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

magnumlady · 07-03-2014 9:28pm #1

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

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.

Mint Sauce · 07-03-2014 9:42pm

Issues that spring to mind would be, Sligo Hospital, The Eastern Bridge, O'Connell Street, and the Airport.

mountainy man · 07-03-2014 10:31pm

Is there a list of candidates yet?

drdidlittle · 08-03-2014 9:25am

Bin charges. Sligo hospital downgrades. The state of the council finances. Excessive use of cycle lanes. Not in any order

08-03-2014 3:56pm

I will be slamming the door in their faces, treating them they way they will treat us when they are elected!

drdidlittle · 08-03-2014 4:03pm

zorro2566 wrote: »

I will be slamming the door in their faces, treating them they way they will treat us when they are elected!

Worst thing you could do IMO. Tell them what you want changed and that you'll be voting for the other fella / woman unless they change their stance.
Had a 'big discussion' the last time about sligo hospital being downgraded. She argued with me that no such thing would happen........look at what is happening now. Didn't change anything but at least I voiced my concerns

rizzodun · 09-03-2014 2:01am

I think I'll have to mention the fact there wasn't a proper council meeting for the most of last year due to infighting among other things. Or that stupid Mayor party pact, or the huge debt the council has, and will have for many years to come, or O'Connell street, or the bicycle lanes that are a mess, or the regional hospital, or the new bridge, the list will possibly go on if I give it more time, I might mention the improved parks and walks over the last few years though, something I am proud to point out to people new to Sligo, but I'm sure every single councillor calling will take credit for that one.

TequilaMockingBird · 09-03-2014 4:35pm

Every time someone's aunt dies, the meeting is canceled. :rolleyes:

I put a sign on my door saying "No Canvassers". I can't be listening to their waffle.

Pretzill · 11-03-2014 2:11am

TequilaMockingBird wrote: »

Every time someone's aunt dies, the meeting is canceled. :rolleyes:

I put a sign on my door saying "No Canvassers". I can't be listening to their waffle.

Yes the only thing I'll be raising is a 'no canvassers' sign too. The issues become promises and rarely are acted upon.

sligoface · 11-03-2014 5:04am

The hospital being in such a sad state sickens me and like manybhave said, we know there's no point asking because we will never get the truth. They know it too.

The debt the council is another issue which we know they haven't a hope of sorting out.

The other issue I have which I'm still unhappy about is the bin charges. It's not just about the amount of the rise, I'm concerned that our government seem to have no problem forcing us into private contracts for vital services so said companies can rip us off.

In this case it seems to me that they used their own interpretation of an EU regulation to make it mandatory for people to enter into a contract with bin collection companies, which may not be what the regulations require at all. But they told us all that, which led to said companies exploiting customers by adding a standing charge on top of a charge per lift. Neither the EU nor our government should be allowed to team up with private companies to hold people to ransom for vital services this way, but this is what is occuring across the board with the water charge and now the bin collection charges, and I'm sick of it.

Henlars67 · 11-03-2014 10:09am

People should look at the voting records for previous budget meetings of the council.

They shouldn't even consider voting for councillors who consistently voted through Hubert Kerins' fairytale budgets which have bankrupted the county council.

That is a simple but sensible criteria to use when deciding who to vote for.

EuskalHerria · 11-03-2014 1:54pm

I'm looking forward to a number of candidates calling to the door. Matt Lyons for example. He said if he was in FF when they were removing the cancer services he would have resigned. His convictions not strong enough though to leave FG when the 100 day nonsense guarantee fell through.

Politicians love an electorate with a short memory. Luckily it's very easy nowadays to call some of these bludgers out on their rhetoric.

Bichon Lover · 11-03-2014 4:10pm

Rezoning of land for housebuilding (a definite no for me)
Planning enforcement
Sewage plant for North Sligo, promised for over 20 years and still waiting for work to start.
Will not vote for Lyons after his anti-abortion stunt.

