Paddy McQuillan to make political return
FORMER councillor Paddy McQuillan is making his political return, standing in the forthcoming elections as an Independent.
‘I’ve spoken to people from different sectors of our town, including community groups, community activists and the business sector, and I’ve received very positive feedback.
‘I am therefore going to put my name forward for nomination as Independent Councillor in the forthcoming local elections in May,’ he stated.
Widely respected as a community worker, he says the appetite for change has helped him make up his mind.
‘People are fed up with the same old faces giving the same old sound bites.
‘ There are people currently serving as councillors that my father might have given a vote to. My father passed away almost twenty years ago and I believe that new voices and new ideas are needed in order for our town to move forward.
‘ The days of the political dinosaur are over. If you look at the comments on social media recently this is the general feeling among voters in Drogheda. My conversations with community leaders and activists back this up.’
He feels Drogheda is on the verge of becoming a ‘political dynasty town’, with people encouraged to vote because a family member has served as a councllor.
‘A younger version of the ‘same old same old’ is to nobody’s benefit. Drogheda deserves better.’
Having served on Louth County Council with Sinn Fein from 2009 to 2014, he saw at first hand the ‘ bickering’ that goes on.
‘ This is a seriously unproductive approach to local politics and hasn’t gone unnoticed by the people of our town. All councillors should work together for the good of the town. If elected, I promise to work with all parties and independents if the outcome is a positive one for the town.
‘Many people around Drogheda know me. They know me from my work over many years with community organisations such as Boomerang and The Red Door project. They know me from my work with community events such as the Drogheda Raft Race and the Drogheda Summer League. They know that I have five years’ experience as a councillor under my belt. I know the system. I know how it works. I have worked in the community sector of Drogheda for almost twenty years now. ‘
Paddy says if given the chance, he’ll fight ‘ tooth and nail’ for the town.