text:
Marcia D'Alton
My road to politics
Motions raised
My motions to full Council
My motions to Municipal District Committee
My motions to Southern Committee
Election literature 2019
Notes from a full meeting of Cork County Council, 13th January 2016
January 14, 2016 Marcia D'Alton
Notes from a meeting of the Full Council, 10th January, 2015.
[a] CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES
1. Minutes of Meeting of the Council held on 14th December, 2014.
Proposed and seconded.
Amendment requested by Cllr D'Alton (Ind). In the last meeting's discussion on climate change, she did not say that climate change should be made part of the planning process. Said that planning for climate change should become part of everything that we do.
[b] VOTES OF SYMPATHY
2. Votes of Sympathy (if any) to the relatives of:
members or employees of the Council,
dignitaries of Church or State, or
members of old I.R.A. and Cumann na mBan.
Votes of sympathy were expressed.
[c] STATUTORY BUSINESS
3. Disposal of Property – Section 183 of the Local Government Act, 2001:
Blarney Macroom Municipal District Meeting: 27th November, 2015
(a). Disposal of 306 Cloughphilip, Tower, Blarney, Co. Cork.
(b). Disposal of land at Kilnamuckey, Tower, Blarney, Co. Cork.
West Cork Municipal District, 7th December, 2015:
(c). Disposal of land at Butlerstown, , Bandon, Co. Cork.
(d). Disposal of No. 6 Casement Street, Clonakilty, Co. Cork.
(e). Grant of Wayleaves at Durrus, Co. Cork.
Kanturk Mallow Municipal District Meetings: 4th December, 2015:
(f). Disposal of property at Knockduff Upper, Cullen, Mallow, Co. Cork
East Cork Municipal District, December, 2015:
(g). Disposal of property at Ballyvergan West, Youghal, Co. Cork.
(h). Amendment to Disposal of land at Ballybearna, Ballinhassig, Co. Cork, by the substitution of "Wayleave measuring 81m x 5m and Right of Way measuring 81m x 5m" in lieu of "Wayleave measuring 76m x 5m and Right of Way measuring 76m x 5m"being the area of said property.
(i) Amendment to Disposal of 51 Liam McGearailt Place, Fermoy, Co. Cork, by the substitution of No. 52 in lieu of No.51 being the area of said property .
[e] CORRESPONDENCE FROM GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS
Department of Communications, Energy & Natural Resources:
Letter dated 4th December, 2015, in response to Council's letter of 14th July, 2015 regarding Whitegate refinery.
Correspondence from Dept of Env, Community & L.Gov
Cllr Buckley (SF): Very disappointed with the Minister's response. This refinery underpins the local economy. It provides 600 jobs. Its loss would be a devastation to East Cork.
Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Letter dated 15th December, 2015, in response to Council's letter of 2015 regarding Income thresholds for social housing.
Correspondence from Dept of Env.
Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Letter dated 21st December, 2015, in response to Council's letter of 21st November 2015 concerning global valuations of utilities undertaken by the Valuation Office.
Correspondence from Gov. Dep
[d] REPORTS & RECOMMENDATIONS OF COMMITTEES
The CE presented a report on recent flooding events.
Flood events doc
He went through the report briefly:
Met Eireann reported triple the normal rainfall in many parts of December. Wettest places were in County Cork. Roches Point reported its highest rainfall since 1955. Rainfall at Cork Airport was well higher than the normal 3 month average. We had three winter storms. The highest national 10 minute wind speed was recorded in Co. Cork at 102 km/h.
The response was effected by Severe Weather Assessment Team and Crisis Management Team. Convened 17 times between Dec 27th to Jan 2nd.
Cork County Council made contact with a lot of families in Midleton. Some families relocate on their own and don't make contact with us but if families need help and ask for it, we help.
Commends community and voluntary effort.
329 emergency calls in total were made to the fire emergency services.
Council staff worked over 4,000 days during the storms in December.
The Civil Defence was of tremendous help.
The Council extended the emergency phone line to 24 hours a day once Storm Frank hit. This received over 2,300 calls.
We don't respond to comments on Facebook and Twitter as a Council. We are not interactive that way. But we used them for critical messaging. Updates on Facebook reached 150,000 followers.
Road assessment and restoration has commenced throughout the county.
€2.4m worth of damage was done during the storms in September 2015.
€7.4m worth of damage was done during the storms of 2012.
