COUNCILLORS ADVISED STOP BLOWING HOT AIR OVER KILDORRERY REPAIRS
Local Fianna Fail Councillors Frank O’Flynn and Kevin O’Keeffe have, it appears, fallen foul of some people in Kildorrery after the National Roads Authority (NRA) confirmed that they would not carry out work in the village this year.
Speaking to The Avondhu, Tom Keating of the Kildorrery Community Council, commented: “The people of Kildorrery are wondering if Cllrs Kevin O’Kevin and Frank O Flynn are in touch with reality. Frank O Flynn stated, as reported previously on The Avondhu, that it was a disgrace there was no funding provided by the NRA for the Main Street in Kildorrery for 2010.
"Everyone knew this and if he was working on the case he would have known this as well. Please know your facts Frank before grabbing headlines on the state of the Main Street in Kildorrery and talk to the people of Kildorrery whom you gave a commitment to when they elected you as a public representative and stop blowing hot air.”
In the firing line However, Cllr Kevin O’Keeffe is also in the firing line out in Kildorrery.
“Cllr O’Keeffe now reports, with much glee, that funding has been provided for footpaths in Kildorrery by the NRA for 2009. We are furious with Kevin O’Keeffe that he reports this piecemeal offering for the people of Kildorrery and would like to know is he flying over Kildorrery because he definitely is not driving through with the many thousands every week.
The people of Kildorrery do not want any work done by the NRA until they meet with the people of the village and it is agreed that the major works that need to be undertaken are done properly and capable of handling the traffic that goes through Kildorrery,” Tom Keating added.
MONEY WASTED
He then continued, “Our money that we pay as taxpayers to fund the patchwork in Kildorrery has been wasted over the years. The people of Kildorrery have had enough and will not condone this waste any further. The foundations to the street need to be sorted once and for all. Do not come near Kildorrery patching footpaths like you have been patching our Main Street.
"We want the road dug out and a proper foundation put in place, the cables buried, new lighting and footpaths and value for our money. That is the message from the people of Kildorrery and stop wasting our time and money with ‘five eight’ jobs. If it can be done in Rathcormac, which has been bypassed, it can be done in Kildorrery.
"So councillors, Kevin and Frank, talk to your fellow councillors and do your job in your locality for the people who elected you to represent us,” Mr Keating fumed.
FRANK IS SHOCKED
Cllr Frank O’Flynn is, however, shocked at the reaction from Kildorrery. “During 2009 I requested that Cork County Council would provide funding and have the works carried out in 2010 in Kildorrery. In January 2010, I asked for the resurfacing of Main Street Kildorrery road (N73) to be included in the 2010 Road Works Programme at the Cork County Council area roads meeting.
"I highlighted the importance of this road, stated that the condition of the road was extremely bad and that I, as a county councillor, would not accept a piecemeal or a patching job to solve this ongoing problem, which had to be properly resurfaced. I requested that the necessary funding be provided for the works.
"At the April 2010 Cork County Council area roads meeting I raised the urgent need to resurface the road at Main Street Kildorrery with Aidan Weir, senior executive engineer, who responded and informed me that these works were included in the 2010 programme and would be carried out in the summer of 2010.”
PHONE CONVERSATION
“I informed Tom Keating of this development during a phone conversation. The next I knew was that at the road meeting on 13th July 2010 I was informed in a report that the works would not be carried out. That was the first time that I knew that the works were not being carried out and clearly nobody at the meeting expected this outcome,” Cllr O’Flynn told The Avondhu.
“If Tom Keating had this information then I am surprised that he had not contacted me to inform me that he was aware that the works were not being carried out. I make no apology to anyone for responding at the meeting that it was a disgrace that there was no funding provided by the NRA for the Main Street in Kildorrery for 2010, after being informed at a meeting in April, just three months previously, that it was to be done.”
FULL SUPPORT
The councillor added, “I then asked that this outcome would not be accepted and that Cork County Council would again contact the NRA and implore upon them the importance that this work be carried out this year.
"I got the full support of all county councillors at the meeting for my proposal and stand on the Kildorrery road issue and subsequently I was delighted when informed in late July that the Main Street, Kildorrery road refurbishment works will be carried out this year.”
SYMPATHETIC WITH RESIDENTS
Cllr O’Keeffe is sympathetic with the residents and business owners in Kildorrery. “I will continue to work on behalf of the people of Kildorrery to ensure that the NRA live up to their responsibilities,” he said.
“The people of Kildorrery take great pride in their community and are determined to help themselves in taking every opportunity to sort out the appalling state of the main street.
"This country’s problems will only be sorted if we, the people, start in our communities and fight against waste and idleness and get out there and stand up for ourselves and our children’s future so councillors be warned, your futures will be taken from you,” Tom Keating concluded.
Published:
Thursday 26th August 7:24pm
