Fears growing that Sligo Racecourse will be rezoned and sold off

by jo Sat Mar 15, 2008 09:15

I wonder what came of the meeting, what are teh campign proposals? They did a good job of stopping the fair green in sligo being rezoned, i think preventing houses being put on the racecourse could be harder!

by wendy Sat Mar 15, 2008 12:02

In fairness I think it will be easier to stop any plans to build on the racecourse. There will be far more opposition to any plans to do so

Only cllrs however at the meeting were arthur gibbons and declan bree

by lester Sun Mar 16, 2008 20:03

I attended the meeting organised by the People First group in the MCR Centre.It was well attended by members of the general public and by member of political partys, in fact two ex councillors with aspirations of regaining their seats at the local elections next year were also there.They were Brian Scanlon of the Greens and Tommy Cummins of Fianna Fail,unfortunately no member of the Labour Party were present.

by redone - none Sun Mar 16, 2008 23:14

I attended the meeting last Thursday l didn't see any Labour Councillors there at all maybe they were in America with our Td's and alot of our other town and county cll'rs that were knowhere to be seen . !
I did see Arthur Gibbons there it isn't even his ward . !

by Patrick Sun Mar 16, 2008 23:19

I am sure the reason that most of those Cllr's were missing is they were gone on a junket , l know Arthur Gibbons has never availed of these and puts the money back into his area . ! I don't think Declan Bree avails of Junkets either so maybe that's why there was only 2 elected Councillors there . !

by Pamela Mon Mar 17, 2008 00:24

I attended the meeting of the save our racecourse meeting at the MCR on Thursday the 13th March 08 l was totally dissulisioned by the lack of public representatives that where present Cllr Declan Bree who was one of the organisors and Cllr Arthur Gibbons who was there to show his support which l am not surprised at . But what really riled me was Brian Scanlon ex Labour County Councillor and now Green party spokes person what type of support can we support from Mr Scanlon looking a the record of the Green party who sold their soul and betrayed their followers to get into government for the chance of power what if any support can the people expect from a member of a political party that portrays themselves in the same light as Judas when it comes to their own policies if private developers decide to build on the racecourse and offer 30 pieces of silver surely a representative of this political party is going to be swayed by the shine of the silver. Beware of Greeks bearing gifts.

by Daniel Mon Mar 17, 2008 00:32

With great interest l sat through aload of waffle greated by Cllr Declan Bree and his followers of a meeting of the people first campaign Sligo the only Councillor that could not be accused of trying to make a name for himself and genuinely was there on behalf of the people was Sinn Fein Cllr Albert Gibbons it looked to me as a set up to get has been and wanna be polititions a political platform to operate from yet you had the likes of has beens like EX Cllr Brian SCanlon and Tommy Cummins and a desperate wanna be Martin Ford in attendance for something that hasn't even been confirmed that Sligo Races are to pull out of Sligo it was politics being played at its poorest and shame on everyone that was involved on the committee for trying to fool the people of something that may never happen . This was aknowledged by Cllr Declan Bree watch your steps as people are not fooled and these games will catch up with you. ! In blunt terms it is known as scare mongering .

by Margaret Mon Mar 17, 2008 00:37

I noticed from a number of meetings within the East Ward and the West Ward of Sligo the latest being save our green areas on Thursday last is Cllr Arthur Gibbons the only Sinn Fein elected representative in Sligo l notice Sean and Chris Mc Manus were elected in 2004 but not much has been seen or heard from them at any public meetings in Sligo have they retired or resigned from the Sinn Fein organisation l have even seen photos in the local media where Arthur Gibbons was the only Cllr present at save our cancer services in Sligo general hospital has the Sinn Fein organisation collapsed in Sligo l would appreciate a comment from either Sean Chris or Arthur in relation to these issues .

by Steven Sligo Mon Mar 17, 2008 00:58

Has Declan Bree lost his political direction since he teamed up with his arch enemy the FF organisation for years Declan has always critised FF for the influence bestowed on them by the chamber of commerce business people and the money people in our society he has critisised Sinn Fein in the past for getting into bed with FF and now he is doing exactly the same thing even though he is know longer a member of a political party and has had plenty of opportunity to critisise his new found friend s but he refuses to do so but instead he would rather take his pet project brian Scanlon and aline themselves with the corruption that FF has found themselves alined to them from the history of the party why not do the honourable thing Declan and bring your puppet Brian Scanlon and both of you join the Fianna Fail party as you have proven in the past you have more in common with them than anybody else . !!

