Go raibh maith agat. Ta muid istigh!

I wish to thank you all for the outstanding support and amazing help in this election-the toughest election “I HAVE EVER FOUGHT” . You have asked me to represent you once again and I am so proud that you picked me for this very hard task. I wish to thank all of those who spent time away from family and friends to help me in this task. I thank you all from the bottom of my heart. Now the work begins. Let us start to build a better tomorrow for today is done.

Padraig.

Padraig - I have been informed that you are presently facing another re-election campaign. I wanted to send my warmest greetings to you as a 40 year veteran of election political office myself. I was elected to the office I still hold in 1969 following the death of my father, Joseph Burke, who held the seat from the 14th Ward for 15 years. I have served with six Chicago mayors - from Daley to Daley.

The past four decades have been the most exciting of times. We have been witnesses to the changing of so many ways of living. We are the recipients of the most stunning ideas and inventions in the history of the world. And best of all we have see the fortunes of the Irish Republic grow robust and hardy. Even now in the face of the present economic downturn, “the indomitable Irishry” (to quote W B Yeats) will rise and return in fresh health. I have made many trips to Ireland, the homeland of my family. And just five summers ago we travelled to Dublin for the opening of the Special Olympics, originally founded by my wife Anne, who now serves as a justice on the Illinois Supreme Court. Anne joins me in sending our best wishes. When we were in Ireland we witnessed the extraordinary hospitality all over the country for Special Olympians. Nowhere else could have made these champions more welcome.

I know of the remarkable contribution that you have made in the life and living of Donegal; and I know only full well of the great contributions made by your own children here in Chicago and around the world. So from one seasoned political veteran to another - I wish you the very best of luck. And as the late mayor, Richard J. Daley, used to say - “Remember, all you need to get is one more vote than your opponent.” Please extend my very best to your wife and family, as well as the wonderful people you have represented for so long.

Alderman Edward M. Burke
Chicago City Council
City Hall
Chicago

This article was published in the Donegal News on Friday 22 May 2009, reprinted by permission.

Paddy and the young lady in the towel

 
Padraig O’Dochartaigh canvassing every nook and cranny of Cloughaneely this week. Photos: Declan Doherty

HE’S 62 year-old, has been ‘shafted’ by Fine Gael (allegedly) and can get a young woman to stand half naked on a doorstep during a canvass.

That’s flamboyant Independent County Councillor, Padraig O’- Dochartaigh, who contested his first local election all of 36 years ago but is canvassing around the Glenties Electoral Area like a man half his age. As one bemused man said on Wednesday afternoon “you’d need roller skates to keep up with that man”.

Continue reading In the News

There will be another function tomorrow night (13 may 2009) in the Derrybeg Hotel at which Padraig will be meeting with the local community to answer any questions they may have with regard to the upcoming elections.  Kick off will be at 10.00 pm with music by Josie Cannon and Band. Everybody is welcome and if previous events are anything to go by a good night is anticipated.

Padraig just wants to let everyone know that the update report on his weekend of canvassing will be here shortly. Please check back!

 If you have any comments or questions please feel free to post them to the soap box.

Padraig held another great function in Magheraroarty last Wednesday night.  The turnout was excellent and a great nights craic was had by all. 

He also had a meeting and function in Teach Jack on Sunday night and once again there was a great crowd and a great night was had by all.

Padraig will be posting his comments and answers to any questions in the next couple of days so please check back.

Last night Padraig held a public meeting in Gweedore for local people to raise any concerns that they had regarding council matters.

The following issue were raised: Litter, Noise Pollution, Signposting, Housing Grants, Paper Banks and the Back of Errigail Road.

Continue reading Sundays’ Public Meeting

Creidim ‘sa tabhacht atá le boithre maithe go dtí ceantar toghchánaiochta na nGleanntach.  Má tá na bealtaí móra maith tiocfaidh turasóirí, tionsclóirí, lucht gnó agus údaráis forbartha eile isteach chun na jobanna a chrúthú. Má tá infrastructure maith againn macasamhail-leathan bhanda, córáis séarachais, oideachas den scoth; beidh daoine ag obair agus beidh daoine ar saoire agus beidh bród orainn as ár gceantar féin. Rochtain eochair na fostaíochta.

Access is the key to employment creation. It has a proven link to employment; to the creation of employment, to wealth generation and to the wellbeing of our communities.

Continue reading Better Roads (Boithre Nios Fearr)

Tá cliú ar an Ghaeltacht seo as áileacht na timpeallachta, na cnoic, na haibhneacha, na gleanntáin, na tráigheanna, na h oileáin, na beanna árda agus an Ghaeilge bhinn bhlásta atá ann go fóill. Caithifimid oibriú le chéile le Gaelic a labhairt, le meas an aos óig a mhealladh agus le áit na teangan a bheith lárnach agus sábhailte ‘sa todhchaís. 

Continue reading Tourism (Turasóireacht)