WRH proposed downgrade - protest on Saturday the 23rd of Feb

Am Chile

Sully wrote: »

I saw a person hand out flyers for the Save Waterford Campaign in one of the supermarkets - I wont say where or the sex of the person as not to embarrass them. But when one male didn't want to take a leaflet (he just dodged the person rather than refusing) this person started shouting after him and giving out. He just ignored it, got into his car and drove on. Man in his late 20s / early 30s with shopping in his hand probably didn't want the flyer as he had heard the person mention it or got the details already via local media.

Wasn't professional IMO.

@ Sully was this save waterford voleenteer wearing a high vis jacket identifying themselve as save waterford? whenever I see someone handing out leaflets the first thing I do when walking past them is take a good look at their high vis jackets to see what campaign/group they re representing before I decide whether to take a leaflet or not;a good few months ago around the square one those charties collecting funds for Africa had volenteers wearing high vis green jackets; as I walked past one their volenters he tried to give me a leaflet as to why to donate money to Africa I just kindly said in a hurry for work as an excuse; I heard him pass a remark as I went past him; one thing will greatly irrate a lot of people is when some volenteers for campaigns try guilt trip people for not taking a leaflet or donating money doesnt sit too well with some people.

Sully

Am Chile wrote: »

@ Sully was this save waterford voleenteer wearing a high vis jacket identifying themselve as save waterford? whenever I see someone handing out leaflets the first thing I do when walking past them is take a good look at their high vis jackets to see what campaign/group they re representing before I decide whether to take a leaflet or not;a good few months ago around the square one those charties collecting funds for Africa had volenteers wearing high vis green jackets; as I walked past one their volenters he tried to give me a leaflet as to why to donate money to Africa I just kindly said in a hurry for work as an excuse; I heard him pass a remark as I went past him; one thing will greatly irrate a lot of people is when some volenteers for campaigns try guilt trip people for not taking a leaflet or donating money doesnt sit too well with some people.

The person had no ID or anything, which I don't think they have? Was just dressed normally handing out the paper flyers.

Sarahfayess

Am Chile wrote: »

I seen this photo screenshot on a few other FB pages of a deleted comment from the save waterford facebook page; looking at the comment there is no mention of calls for violence or nothing of the sort;I edited out the names in the photo for possible legal reasons but I find it very suspicious someone points out a second fianna fail man appears to be involved in their campaign and the comment gets erased from their page.

Yes, I saw this, it was removed as he wasn't asking any questions in innocence at all, he was just out to discredit and spread crap. Save Waterford do NOT have any political alliances or anything of the sort, but they will take support from anyone who gives it as a civilian, as long as they leave their politics at the door.

MitchKoobski

Sarahfayess wrote: »

Yes, I saw this, it was removed as he wasn't asking any questions in innocence at all, he was just out to discredit and spread crap. Save Waterford do NOT have any political alliances or anything of the sort, but they will take support from anyone who gives it as a civilian, as long as they leave their politics at the door.

I don't see a problem with the question he/she asked.

Jason Todd

I actually know the guy who posted that, it came up on my timeline and he genuinely wasn't stirring. He wouldn't know all that about politics if you ask me, so like I say, the question came from a genuine place. He can come up with some ****e in fairness when it comes to local hurling and soccer, but he's never malicious, but what I will say is that some of the replies he got were disgraceful, questioning his right to have a say because he's living in Oz for the foreseeable future etc. Some of the replies were so ignorant from people in and around this Save Waterford and WGAS. At least Andrea Galgey herself engaged him in a coherent manner.

