Waterford Politics MEGATHREAD

wellboytoo

Hijpo wrote: »

I suppose they could part fund it by cutting cllr's allowances and benefits like was proposed when they wanted to cut business rates but who voted against it again? FG FF and LAB.

I think you better check your math, afaik the a5% equated to a drop in income for the council of 1.5 Million Euro, no matter how jaundiced your opinion the Councillors expenses do not go any where near that figure.
The usual Bosco economics from SF.

Hijpo

wellboytoo wrote: »

I think you better check your math, afaik the a5% equated to a drop in income for the council of 1.5 Million Euro, no matter how jaundiced your opinion the Councillors expenses do not go any where near that figure.
The usual Bosco economics from SF.

I said part funded not totally funded and would be very much welcomed by the residents of waterford.

Getting fed up of the oul "its to small to make a big difference so there is no point" argument.

hardybuck

Max Powers wrote: »

I thought SF's populist looking for 15% rate cut in LPT was disgraceful and irresponsible. I wonder what services they proposed be cut if 15% was to go ahead. When SF do stuff like this, it just drives me further from considering voting for them, its hard to vote for anyone these days.
Also disappointed that no one councillor as far as im aware suggested the possibility of increasing it slightly, maybe help fund a pedestrian bridge, clean up north quays etc.

SF have a populist mandate, people vote for them based on that, so we've got to expect these sort of proposals from them. We see that this approach in the north results in the NI Executive overspending it's budgets and will need to go to the UK Treasury for a bailout.

On the LPT - a lot of other councils had the luxury of cutting the rates due to increases in property values, so their funding would remain about the same. However, I know that the Cork Chamber of Commerce were very concerned as to the eventual impact of their council's move to impose a cut.

Waterford hasn't seen these increases in property values, hence the reduction in LPT would have resulted in a significant reduction in funding for the area. If property values went up slightly, I'm sure the minor additional funding would be very welcome locally.

Max Powers

Hijpo wrote: »

I said part funded not totally funded and would be very much welcomed by the residents of waterford.

Getting fed up of the oul "its to small to make a big difference so there is no point" argument.

There's a bit of truth in it though in fairness, 15% off €225 is 33, not an unsignificant sum but not something that would delight people either . when you compare that to the million plus in lost services

nice_very

some people seem to be still under the illusion that this so called property tax funds local services, when it was admitted that it was used to set up Irish water

Sully

nice_very wrote: »

some people seem to be still under the illusion that this so called property tax funds local services, when it was admitted that it was used to set up Irish water

It did go to local services, as admitted to by various local councillors. Water Service is a local service too you know (but I agree, it shouldn't have been give to IW)

nice_very

and why was lpt brought in? because council funding was cut to refund gambling bondholders

hardybuck

nice_very wrote: »

and why was lpt brought in? because council funding was cut to refund gambling bondholders

One of a number of measures to introduce a more sustainable tax base. Far too much of our revenue was linked to income tax, which can be volatile, and is difficult to plan around.

It also widened the tax base, allowing more of society to make a contribution.

hardybuck

nice_very wrote: »

and why was lpt brought in? because council funding was cut to refund gambling bondholders

One of a number of measures to introduce a more sustainable tax base. Far too much of our revenue was linked to income tax, which can be volatile, and is difficult to plan around.

It also widened the tax base, allowing more of society to make a contribution.

7upfree

Sully wrote: »

It did go to local services, as admitted to by various local councillors. Water Service is a local service too you know (but I agree, it shouldn't have been give to IW)

None of these taxes are "local". The dogs in the street can see this. For all of the attempted spin.

Fate Amenable To Change

7upfree wrote: »

None of these taxes are "local". The dogs in the street can see this. Far all of the attempted spin.

It would be a local service... if they were planning on actually providing a service but there has been no work done on upgrading anything to an acceptable standard as far as I can see.

Sully

7upfree wrote: »

None of these taxes are "local". The dogs in the street can see this. Far all of the attempted spin.

Wonder who pays for all our local services then. Damn spin, I have no answer for that one.

7upfree

Sully wrote: »

Wonder who pays for all our local services then. Damn spin, I have no answer for that one.

Of course you don't. You spend enough time defending it.

Max Powers

We are not even out of the woods yet and the junkets have started. I cant think of any cost to benefit of these twinnings. nice in theory but in reality, little benefit no matter how they spin it.



from WLR site:
Waterford Mayor to travel to South China
The Mayor of the Metropolitan District of Waterford City is to travel to South China to explore a twinning opportunity over there. Representatives from Haiku and the Chinese Embassy visited Waterford this summer.CEO of Waterford City and County Council Michael Walsh says they've already signed a friendship agreement.He says they've identified a number of areas where there's potential including tourism, golf, horse racing and the pharmaceutical sector.Sinn Fein's Pat Fitzgerald welcomed the twinning arrangement but also urged caution as a result of China's human rights record.

