Galway Advertiser 2004/2004_01_08/GA_0801_E1_010.pdf 

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10 N E W S

Galway Advertiser

January 8 2004

People power the only way to rid Galway of clampers says local group
BY KERNAN ANDREWS Galway Against Clampers has issued a call to arms to people asking them to help increase the group's actions and get clamping banned in the city, and in the process help organise a new lobby group, and eventually a political party. Alan Evans is the man behind Galway Against Clampers and he has called for volunteers to help the group monitor the clampers' activities and apply pressure on City Hall to abandon the unpopular measure. For Evans, issues such as clamping people who have a valid parking ticket or before the `period of grace' is up, clampers taking photographs of cars they have clamped, the markings on clamping vans, and the clamping laws need to be tackled head on. To do this, Evans plans to see a high court appeal lodged by the end of February in the European courts in the hope of getting clamping removed from Galway city. "Scotland got clamping thrown out through the courts," Evans told the Galway Advertiser. "I have been in touch with the people who were involved with that case and am looking at the legislation to see how we will go about it here." In order to both build a case against clamping and put constant pressure on City Hall, Evans is calling for volunteers in areas such as administration and campaign management, to monitor the activities of the clampers in the city. People of a legal frame of mind are also asked to help in examining government legislation and local authority laws so that people are fully aware of their rights. The laws would also be compiled and presented in plain English in a booklet form to be distributed to every household in Galway. Volunteers are also sought to raise issues about planning applications for car parks as well as raising concerns about the state of the already existing car parks and parking spaces in the city. In the long term Evans envisages such a group as laying the ground for what would become the Government Action Group, which would unite various lobby groups to work together in putting pressure on City Hall. Eventually the group, or else interested members it has gathered together, could become a new political party. "It took us ages to get a meeting in City Hall and City Hall is meant to be a public place," he says. "Members of the public should be able to meet with officials. One of the reasons to go into politics is that a person will not have to apply for a deputation and wait months for a response, but as an elected member they can meet people directly and quickly and discuss the issues with them immediately."

GMIT asks past RTC students to get in touch
BY SINEAD MCGOVERN Calling all past students of Regional Technical College, Galway, as well as more recent graduates from GMIT. A full-time alumni officer has been appointed in the college, and she is on a mission to get in touch with as many past students as possible. "We're estimating that there are about 20,000 of our graduates out there, living in Ireland and abroad," said Michelle Healy who recently took up the post. "I'm working on records from 1977 at the moment. The first RTC graduation was in 1974, so the numbers are already adding up." An alumni office can be found in most thirdlevel education centres in Ireland. The aim of such graduate associations is to promote a mutually beneficial relationship between the student and the college. "Past students are seen as ambassadors for this institute, both at home and abroad," she explained. "We want to create a link between our alumni and the institute, to keep past students upto-date with latest developments, and to build and maintain friendships. "All of our graduates are now members of the GMIT Alumni Association," she continued. "And we're setting up an alumni page on our website. Eventually people will be able to post their details and even look up old classmates. So now we're looking for feedback. We want to hear from these students. How have they been getting on since they left the RTC?" Alumni association benefits for graduates include special rates for GMIT library and gym, group discount with VHI or Bupa, and assistance with setting up new businesses through the GMIT Industrial Liaison Office.

All Courses Enrolling Now 091 761200
Parkmore

ADVERTISING DEADLINE
Tuesday at 12noon

Michelle Healy.

Bridal Fair West 2004
Bridal Fair West 2004 is set to be the most exciting bridal event ever to be staged in the West, featuring over 50 exhibitors who will be bringing together everything from fashion to flowers and cars to cakes, all under one roof, creating a one-stop-shop for anyone who is getting married.

TOLCO ANTIQUES
Headford Road, Galway

GREAT ANNUAL ANTIQUE AUCTION
to be held on the premises this coming

Sunday 11th January 2004 at 2.30 sharp
Brief Resume A very fine grandfather clock in perfect working condition. Lot 100: Vienna wall clocks, marble mantel clocks etc. Solid gold pocket watch in perfect working condition fully hallmarked. Victorian mahogany bookcase 7ft high by 4ft wide approx. Oil paintings, water colours and prints. Various books, bureau bookcase in inlaid mahogany also writing bureaus, hall chairs & hall tables, Victorian jugs & platters. 60" gold muff chains also 30". Some excellent diamond rings and others. A rare late Victorian inlaid rosewood chiffonier (needing slight attention). Canteens of cutlery. Edwardian display cabinets and music cabinets. Silver & silver plate. Victorian 3 piece Chesterfield Suites with dropside ships lamps, table lamps & chandeliers and others. Antique occasional tables and chairs. Antique nursery chairs. Victorian footstools, antique overmantels & mirrors. Violins, walking sticks & stick stands to include a very fine silver & ivory handle walking stick, fully hallmarked and dated 1900. Oak, mahogany & walnut chests of drawers, Victorian mahogany wardrobes, inlaid mahogany corner cabinet in excellent condition circa 1905 and others. An excellent Victorian mahogany extending table seats 10 to 12 with 2 extra leaves, circa 1865. Plus lots lots more.

Chinese Delivery

Chinatown
Ph. 528844

Saturday 17th & Sunday 18th January 2004
Leisureland, Galway Opening Times: 12pm - 6pm
Why not treat yourself to hair, makeup & nail trials throughout the weekend? You will also have an opportunity to purchase goods directly from the stands
Picture compliments of MARIANS of Galway

Viewing all day Saturday 10th and from 12 noon on day of sale. Teas and refreshments served all day. Free delivery up to 80 miles. Catalogues 2 each.

Tolco Antiques
Headford Road, Galway. 091 751146
Proprietors Tom & Breda O'Loughlin. Est 1971.