Agree with Tequila - constant adjournment of meetings as a Mark of sympathy is a farce: new council, new way of doing things?

sligono1 · 14-03-2014 9:56am

Address the constant was of money within the council and how both councilers and council employees have to stand up and account for their actions,they should be fired or stand down county counciler or employee should not be exempt like us tax payers if we do somthing wrong in our job our P45 is hanging over us,no longer should the tax payer have to stand by and watch this waste within our councils

Henlars67 · 14-03-2014 11:30am

sligono1 wrote: »

Address the constant was of money within the council and how both councilers and council employees have to stand up and account for their actions,they should be fired or stand down county counciler or employee should not be exempt like us tax payers if we do somthing wrong in our job our P45 is hanging over us,no longer should the tax payer have to stand by and watch this waste within our councils

The former county manager is to blame for the financial position of the council.

Some councillors spent years arguing that his budgets were unrealistic, but other councillors consistently voted them through.

Every 5 year the electorate have had the power to give these councillors their P45's but every time the electorate has opted to keep them.

sligono1 · 15-03-2014 7:01pm

Yes the county manager has cost the county millions but right through the various council departments there has been needless squandering of money there is many more

EuskalHerria · 24-03-2014 10:53pm

Anyone here said their piece to any of the calling candidates? I missed Matt Lyons this evening which is a shame, I had that tirade lined up and ready to go.

rizzodun · 25-03-2014 12:24am

EuskalHerria wrote: »

Anyone here said their piece to any of the calling candidates? I missed Matt Lyons this evening which is a shame, I had that tirade lined up and ready to go.

I got one, won't say the name (for reasons regarding council dispute they commented on below) but they agreed on my point on cycle lanes, explained that cemetery road in particular is going to be re-done, couldn't answer why the person in particular was not held accountable for the waste of money.

In regards to 70million in debt they were of the opinion that most of this was due to land purchases that were made in the boom times for planned developments that were never done or needed, and now the land isn't worth as much, they also agreed it was a mess, but no solids on how to resolve it. (pointed out that some is also for the treatment plant that was badly needed)

On the point of the council meetings, they were of the strong opinion that the reason there has been no meetings is down to one councillor in particular.

As they said, some things that were acceptable to say 20 years ago are not now and some people can't see that, and that one councillor was single handedly disrupting the whole process regarding the meetings. They pointed out that while meetings have restarted (they actually had never stopped, just council staff refused to participate), there is still issues with staff not attending, with the council manager doing his best to chair meetings but unable to answer certain questions as the people with the answers were not there. They also mentioned that a some of the non-attendance is union driven as a result of the dispute. They mentioned that mediation was started with all councillors, with some asking why they had to attend when they had nothing to do with the dispute and had conducted their affairs with respect to the council staff.

I pointed out that surely if one member (as it sounds) is causing this much disruption could the other councillors not pull together and leave this person out in the cold, for the good of the whole council/councillors.

I'm not sure it's that black or white, but 9 months or more to resolve a dispute is ridiculous.

Also pointed out about house vandalism last year in our street (vacant council houses), which he said:
1. should not be happening and should be followed up by the council
2. Would not be happening if people were moved in straight away instead of boarding up the house for a few weeks to 'get it ready', something they do not agree with, too many people waiting on a council house for it to lie empty.

There was other small bits, not many answers there I'm afraid, don't want to give the persons name who called, or who they talked about, I'm sure many will fill in the blanks and will also dispute some points here.

Henlars67 · 25-03-2014 8:10am

rizzodun wrote: »

There was other small bits, not many answers there I'm afraid, don't want to give the persons name who called, or who they talked about, I'm sure many will fill in the blanks and will also dispute some points here.

I know from reading that who you're on about, but some people won't.

If you aren't going to name the public representative who called to you and the other one whom he was talking about, then in my opinion, you shouldn't bother posting about it at all.

