Waterford faces an economic Demolition Derby next year, with widespread closure of businesses starved of trade by tax ‘hits’ on regular customers in the low and middle income brackets. That’s the dire prediction of a worried public representative who fears what is ahead, ‘following on from this year’s wasteland...
Author: Tom Young
Tramore’s new school ‘will ‘be quite the development’
Tramore’s new school ‘will ‘be quite the development’
With Waterford County Council confirming receipt of an application for outline planning permission, Tramore’s new amalgamated secondary school at Ballycarnane is bang on target for a September 2013 opening. News of the planning application was announced to Tramore Town Council recently by Town Manager Brian White. He...
Absence of Racecourse Road footpath ‘a danger’
Absence of Racecourse Road footpath ‘a danger’
The absence of a footpath at Racecourse Road in Tramore was highly dangerous and could have tragic consequences; Town Councillors were warned at their October meeting. Tracey Fitzgerald, Secretary of An Garran Residents Association, addressed the councillors on behalf of her members and people living in adjacent...
Conway: merger could ‘become a scalpel job’
Conway: merger could ‘become a scalpel job’
The proposed merger of Waterford City and County Councils could develop into ‘a scalpel job on rural areas’, a prominent member of the latter body has warned. Councillor Joe Conway (Ind) said the challenge ahead involved a choice between “a leaner, meaner local authority, driven by market forces, and a smarter...
Tramore’s elderly are ‘living in fear’
Tramore’s elderly are ‘living in fear’
Elderly people in Tramore are living in ‘terrible fear’ on account of serious crime creeping into society, according to Town Councillor Ann Marie Power. She voiced her view when the issue of local policing was discussed at the Town Council’s September meeting. Giving rise to the debate was the fact that the town’s...
County Council’s ‘missing millions’
County Council’s ‘missing millions’
Cash-strapped Waterford County Council, already struggling under stringent cuts imposed by government, must somehow manage its affairs with an additional €2.5 million slashed from its budget in uncollected development charges. And the effect of the missing millions must be gauged in the knowledge that, despite all of...
Paucity of road signage to Tramore’s detriment
Paucity of road signage to Tramore’s detriment
A lack of signage on our main roads is having a depressing effect on the economy of East County Waterford, including Tramore according to Independent County Councillor Joe Conway. Such signage is the responsibility of the National Roads Authority (NRA) who have the ultimate say on what does (and doesn’t) go on our...
Warning over merger of city and county councils
Warning over merger of city and county councils
A prominent local public representative has issued a stark warning about the implications of merging Waterford’s City and County Councils, as is proposed as part of a local government reform programme. While seeming reasonable and progressive at first glance, the plan as mooted could end up being botched by ‘a...
Little hope for reversal of garda ‘downgrading’
Little hope for reversal of garda ‘downgrading’
Worries over what is seen as a downgrading of Tramore’s police service have hardly been allayed by pronouncements from the Garda Commissioner’s office. The retirement last January of Garda Supt Jerry Lynch was followed by the appointment, in his place, of an officer of Inspector rank and that led to repeated...
Housing estate waiting for twelve years
Housing estate waiting for twelve years
Out of €1.5 million allocated to ten local authorities for the purpose of rendering safe unfinished housing estates, Waterford County Council only received €10,000. But the Council’s Finance Director, Tom Gilligan, explained to Tramore Town Council last week why that reflected favourably.
Sand dune blaze prompts fire fighting proposals
Sand dune blaze prompts fire fighting proposals
A fire in Tramore’s sand dunes last month, which caused extensive damage, has prompted a request that the local Fire Brigade be provided with four-wheel drive capability at all times. It came at the Town Council’s June meeting from Cllr Joe Conway, who tabled a motion calling on the County Council to ensure the...
Showbiz icons walk tall to Freedom
Showbiz icons walk tall to Freedom
Two Waterford giants of entertainment can walk even taller having been accorded the freedom of their native city last Friday night. In an age of sometimes boorish brashness, the transparent humility of Val Doonican and Brendan Bowyer, as they were lavished with bouquets of praise, charmed those attending the ceremony...