Hoffmans

This walking out protesting down here lark is a waste of time , who would even know about it up in dublin unless it got 30 seconds on the news ,
the only way they will take notice is a mass boycott of taxes , tv-house-car, but that wont happen now will it...:eek:

nice_very

just a couple of things folks:

all this non political talk surrounding SW since day 1 is getting very tiring, I doubt very much that the organisers are that naive as to believe that an issue as important as hospital services is not a political issue. If they insist that the non political stance is referring to working with politicians, then why are 2 FF and 1 FG (as mentioned above) so prominently involved?

nobody has said anything about my last post, the message on their FB wall, liked by both organisers of SW, which alludes to violence against those who dare to have a difference of opinion/suggestions.. this is totally against their peaceful dignified stance, yet both organisers of SW liked the post.

another post from one of the SW organisers on the WGAS wall states that it is now time for everyone to come together. this comes after months of ignoring, talking down and refusal to engage with or promote other groups/campaigns/protests.

IMO the organisers know too well their campaign and day in the spotlight is coming to an end (regardless of what happens to the SE Hospital group) and are now trying to use their "fame" to piggyback and take over other campaigns that they once dismissed.

the recent innocence being portrayed by the campaign and its organisers really sickens me, they know exactly what they are doing and why they are doing it.

Dicky Pride

They seemed to have painted themselves as revolutionaries and whenever it looks like they are slipping out of the limelight they throw up another post and shake another hornet's nest.

They have got a lot of support from the clueless majority in Waterford and with each day that passes it becomes more and more like the blind leading the blind.

I have heard politicians taking the piss out of them one day and then sharing a wheel of the bandwagon another day. Waterford, through the eyes of the rest of the country, has just become a city of moaners.

mccarthy37

Dicky Pride wrote: »

They seemed to have painted themselves as revolutionaries and whenever it looks like they are slipping out of the limelight they throw up another post and shake another hornet's nest.

They have got a lot of support from the clueless majority in Waterford and with each day that passes it becomes more and more like the blind leading the blind.

I have heard politicians taking the piss out of them one day and then sharing a wheel of the bandwagon another day. Waterford, through the eyes of the rest of the country, has just become a city of moaners.

Ok Big Phil we will all go back to sleep now.

Dicky Pride

Oh dear. Sure lets organise another walk through town next week. That'll show em all that we mean business.

7upfree

Dicky Pride wrote: »

They seemed to have painted themselves as revolutionaries and whenever it looks like they are slipping out of the limelight they throw up another post and shake another hornet's nest.

They have got a lot of support from the clueless majority in Waterford and with each day that passes it becomes more and more like the blind leading the blind.

I have heard politicians taking the piss out of them one day and then sharing a wheel of the bandwagon another day. Waterford, through the eyes of the rest of the country, has just become a city of moaners.

Amazingly, when other areas hold protests, there is an admiration for them. Yet, when Waterford gets off its ass, we get the whole "moaners" thing trotted out. What do YOU suggest instead? Roll over - and take it up that very same ass?

As I said previously, Waterford has been discriminated against by successive Governments. The WIT upgrade debacle (going on for the bones of twenty years, with politicians not "going to put down the cudgel" unless it was upgraded); the City Council debacle; and now WRH?

Personally I couldn't give a fiddlers what others think. That is our problem. There are, apparently, people within this city who actually WORRY about offending others.:rolleyes: No-one is going to help us. That has been proven in the past few years. We have to do it ourselves.

And as for your "clueless majority" accusations, I would suggest you retract it immediately. I find it highly offensive to this City and its populace, and you have absolutely no right to level such an accusation. Waterford people are the salt of this earth, and are far more articulate and clued in than people like you give them credit for.

Regarding SW, I was surprised to see a sitting councillor handing out leaflets at Tesco last week. But that is the choice SW have made - just as they choose not to demonstrate when O'Reilly visited last year (now universally acknowledged as a mistake).

But I would still prefer to have them there then to depend on the keyboard warriors who worry about what other people will think. Any day.

7upfree

Hoffmans wrote: »

This walking out protesting down here lark is a waste of time , who would even know about it up in dublin unless it got 30 seconds on the news ,
the only way they will take notice is a mass boycott of taxes , tv-house-car, but that wont happen now will it...:eek:

What is actually needed is French-style protests. Strikes a chord really.....