Bichon Lover · 25-03-2014 3:33pm

"they were of the strong opinion that the reason there has been no meetings is down to one councillor in particular."
Pathetic. One man tries to get information which should be supplied routinely to meetings and the staff throw a hissy fit. If the other councillors had backed him up, chances are the financial deficit would not be half as bad.

rizzodun · 25-03-2014 6:40pm

Henlars67 wrote: »

I know from reading that who you're on about, but some people won't.

If you aren't going to name the public representative who called to you and the other one whom he was talking about, then in my opinion, you shouldn't bother posting about it at all.

My post was more about the sort of speil I got when asking some questions at the door than the councillors involved, I have no interest in blowing anyone's trumpet about who should be elected, I have a jaded view of each and every one of them, likewise, I would have a mixed opinion about the lack of meetings, I'd say it's more likely both parties refused to back down, as normally is the case where ego's get in the way.

Also, as Bichon Lover pointed out with his post, some people have a very different opinion about what has happened, which would leave me to believe had I posted the names those people whose opinions differ would have said I shouldn't have. (Not directed at Bichon Lover).

If you disapprove with me withholding the persons name feel free to post all the details when they come calling to your door.

I think I'll just use my vote, way too many people give out and then don't bother their arse turning up on polling day.

genie · 11-04-2014 11:14pm

Is there a list of candidates yet?

EuskalHerria · 11-04-2014 11:39pm

genie wrote: »

Is there a list of candidates yet?

Definitely not a final list, probably only the candidates choosing to pay for ad space.

http://www.oceanfm.ie/local_election_2014

sara-lou · 12-04-2014 9:40pm

I had at least the 5th leaflet thrown into my hallway today, they are not even knocking on the doors!!!!

:mad::mad::mad:

How do they expect my vote when they haven't the balls to introduce themselves & their "intentions" ? Their arrogance is unbelievable

genie · 12-04-2014 10:37pm

It is completely ridiculous that the electoral area I now find myself in extends as far as Enniscrone, which is about 40 miles from where I live, although I might be better off voting for someone way over there as I'm certainly not voting for the local joker and I don't know who the local alternatives are. :rolleyes:

The list of candidates is pretty pathetic. Ocean FM, if you're reading this, can you please track them all down? I think we all deserve to see a full list, not just those who could afford to pay for advertising on your website.

Mint Sauce · 15-04-2014 5:29pm

EuskalHerria wrote: »

Definitely not a final list, probably only the candidates choosing to pay for ad space.

http://www.oceanfm.ie/local_election_2014

Just been googling there for a little while, and that link did not even come up on the first two pages.

Could not even find a list on the Coco website. Shame there does not seem to be an independent body that lists all the candidates, without giving bias.

red sean · 16-04-2014 10:57am

Have nominations actually closed yet? May be waiting for the final list.

sligoman2014 · 22-04-2014 1:54pm

TequilaMockingBird wrote: »

Every time someone's aunt dies, the meeting is canceled. :rolleyes:

I put a sign on my door saying "No Canvassers". I can't be listening to their waffle.

The meetings are not cancelled for an aunt dying....The only way meetings are cancelled is if a member dies, or an immediate family member of a cllr, or a former cllr.....If a cllr aunt died they might adjourn for 10 minutes but that would be it

sligoman2014 · 22-04-2014 1:56pm

EuskalHerria wrote: »

I'm looking forward to a number of candidates calling to the door. Matt Lyons for example. He said if he was in FF when they were removing the cancer services he would have resigned. His convictions not strong enough though to leave FG when the 100 day nonsense guarantee fell through.

Politicians love an electorate with a short memory. Luckily it's very easy nowadays to call some of these bludgers out on their rhetoric.

Why would he resign?? He said he would have if it was FG that removed them, well it wasn't it was FF....

sligoman2014 · 22-04-2014 2:00pm

Bichon Lover wrote: »

"they were of the strong opinion that the reason there has been no meetings is down to one councillor in particular."
Pathetic. One man tries to get information which should be supplied routinely to meetings and the staff throw a hissy fit. If the other councillors had backed him up, chances are the financial deficit would not be half as bad.