Cabaal

Max Powers wrote: »

We are not even out of the woods yet and the junkets have started. I cant think of any cost to benefit of these twinnings. nice in theory but in reality, little benefit no matter how they spin it.



from WLR site:
Waterford Mayor to travel to South China
The Mayor of the Metropolitan District of Waterford City is to travel to South China to explore a twinning opportunity over there. Representatives from Haiku and the Chinese Embassy visited Waterford this summer.CEO of Waterford City and County Council Michael Walsh says they've already signed a friendship agreement.He says they've identified a number of areas where there's potential including tourism, golf, horse racing and the pharmaceutical sector.Sinn Fein's Pat Fitzgerald welcomed the twinning arrangement but also urged caution as a result of China's human rights record.

Seems SF are happy with the junket?

7upfree

Max Powers wrote: »

We are not even out of the woods yet and the junkets have started. I cant think of any cost to benefit of these twinnings. nice in theory but in reality, little benefit no matter how they spin it.



from WLR site:
Waterford Mayor to travel to South China
The Mayor of the Metropolitan District of Waterford City is to travel to South China to explore a twinning opportunity over there. Representatives from Haiku and the Chinese Embassy visited Waterford this summer.CEO of Waterford City and County Council Michael Walsh says they've already signed a friendship agreement.He says they've identified a number of areas where there's potential including tourism, golf, horse racing and the pharmaceutical sector.Sinn Fein's Pat Fitzgerald welcomed the twinning arrangement but also urged caution as a result of China's human rights record.

FFS. Here we go again. "Urged caution"? After all their shouting about Gaza??

Fate Amenable To Change

China have given a lot mroe respect to us than the U.S in recent years tbf. Obama came for half a day and had a drink in a abr. The next in line for China came for a week long visit and spoke about his respect for Ireland. I'm happy enough to twin with different cities and towns, its all part of a city or towns resume when trying to bring in big business.

7upfree

Fate Amenable To Change wrote: »

China have given a lot mroe respect to us than the U.S in recent years tbf. Obama came for half a day and had a drink in a abr. The next in line for China came for a week long visit and spoke about his respect for Ireland. I'm happy enough to twin with different cities and towns, its all part of a city or towns resume when trying to bring in big business.

Pity they have no respect for their own people. I suppose we all have to dance with the devil at times.

Max Powers

7upfree wrote: »

Pity they have no respect for their own people. I suppose we all have to dance with the devil at times.

But what do they hope to gain from this, tourism from that city, i doubt it. Industry? I doubt that too, they arent going to move their pharma factory from China where they pay next to nowt and no labour laws, no H&S, no religious, civil or human rights. Its a holiday for our reps.

robtri

Max Powers wrote: »

But what do they hope to gain from this, tourism from that city, i doubt it. Industry? I doubt that too, they arent going to move their pharma factory from China where they pay next to nowt and no labour laws, no H&S, no religious, civil or human rights. Its a holiday for our reps.

No but Ireland as a whole want to sell into China..... its a cash cow.....
we want them to buy our products

Gardner

I have been reading John Hearne’s Facebook for the past few months with considerable interest. The spelling and grammar is complete muck!. He prays on populist issues that he knows will upset the general Joe Soap and his status generally run into complete mayhem. Anyone else think the same.

A shocking observation came to light regarding his status last week. The petrol bomb incident in Ballybeg, John was straight on the scene updating everyone. Now it was a terrible incident and should be condemned but now John showed a particular way of showing support for a particular family in Ballybeg who are heavily involved in criminal activity. One person on John’s Facebook page posted a comment against John’s support and in turn has now received threats against his/her wellbeing. All known to Mr. Hearne, he continued to barrage people with updates…….. the man should be banned off Facebook. A complete liability

Hijpo

Gardner wrote: »

I have been reading John Hearne’s Facebook for the past few months with considerable interest. The spelling and grammar is complete muck!. He prays on populist issues that he knows will upset the general Joe Soap and his status generally run into complete mayhem. Anyone else think the same.

A shocking observation came to light regarding his status last week. The petrol bomb incident in Ballybeg, John was straight on the scene updating everyone. Now it was a terrible incident and should be condemned but now John showed a particular way of showing support for a particular family in Ballybeg who are heavily involved in criminal activity. One person on John’s Facebook page posted a comment against John’s support and in turn has now received threats against his/her wellbeing. All known to Mr. Hearne, he continued to barrage people with updates…….. the man should be banned off Facebook. A complete liability

I would like to think im looking at the bigger picture here and seeing that he is trying to support this family so they will give evidence against a worse family.