by john sligo Mon Mar 17, 2008 17:41

I am sick of people going to meeting not opening their mouth then running home and hiding behind a computer and knocking other people. If Daniel or Steven were men and not mice maybe we could have a lively meeting

by Pamela Mon Mar 17, 2008 18:41

I totally agree with what Daniel and Steven had to say were you at the meeting john if so did you open your mouth or were you silent it is not fair to criticize other people if you are not prepared to speak up yourself . !!

by Patrick Mon Mar 17, 2008 18:46

When and where will the next meeting be held maybe all the polititions that are in America will be able to attend the next meeting , l saw Arthur Gibbons at the meeting he is one of the few Councillors that seems to attend meeting's regular not just in his own ward but in all wards of the town l have seen him in the local media pictured at everyone of the Save our Cancer meetings in the twon where were all the other Councillors when these mettings were being held . ! There should be alot more Counciloors like him. !
Keep up the good work Arthur . !

by Gerry Mon Mar 17, 2008 18:52

Why is it always the same Councillors that attend meetings on a regular basis we elected these Councillors hoping we would have a voice for the people of Sligo that dosen't seem to be the case it seems once these councillors are elected they go into hiding . ! They promise the sun the moon and stars coming up to an Election but once they are elected that dosen't seem to be the case . What we ned to do is to get behind the Councillors that seem to be doing the work Keep up the good work Declan and Arthur . !

by Jimmy Mon Mar 17, 2008 21:54

Why was there no Labour Councillors at the meeting to save the Racecourse its the same with the save our cancer meetings it has a very poor turnout of Borough Councillors the only ones that have never missed a meeting are Declan Bree and Arthur Gibbons there hasn't been any labour Councillor in attendance at any of the meetings . ! It will be to late when we loose these services wake up and get your act together and get out and work for the people who voted you into power. !

by Veronica Tue Mar 18, 2008 13:04

Patrick, Declan Bree does avail of junkets. He always has done

by Patrick Tue Mar 18, 2008 14:18

Thank's Veronica l never new that Declan Bree availed of Junkets. ! I know Arthur Gibbons dosen't he must be the only Borough Councillor that dosen't so . ??

by Veronica Tue Mar 18, 2008 15:21

Yes, Gibbons is the only one that doesnt take part in the junkets.

by Patrick Tue Mar 18, 2008 17:00

Wonder if any of the elected Councillors and ,County Councillors and Td's and our Junior Minster will be attending the meeting tonight to save our cancer services there has been a very poor turnout at these meetings so far , time is running out for this campaign .
It will be to late once we have lost these services .

by green acres Wed Mar 19, 2008 11:20

Labour were not at the meeting because Veronica was in Boston at the taxpapers expense,,brushing up on her right wing politics, no doubt paying hommage to the Boston Model as recommmended by Mary Harney.Wee Jimmy was too busy pulling pints.But in fairness Labour were being consistent as they didnt attend any of the meetings organised in support of saving the Fairgreen either,the dogs in the street knew that they were both disappointed when People Power won and their old buddies in the Chamber of Commerce were thwarted from changing a public greenspace amenity into a car park for their Businness cronies.

by Francis Sat Mar 22, 2008 00:31

I attended the save our cancer candle lit vigil this evening l was very surprised to see Jimmy Devins there as he hasn't attended any of the meetings . ! I think you are right about Labour they haven't attended any of the meetings s yuou say Labour in Sligo is only there for the business people and not the ordinary working class voter . ! Does anyone know was wee Jimmy in America on a junket ? l know Veronica was in Boston . !
I did see Arthur Gibbons there and Sean Mac Manus also Declan Bree . !

by Chris Sat Mar 22, 2008 00:35

I attended the candle lit vigil this evening its sad to see the way that Imelda Henry and the other Fine Gael Councillors are trying to turn this political it seems they will do anything to try and build their profiles up for the next General Election this issue was never meant to be political but thats they way it has turned l for one would be put off going to any of the other meetings or protest marchs . To see imelda out front marching instead of the cancer victims was a disgrace vry dissulusioned voter . !!