7upfree

Sarahfayess wrote: »

Yes, I saw this, it was removed as he wasn't asking any questions in innocence at all, he was just out to discredit and spread crap. Save Waterford do NOT have any political alliances or anything of the sort, but they will take support from anyone who gives it as a civilian, as long as they leave their politics at the door.

Who was the FG rep?

Dicky Pride

7upfree wrote: »

What is actually needed is French-style protests. Strikes a chord really.....

I demand that you retract something that I disagree with. Right now!

Eh, no.

You see, what you have done, is what you always do...you take something that someone has said and you interpret in whatever way you see fit, just so you can become hysterical as always.

The first march was a success and it came about at a time when the city was beginning to boil over. I was behind that protest all the way. The second one was a waste of time and there aren't many who believe otherwise.

The moaning I speak of is coming from certain politicians who only seem to care about the amalgamation and never seem to be able to talk about anything else. There are bigger issues happening in this city right now, things that we have every right to be moaning about but when everyone seems to be hung up on just one issue, then it doesn't look good for the rest of us.

And you only have to read most of the drivel on the save waterford page to know that it's supported mainly my people who just want to abuse politicians and basically anyone else who stands in their way. This crowd does not represent me, and they do not represent Waterford, regardless of how much they want to.

spankmemunkey

I heard two very disturbing cases of people who were sent out to waterford regional recently, with serious life threatening conditions,

One was left on a trolley for 24hours and one was sent home even though her condition was life threatening!

Im sorry to say but this is only going to get worse and worse if these cuts come in. Its not a place youd want to be sick in.

jad2007

We have a situation were the same two councillors are very active in WGAS and Save Waterford. They are involved in planning meetings with both groups and seem to steering the direction of the protests.

Now i dont know either well enough to say that they are not genuinely concerned and hopefully as politicians they would be.

However the danger is that people get the impression that either group have a political agenda. It would be best to keep all politicians out of the loop regardless of party allegiance. If they were kept as peoples movements their would not be the danger of credibility erosion.

Psychedelic

I'm a bit confused here because it looks like Save Waterford are being accused of being pro-Fine Gael and Fianna Fail, just because local reps are getting involved in the campaign, and conversely they are being accused of Government/politician-bashing. Which is it?

What does it matter if Gary Wyse, Mary Roche or any other councillor wants to get involed, handing out leaflets or taking part in the meetings and the marches? If they did nothing they would be lambasted just the same. And they are Waterford people after all.

And people are criticising them because the marches are not effective - how about organising your own march/protest/shout verbal abuse and intimidate Ministers or whatever else you think is the magic solution.

At the end of the day, Save Waterford organised the marches, which went well. The haven't been going around telling people who to vote for or any other political nonsense. They are just ordinary people trying to do what they think is right to oppose the proposed downgrade, why are people being so aggressive towards them?

Jason Todd

Psychedelic wrote: »

I'm a bit confused here because it looks like Save Waterford are being accused of being pro-Fine Gael and Fianna Fail, just because local reps are getting involved in the campaign, and conversely they are being accused of Government/politician-bashing. Which is it?

What does it matter if Gary Wyse, Mary Roche or any other councillor wants to get involed, handing out leaflets or taking part in the meetings and the marches? If they did nothing they would be lambasted just the same. And they are Waterford people after all.

And people are criticising them because the marches are not effective - how about organising your own march/protest/shout verbal abuse and intimidate Ministers or whatever else you think is the magic solution.

At the end of the day, Save Waterford organised the marches, which went well. The haven't been going around telling people who to vote for or any other political nonsense. They are just ordinary people trying to do what they think is right to oppose the proposed downgrade, why are people being so aggressive towards them?

Because they (and their followers) get aggressive and ultra defensive whenever someone asks a genuine question of them?

7upfree

Dicky Pride wrote: »

You see, what you have done, is what you always do...you take something that someone has said and you interpret in whatever way you see fit, just so you can become hysterical as always.

From your post above:

"They have got a lot of support from the clueless majority in Waterford"

Even for you that doesn't take much twisting. Sounds pretty hysterical actually. Generalising an entire populace. And while SW may not represent you, they certainly represent the silent - not clueless as you describe them - majority.

