Our readers share some biting words about meals provided to councillors
Dear Sir,
At a time when so many people are struggling to feed their families and heat their homes, the article in last week’s newspaper on the Council’s free hot food for councillors just shows how out of touch they are with the needs – not wants, but essentials – of their constituents.
When elections come round again, they will all be peddling what they supposedly do for us, or Green/ Orange issues.
This is wrong on so many levels.
As an EX-NHS staff member, I had to bring my own meals with me out of my own wages, as we were never sure what time we would get our break, especially on the night shift when the canteen was closed.
We survived, and the current NHS staff are still doing the same, although more and more of them today are having to use food banks to feed their families, as NHS wages are much less than what councillors are paid.
Our council needs to take a long, hard look at the morals and standards they are portraying to ratepayers, many of whom are struggling to pay their ever-increasing rate bills. Our rates money should not be used to feed well-paid staff.
As for giving them a subsistence allowance, this should not be paid either, as the shifts are short enough again.
Many NHS staff travel more than an hour to get to work, and they aren’t fed when they get there.
Also, there are many great places to eat in both towns, open at various times, so why aren’t our councillors supporting local businesses by buying their meals there, if they don’t want to bring them from home? Yours faithfully, Anita Gilliland,
Maguiresbridge.
Dear Sir,
We wish to convey our personal congratulations to Editor Rodney Edwards on his exclusive article in The Impartial Reporter last week.
In our investigations into the Planning Committee, the following increasing numbers of women in this, our community, who need their help: the victims. They are the ones who matter.
Not so long ago, I was privileged to participate in a domestic abuse awareness session led by Michelle in her usual very capable and knowledgeable manner.
It was a real eye-opener, and harrowing to think that so many victims are here on our doorstep.
Michelle was also the guest speaker at an MU event earlier this year, and she reached our hearts and souls.
The large, assembled crowd, although long-time supporters of Women’s Aid, struggled yet again to comprehend the horrifying statistics she laid bare in her presentation.
But these are not just numbers in a report or a newspaper article – these are local women; your neighbours, and mine.
We hear fine words from wider officialdom about supporting the work of Women’s Aid, and recognition of the vital role they play in communities across Northern Ireland.
We all think that ‘supporting’ points have arisen.
For the tax year of 2022/2023, in excess of £728,000 was paid in salary and expenses for 43 councillors.
This equates to just a little bit shy of £17,000 per year, per councillor.
Most of the councillors are in full-time employment, or retired with private/state pensions.
There are workers within this constituency who are working full-time for less money than our councillors receive for a part-time job.
So why can’t the councillors pay for their own meals like everyone else who turns up for work?
Yours faithfully,
Brendan and Ann Mccann,
Enniskillen.
Dear Sir,
After reading last week’s article exposing the clandestine culinary concerns of our esteemed Council members [‘Gravy Train’, April 18], one can’t help but wonder if they’ve mistaken the council Chamber for a five-star restaurant.
While our community struggles to put food on the table, it seems our councillors are more interested in filling their own bellies – at the taxpayers’ expense, no less.
It’s a sad state of affairs when those elected to serve the people are more concerned with serving themselves.
While our neighbours rely on food banks to stave off hunger, our councillors seem to have developed a taste for complimentary meals.
One would hope their appetite for public service matches their appetite for fine dining, but alas, it appears their priorities are a bit too rich for our liking. And let’s address the councillor who cried “fat shaming”.
It seems he’s more concerned with the size of his portion than the size of his conscience.
If he truly understood the plight of those facing food insecurity, he’d be packing a lunch instead of packing on excuses.
In a world where actions speak louder than words, it’s time for our council to put down the menu and pick up the mantle of responsibility.
Until then, we’ll be watching – and hungering – for true leadership.
Yours faithfully,
Lorraine Browne.
encompasses increased funding, yet the very opposite happens.
I despair, but my despair is nothing compared to that of the victims. Yours faithfully,
Heather Humphreys,
Lisbellaw.
Dear Sir,
Michelle Alonso is number-one in her role, and I am speaking from experience with my dealings with her in the past.
It is shocking news that her position is coming to an end because there is no funding for it!
It is difficult to take, when there is public money spent foolishly sending politicians abroad for St. Patrick’s Day to party, having done very little work for three years previously – and wages being paid for doing nothing during that period. Shame! Shame! Shame!
Yours faithfully,
Siobhan Patton,
Garrison.
Dear Sir,
I am very sad to hear Michelle Alonso is leaving because of funding cuts. As domestic abuse cases rise in
society, it makes no sense to cut funding.
Lives have been saved because of the work done by Women’s Aid, both locally and nationally.
If only we valued all lives the same, rather than disregarding the most vulnerable, then maybe Women’s Aid would get adequate funding!
Yours faithfully,
Maggie Kelly,
Enniskillen.
Dear Sir,
I am writing in relation to last week’s article on Women’s Aid Fermanagh losing funding for its support worker, Michelle Alonso.
Hundreds of thousands of pounds are being paid to top wigs in a completely useless, dysfunctional Council.
Where is the funding for a service like this? This is awful news for women for whom this service can mean life or death.
This is a major injustice to the people of Fermanagh.
Yours faithfully,
Caroline Landers,
Derrylin