Get your facts right, the one man your on about kicks up a fuss at the borough council meetings which in fact has no major financial worries, it's the county council finances which are a shambles but he doesn't for some reason fall out with the staff there

EuskalHerria · 22-04-2014 2:31pm

sligoman2014 wrote: »

Why would he resign?? He said he would have if it was FG that removed them, well it wasn't it was FF....

So he would have left FF due to the removal of cancer services. However FG making false promises about the reintroduction of services falls under a different moral category does it?

You can decide what is worse, removing vital services or making promises on those important services to win votes. I think both are rephrehensible.
If Matt Lyons left FG in the morning it would still do nothing to justify taking the man seriously as a politician. He was almost venemous in his condemnation of FF, and rightly so. Then after the 100 day pledge had passed he was nowhere to be seen or heard. His convictions obviously hidden behind the title "cllr" after the elections had taken place.

There's nothing to calm the fiery passions of a politician like being elected.

sligoman2014 · 22-04-2014 2:44pm

EuskalHerria wrote: »

So he would have left FF due to the removal of cancer services. However FG making false promises about the reintroduction of services falls under a different moral category does it?

You can decide what is worse, removing vital services or making promises on those important services to win votes. I think both are rephrehensible.
If Matt Lyons left FG in the morning it would still do nothing to justify taking the man seriously as a politician. He was almost venemous in his condemnation of FF, and rightly so. Then after the 100 day pledge had passed he was nowhere to be seen or heard. His convictions obviously hidden behind the title "cllr" after the elections had taken place.

There's nothing to calm the fiery passions of a politician like being elected.

I judge local politicians on what they do locally, I don't care what party they are from or what their party do nationally, I judge them at general elections...you say he can't be taken seriously as a politician, well you are wrong, a couple of reasons I have time for him are he has twice in the past used a casting vote as mayor for the benefit of sligo, once to ensure the inner relief road went ahead and once only couple years ago to ensure the eastern bridge was put back in the development plan.Now he won't get my no.1, as a cllr that done something for me will but he will get no.2 because he stands by what he believes is best for sligo and I admire that, this town is bad enough but if the inner relief road hadn't gone ahead it would be dead and buried.......as for promising cancer services returned I just checked, FG never promised that p re-elected, labour did......ass for the 100 day thing well that was all Perry the clown

genie · 22-04-2014 7:19pm

I think we should compile our own list of candidates. I don't think we're going to find one anywhere else.

sligoman2014 · 22-04-2014 8:00pm

genie wrote: »

I think we should compile our own list of candidates. I don't think we're going to find one anywhere else.

Registration for candidates doesn't close for another 10 days so no one is going to print a list till then.....I don't know about south sligo but so far 19 have declared for the sligo area....4 FF,2 SF,2 LAB,6 FG and 5 IND

Son Of A Vidic · 22-04-2014 10:41pm

magnumlady wrote: »

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

My primary concern will be, how did they make it alive to my front door past my German Shepherds? :pac:

EuskalHerria · 24-04-2014 9:58pm

sligoman2014 wrote: »

...you say he can't be taken seriously as a politician, well you are wrong

I didn't realise subjective opinions could be wrong.

a couple of reasons I have time for him are he has twice in the past used a casting vote as mayor for the benefit of sligo, once to ensure the inner relief road went ahead and once only couple years ago to ensure the eastern bridge was put back in the development plan.

Incredible that a new poster makes their first post in defence of a comment I made over a month ago. Perhaps I'm always the skeptic, however its incredible that your comment includes almost the first lines of Matt Lyons campaign message: http://sligodeals.com/?page_id=238

as for promising cancer services returned I just checked, FG never promised that p re-elected, labour did......ass for the 100 day thing well that was all Perry the clown

Feel free to make Perry, a man not currently looking for re-election, a scapegoat. However his attendance, promises and messages to drum up support for FG at the Save Our Services meetings on a weekly basis are not forgotten. Also his numerous appearances at protests with Tony McLoughlin etc. are also not forgotten by some. Although he can choose his moments to stand up to his party when he wants, especially if it appears to be a good tactic to get his name in the papers knowing there won't really be any consequences to a local council motion.
In the 2009 Ocean FM debate he was quite clear in saying that he would have resigned and that he felt that the decision would have been reversed had FF members across the region stood up to the government of the times decision. His strong feelings left wanting, again, once he was elected. He also spoke about the downgrading of Sligo General and how terrible it was, it seems as though this is now acceptable under the current government.