Again I would ask you to retract that derogatory comment aimed at your fellow citizens.

And BTW - issues don't get much bigger than a Regional Hospital being threatened with downgrading, to the detriment of that "clueless majority" you seem to so despise.

I'd say you wouldn't be as quick to post such drivel under your real name somehow.

7upfree

Psychedelic wrote: »

I'm a bit confused here because it looks like Save Waterford are being accused of being pro-Fine Gael and Fianna Fail, just because local reps are getting involved in the campaign, and conversely they are being accused of Government/politician-bashing. Which is it?

What does it matter if Gary Wyse, Mary Roche or any other councillor wants to get involed, handing out leaflets or taking part in the meetings and the marches? If they did nothing they would be lambasted just the same. And they are Waterford people after all.

And people are criticising them because the marches are not effective - how about organising your own march/protest/shout verbal abuse and intimidate Ministers or whatever else you think is the magic solution.

At the end of the day, Save Waterford organised the marches, which went well. The haven't been going around telling people who to vote for or any other political nonsense. They are just ordinary people trying to do what they think is right to oppose the proposed downgrade, why are people being so aggressive towards them?

I've bolded the most important bit of that post. You hit the nail on the head there. It's obvious that other politicians running different agendas to the detriment of this City are being exposed by, what was it again, the "clueless majority". And they don't like it one bit. Newsflash lads - there's nowhere to hide.

7upfree

spankmemunkey wrote: »

I heard two very disturbing cases of people who were sent out to waterford regional recently, with serious life threatening conditions,

One was left on a trolley for 24hours and one was sent home even though her condition was life threatening!

Im sorry to say but this is only going to get worse and worse if these cuts come in. Its not a place youd want to be sick in.

Imagine how worse it will get if O'Reilly and his cronies downgrade it?

Psychedelic

Jason Todd wrote: »

Because they (and their followers) get aggressive and ultra defensive whenever someone asks a genuine question of them?

I dunno, maybe they are just pissed off with all the "genuine", loaded, passive-aggressive questions? I know I would if I was them.

The comments are clearly trying to stir it and make the SW campaign look bad. And like one person said on the FB page, all the comments such as "so and so from Fianna Fail was handing leaflets" etc is just childish rubbish. Who cares if these politicians are handing out leaflets? That doesn't mean the campaign is pro-FF or pro-FG. Should the politicians all be banned from supporting the campaign?

Am Chile

jad2007 wrote: »

We have a situation were the same two councillors are very active in WGAS and Save Waterford. They are involved in planning meetings with both groups and seem to steering the direction of the protests.

Now i dont know either well enough to say that they are not genuinely concerned and hopefully as politicians they would be.

However the danger is that people get the impression that either group have a political agenda. It would be best to keep all politicians out of the loop regardless of party allegiance. If they were kept as peoples movements their would not be the danger of credibility erosion.

I have to agree with this post-its not just one fianna fail member appears to be involved in sw campaign; from what I have heard by word of mouth via private conversation a current fianna fail counciller actively attends sw meetings along with an lifelong ex pd member; the post on facebook they deleted refered to another fianna fail member (due to stand for local elections next year) handing out sw leaflets on their behalf;so thats two fianna fail members and an ex pd appears to be involved in the sw campaign; from looking at their facebook some of their supporters arent too happy about questions being asked; if I was them I would more concerned about the questions not being asked to them on facebook; the questions some people are asking in private conversations; there is a reason a lot of people I personally know (not poltically minded people nor supporters of any party ) who went to their first march refused to attend last weekend but Il keep what they said in private conversations private.

Dicky Pride

From Gary Wyse's facebook page:

Just heard the HSE have announced there will be NO downgrading of Waterford Regional Hospital... Good news!!! but we still need to be in control of our own budgets if we don't control our own budgets then its game over and a slow downgrade over years!... we await a cabinet decision and an announcement soon.

