Jennifer Whitmore to run again for the Social Democrats

SOCIAL DEMOCRATS councillor Jennifer Whitmore has been formally selected to run as the party’s candidate in the upcoming local election for the Greystones Municipal District.

Cllr Whitmore, pictured below, was new to politics when she was first elected in 2014, topping the poll in Wicklow and getting the highest female vote in the country.

‘I have been honoured to represent the people of Greystones, Delgany, Kilcoole and Newcastle over the past five years,’ said Cllr Whitmore.

‘One of the most enjoyable aspects of my term has been working with local communities on a broad range of projects across the district. A recent example is the Greystones Inclusive Playground, a new standard in playgrounds where children of all ages and abilities can play together side-by-side.

‘I am very proud to have been a part of that project, and to have worked hand-in-hand with a great local committee and Wicklow County Council to drive this important project to conclusion. Other projects that I have worked on include the widening of the paths to St Laurence’s school in Delgany, the pop-up Garda clinic in Delgany Village, jobs clubs in Kilcoole and the installation of a wheelchair accessible gate at Kilcoole train station, among others.’

Cllr Whitmore has also played a role in the provision of education for the area, as chair of the Greystones Community National School and as a board member of Colaiste Chraobh Abhann. ‘ The Greystones District has had a difficult history when it comes to providing sufficient schools places for children and I have worked hard to lobby for both primary and secondary school places for the area.

‘I am hopeful that the new schools that are planned will meet that demand, but I will keep a close eye on this to ensure that our growth in population runs parallel to the provision of school places. I am particularly looking forward to seeing the completion of the new primary school for Charlesland, which is due to open in September of this year, and of which I am chairperson.”’

Cllr Whitmore, whose background is in environmental law and natural resource management, has also focused on environmental issues and was one of the team of specialists that fought to save the Vartry River from over-extraction.

‘Following on from a successful conclusion to that campaign, we have now established the East Wicklow Rivers Trust, which has the aim of protecting the river systems that rise in Wicklow and flow into the Irish Sea. The environment will continue to play a large part of my focus if re-elected. In addition, I am very keen on continuing to work for co-working spaces for the area, and better public