The man himself said he would leave one party for removing the services, yet didn't feel as strongly when the party he represents refused to follow through on their numerous promises. Its a reflection of the mans weak character that he was not willing to make a similar stand after he had been elected.
I'm not here to change your mind or tell you that you're wrong. Mr Lyons himself said at the time, "A strong message needs to be sent to the government". I think that strong message still needs to be sent, and he certainly is not the man vote for to send that message.

mountainy man · 28-04-2014 12:17am

Earlier this evening I had a leaflet from Cllr Martin Baker FF. stuck in my door frame, I was in the house and only heard them as they were driving away(in a merc!), he didn't knock to try and canvass or engage with me. This seems so cowardly and am pissed off that I could not talk with him, is this now common with these people that they throw the leaflet and run? He obviously doesn't care about my vote.

I add that I could not read the scrawl of a note written at the bottom of the leaflet such was his pre-school handwriting.

28-04-2014 7:46pm

Same here in Ballisodare this evening with Jim Higgins. Leaflets through the letterbox, which went straight into recycling unread! Seems they are getting a negative reaction from the plebs hence the non engagement!

Buford T Justice · 29-04-2014 1:43pm

EuskalHerria wrote: »

Anyone here said their piece to any of the calling candidates? I missed Matt Lyons this evening which is a shame, I had that tirade lined up and ready to go.

You sure he actually called himself? Out of all the recycling I've had through my door the only two that were courageous enough to come to my door was Jim McGarry and Rosaleen O'Grady, all the rest just pushed leaflets through the door. If you can't be bothered to canvas, I can't be bothered to vote for you.

sligoman2014 wrote: »

I judge local politicians on what they do locally, I don't care what party they are from or what their party do nationally, I judge them at general elections...you say he can't be taken seriously as a politician, well you are wrong, a couple of reasons I have time for him are he has twice in the past used a casting vote as mayor for the benefit of sligo, once to ensure the inner relief road went ahead and once only couple years ago to ensure the eastern bridge was put back in the development plan.Now he won't get my no.1, as a cllr that done something for me will but he will get no.2 because he stands by what he believes is best for sligo and I admire that, this town is bad enough but if the inner relief road hadn't gone ahead it would be dead and buried.......as for promising cancer services returned I just checked, FG never promised that p re-elected, labour did......ass for the 100 day thing well that was all Perry the clown

You talking about Declan Bree here? He no more has the interests of the people of Sligo at heart than I do of the homeless situation in Detroit or somewhere like that. That crook came to our door looking for votes some years ago and was all for the eastern bridge to go ahead. So he got our votes and the people of our area on that basis. Once he was elected and the meetings about the eastern bridge came to, he had the bare face cheek to spout off that he had the backing of all of the people of my area to vote against the eastern bridge. He voted against it because he was more concerned about the people of Doorly park than he was about us. He's a selective public representative, and a dirty rotten liar. (article here)I will never vote for him ever again. Needless to say he has never come back over here to canvass and I'd be very surprised if he does this year. That'd be fun.

Oh, I also remember some years ago when he was canvassing he called to the door. At the time I was working in Finisklin and I complained about the pedestrianisation of O'Connell St. As with everything else in Sligo it was done hap hazardly and made the commute to work much harder having to go around because of piss poor traffic management. He was all for having it car free and the best thing since sliced bread because it was his idea, and tried to tell me that no way would I use it to go to work if it was re-opened to traffic, despite me telling him I would. (PS, I'm all for having it pedestrian traffic only, but for god's sake do it properly)

Lo and behold when the street was re-opened to traffic at 8am on a monday morning who was there at the top of the street to get his photo in the paper to say 'Look at me'?

