Galway Advertiser 2004/2004_11_25/GA_2511_E1_022.pdf 

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22

LETTERS

Nopvember 25 2004

There are alternatives options to a Claregalway bypass
Dear Editor, I read your editorial in the Galway Advertiser of Oct 28 regarding the Claregalway bottleneck and I venture to give the problem some thoughts. In order to make this brief and presuming everyone knows where the problem lies, please allow me to highlight the message in points. Since constructing a bypass to solve the problem is deemed not possible in the near future, I wonder if the choices appended below have been discussed. i.e., 1.Remove the bottleneck - replace the existing pedestrian crossing with a footbridge, in addition to the steps walkways, equipped with travelators/lifts; and, simultaneously, 2. Regulate the flow of cars in the area - remove the existing traffic lights and install a new set at the T-junction where the road from Oranmore meets the N17 for the purpose, or 3. Have a more economical approach (but less effective) to solve the problem - relocate the existing pedestrian lights to the T-junction where the road from Oranmore meets the N17 and synchronize the flow of traffic of the pedestrians and the cars with a new set of traffic lights cum pedestrian crossings (not the kind of footbridges mentioned in (1). It is obvious that the above choices can only part-solve the problem. But, to choose between evils, I guess it could be materialized with affordable resources and within reasonable time when compared with the work in building a bypass. Yours, Tennessee Leong, Tullykyne, Moyculle, Galway.

Councillor has more than hope than confidence in council cross-party co-operationan
Dear Editor, As a newly elected city councillor, I would like to respond to Kernan Andrews' recent article re his observations of the performance of the new city council. While generally in agreement with the tone and content of the article people have to remember the limitations as to the powers and influence of councillors. One of the very few remaining areas where councillors have any real power is in relation to the City Development Plan. I believe that councillors played a very positive role in relation to the changes in the present plan in the process of adoption by the city council. This was exhausting and tedious work but the councillors showed that they were well up to the task and there was very healthy debate between councillors and city officials. However there were many occasions where councillors are merely rubber stamping decisions already made. Given the growth of Galway city and the enormous budget at its disposal I agree with Councillor Padraig Conneely that there has to be an overhaul in relation to procedures. Just because things were done in a certain way in the past does not necessarily mean that they are appropriate now or in the future. Recently we had the farcical situation of councillors spending two full sittings discussing a so-called Draft Housing Plan 2004-2008. There was much debate and media coverage of possible alterations to the recently adopted housing strategy. Yet despite strong criticisms of the proposal plan by councillors from many parties, councillors were advised at the end of the debate that the document was in effect only a compilation of existing policies and guidelines within the housing department. No vote was taken, thus reinforcing the impression of the chamber as a mere talking shop. Again there has been a lot of publicity in relation to Notices of Motion and in particular one motion re mayoral transport. Despite the fact that this motion has been before the council since June, the councillor has been issued with a written reply by council officials thus taking the motion off the agenda. This has happened with many motions thus allowing officials to avoid controversial items appearing on the agenda. It is imperative that there is a cross party approach to reforming the standing orders and adopting new procedures. Sinn Fein believes in an inclusive approach and has advocated the adoption of the De Hondt principle where all positions and committees in the council are allocated according to seats won in the previous election. The adoption of such a principle would lead to much less divisiveness and encourage all councillors to work together for the benefit of the city. Councillors need to take control of procedures within the chamber and not allow the agenda to be dictated by the officials. This can only be achieved by councillors cooperating across party lines in adapting new standing orders governing how the chamber is to function. However it is more in hope than in confidence that I see such a new approach being adopted. Yours, Cllr Daniel Callanan Sinn Fein, Galway

