—————————————————————————————————————————————————-
Councillor John O’Leary
Why should you vote for John?
Living in Kilmeaden. Married. 2 Children. 3 Grand children.
Full time Member of Waterford City and County Council since 2009.
Deputy Mayor of Waterford City and County Council on two two occasions.
Cathaoirleach of Comeragh District Council.
Member of the Waterford County G.A.A. executive for 25 years.
Held the position of County Secretary Development Officer and Youth Officer.
Chairperson of Ballyduff Lourdes Committee
Member of the Irish Wheelchair Association.
I am seeking relection to the Waterford City and County Council in the forth coming local election.
For the past 10 years I have worked full time as a Councillor, to be a positive and effective voice working for the people of the Comeragh area. I have involved myself in many community initiatives. I am asking the people to give me the opportunity to continue to represent you and your family,
I am determined to improve the quality of life for everyone in the Comeragh Area.
PRIORITIES
Health
In health I will continue to lobby for an improved Health System, which is fair and equitable to all those who need it.
Housing
I will make housing a priority issue for me –the lack of housing supply over the last 10 years has been of major distress for many families.
Roads
I will continue to seek further improvement s to our national and local roads infrastructure to ensure safety for all road users.
Crime
Feeling safe in your own home is of paramount importance. Having served as a member of the Joint Policing Committee, Iwill continue to actively campaign for more rural policing in the absents of local Garda stations in the community.
Employment
I will continue to focus on getting jobs in to rural areas of County Waterford which will enable communities to become stronger and develop , ensuring that our young people will be afforded the opportunity to live in their own local area.
——————————————————————————————————————————————
Mairead Coffey Jacob
Why should you vote for Mairead?
-A Candidate You Can Trust!
– Mairead is a Psychiatric Nurse and works in the Waterford HSE Mental Health Services based in Dungarvan
– Mairead has a deep interest in community development and believes that our smaller towns, villages and rural communities need to be supported and assisted.
– Mairead is committed to work with communities and the council to improve infrastructure and facilities such as roads and footpaths, public lighting, play areas, public areas and recreational facilities.
– She especially has a passion for the care of the elderly and vulnerable people in communities and wishes to bring forward new initiatives to assist people who are most in need
– Mairead has the ability to be a strong advocate for local community organisations as well as being a confidential source of support to individuals who may need assistance
Mairead looks forward to engaging with the people of the Portlaw/Kilmacthomas Electoral area over the coming weeks to listen to their issues and to offer her abilities to give voice to their concerns.
Contact details:
Tel: 086 8412102 Email: maireadcoffey1@gmail.com
Dolores Whelan
Why should you vote for Dolores?
My name is Dolores Whelan, I’m an Independent candidate in the local elections for the Portlaw-Kilmacthomas electoral area. The motivation to put myself forward came from a sincere belief that people deserve better with a local representative who will give them a new voice in raising local issues and ensuring action on their behalf.
For the last number of years, families are being forced to uproot to other locations which has had a detrimental and disruptive impact not only on families but on the whole community. Lack of provision of housing, basic healthcare and social services are denying people’s rights to dignity and quality of life. I am committed to making these issues a priority at local level. In particular, I will focus on the provision of vital healthcare services for the elderly in rural communities.
Better local infrastructure is required both in towns and villages, such as pathways and car parking facilities for schools that provide a safer environment for children and parents.
I also believe it is vital to re-examine business rates in order to promote local start-ups and boost community employment. Continued development is required to link more communities under the Greenway hub. Every village and community has a unique selling point and I hope to have the opportunity to work with individuals and community groups to maximise this potential for everyone’s benefit.
Ger Barron
Why should you vote for Ger?
First elected to Waterford County Council 1999
Elected in 2004 and again in 2009.
Served as County Mayor 2005-2006.
Worked as Parliamentary /Political Assistant in The Senate
Served on the Board of Failte Ireland 20014 to 20018
Projects delivered
Waterford Greenway
New Library in Kilmacthomas
Sewage treatment systems in Kilmacthomas, Stradbally, Kilmeadan
Better public lighting throughout the electoral area
New Garda Station in Kilmacthomas
Major road project from St Declans Community College to village
Children’s playground
The purchase of the Factory site in Kilmacthomas and the development of the car park.
