Search Results for 'Mark Winters'

Fine Gael councillor Mark Winters has hit out at the lack of local jobs created by the multi-million euro regeneration project in St Patrick’s estate in Ballina.

Following a lengthy presentation by Mr Jim Murren, western regional manager of the IDA to the members of Ballina Town Council on Wednesday night a number of councillors expressed their anger at the lack of development in the town over the past number of years.

The lack of progress of any real note in the rejuvenation of St Patrick’s Estate in Ballina since the housing group took over control of the estate two years ago provoked widespread condemnation at the monthly meeting of Ballina Town Council on Wednesday night. The housing association gave the council a presentation on the work that was to be carried out in the rejuvenation of the estate over the coming months but before the presentation even began, the anger of the council members was demonstrated.

Ballina Town Council’s annual budget meeting wound up earlier this week with Progressive Democrat Town Councillor Tommy Cooke calling on the Mayor of the town to give up the annual allowance allocated to her. This year’s budget for Ballina Town Council has a figure of €13,000 allocated for the Mayor’s expenses over the course of the year, but Cllr Cooke wondered would it be better for the town in the current economic climate if the Mayor didn’t take up this allowance. “On my own behalf when and if I become Mayor of the town, due to the current economic situation I would hand back the €13,000 that has been allocated for the Mayor’s expenses and I hope that all of you would consider this,” stated Cooke.

Total poll: 4,590

Mayo Fine Gael TD John O’Mahony has described the imminent establishment of a joint policing committee in Ballina as a hugely significant development for the town. A public meeting will be held in the town shortly at which details of the committee will be outlined.

Members of Ballina Town Council this week tried to block the opening of a new bookmakers in the town as they agreed the new development plan for the town.

The Grassroots in Westport aren’t happy if last week’s article is anything to go by. Nothing happening apparently, all the Government’s fault, etc, etc. But they’re forgetting that Westport has had it good for a long time in comparison to the rest of the county. And the reason they’ve had it so good is because there’s a ‘can do’ attitude in Westport that up until recently wasn’t really replicated in Ballina or Castlebar. Westport is the tourism Mecca it is today because the Covies stood up in the 70s and decided to make it that way. They put their money where their mouths were and invested considerable sums of their own money in to getting it there. That investment alongside some incredibly biased treatment from Board Fáilte and then Fáilte Ireland (memo to Fáilte Ireland - there’s more to Mayo then Westport) has made Westport the beauty it is today. Governments don’t win Tidy Towns — communities do and the ‘can do’ spirit fostered by the business community is now part of the overall Covie spirit. And in these times, that spirit, not whinging, is needed more then ever, that spirit, not whinging, will sustain Westport through these incredible times.

“I’m not a career politician, I’m here to give the people a voice,” was the quick snap reaction from Fine Gael Ballina town councillor, Mark Winters when asked if he would consider running for the county council or higher office in the future. “I can bring about as much change for the better as a town councillor, I’m here to give the people a voice as long as they elect me.”

The news that there are currently 581 people on the housing waiting list in Ballina Town council alarmed the elected members at the monthly meeting this week. Town clerk Carmel Murphy told the meeting that a review of the list is being carried out, but at present there were 581 people on the list which was a marked rise on the numbers in the recent past.