Canvassers up the tempo as campaign enters the final fur long
THE final push ahead of this Friday’s local elections saw candidates out from 10 a.m. in the morning till late in the evening, shaking hands, running from dogs and leafleting every last house in the district.
In Campile, Fianna Fáil’s Michael Whelan was in the zone in Shelbourne Place, checking the register to see if Stefan Cirpaciu and his wife Veronica were eligible to vote after Stefan told him he wasn’t sure if he could. Returning from a rummage in his car with said register, Michael smiled broadly, announcing that the Romanian family were 100 per cent entitled to vote.
A few doors up Nicole Hayes praised outgoing Cllr Larry O’Brien’s work for Campile, which Michael acknowledged, pointing to a footpath that has been laid.
Nicole said a better transport service to Wexford is needed, while Michael stressed the need of a playground for Nicole’s children Alex and Harry, highlighting how Campile is the biggest village in the district and has nowhere for children to play.
Sally Moran greeted Michael with a big smile, saying he did a lot for the estate.
She said better mental health services are needed within the county. Michael agreed, saying a new CAHMS building is due to open in Wexford to replace Slaney House for children and adolescents suffering from mental health difficulties. ‘We have a TD from Wexford, James Browne who is our party’s spokesperson on mental health. You can link in with him,’ he added.
Local issues were the big concern of Lar Power who said there have been several problems in the estate in recent times, including lighting and sewerage, which were eventually fixed.
‘And there is a path being done up to the hall,’ Michael said, not missing a beat. ‘ The engineer has been up to Abbey View and the road surfacing is to be done.’
‘See, if you don’t have a local man (elected) you’re at nothing,’ Lar said.
He said New Ross needs to thrive if villages like Campile are to grow.
Mental health, transport and lack of activities for the area’s youth were issues which kept being directed at Michael on the doorsteps. Mum-of-three autistic children Tracey Murray said parents, especially those with children with special needs, have to travel regularly to local towns for appointments.
Acknowledging her plight Michael said the services need to be moved around more. ‘ They have the facility at the health centre here. We will definitely ask the question on that.’
Moving on Michael came into difficulty putting a flyer through a stubborn letterbox, but, thanks to his eagle-eyed campaign colleague, was directed to the right slot.
Michael said the boundary means he has lost several votes, including from a building contractor from Wellingtonbridge who did grant work for the council.
In Ballywilliam cathaoirleach of New Ross Municipal District, and former county hurler, John Fleming was enjoying hopping the ball with voters. At Matty Cullen’s house he chatted about a water blockage that led to a pipe being installed which has hampered his plans for his back yard. ‘I’ll bring out the engineer to look at it for you,’ John promised.
The lack of street lighting was raised time and again with John admitting that it’s ‘ black dark’ in the village come evening time in the winter. A rubbly footpath in need of repair was another problem for residents.
Joined by James Browne TD and his campaign tea, John was in and out of houses and yards like a rampaging corner back, leaving voters helpful of light at the end of the tunnel.
He told people of how he made sure a separate funding pot was allocated for street lighting by Wexford County Council, adding: ‘ Please God Ballywilliam is next on the list.’
He told Lily Butler an extra Local Link service has been sought for the village. The closure of the village post office last year was a huge loss, Lily says, John, not missing a beat, replying: ‘ There is no post office now from New Ross to Bunclody.’
Lily said the post office was a meeting place and now she has to go to New Ross to post a package.
Margaret English was full of the chats on her back door step. She also criticised the lack of action on the lights. ‘We had to pay for three here in the estate ourselves,’ she said.
When asked what the county councillors are doing for Ballywilliam she said: ‘ They are doing nothing. When only see them when they’re stuck.’
She said people living in rural Ireland have been forgotten. John said he and his party are constantly fighting for the people of rural Ireland.
At Priory Court estate in New Ross, John Dwyer was drumming up support for his campaign, with a large team of rebel canvassers, many from the Taghmon area. Dean and Georgina St Ledger said they would give him a vote, describing John as a man of the people. Still shocked that he wasn’t elected in 2014 – having successfully been elected in previous elections – Georgina said John always worked hard for the town and its people. She said dumping is a major problem in the estate. Showing us the dumping, John said he has received numerous complaints of littering throughout the town.
Although out of the political game for five years, John says he is still contacted by people about issues they are experiencing. Tracey Bridges said she and her husband have been caught in a council property trap having been denied a council mortgage due to a technicality. She showed us a ‘ jungle’ growing in a patch of ground beside her house, criticising the council for their inaction in maintaining it and in refusing to cut down trees around the side and back of her home, for some time,
‘ The only person we think to ask for help is John.’
A strong presence on the doorsteps, John told Richie and Maria Lennon that there is a whole class of people in New Ross who haven’t been represented by Wexford County Council.
He said former Sinn Fein councillor Oisin O’Connell’s decision to retire has had an impact. ‘Sinn Fein got a man elected the last time but he disappeared so when people were ringing their local councillor he wasn’t available. They didn’t get the response from councillors they should have gotten. I answer my phone at 3 a.m. and never let anyone down.’
The issue of dumping was highlighted time and again, with concern that rats are roaming around in a derelict property to the back of the estate. John said the new look council doesn’t have the staff New Ross Town Council had, adding that work like clearing sites is now done by CE workers.
Businessman Willie Fitzharris was the first candidate to target business owners in the town. At Town & Country Mercantile on the quay he stressed the important role businesspeople play in towns like New Ross to owners Billy and Bridget Ryan. Billy said: ‘Well, it’s absolutely marvellous to see a councillor call in.’
When asked if he is happy with the work county councillors are doing for New Ross, Billy said: ‘If they deliver on all of the stuff they have promised. I’d like to see the advance factory and the Murphy building opened (as a museum). The councillors are neutered to an extent and there is a limited pot they have to work with.’
Willie said: ‘I am here to fight for New Ross. Even though I am conscious of Wexford County Council I am here to get a piece of the cake for New Ross. I look after the district and the town. I am well are that anything that we get for the town will fan out