You guessed it. Our one and only Cllr Declan Bree. (Crook)

sligoface · 01-05-2014 12:14am

I just put a sign on my door saying no canvassers, tired of these muppets disturbing me in the evening when I want a bit of peace. Between the leaflets which say nothing and the posters which say nothing, why do they bother. None of these materials have any info on them which would persuade me to give them my vote, probably because they haven't got a clue about, or more likely don't care about, what they should or could accomplish if elected.

My voting strategy is basically get rid of Fine Gael and Labour, nothing but austerity merchants this lot. Though to be honest I can barely bother to go to the polls at all I'm so disenchanted with the crowd of eejits we let into government at every level. Sligo has already been run into the ground by ineptitude, and unfortunately opportunities to enhance the town were missed and it's too late now because there is no money. The hospital is in a tragic state. Half the shops are gone. There's no work for anybody. Doubt if any of this crowd could do anything to solve those issues. They'd have better luck stopping the rain coming down!

genie · 04-05-2014 1:34am

These are the lists of candidates so far Click.

The list for the Ballymote/Tubbercurry District makes for depressing reading. Only two independents and only one woman. :rolleyes:

I hope some more candidates throw their hats into the ring because as the list stands, there is no one there I would vote for, and I do want to vote.

EuskalHerria · 08-05-2014 11:53am

This could be of interest. Salaries and expenses claimed over 2012 and 2013 released today.

http://www.sligotoday.ie/details.php?id=31068

Cawley, Veronica (Ind) €88,771
McGrath, Pat (FG) €79,775
Mullaney, Gerard (FG) €75,975
Fleming, Michael (FG) €72,693
Mulvey, Dara (FG) €70,981
Barrett, Mary (FG) €68,408
Lyons, Matt (FG) €66,654
McGarry, Jim (Lab) €65,442
Lundy, Jerry (FF) €60,048
Keany, Hubert (FG) €57,763
Collery, Thomas, (FG) €55,253
O'Grady, Rosaleen (FF) €55,247
Baker, Martin (FF) €55,021
Collery, Thomas, (FG) €55,253
Queenan, Joe (FF) €54,211
Barry, Patsy (FF) €53,736
MacManus, Sean (SF) €53,476
Clarke, Michael (Ind) €53,057
Devins, Jude (FF) €51,975
Murray, Gerry FG (RIP) €51,108
Healy-McGowan (FF) €50,796
Gormley, Margaret (Ind) €50,792
Cawley, David, (FG) €50,665
Bree, Declan, (Ind) €50,367
McLoughlin, Aoife (FG) C/O €47,119
Leonard, Joe (FG) €44,581

EuskalHerria · 08-05-2014 12:39pm

Ocean FM have started their electoral debates in the mornings.

They can be listened to again here: http://soundcloud.com/oceanfm

sligoface · 09-05-2014 12:55am

EuskalHerria wrote: »

This could be of interest. Salaries and expenses claimed over 2012 and 2013 released today.

http://www.sligotoday.ie/details.php?id=31068

Cawley, Veronica (Ind) €88,771
McGrath, Pat (FG) €79,775
Mullaney, Gerard (FG) €75,975
Fleming, Michael (FG) €72,693
Mulvey, Dara (FG) €70,981
Barrett, Mary (FG) €68,408
Lyons, Matt (FG) €66,654
McGarry, Jim (Lab) €65,442
Lundy, Jerry (FF) €60,048
Keany, Hubert (FG) €57,763
Collery, Thomas, (FG) €55,253
O'Grady, Rosaleen (FF) €55,247
Baker, Martin (FF) €55,021
Collery, Thomas, (FG) €55,253
Queenan, Joe (FF) €54,211
Barry, Patsy (FF) €53,736
MacManus, Sean (SF) €53,476
Clarke, Michael (Ind) €53,057
Devins, Jude (FF) €51,975
Murray, Gerry FG (RIP) €51,108
Healy-McGowan (FF) €50,796
Gormley, Margaret (Ind) €50,792
Cawley, David, (FG) €50,665
Bree, Declan, (Ind) €50,367
McLoughlin, Aoife (FG) C/O €47,119
Leonard, Joe (FG) €44,581