I was under the impression that the government and the HSE had stated that the hospital was never going to be broken up. Everyone on facebook thanking the two girls now for saving the hospital.

Sully

I'm sure the protests helped pile on pressure and ensure there was no change to services at WRH.

Dicky Pride

I don't think we're out of the woods yet.

Not The Real Scarecrow

Dicky Pride wrote: »

I was under the impression that the government and the HSE had stated that the hospital was never going to be broken up. Everyone on facebook thanking the two girls now for saving the hospital.

This was the thing, alot of unfounded rumours and scaremongering going on and when it proves to be false, the people who started the scaremongering can act like saviours.And before the usual morons go casting pro-government accusations at me, I'm totally against all governments ,except dictatorships( RIP Gaddafi).It'd be like if I kept saying that boards was going to infect everyone with HIV on the 27th of March, I'll start off a campaign and when it doesn't happen, take all the credit for no one getting HIV.

I'm not diminishing what they did in terms of getting off their holes and organising something, in fact I think its great that a few normal people can actually see that the power to try and effect change is in their hands. All I'm saying is don't go taking credit for something that wasn't going to happen in the first place, all its gonna do is give Scary Roache and the other politicians WHO WERE involved in organising it , something to brag about and take credit for when the next session of the cnut factor(local elections) materializes in our fine dimension.

Bards

Dicky Pride wrote: »

From Gary Wyse's facebook page:



I was under the impression that the government and the HSE had stated that the hospital was never going to be broken up. Everyone on facebook thanking the two girls now for saving the hospital.

yep, that's my reading of it to.

I will await unti the Govt categorically state that the S.E Hospital Network will not be broken up.

fricatus

Bards wrote: »

I will await unti the Govt categorically state that the S.E Hospital Network will not be broken up.

That's the point really, isn't it? It was never about budget cuts - rather, it was about who controls the hospital's budget!

7upfree

Meatwad wrote: »

And before the usual morons go casting pro-government accusations at me, I'm totally against all governments ,except dictatorships( RIP Gaddafi).It'd be like if I kept saying that boards was going to infect everyone with HIV on the 27th of March, I'll start off a campaign and when it doesn't happen, take all the credit for no one getting HIV.

I'm not diminishing what they did in terms of getting off their holes and organising something, in fact I think its great that a few normal people can actually see that the power to try and effect change is in their hands. All I'm saying is don't go taking credit for something that wasn't going to happen in the first place, all its gonna do is give Scary Roache and the other politicians WHO WERE involved in organising it , something to brag about and take credit for when the next session of the cnut factor(local elections) materializes in our fine dimension.

Paranoia. Ya gotta love it all the same!:D

Jason Todd

7upfree wrote: »

Paranoia. Ya gotta love it all the same!:D

Psychedelic

Meatwad wrote: »

This was the thing, alot of unfounded rumours and scaremongering going on and when it proves to be false, the people who started the scaremongering can act like saviours.And before the usual morons go casting pro-government accusations at me, I'm totally against all governments ,except dictatorships( RIP Gaddafi).It'd be like if I kept saying that boards was going to infect everyone with HIV on the 27th of March, I'll start off a campaign and when it doesn't happen, take all the credit for no one getting HIV.

I'm not diminishing what they did in terms of getting off their holes and organising something, in fact I think its great that a few normal people can actually see that the power to try and effect change is in their hands. All I'm saying is don't go taking credit for something that wasn't going to happen in the first place, all its gonna do is give Scary Roache and the other politicians WHO WERE involved in organising it , something to brag about and take credit for when the next session of the cnut factor(local elections) materializes in our fine dimension.

Don't we all look silly now, blindly falling for masterminds Wyse & Roche's wicked scheme to trick us into giving them votes in a future election by scaring us into thinking the hospital was going to be downgraded, and then by helping out a campaign to save the hospital!