Africans react to racist letter
Dear Editor, It is with great difficulty I completed reading and much more difficulty writing a rejoinder to the unsigned article in the Galway Advertiser of Nov 11, 2004. I wish to reply only to enlighten the concerned and confused nameless neighbour of those Africans in a Doughiska neighbourhood. We do appreciate the fact that Galway city and state policies have been and will be fair and kind to foreigners, Africans included. Only unreasonable folks will argue after reading that piece that the writer is not a chronic xenophobic, and I have just pity for the pains of racism he is systematically inflicting on his poor soul. However I must inform this unidentified concerned resident that his African neighbours whoever they may be can be dealt with legally and lawfully for their offences of dirty gardens and noisy late night disturbances. I hope he is not suggesting that there are no laws yet to prosecute such "terrible" offences. It is ridiculous to accuse the generality of Africans in Galway of wasting tax-payers money on late night Garda call outs to their houses, besides we all don't live in his neighbourhood. This is not exactly a concealed approach of a silent majority to trivialise the volunteer effort to keep the city clean by some Africans (I've never known who they were) and the rest of us peace loving, law abiding, God fearing African community, some citizens of this great nation, resident in Galway that our genuine community development efforts is an attempt to bolster citizenship applications! I am not suggesting that all Africans wherever they live, may not be guilty of some misdemeanour, as the case may be, however this is not a justification for a categorical affront on voiceless and helpless foreigners some well educated, some qualified professionals (but refugees) because of their over tanned skin. What will you say to a visitor who suggests that Galwegians could be insulted because some folks were always found to be drunk by 9am at the Eyre Square? Few years ago Irish citizens migrated abroad, acquired citizenships over there had a good life till today. Today not a few foreign companies are established here for obvious tax incentives and everybody is favoured. So Mr. Confused and Concerned, calm down, get used to the good part of life, we need each other sometimes. It is more blessed to give than to receive Yours, Jerry Echefu, Quest Brain injury Service 9A Lisbaun Business Park Galway.

Gort's public toilet is a disgrace
Dear Editor, I was born in Gort and have lived in Australia for the past fifty years. Since I have retired I visit Gort every three years. I visited this August and one day in the square I needed to go to the toilet. Well, I didn't have to look for it, I could smell it from any part of the square. It is unhealthy to live close by. Come on Chamber of Commerce, build a new toilet block and bus shelter in the square and be proud of your own. Furthermore, I wonder if it is to be difficult that the private cars are to be directed through Canahown to the Tubber Road, left at the old school and down Gallaghers Lane. A few signs and minor road road works would alleviate a lot of traffic in the town. May I also suggesta two-hour parking limit in the shopping areas could be justified. Yours, Chris Quinn, Ex-Gort and now Australia

Designer shrubs no replacement for nature in Galway
Dear Editor, On my return after a brief absence I was shocked to see the devastation wrought along the canal in Mill Street right up to O'Brien's bridge. Perhaps there is some structural reason for such denuding of the banks, but the total blitzing of this area seems symptomatic of council policy towards anything green and natural within the city. All Galway's secret wild places have disappeared, to be replaced by straight lines and designer shrubs. No place for nature, only some planner's neat controlling vision of Galway's beleaguered wildlife, which made this city so special, is being squeezed out by our obsession with perceived 21st century chic. Are we now to live in a concrete dystopia and limit our contact with nature to a television screen? I felt for the disconsolate coot endlessly circling a small muddy puddle in what looked like the aftermath of a wart. A brave new world, etc. Yours, Alys Meiriol, Furbo, Connemara.

Galway shelters are not what its clients need
Dear Editor, I am writing to you in relation to Gerry Sims' letter, which was published on November 4, which related to the establishment of a "wet house" in Galway city. I would first of all like to congratulate Mr Sims on the honesty and integrity he showed in writing his letter. In this letter I would like to support Mr Sims' argument that establishing a "wet house" in Galway would be beneficial for people like Mr Sims who have gone beyond rehabilitation. The very fact that many of the Fairgreen Shelter's clients are like Mr Sims calls to question what use is the shelter when it does not cater for the clients' needs. I bring up this argument not because I do not suport the rehabilitation of people who are alcoholic but because many of the people with whom Mr Sims associates do no want to be rehabilitated. These people are not criminals but victims to a disease which when progresses to the chronic stages can prove to be fatal. Although the idea of a "wet house" is certainly a daunting one, I do believe that shelter like it could prove to be successful in accommodating the many homeless people in Galway who suffer from chronic alcoholism. Having said this I do not condone a shelter that would be used by random people as a party spot. Similar houses have been established in other European countries where drug abuse is rampant and as such are seen as places where volunteers and workers can maintain contact with the clients and where possible try and rehabilitate. In the cases where rehabilitation is not possible, the houses are seen as a safe place for the clients to sleep, with the added benefit that cells and Garda time are not taken up with people who really do not pose a threat to the public. Yours, A regular reader (Name and address with editor)

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR:
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