In Reply to: Re: bIG bROTHER loves Castlebar Town Council posted by Big Brother's come back on October 26, 2005 at 14:07:24:

"The meetings are open to the public so why don't you go along to one and learn something instead of complaining?"

If the meetings are open to the public as you state, then where are they held and where can I get a copy of the agenda for said public meetings and where are the meeting minutes available for later consultation ? As for 'learning' something from these meetings - watching grown men bickering between themselves doesn't even lick the boots of Oireachtas Report (and that programme shows what a poor excuse our national parliment is for informed debate).

"The meters were discussed at several meetings and were reported in all the 3 local papers and on Mid West Radio. So what are you complianing about?"

There's a BIG difference between a 'reported' story in the media and an official announcement (ask the Lawlors !). When are the Town Council gonna get their act together and actually make an announcement on the subject as opposed to hoping that we'll all get informed via bush telegraph and rumour. As a member of the public am I expected to attend every Town Council meeting in order to be informed of what's going on? And only three local papers ? Someone's getting left out!

"The council have a phone number and all councillors can be contacted through the council."

Well due to an unfortunate accident I don't have the power of speech, so if the Town Council are saying that I must use the phone then they are in breach of the Disabilty Act. Besides they don't return phone calls but like the emails please do let us all know if they return one of yours - you will be an exception.

"if you put as much effort into taking an interest in YOUR town as you do complaining about it you would be a much happier individiual."

You have no idea how much effort I put into trying to make my town a better place to live but then again very few members of the Town Council would lift a hand to help out with the Tidy Towns, Fair Trade, Dark Skies, Carbon Neutrality, Sustainable Living, etc.