I think its a lot to do with what happend to the kids as well, he didn't give to much time to the incident with the hit and run, if it was taking sides in a family feud it would have been constantly on about it.

Please don't go down the road of being a grammar Nazi, it makes it look like your nit picking because of the person and not because of your opinion.

I believe in the words of "live by the sword die by the sword" but when there are kids seriously hurt and scarred for life then I can also agree with taking the side of one swords man to cut down one that specialises in slaughter.

Fate Amenable To Change

7upfree wrote: »

Pity they have no respect for their own people. I suppose we all have to dance with the devil at times.

That boat sailed a long time ago I think, unfortunately, and I don;t just mean with China.

MRnotlob606

Gardner wrote: »

I have been reading John Hearne’s Facebook for the past few months with considerable interest. The spelling and grammar is complete muck!. He prays on populist issues that he knows will upset the general Joe Soap and his status generally run into complete mayhem. Anyone else think the same.

A shocking observation came to light regarding his status last week. The petrol bomb incident in Ballybeg, John was straight on the scene updating everyone. Now it was a terrible incident and should be condemned but now John showed a particular way of showing support for a particular family in Ballybeg who are heavily involved in criminal activity. One person on John’s Facebook page posted a comment against John’s support and in turn has now received threats against his/her wellbeing. All known to Mr. Hearne, he continued to barrage people with updates…….. the man should be banned off Facebook. A complete liability

Well at least Hearne is standing up to the money lenders, can you tell me about the other councilors who are doing the same ? I don't think there's many who campaign against organised crime in this city as vociferously than John Hearne

Finnbar01

I heard at today's protest march they were some scuffles and jostling at the outset, why?

Also, I heard David Cullinane was booed off the stage, again why?

Hijpo

Finnbar01 wrote: »

I heard at today's protest march they were some scuffles and jostling at the outset, why?

Also, I heard David Cullinane was booed off the stage, again why?

Could have been people josteling for pole position to feed their ego.

David cullinane could have been booed off because hes Sinn Fein or because Gerry and mary lou are paying the charge or because a group of people feel the politicians hijacked the protest organisation and speaking time for their own political gain.

I wasn't there so I'm just making assumptions.

Sully

I thought the organisers agreed that there wasn't going to be any political or union speeches?

Sinn Fein are all over the place on the water charges, you can't blame them for being booed off the stage.

Hijpo

Sully wrote: »

I thought the organisers agreed that there wasn't going to be any political or union speeches?

Sinn Fein are all over the place on the water charges, you can't blame them for being booed off the stage.

I was expecting the whole thing to fall to bits with the way one of south KK sinn fein cllr went on. Providing people with old campaign posters, let the people create their own placards from them then an hour before the march demanded them back. Then the whole thing of politicians and Union speakers, then people from ferry bank were blocked from speaking. It could have gotten really messy and the fact that it went ahead even with all the in fighting shows how much people detest this charge.

Sully

Hijpo wrote: »

I was expecting the whole thing to fall to bits with the way one of south KK sinn fein cllr went on. Providing people with old campaign posters, let the people create their own placards from them then an hour before the march demanded them back. Then the whole thing of politicians and Union speakers, then people from ferry bank were blocked from speaking. It could have gotten really messy and the fact that it went ahead even with all the in fighting shows how much people detest this charge.

One common goal but the people protesting have different political viewpoints. Ferrybank folk were warned on WLR apparently, assume it was to prevent a traffic nightmare. But sure, lets blame Irish Water & the government in a big conspiracy as some folk are doing!

Hijpo

Sully wrote: »

One common goal but the people protesting have different political viewpoints. Ferrybank folk were warned on WLR apparently, assume it was to prevent a traffic nightmare. But sure, lets blame Irish Water & the government in a big conspiracy as some folk are doing!

The reason SF look like they are all over it is because FG and Lab cannot speak out against it or they will be dealt with and FF signed off on it so they cant be seen to speak out against it either so by default SF are the only ones left to oppose it. Im sure you dont think for one second that if FF/FG/Lab could jump on the band wagon they wouldnt.

A protest march is a protest march, whether the traffic is slowed on the quay or on the bridge its pretty stupid to think you can warn people not to walk somewhere and expect them to take heed.

I can understand peoples suspicion towards WLR's favoritism towards government agendas. Billy not allowing people counter the IW mouth piece he had on put people firmly on that scent.