.gov.ie
philip.hogan@oir.ie
minister@djei.ie
john.halligan@oireachtas.ie
ciara.conway@oir.ie
paudie.coffey@oir.ie
john.deasy@oir.ie

i often find writing a letter gets a better response than e-mailing.

Jason Todd

What kind of thing do you put in the email Max? Do you suggest things or do you enquire and ask what they're doing about particular subjects? Just curious!