Mayor’s Update
Mayor
Caitríona Jones
Community activities for everyone, thanks to local input In addition to being your local Councillor, I was elected Mayor of South Dublin County Council last June. It’s been a hectic few months, but it’s an honour for me to work with and for you. These are difficult times for our community and for local families. Joining in the Spooky Walk
I believe it is more important than ever for the Council to focus on improving the quality of life in our community and supporting local groups and businesses.
Improving our living space As Mayor I have sought more and better use of our parks and open spaces. I launched National Play Day in Corkagh Park. I joined children for the Spooky Walk at Halloween and enjoyed Winter Wonderland along with local families. I launched the Grand Canal Green Route Extension which provides approximately 2km of cycle/ pedestrian tracks, public lighting and CCTV, and a new Canal bridge, making a first class pedestrian and cycle route from Adamstown to Dublin City. I also launched Lucan Festival – a great community event thanks to the voluntary work of local organisers. I attended events in the Palmerstown Festival during the summer. Another initiative aimed at empowering local residents is www.fixyourstreet.ie, set up using free software to minimise costs. You can report issues such as graffiti, road defects, faulty street lighting, water leaks, litter and illegal dumping via the website and the Council will respond within two working days.
Social credits working I’m a huge fan of the Social Credits Scheme which enables community groups and local schools to undertake local projects and rewards them with the use of Council facilities and services (e.g. a free swim for local children). Work has included local clean-ups, removal of graffiti and weeding of footpaths. The Council has supplied materials such as topsoil, garden gloves, etc. Congratulations to the residents of Droim na Coille Avenue, Esker Woods, Palmerstown Court, Foxborough, Ardeevin and others! It goes to show what a group of like-minded people can achieve when they work together to improve the environment. I recently launched the Lucan Adamstown Time Bank which involves five Educate Together schools in the community coming together for this initiative which gives free access for an hour to social and cultural events organised by the Time Bank for every hour volunteered by participants in community activities. For more information see www.socialcredits.ie
Meeting Water Drop at the Water Conservation launch
Supporting local businesses I’m supporting Think Local – a South Dublin County Development Board initiative. If we as local residents try to do more of our spending locally we can help keep local businesses open. I have also supported reduced commercial rates and launched initiatives to help local businesses save money including a publication on lowering water costs.
YOU CAN CONTACT ME AT - Email: cjones@sdublincoco.ie Mobile: 087 2034427