Thanks for posting this. These numbers are disgraceful when you consider the financial state of Sligo. No wonder they're so keen to get elected when you can write off such huge amounts. What the freak is Veronica Cawley spending all that money on?!! As someone who tends to favor independent candidates I can tell you not a hope I'm giving her my vote when she's claiming that amount of taxpayer money outside of her salary. How can she be claiming nearly double the fella at the bottom of the list?

I'm trying to make a euro out of 99p, barely able to afford my rent and bills and food now that I've lost my job. I have a health issue that I've been waiting two years to see a specialist for and was told yesterday I have no hope of being seen in Sligo and have to go to Dublin or they'll take me off the list altogether, even though I've told them I cannot afford to travel for the treatment. When I was working I paid thousands in USC and I guess this where it went, for these inept moneygrabbers, cause it has done absolutely nothing to help me in my time of need. Water charges won't be a strain on the households of politicians that's for sure.

rizzodun · 09-05-2014 12:21pm

I had Jim McGarry call to my door the other week, firstly two of his canvassers, they looked confused when I asked was he about I wanted to talk instead of just taking the leaflet, he finally appeared after much awkward small talk with the canvassers, shook my hand and backed away from the door to the front gate as I tried to ask him some questions. Struck me as a man who knows how many votes he has and how many extra he needs to get in, obviously I must have been too much hard work.

genie · 09-05-2014 2:56pm

I can't seem to edit my previous post, so I just want to correct what I wrote. In the Ballymote/Tubbercurry District there are three independents (although one previously stood as a Fianna Fáil candidate) and two female candidates.

Gomer Pyle · 15-05-2014 6:50am

Had 2 candidates call to my door this week. Know both of them personally, both previously unelected, so had a chat with them. One focused on the hospital the other austerity, water charges etc.

Pointed out these issues were not in the remit of the CC (new name??) and therefore if they got elected would have no influence on these issues. Both seemed anxious when i highlighted this to them.
Asked them about a few local issues they would have a say in, traffic, rates, housing etc and neither could give a direct answer.
Felt quite disappointed with/for them, although i will be giving a first preference to one of them.

Kettleson · 15-05-2014 7:46am

Gomer Pyle wrote: »

Had 2 candidates call to my door this week. Know both of them personally, both previously unelected, so had a chat with them. One focused on the hospital the other austerity, water charges etc.

Pointed out these issues were not in the remit of the CC (new name??) and therefore if they got elected would have no influence on these issues. Both seemed anxious when i highlighted this to them.
Asked them about a few local issues they would have a say in, traffic, rates, housing etc and neither could give a direct answer.
Felt quite disappointed with/for them, although i will be giving a first preference to one of them.

Very interesting post and very telling. For most of them, it's all hot air, talking
about things that they think will get them in, but either by ignorance or connivance, they can in reality change very little or keep the promises they make. No real surprise there but a great door-step reveal.

May I ask, with respect. Why do you still intend to give one of them your first preference? Is that party allegiance or because you think that they are the best person for the job?

Seems to me with that experience, I would be looking to elect someone who knew fully about their real opportunity to effect changes locally, and not someone who will eagerly talk nonsense on the doorstep in an attempt to further their own political career.

EuskalHerria · 15-05-2014 12:31pm

For those who may want to familiarirse themselves with the ballot paper.

EuskalHerria · 15-05-2014 5:25pm

Save Our Services had an Ad in The Weekender today.

thebuzz · 17-05-2014 11:14am

EuskalHerria wrote: »

For those who may want to familiarirse themselves with the ballot paper.

Why does it say Veronica Cawley is a public representative when she works in IT Sligo? Is she trying to hide that she has another wage? It's already bad enough that she's taking the piss with her expenses.

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

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