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Total Stories: 9 Published: Fri, Sep 26, 2008

New political party for Letterkenny

BY CATRIONA GALLEN

THE official launch of Letterkenny's newest political party, The Letterkenny Residents Party, will take place next Tuesday.

The party has been formed by residents in Letterkenny who are objecting to the development of the town "at any cost". It plans to field candidates to contest the town council elections.

The Letterkenny Residents Party has applied for registration and is awaiting confirmation that the new party name will be included on ballot papers. It will be registered only to contest local elections. While no decisions have been taken, it is expected the Residents Party will concentrate efforts on winning a number of seats on Letterkenny Town Council and the first party candidate may be chosen next week.

Party spokesman Tom Crossan said: "It has been clear for a long time that the town council does not listen to the views of the ordinary residents of the town. This is a council obsessed with development at any cost. It seems that what developers have wanted, developers have been given. Time after time, residents' associations have been pitted against unsuitable and unwelcome development in their areas, only to see planning permission granted by the council.

"While there are exceptions, the majority on the town council, have encouraged these greed-driven policies at the expense of proper planning. The property boom may have bust for now but we are left with the problems of traffic congestion, inadequate water supply, an illegal sewerage system and lop-sided development. Mature, developed areas have seen large, unsustainable housing projects imposed on them or have seen properties torn down to be replaced with 'apartment blight'," said Mr Crossan.

Mr Crossan said the decision to form the Letterkenny Residents Party and the subsequent support arose from discussions held among various residents associations in Letterkenny. Over 110 supporters were obtained to complete the party registration process.

Many of those involved in the new Letterkenny Residents Party have been involved in fighting development disputes with the town council in recent years.

"The fact that the town council has pushed the one line of 'development at any cost' and the general sense that town councillors have stopped listening to the people prompted the formation of the new party," said the spokesperson.

"There appeared to be a lack of democracy and openness within the town council. They were taking decisions in meetings away from the public gaze and using council meetings to rubber stamp decisions.

"The whole approach of the council has annoyed a lot of people," he added.

"There was agreement on the need to challenge the direction of the current Council and that we needed to be clearly identified as representing the interests of the town's ordinary residents. The only way to do this was to formally register as a party," he said.

The aims and objectives of Letterkenny Residents are: To provide effective representation for the residents of the Letterkenny area; to implement policies which benefit the whole community and enhance our quality of life; to pursue rational, sustainable and responsible planning and development policy, serving the needs of all our residents rather than the greed of the few; to safeguard our public property and protect our green areas; to demand greater openness, accountability and democracy from our local authorities.

"Our launch meeting gives a chance for all residents to have their say in how we approach the local elections. The Letterkenny Residents Party is a genuine 'grassroots' organisation. It is a party by local residents for local residents. I appeal to as many residents as possible to join with us to ensure that we can be a strong voice on the Council," stated Mr Crossan.

The launch meeting takes place on Tuesday 30th September at 8pm in Gleneany House.

For more see the Donegal News online pdf editions

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