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Monday, February 20, 2012
Reminder about your invitation from Keith Martin
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Reminder about your invitation from Keith Martin
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Thursday, February 9, 2012
Invitation to connect on LinkedIn
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Saturday, January 29, 2011
On-street parking charges "death knell" for small shops
According to Labour Councillor Keith Martin on-street parking charges in Westport could sound the "death knell" for small shops in Westport town centre as Cllr Martin claims the new charge will encourage shoppers to use larger supermarkets such as Tesco and Supervalu which are able to offer free parking.
Cllr Martin continues "If we bring in on-street parking charges we end up penalising small businesses within the town core as we effectively encourage shoppers to avail of free parking elsewhere in Westport or even Castlebar.
"There is absolutely no point in reducing rates and then making it more expensive to shop in Westport town core. Grocery, butchers, florists and clothes shops are already finding it hard enough to keep their doors open without Westport Town Council driving away customers through an opportunistic parking charge.
"Car parking charges drive everybody mad, as on top of been charged a fortune for petrol, car tax, insurance and other car running cost, you also have to pay for the privilege to stop driving your car and park it somewhere! The car is a necessity in the west of Ireland where public transport is practically non-existent.
"In addition to this in order to bring in on-street parking charges they would have to place horrible plastic green ticket machines up and down our streets, taking away from Westport's beauty as a Heritage and Tidy Town.
"I shall be calling on Fine Gael and Cllr Martin Keane to vote against the bylaws when they come before the council later in the spring. It's time we shouted STOP!"
Cllr Martin continues "If we bring in on-street parking charges we end up penalising small businesses within the town core as we effectively encourage shoppers to avail of free parking elsewhere in Westport or even Castlebar.
"There is absolutely no point in reducing rates and then making it more expensive to shop in Westport town core. Grocery, butchers, florists and clothes shops are already finding it hard enough to keep their doors open without Westport Town Council driving away customers through an opportunistic parking charge.
"Car parking charges drive everybody mad, as on top of been charged a fortune for petrol, car tax, insurance and other car running cost, you also have to pay for the privilege to stop driving your car and park it somewhere! The car is a necessity in the west of Ireland where public transport is practically non-existent.
"In addition to this in order to bring in on-street parking charges they would have to place horrible plastic green ticket machines up and down our streets, taking away from Westport's beauty as a Heritage and Tidy Town.
"I shall be calling on Fine Gael and Cllr Martin Keane to vote against the bylaws when they come before the council later in the spring. It's time we shouted STOP!"
On-Street Parking By-laws may be defeated - Martin
Attempts to bring in a "trial" of on-street parking in Westport for six months of the year are likely to fail according to Labour councillor Keith Martin.
Cllr Martin says he does not think that the proposal has the support of the majority of Westport Town Council, which is required in order to pass the necessary by-laws later in the year.
In early January, Westport Town Council voted to adopt a provision of €150,000 in its 2011 budget. A motion by Cllr Brendan Mulroy, supported by Cllr Martin, to defer any provision for on-street parking till after a traffic meeting to discuss the measures had been held was defeated by a 6-2 vote when the five Fine Gael councillors and Cllr Martin Keane backed the inclusion of the parking charges in the budget
This means as Westport Town Council has already struck a rate, that if the by-laws are not passed Westport Town Council will have to cut up to cut an additional €150,000 from its 2011 budget.
According to Cllr Martin "Cllr Mulroy and I have been very strong on this issue from the beginning; we are opposed to the introduction of on-street parking charges in Westport. We wanted a proper public debate on the issue before adopting the budget but we were voted down.
"Despite the fact that all the Fine Gael councillors and independent Cllr Martin Keane backed the budget provision for €150,000 in on-street parking charges I don't think they will back the parking by-laws as quickly."
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Report of November Meeting of the Labour Party in Westport
The November meeting of the Westport Branch of the Labour Party was well attended and dealt with issues ranging from recruitment and funding through to Jerry Cowley's campaign for a Dail seat.
The Branch heard of the great success of the Branch's recent annual church gate collection and a vote of thanks was extended to those who gave so generously at St Mary's and Holy Trinity churches.
A report on the Branch's finances was circulated by the Treasurer as was details of the up-coming West Mayo church gate collections.
The Branch voted to hold a Christmas Party for its members, friends and supporters and for the supporters of Cllrs Keith Martin, Harry Barrett and Dr Jerry Cowley. Details of the party will be finalised at the December meeting.
The Branch also voted a motion of sympathy in remembrance of Michael Joe Lavelle RIP the former President of the Branch and long-time Labour Party member and activist in the Westport Branch. Sympathy was expressed to the Lavelle family on the anniversary of their loss.
A report on Dr Cowley's campaign was given to the branch on the success of the current canvass and on the warm response Dr Cowley was receiving. Addressing the Branch Dr Cowley expressed his determination to win a seat for Labour in Mayo. Dr Cowley underlined his commitment to the development of Mayo General Hospital and his commitment to helping the young, elderly and less well off in Mayo.
The Branch resolved to undertake an on-street recruitment day in Westport during the month of November to ensure that those interested in the party could play an active role in seeking a change of government and electing a Labour TD in Mayo.
The Branch also resolved to ensure that voters were registered to vote and members will be encouraging voters to ensure their names on are on the current electoral register.
The next meeting of the Labour Party in Westport takes place on Tuesday December 7th at 8pm in the Wyatt Hotel. Anyone interested in joining the Labour Party is very welcome to attend. Membership forms are available from 086 0691182.
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