What started all this was a leak (via David Cullinane of Sinn Fein) from the Higgins Report that proposed breaking up the South East Hospital Network and realigning WRH with a Cork hospital. If that proposal was not in the Report then someone form the Government or one of our TDs or Higgins himself could've easily quashed the claim. The majority of Kilkenny hospital consultants also voted to break up the SEEHN. So this was at least proposed, you can't say this was never going to happen - the Higgins Report still hasn't been brought to cabinet even though it was written over 5 months ago, and we still have not received any statement from Government about the future of WRH.

I think everyone would recognise and give credit to the two ladies of Save Waterford for organising the protests, and it wouldn't be their fault if any councillors tried to claim credit for it. If the proposal in the Higgins Report is not followed through, I think the protest marches will have played a part in that. I don't care if Wyse or Roche were involved or not.

Hoffmans

12 new consultants multi million euro extension just finishing, what was all the shouting about?

O Riain

Hoffmans wrote: »

12 new consultants multi million euro extension just finishing, what was all the shouting about?

It was about Waterford City always being completely and utterly ignored for everything. Has anyone been in any other city in Ireland? We are so far behind it is laughable. I was in NUIG the other day and it really hit home how much we have been neglected. A city a little bit bigger than ours has an I.T. comparable to ours and on top of that they have an absolutely unbelievable university and literally 1000s more jobs than we do.

The hospital issue was one issue out of a thousand and I for one am glad that the protests happened because its the start of Waterford people sticking up for themselves and hopefully demanding what we rightfully deserve.

Anyone from Waterford(or the south east for that matter) only needs to visit Cork, Limerick, Dublin or Galway just to see exactly how much we have been neglected by this Government and past Governments, because its worse than people realise.

Déise Abú

jad2007

The beauty of scaremongering like Wyse and Roche is if nothing happens you can say that they saved WRH. Its a win win situation. if it gets downgraded they say they tried stop it, if it doesnt they saved it.

Chiparus

Hoffmans wrote: »

12 new consultants multi million euro extension just finishing, what was all the shouting about?

The upgrade to the emergency department , pediatric ICU were planned as far back as 2003, the rubbish in the N+S is exactly that. WHR will cease to be a Regional hospital as the region will be no longer in existence . CUH, Waterford campus will be the new title. As the catchment population will be diverted to Dublin and Cork, CUH Waterford campus will be allowed to slowly decay as will all the other hospitals in the region.

O Riain

jad2007 wrote: »

The beauty of scaremongering like Wyse and Roche is if nothing happens you can say that they saved WRH. Its a win win situation. if it gets downgraded they say they tried stop it, if it doesnt they saved it.

I know she had her blogs and he had his facebook but does anyone else actually associate them with this campaign? Because I personally dont. Were these guys city councillors during the boom years? I'm unaware if they were but if they were then I hold them personally responsible as City Councillors for absolutely failing Waterford City. Looking back what exactly was done to Waterford city? A lot of work being done now but previous to that what exactly was done over the 10 years?

jad2007

Wyse and Roche both long time councillors, in relation to campaign both attended planning meetings for Save Waterford. Same with Waterford Gives a Shirt.

O Riain

jad2007 wrote: »

Wyse and Roche both long time councillors, in relation to campaign both attended planning meetings for Save Waterford. Same with Waterford Gives a Shirt.

Grand so both have to share the blame for waterford city being so far behind the pack and both have no place at a protest trying to save the place.
Am I being too harsh on the councillors, is there more they could have done for this city? Or are they simply justification personified as to why the city council should be abolished?

fricatus

Chiparus wrote: »

WHR will cease to be a Regional hospital as the region will be no longer in existence . CUH, Waterford campus will be the new title.

Is this just speculation, or have you a source for this? I can't imagine anyone would be very happy with a name like that. Imagine the uproar in the Kilkenny People if St Luke's was called "WRH - Kilkenny Campus"!

O Riain wrote: »

Grand so both have to share the blame for waterford city being so far behind the pack and both have no place at a protest trying to save the place.
Am I being too harsh on the councillors, is there more they could have done for this city? Or are they simply justification personified as to why the city council should be abolished?