by Harry Sat Apr 05, 2008 12:50

Anyone know when and if there is another meeting of save the racecourse l haven't heard anything on the local media l also checked Declan Bree's website and saw no mention of it there or is the campaign over. ??

by sarah - none Sun Apr 06, 2008 01:27

the county manager is trying to destroy this town, I was born and raised in the town of sligo and can trace my ancestors to four generations. I dont mind progrss but not in the name of the destruction of the town. The biggest grey elphant in the town, is the apartment block in connolly street, I would like to know who's pocket the developer of this appaling high rise put the bown envelopes into, beggars beyond believe. Who in again. They are not representing the people of the ward but are the lackeys of the chamber of commerce. Fiona Gallagher of Burton Street was the lone voice in objecting to planning permission but no one else got on her side. I hope that some day the tribunal's will come to sligo because the officials in this town too are corrupt. We dont need anymore car parks or apartments, just look around at all the empty apartments in the town, in the end justice is served on the greedy and the corrupt. We must put pressure on our councillors to keep our green areas.

by Stephen canoway Mon Apr 07, 2008 03:18

Once Tim Mulcahy. Des Skeffington and Paraig hallianan get elected, none of this sh*t will happen

by Manix Mon Apr 28, 2008 11:19

I don't think that Des Skeffington will be elected he has left Sinn Fein in Sligo l think Padraic Hallinan has a good chance this time out . !
Is there going to be another meeting of save the racecourse if so where and when things seem to be very quiet in relation to this issue. !

by Joe McGowan Mon Apr 28, 2008 12:25

Manix is right. Dessie Skeffington has resigned from Sinn Fein but is likely to run as an independent now in North Sligo. He wont win a seat or even get close to one. Neither will Sinn Fein as they will have a hard time getting any candidate for that area, let alone a credible candidate. Gibbons would be the ideal candidate for them and would win a seat but as like the last time out, the MacManus' will ensure that he does not get the nomination. They would prefer no SF seat then Gibbons winning it. If they cannot get someone else to run, they will run no candidate rather than allow Gibbons run and take the seat

by Gabe Tue Apr 29, 2008 15:42

Does anyone know when the next meetings take place?

by stable lad Tue Apr 29, 2008 16:08

Sligo racecourse is a great space and has a wonderful background view from the grandstand - distant Benbulben and the craggy Kings mountain. What I wonder is, can the racecourse be put to other sporting and recreational uses between the few times a year when race meetings are held? Did anybody ever think of establishing a greyhound track somewhere in the no-man land beyond the railings? Could summer fairs be held there? Have they ever considered making summer camp space available to scouting and other groups? Have they ever invited historical and religious groups to rent the course for pageants?

by stable lad Tue Apr 29, 2008 16:43

100% stable lad. It has been used on occasion for other events but they have been few and far between. A disaster of a music festival a couple of years ago and athetic cross country events are about all I can think of off the top of my head in teh recent past. But then again this is Sligo, and doing things that should be done usually doesnt happen

by John Tue Apr 29, 2008 19:33

I think there should be another meeting Sligo needs to keep hold of what little green space we have There is little enough of it left the fair green proved that people power can overturn things l heard they got funding towards a play ground . !

by Johnny Mon May 12, 2008 18:17

I think the race course could be used for other sporting interests while its lying idle maybe summer camps or a running pitch for kids in the area.

by Harry Mon May 12, 2008 18:18

Is there going to be another meeting of save the racecourse things have been very quiet in relation to it. !

by ned green Mon May 12, 2008 20:04

I just walked passed the racecourse, hundreds of ordinary people happily useing this wonderful amenity,for walking/running etc.The last race meeting was packed,over five thousand attended.I beleive the recent public meetings created an awareness amongst people to the endevours of the County Manager to hand this unique amenity over to Private Speculators and Developers covertly,the message from those meetings is he will face resistance,and like the Fair Green issue I predict another win for People Power.They Have,nt Gone Away,You Know.?

by Helena Fri May 16, 2008 20:27

I attended the meeting of save the racecourse Wendy is right the only Cllr's that attended were Arthur Gibbons and Declan Bree. ! There has been nothing much about it though in recent times. !