Tell MacCann what you think.

merlante

jmcc wrote:

Yes all very nice but once you show that McCann is a direct threat to the planning applications of individuals rather than businesses, his media friends like Billy McCarthy will find it a bit harder to unquestionably protect him. I don't think that people like McCann should be allowed to hold up development of Waterford but I don't think that Waterford should be developed despite the interests of the people.

Regards...jmcc

That is true.

The council zones land for commercial use. We elect the council. Aside from that, we should butt out of the process, unless there is a significant problem with the development. The way people object to buildings, because it's next door to them, or because a competitor is moving in, makes me sick. McCan't is being just as selfish as any of these interests.

Hope it is going south for him. I hope it gets a lot worse for him before it gets better.

Bards

Another Artice in Today's Irish Examiner..

lets hope the pressure can be kept up in the National Media... I Wonder what pressure can be brought to bare on him from WIT becuase if he gets to stop large development like this from taking place we will fail as a City to attract enough critical mass developments like this to make it a favourable place to live & Work. if this fails to happen then we & WIT may as well forget about a University
===============================

15 September 2006

Waterford ‘held back by serial objector’

By Neans McSweeney, South-East Correspondent
THE MAYOR of Waterford, Cha O’Neill, has said he is fearful for Waterford’s reputation among developers and investors as it emerged that a college lecturer is making an average of almost one observation, objection or appeal per week against proposed developments in the city.


Mr O’Neill made his comments after Waterford auctioneer Des Purcell revealed that Green Party activist Brendan McCann made 30 planning submissions to Waterford City Council during the period from January 3 to September 8. Mr McCann also lodged a number of appeals against Waterford City Council’s planning decisions to An Bord Pleanála during the same period.




The mayor said his concern is that the signal being sent to those considering investing in Waterford is a single individual has taken it on himself to act as an alternative to the planning process in a way that can create considerable delays to projects.

“I actively favour people being involved in helping to plan development in the areas where they live or work,” he said.

“However, what does concern me greatly is the perception among developers and investors that Waterford is a difficult area for projects to be advanced in because of a serial objector who appears to take a scattergun approach in opposing projects of every size, type and location.”

Mr O’Neill said it was “no secret” that there had been greater private sector investment in the comparable cities of Limerick, Galway and Cork during the last 10 years and expressed the fear that Waterford would be unable to develop as a regional gateway if the city gets an unwanted reputation as anti-development.

“In Waterford we have seen far fewer landmark construction projects during the boom since the mid-1990s. Cities that stagnate quickly go backwards and we need to build for the future,” he said.

“Now that developers and investors are finally looking at our city in a more positive light, it is vital that we don’t shoot ourselves in the foot by allowing one individual to take on an unelected and unappointed role that sees him clog up the city’s planning system with what I have to say are often dubious submissions on desirable projects that are fully vetted by our highly qualified and experienced city planners.”

Mr O’Neill said that there was a clear system for elected members of Waterford City Council to input to the planning process on behalf of those they represent.

Mr McCann has defended his actions.

“I believe that every citizen should get involved in the planning process to a level which their finances and time allow,” he said.

“If more people got involved, then I wouldn’t have to do it. It should also be kept in mind that the council only has to have regard to submissions made. They do not have to abide by them.

“I stand over the content of every submission I have made. A lot of time, effort and research goes into it.”

AdMMM

Personally I think that McCann has a point but is going about proving it in the wrong way and I've been speaking to a few councillors who feel the same.

To publically oppose the new Brewery Complex would be political suicide because of the intimidating PR campaign that they are unrolling this time!

Personally I'm more worried about the potential for corruption within the pact.

Our man in Havana

The Mayor was on Morning Ireland this morning complaining that McCann is holding back the city. He said that he has fed up of seeing him in the city planning office.

McCann was asked to give an answer but said that Morning Ireland was not an appropiate place to discuss the issue and that he would continue to in his words "to lodge observations" on planning matters in the city.