I don't really know where to start on this one... I hold no brief for either councillor, but in fairness, both of them work hard behind the scenes and are totally committed to Waterford. A year ago, when this hospital downgrade thing was only a straw in the wind, Mary Roche had an entry on her blog about it (http://cllrmaryroche.blogspot.com/2012/02/dangerous-enough-to-cause-death-have-i.html). AFAIK, the only other person flashing the red light on this at the time was the Phoenix column in the News & Star.

You seem to think that councillors could be doing more about this issue, but it's not even in their brief! They have no more clout than you and I do! Posting facts and figures on blogs and Facebook so as to bring issues to people's attention is about the best they can do.

All the councillors are in an invidious position in that they only have any sort of brief over local issues like traffic and sewage, yet people blame and criticise them for stuff like the health services (where it's our four TDs that need to be stepping up to the plate).

As for your question whether they are "simply justification personified as to why the city council should be abolished", sorry, but I despair at that one! At least we have city councillors, and at least they're highlighting issues like this that affect the city.

If the city council is abolished, it will only make things worse, because we'll have the same situation as we do with our TDs, the GAA county board, etc., i.e. an east-west divide, with half of the council only caring about farm payments and the roads around Dungarvan, and not having any concern about why this city is so poorly treated when compared to (for example) Galway.

Waterford city is not falling behind the pack because of our city councillors. It's falling behind because of a number of factors, chief of which is a total and utter lack of support from anywhere else within the region (bar maybe south Tipp), and that (shamefully) includes some fairly half-hearted support from the west of our own county.

But we're the ones who elected John Deasy and Ciara Conway... maybe next time we might think of the city first when we're casting our ballots!

O Riain

fricatus wrote: »

Is this just speculation, or have you a source for this? I can't imagine anyone would be very happy with a name like that. Imagine the uproar in the Kilkenny People if St Luke's was called "WRH - Kilkenny Campus"!




I don't really know where to start on this one... I hold no brief for either councillor, but in fairness, both of them work hard behind the scenes and are totally committed to Waterford. A year ago, when this hospital downgrade thing was only a straw in the wind, Mary Roche had an entry on her blog about it (http://cllrmaryroche.blogspot.com/2012/02/dangerous-enough-to-cause-death-have-i.html). AFAIK, the only other person flashing the red light on this at the time was the Phoenix column in the News & Star.

You seem to think that councillors could be doing more about this issue, but it's not even in their brief! They have no more clout than you and I do! Posting facts and figures on blogs and Facebook so as to bring issues to people's attention is about the best they can do.

All the councillors are in an invidious position in that they only have any sort of brief over local issues like traffic and sewage, yet people blame and criticise them for stuff like the health services (where it's our four TDs that need to be stepping up to the plate).

As for your question whether they are "simply justification personified as to why the city council should be abolished", sorry, but I despair at that one! At least we have city councillors, and at least they're highlighting issues like this that affect the city.

If the city council is abolished, it will only make things worse, because we'll have the same situation as we do with our TDs, the GAA county board, etc., i.e. an east-west divide, with half of the council only caring about farm payments and the roads around Dungarvan, and not having any concern about why this city is so poorly treated when compared to (for example) Galway.

Waterford city is not falling behind the pack because of our city councillors. It's falling behind because of a number of factors, chief of which is a total and utter lack of support from anywhere else within the region (bar maybe south Tipp), and that (shamefully) includes some fairly half-hearted support from the west of our own county.

But we're the ones who elected John Deasy and Ciara Conway... maybe next time we might think of the city first when we're casting our ballots!

The post was actually more of a question really than a statement and I do realise that nationally we are neglected so their hands are tied in that respect. In sayin that the works that are being done now on the Viking triangle are being spearheaded by the city council so my question is why only now when money is so tight? What were they doing for the last ten years when money was flying in?

As for the ministers we voted in I totally agree, oh and by the way does anybody know about the "extensive behind the scenes work" that they are doing or is that just a fancy term for "we are not doing anything"?

