Two per cent rate increase sought by County Council

Fri, Dec 12, 2008

Next Monday’s Mayo County Council budget meeting is sure to see a vivacious debate on the issue of rate increases for business in 2009. County Manager Des Mahon informed the monthly meeting of the authority that the council would be seeking a two per cent increase in the rate for 2009. The news was not greeted well by the majority of the members present, Ballinrobe-based Fine Gael Cllr Patsy O’Brien had a motion on the agenda calling on the council not to increase either the water charges or the rate for 2009. Cllr O’Brien’s proposal received support from both sides of the house. The councillor said: “In this current climate, there should be no increase, because the fact is that many small business in the county which have been the backbone of the rural economy for many years are only barely surviving at the minute.” He went on to put a proposal to the council as to how the rate should be struck for each business on a case by case basis. “I think it would be much fairer to calculate the rate as a percentage of the overall turnover of a business for a year, rather than the flat rate we have at the minute.”

€1 million to cut every Mayo hedge

Fri, Dec 12, 2008

It would cost Mayo County Council in the region of €1 million a year to cut every hedge on roadsides in the county.

Weekend festive fun at the Quarter

Fri, Dec 12, 2008

The season of goodwill is well under way in Castlebar Quarter Shopping and there’s more festive fun in store.

Handling of the pork crisis not good enough, says wholesaler Connolly

Fri, Dec 12, 2008

The handling of the recent pork crisis by the Government has been lambasted as not good enough by Fine Gael councillor and pork wholesaler Cllr Tom Connolly. The Claremorris based councillor was not mincing his words when he spoke to the Mayo Advertiser this week. “The whole handling of the situation has been messed up from the beginning. While food safety is of the utmost importance to everyone involved in the industry the way this has been dealt with has been a massive blow to the industry in a time of economic turmoil. It’s been almost a week since the recall was announced and now only today (Thursday, December 11) are things getting back to normal. But you’re still looking at it being the middle of the week next week before things get back to normal.”

Council admit 13-accident Claremorris junction is unsafe

Fri, Dec 12, 2008

There are 24 lights lighting up a bridge on the N17 outside Claremorris yet there is no illumination at a dangerous junction just metres away which has been the site of 13 accidents. And there is no way to make the junction safe, local councillors were told this week.

Discontent voiced preceding Forum for North West Mayo

Fri, Dec 12, 2008

Local community groups expressed their discontent with the Forum for North West Mayo at Belmullet on Friday with a press conference being disrupted by angry outbursts from local groups who were unhappy with the procedure of the behind-closed-doors, invite-only forum.

Councillors beg council to fund Claremorris lights

Fri, Dec 12, 2008

There is no money in the coffers of Mayo County Council to assist Claremorris in lighting up for Christmas.

Haughey book collection to go on display at Turlough House

Fri, Dec 12, 2008

The personal library of the former Taoiseach, the late Charles J Haughey, was presented to the National Museum of Ireland this week to go on display in Turlough House.

O’Mahony calls on people to check on elderly neighbours

Fri, Dec 12, 2008

Mayo Fine Gael TD John O’Mahony is supporting the HSE “Keep Warm Keep Well” campaign which is aimed at ensuring that the elderly are warm and well this winter. The booklet, which is at the centre of the campaign, gives advice on how best to ensure that the elderly get through the winter season without suffering any serious setback.

Calls to exempt Ireland West Airport from €2 departure tax

Fri, Dec 12, 2008

Mayo Fianna Fáil TD Beverley Flynn has called on the Minister for Finance, Brian Lenihan TD, to exempt Ireland West Airport Knock from the €2 departure tax which was introduced in Budget 2009.

Corrib gas partners’ grants announced

Fri, Dec 12, 2008

The Corrib gas partners have announced details of the successful applicants to their June 2008 round of funding under their Local Grants Programme. A total of 24 groups have been awarded grant aid ranging from €1,000 to €10,000.

Looking to borrow? Ballyhaunis Credit Union are looking to lend

Fri, Dec 12, 2008

While the credit crunch is gripping the world, and businesses and individuals are struggling to get credit from banks, the message from Ballyhaunis Credit Union is that they have money to lend.

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