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.

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

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”.

The former vice principal of Derrybeg National School was canvassing in the Falcarragh-Gortahork area when the Donegal News caught up with him. There are three candidates in the parish seeking election but O’Dochartaigh, from nearby Gweedore, knocks on every door of the Ballina Housing Estate with the exuberance of a man out on his first canvass.

“Sure it is great to get out there without the baggage of a party whip and just get on with it. I’ve nobody to answer to at party level and I’ve much more freedom to express my views,” he said.

“Okay, I was shafted by Fine Gael after spending over 30 years with the party including the last ten as a county councillor, but I’m determined to return to Lifford as an Independent candidate,” Councillor O’- Dochartaigh said.

The former teacher is fighting a tough battle in an electoral area where there are a total of 14 candidates vying for just five seats, one less than in the last local elections in 2004. There is an electorate of over 23,000 and up to 15,000 to 16,000 people are expected to cast their votes.

This would leave a quota of around 2,600, a tough ask for the new Independent councillor who polled 1,150 first preferences in the last elections. Transfers are key in an electoral division marked by parish rivalry.

“We don’t blame you for that Paddy,” said Connie Doogan.

“It will be a funny election though. You’ll have to wait until June 6 before I will tell you if I supported you but you’re in the mix,” Mr Doogan added.

Not one to be deterred O’Dochartaigh pushes on down the estate. “I always voted for Paddy when he was with Fine Gael and I’ll do so again. He’s a great supporter of Tory Island and I’m from Tory but we’re living here 27 years. I hope Paddy gets in,” said Jimmy Doohan.

Two doors down and Paddy Doohan also gives O’Dochartaigh the thumbs up.

“The fishing is gone in the area and we need something done with the Main Street in Falcarragh but I’m going to support you anyway,” he said.

Around the corner young mother, Aisling Doohan isn’t so clear cut. “I’m looking for your support,” O’Dochartaigh says on the doorstep.

“We’ll, you’ll be looking,” she quips back.

“I haven’t a clue how to vote yet but we’ll keep you in mind,” she said.

Mary Cannon can only promise Councillor O’Dochartaigh her ‘Number Two’.

“I won’t say who is getting my first preference,” she says.

Such is his charm, O’Dochartaigh manages to get a scantily-clad young woman to listen on the doorstep covered by nothing other than a small bath towel. Fresh from the shower, unidentified woman said she’d do her best, and off he went with a hearty laugh and a spring in his step. Falcarragh is an area badly hit by poor infrastructure and unemployment. The local Údarás na Gaeltachta Industrial Estate that once employed more than 150 people now provides just ten jobs. The nearby Gaoth Dobhair Business Park has also haemorrhaged jobs in the past decade.

Councillor O’Dochartaigh has been a member of Údarás for the past 25 years and has built up a reasonably strong base.

“I’m really heartened that many of the people who supported me with Fine Gael are still here with me. There are a lot of young people out with me. It may be the toughest election I’ve ever contested but I’ll fight for every vote,” he said.

With that, he’s around to the next doorstep. Onwards and upwards-June 5 will tell the tale.

Date
20 May 2009
Cllr Padraig Doherty Harnesses the Power of the Web in Re-election Campaign.

Cllr Padraig Doherty has taken to the web in his fight for re-election as an independent candidate in the Glenties area. Not only has Padraig created a web site with interactive capabilities but is also utilising Twitter.

His “soapbox” function on his website www.padraigdoherty.com gives everyone an opportunity to ask questions of the Candidate. Padraig says “Going on the web gives the people of the area another arena for discussions which can be viewed by everyone.” Padraig launched his new website on Saturday 16^th of May to a great response from the local community.

Padraig added that “My Twitter account allows me connect with the voters instantly and let them know what is happening in the campaign.” For those wishing to follow Padraig on Twitter his account is www.twitter.com/padraigdoherty.

[Twitter is a service for friends, family, and co­workers to communicate and stay connected through the exchange of quick, frequent answers to one simple question: What are you doing?]

Padraig Doherty has been a County Councilor for the Glenties area since 1999.

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

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.

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

Litter (raised by Harold Doherty, Maghealosk, Bunbeg)

Harold questioned the effectivness of Donegal County Council’s litter policy. He said that continued neglect of the issue will have a negative effect on tourism and consequently on jobs. ‘We live in a beautiful coastal area which attracts a lot of tourists and visitors from all parts but yet people continue to litter on the roadsides, on beaches and even on the side of the Errigal road which is so scenic and beautiful.

Why must it be like this? he asks. Many people depend on tourism for a living.

Why can’t we learn from Glenties? They succeeded in convincing everybody of the importance of being litter free. We need tourists he says and in this economic crisis we must make our area more attractive.
A very lively debate followed ranging from provision of bins at gatherings, proper signposting, disco litter, fastfood outlet litter etc.

Noise Pollution (raised by Nellie Tim Rousin)

Nellie Tim Rousin raised the question about the right to have a nights sleep, free from interuption, free from noise, free from disturbance. ‘it’s a scandal what is happening at her home in the early hours and on up the Derrybeg Strand Road. Why aren’t the politicians helping us? she realised that the issue was in the courts but she said that people should raise the issue at every opportunity. Cuidigh linn in ainm dé.

Signposting

Why –after spending so much money on  new signs– is the area so badly signposted? people cannot work out where they are going and the duel system of colouring only makes it worse. What the council has done in west Donegal would not be accepted anywhere else in the county. Whatever happened to the sign for Gweedore on the High Road in Letterkenny? Is the council trying to hide the Gaeltacht areas?

Deontais tithíochta/ housing grants

Níl daoine sásta deontas na dtithe a bheith ag imeacht. Bhí achan duine tógtha faoi seo agus faoi na táillí forbartha. cad chuige? Nach bhfuil muid ábalta na billiúin a thabhairt de na bainceanna?
 
Pádraig’s supporters at the launch condemed outright the phasing out of the Gaeltacht grant for new houses. They were very concerned at the effect it would have on first time buyers especially when you consider the damaging imposition of development Charges. They felt it was totally unfair to young people starting off in life. Young people have to be supported if at all possible. Let us do it and the country will be better for it. 

Paper Banks

What about the paper bank and plastic bank now out of use in Dungloe/ Where are these banks going? Relocate to Gweedore. Why not? Lets put preasure on the county council to do it. Pádraig will raise this at council level - maith thú - well done

Back of Errigal road

Long debate on this issue; need for maintenance; deteriorating & needs work now. Cutbacks from €350,000 to €50,000 bad decision. Lets ‘rattle the cans’ and protest

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.

We need to work together to solve the problem of unemployment in Donegal — see figures —Donegal on Sunday

·         April 2005——–8,846
·         April 2006——–8,498
·         April 2007——–8,488
·         April 2008—— 10,279 
·         April 2009——18,383

It’s a shame that resources aren’t being made available to Údarás na Gaeltachta and Enterprise Ireland to tackle the problem. This has to change.

Roads

I believe that we need good road access to the area. I emphasized this point in my first speech when elected to the council 1999 where I succeeded in prioritizing the ‘Errigal Road’ through Dunlewey, and I supported the call to have all access roads from the east to Glenties, Dungloe, Gweedore and the lower Rosses,  to Creeslough, Dunfanaghy and Falcarragh.

The N56 from Creeslough to Ardara is critical to the economic future of the area.  And we need good local county roads also to promote regeneration, pride of place and a good environment to live in. The councillors have succeeded together to deliver a better road infrastructure but much more needs to be done especially in times of recession and cutbacks.

 I pledge my support to continue this work.