Bards

O Riain wrote: »

The post was actually more of a question really than a statement and I do realise that nationally we are neglected so their hands are tied in that respect. In sayin that the works that are being done now on the Viking triangle are being spearheaded by the city council so my question is why only now when money is so tight? What were they doing for the last ten years when money was flying in?

As for the ministers we voted in I totally agree, oh and by the way does anybody know about the "extensive behind the scenes work" that they are doing or is that just a fancy term for "we are not doing anything"?

A lot of work that is being done in the City is down to one man - Michael Walsh (The City Manager) Since his appointment things have started to happen with Regards the Crystal re-location, The Viking Triangle, Winterval etc etc.

Am Chile

I see last friday Sw posted-

Friday
8th March. We heard that Phil Hogan will be in the city again. He will be
attending the Annual Conference for the Association of County & City
Councils which is being held at the Tower Hotel on the Mall. stay tuned for more
information

Then later in that thread SW said-

lots of different views on what should be done. We don't know what we are doing yet,
but will let everyone know as soon as we decide.


March 1 at 8:23pm

With only two days to go and still no statement of what they re doing-some people will assume they will be doing nothing that they wont be calling for any protest.

Finnbar01

I'll think I'll go on a protest walk to protest about protests.

7upfree

Am Chile wrote: »

With only two days to go and still no statement of what they re doing-some people will assume they will be doing nothing that they wont be calling for any protest.

Why does everyone look to SW? Because, for all the huffing and puffing about Roche and Wyse, they are the nearest thing to a non-political outfit.

But they've bottled it - again. Just like they did when O'Reilly was here.

BlaasForRafa

Just seen this on the Save Waterford page on facebook

"We are very disappointed to announce that WLR fm confirmed today that Waterford Regional Hospital is to be grouped with Cork whilst St. Luke's in Kilkenny is to be grouped with St. James in Dublin"

So, are the government burying the bad news on a bank holiday?

Dicky Pride

You'd think someone on WLR might put it on their website. Doesn't sound right to me that this would be announced on Easter Sunday.

Am Chile

BlaasForRafa wrote: »

Just seen this on the Save Waterford page on facebook

"We are very disappointed to announce that WLR fm confirmed today that Waterford Regional Hospital is to be grouped with Cork whilst St. Luke's in Kilkenny is to be grouped with St. James in Dublin"

So, are the government burying the bad news on a bank holiday?

In the end the silent walks along the quay really put the frighteners on the government didnt it; I mean walking along in complete silence put the frighteners on ciara conway so much she was openly grinning and laughing that day back in november-quite a few people posted on that save waterford and pointed out the nice soft touch approach they were taking wouldnt get them anywhere only for those comments to be removed-when phil hogan came to waterford save waterford refused to organise a protest-when joan burton came to waterford save waterford refused to organise a protest-and it seems recently when enda kenny came they refused to protest outside the tower hotel-from watching the video of enda kenny thursday no wonder hes laughing cuz he knows most people wont bother protesting.

7upfree

Am Chile wrote: »

In the end the silent walks along the quay really put the frighteners on the government didnt it; I mean walking along in complete silence put the frighteners on ciara conway so much she was openly grinning and laughing that day back in november-quite a few people posted on that save waterford and pointed out the nice soft touch approach they were taking wouldnt get them anywhere only for those comments to be removed-when phil hogan came to waterford save waterford refused to organise a protest-when joan burton came to waterford save waterford refused to organise a protest-and it seems recently when enda kenny came they refused to protest outside the tower hotel-from watching the video of enda kenny thursday no wonder hes laughing cuz he knows most people wont bother protesting.

That's about it. Don't bother coming to the hospital when O'Reilly is there they said. Be grand they said. Cue the resident FG fanboys and hacks defence of same.

7upfree

BlaasForRafa wrote: »

Just seen this on the Save Waterford page on facebook

"We are very disappointed to announce that WLR fm confirmed today that Waterford Regional Hospital is to be grouped with Cork whilst St. Luke's in Kilkenny is to be grouped with St. James in Dublin"

So, are the government burying the bad news on a bank holiday?

Yes.