I suspect he would much prefer to discuss it on WLRFM with his number 1 fan conducting the interview. :mad:

deisemum

It's on wlrfm now and billy hasn't read out one text or call backing Cha O Neill even though I know several have been sent in backing the mayor. Just shows how biased Billy is.

He's only having those who support McCant on or reading out the text messages that are against Cha, Totally one sided interview

deisemum

Bond-007 wrote:

McCann was asked to give an answer but said that Morning Ireland was not an appropiate place to discuss the issue and that he would continue to in his words "to lodge observations" on planning matters in the city.

I suspect he would much prefer to discuss it on WLRFM with his number 1 fan conducting the interview. :mad:

You're right there

Bookee

Agree totally...!

And, it's true, why didn't McCann't give his views on Morning Ireland....

mike65

His statement said it was'nt a forum for such serious discussion! The ego that guy has!

Right click Save As (real audio)

Fast forwards to 1:46

Mike.

merlante

mike65 wrote:

His statement said it was'nt a forum for such serious discussion! The ego that guy has!

Right click Save As (real audio)

Fast forwards to 1:46

Mike.

Nice one Mike.

I have to say though, Cha O'Neill came across as a complete muppet who couldn't make his points.

If I was going on national radio, I would at least have a list of points that I wanted to make, and I wouldn't be falling over my words if the presenter asked, "Can you give me one single example where Brendan McCann has held back development in Waterford?"

And then to top it all off, that man ends with an emotional plea for business to come to Waterford, because Waterford is a business friendly city.

Thanks Cha for making the city sound like Ahash gra!

mike65

I thought the same, in his defence I know that sometimes these live phone chats can happen almost out of the blue as regards the "in programme schedule" and he may have been 'caught short' so to speak.

That said he only got one real jab in, when he mentioned McCann has 30 objections since January, which does make him sound like a serial objector.

Mike.

merlante

mike65 wrote:

I thought the same, in his defence I know that sometimes these live phone chats can happen almost out of the blue as regards the "in programme schedule" and he may have been 'caught short' so to speak.

That said he only got one real jab in, when he mentioned McCann has 30 objections since January, which does make him sound like a serial objector.

Well if that's the case I'd have some sympathy, but still.

Well at least McCan't didn't go on it with him, because he would have murdered our fearless leader!

deisemum

merlante wrote:

Well if that's the case I'd have some sympathy, but still.

Well at least McCan't didn't go on it with him, because he would have murdered our fearless leader!

LOL

Bards

All he had to say was that "this politician is interfering in the planning process" this is what I don't get. McCant is protraying himself as a concerned citizen when in fact he is a politician

why Can't the media see through his charade:mad:

Trotter

McCann and Mary Roche on WLR right now!!

mike65

Listening!

He looks at 10% of the planning application files he says which makes it sound a bit random.

Mike.

Bards

Conveniently doesn't have time to look at Developments at the fringe of our City by other authorities

merlante

Who won! Synopsis anyone?

mad man

Guys,

I havn't heard and of the debates on WLR.However if Billy McCarthy is as one sided as has been suggested then if sure it is grounds for reporting to the BCI.

mike65

merlante I only heard the last few mins. When nothing controversial was aired. He does seem to be very particular and being very particular. He clearly knows how to use the system to his best effect.

Mike.

Our man in Havana

mad man wrote:

Guys,

I havn't heard and of the debates on WLR.However if Billy McCarthy is as one sided as has been suggested then if sure it is grounds for reporting to the BCI.

On what grounds?

merlante

mike65 wrote:

merlante I only heard the last few mins. When nothing controversial was aired. He does seem to be very particular and being very particular. He clearly knows how to use the system to his best effect.

Indeed, he's very good all right. Minority politicians can make up a lot of ground by being better informed. McCann is always very well informed, and although there are intelligent people in Waterford who could pick apart his arguments to good effect, none of them seem to be politicians!