Founding member and Chairman of The Comeragh’s Wild Festival for the first 4 formative years.
A member of the River Walk committee which has provided essential links to the Greenway.
Co founder of the “Craic in Kilmac” festival.
I believe that I have shown leadership and I have demonstrated that by my work.
In the first instance I see myself as a “Community Person”.
I have over the last number of years have been up-skilling, my work in the Senate has given me an insight into the workings of National Government and how legislation is formed.
As a member of the Board of Failte Ireland I gained a better understanding of how National tourism initiatives are developed.
Local issues
The deficit of family housing is a real issue to me ,the right to a proper place to live has in my view been eroded at Government level and must be addressed swiftly, using imaginative solutions.
The lack of 24/7 Cardiac Care in Waterford University has to be delivered in full.
Too long now the establishment of a University for the South East has been a political issue. I believe that it should be based in Waterford. We need to see political action on this very soon so that the best and brightest of our young people no longer need to leave to further their education.
Ann Troy
Why should you vote for Ann?
I am Ann Troy, an Independent Community Candidate, seeking election in the Portlaw /
Kilmacthomas area. I live in Ballyogarty, Kilmacthomas, about a mile outside the rural village of
Kilmacthomas.
YOUR VOTE CAN ROCK THE BOAT.
• Working for years as a Leading campaigner and community activist with local issues always
at heart. I successfully represented and protected the will of our communities halting the
plans for 33 Industrial Scale wind turbines, that would have destroyed our scenic landscapes
in Kilmacthomas, Ballylaneen, Bonmnahon, Stradbally and the Copper Coast.
• Years of vast experience in worker representation at Local and National level.
• Currently working in Waterford Institute of Technology, engaging with students daily.
• Married to John, local beekeeper and popular photographer. Mother to two sons.
• Putting people and communities first – always.!!!
• Understanding the issues to keep rural communities and villages alive.
• A vote for taking action and getting results.
• The change we need and the voice we deserve.
Your voice is your vote.
Councillor Ray Murphy
Why should you vote for Ray?
Since I joined Waterford City and County Council, I have been holding formal monthly Advice Clinics in Rathgormack, Clonea, Kilmacthomas, Stradbally and Portlaw. This practise has given me the opportunity to inform individuals and community groups of the grants available to them. As chairperson of Portlaw Tidy Towns, I am passionate about making our communities a better place to live, work and visit. Illegal dumping, fly-tipping and roadside litter continue to be a prime concern of mine in this scenic constituency. Community groups and sporting organisations are the corner stone of every community. It is imperative that these groups are adequately funded and supported by Waterford City and County Council.
Housing
Housing is undoubtedly the biggest issue in the country at the moment and is a significant issue in every community. The hidden homeless is prevalent here where young families find themselves sharing houses with their parents. I am pleased that during this council term Waterford City and County Council has delivered 12 new social houses in Portlaw and announced 16 new social houses for Kilmacthomas. However, according to the last census we have 348 (11.35%) vacant residential units in this constituency which ought to be brought back in to use. This is an option which I would like to see advanced in the next five years, not only would it address the housing crisis but it would significantly improve the town and village streets where these properties exist.
Roads
In such an extensive rural constituency it is of vital importance that we invest in our roads now to make them safer for the future. I welcome the €14m allocation to Waterford City and County Council in 2019 for regional and local roads; however, it’s my aim to ensure that the rural roads in Comeragh receive significant funding. As this council term comes to a close, approval has been granted for traffic calming measures at Lemybrien and the Finger Post on the DungarvanClonmel Road.
Council Led Community Initiatives
Over the past three years, I have actively supported and campaigned for several projects to be part of the council’s application for government funding under schemes such as Town and Village Renewal. During that time Kilmacthomas has received €100k, Portlaw €95k, Clonea €64k, Bonmahon €64k, Ballyduff Lower €28.8k and Ballymacarbry €24k. Another scheme for disadvantaged areas CLAR delivered €50k for Crehana school,€19.8k for Clonea, €64.8k for Kilbrien and €70k for Rathgormack. Clonea has also been awarded over €120k for flood protection works.
Councillor Seanie Power
Councillor Liam Brazil