If the conversation was tepid toward the end then McCann obviously won!

merlante

mad man wrote:

Guys,

I havn't heard and of the debates on WLR.However if Billy McCarthy is as one sided as has been suggested then if sure it is grounds for reporting to the BCI.

Maybe a case could be built around the number of minutes devoted to McCann versus others, etc. But trying to show that McCarthy is biased otherwise would be difficult. What is clear from listening to the radio, may not be so easy to prove. He has made a very few dodgy comments in quasi-support for McCann though.

WLR's whole thing is that they give equal time to all, but they choose what warrants to give *equal time* to, and what isin't. What other 'cause' has gotten as much air time from WLR as McCann? Has there ever been another unelected individual who has been given so much air time to promulgate their views?

There is a huge socialist vote in Waterford, when was the last time Billy had a capitalism versus marxism debate on WLR? Charities that save people's lives don't even get the degree of coverage that he gets. And so-called *big business*, his defacto opponents, *certainly* don't get equal air time to face him. But to be honest, they'd be better off staying away from him.

Our man in Havana

I wonder is there anyway to reign in Billy McCarthy? Does the BCI deal with bias in interviews?

merlante

Bond-007 wrote:

I wonder is there anyway to reign in Billy McCarthy? Does the BCI deal with bias in interviews?

A bit of pressure never hurt. I had an email exchange with WLR that probably didn't go very far, but I put the points to them, and it may not have occurred to them before that people thought they were biased. A few more emails in to WLR with points made clearly, in a civil tone, could go a long way.

mad man

Bond-007 wrote:

On what grounds?

Being biased or not being impartial I would say is grounds enough.I'm not sure it would have to be proven/Perhaps the BCI would investigate and it might be enough to put the wind up WLR.

I recall during the Your a Star campaign for Chris Doran some guy from the Aran Islands who resided in Waterford fo years, complained about Bias against Dorans opponenet who was also from the Aran islands.You remember the guy.It was farcical but the principal is the same.

That was ludicrous because it is akin to being biased for supporting Waterford Hurling over Cork.However what McCann is doing is a serious social issue and because he is a politician it is possible that it may be shown as a political bias by WLR.Or one of their presenters may be allowing his show to be used as a political platform and therfore being partisan.

I would have to search thriugh the BCI broadcasting rules/Charter to see exactly what grounds.However if Billy McCarthy is biased as was suggested on boards then I'M sure their is grounds.

Bookee

Interesting - let us know ...!

merlante

I'd have to hear some of his more recent interviews with McCann, but I haven't heard the last few.

It would be really handy if people could record them if they are listening to WLR on a computer, or there is a computer nearby. That way we could all have a listen if we miss one.

Interesting about the BCI. Yeah, I actually remember that guy from the Aran Islands complaining. No wonder that lot have plane and ferry connections.

Bookee

Apparently, there's a late night replay of DeiseAM, but I don't know any more than that..... !

deisemum

You should see this weeks Waterford News & Star, letters in supporting McCann

mike65

Des Purcell joins bandwagon!

http://www.waterford-news.com/news/story.asp?j=23187

“There is an enormous level of frustration in Waterford at this situation and it is time it was highlighted.


The system which allows one unelected lay-person to delay or block any number of planning applications for projects worth millions of €uros, cannot be sustained.”


“Many other individuals and organisations make valid and reasonable objections to applications but nobody comes close to Mr. McCann’s record in the range and number in which he has an involvement.”


Des Purcell, who claims that much of his sentiments are supported by Mayor Cha O’Neill and Chamber of Commerce President Kathleen Fitzgerald (neither of whom were available for comment yesterday) said it wasn’t only big developers who were effected.

•New Aldi store at Kingsmeadow
•406 houses at Gracedieu by Paul O’Brien
•Apartments on Dunmore Road by Noel Frisby
•Three-storey carpark at O’Connell St.
•Creche at Bishopscourt
•Replacement of Tesco Poleberry store
•Take-away in Railway Square development
•Advertising display at Michael St.

Mike.