This event was far more wide-ranging with far greater impact than either of those events. The Department has asked us for an estimate of the damage. At this early stage, we reckon it will be €15 – 20m.
A formal request from government for details of particular roads and infrastructure to be restored is expected.
We opened our Civic Amenity Sites to take flood damaged goods.
We have asked consultants to advise on possible causes of flooding in MIdleton. This will be dealt with at Municipal District level.
Tenders for Bandon flood relief are in on 14th Tenders for Skibbereen will be opened at Council meeting on 8th February.
If there is an emergency, a local authority can do works on a stream or river. Inland Fisheries says it will facilitate emergency works. Cork County Council has consulted with Inland Fisheries Ireland and the current indication is that they would not regard dredging in Bandon as emergency works because there are planned schemes in place.
Some towns have flood committees, whereas others operate on an ad hoc basis. We will work with any of these. There is an opportunity to put these more structured committees in place as is the case in Skibbereen. We would encourage that.
December has been very challenging.
welfare.ie outlines the relief schemes/humanitarian assistance offered by Department of Social Protection.
50% of claims made nationally are from County Cork.
3 weeks ago the Southern Star said that Cork County Council was potentially delaying the payment of the €5,000 to some applicants because of a delay in processing forms. Guarantees that every single form was returned within 24 hours. A similar allegation was made by a Cork County Council member in the West Cork Municipal District (Cllr Hayes) last week. It was again reported by the paper. That is not accurate at all.
Farmers who have suffered fodder losses are also being helped by the Department of Social Protection.
Thanks Members of Council for their support. Is aware that the weather conditions were challenging for councillors too. The executive tries to support as best it can. The relationship between councillors and executive on the ground was positive. Thanks also to the media, in particular 96FM and Red FM. Their reporting helped alert the public significantly.
All motions on flooding are taken together.
5. West Cork Municipal District:
"In light of recent severe weather events, that this Council calls on the Government to introduce emergency legislation to facilitate the cleaning, dredging and maintenance of waterways which would override obstacles that are in place which currently hinders or prevents this type of work" and
"That this Council would provide additional funding and resources to be put in place to enable an annual maintenance and preventative programme of both roads and waterways which would leave the Council best placed to deal with future severe weather events".
Cllr C O'Sullivan (FF): Thanks the CEO for his outline. Very informative. Commends Cork County Council and staff for their reaction. They were very visible and present. Criticism was not fair. The reaction, response and availability of area engineers and staff on the ground even to councillors was commendable.
There are two parts to the Municipal District's motion. The first part has already been touched on. There is a mechanism that can be used to do works in rivers and streams. Inland Fisheries reacts slowly. The Municipal District urges Cork County Council to implement that mechanism. People on the ground know that some work to that effect would go some way (not all the way) to alleviating some of the issues that arose.
Part B of the motion – the whole approach to our road networks should be taken differently. These events are happening far more regularly. The winter maintenance budget and drainage in particular need addressing. The West Cork road network is devastated. The tarmac is starting to bubble up. Some 11 or 12 roads around Dunmanway are closed. Instead of reacting to these types of events, there should be a whole new approach from Council and government. Concrete gullies need to be installed where applicable. Let each Area Egnineer decide how to drain best. If you keep the water off the roads, problems will be minimised.
Cllr PG Murphy (FF): We have to think strategically how we face these problems. They are happening with more regularity. We have to be prepared for that. The CEO's estimate of €15 – 20m is quite frightening. FG says they will put money into it but we haven't seen that money yet. The Area Office doesn't know what it has to play with. The staff were excellent in West Cork. The embargo on recruitment has affected the number of ground staff available to respond to events like this. We are possibly understaffed to deal with events like this. Is not sure if the OPW is fit for purpose. They huff and puff but don't get a lot done. Dredging of rivers needs to be allowed. Our waterways, dykes and drains need to be maintained. Our winter maintenance budget was halved over the last number of years. We need to bring this back to close to where it was. We need to do an audit, look at our waterways, dredge where necessary, open up our waterways. This won't solve all our problems but it will help. We are spending money now on patching, but we need to be using that money more strategically.
6. Councillor Ian Doyle:
"That Cork County Council will apply to the Government and the Department of the environment for emergency funding. This funding is to supply staff, resources and equipment to open up the dykes drains and waterways throughout the county, particularly after the rainfall of the last few weeks. This is now an urgent matter. It also should be noted the tremendous work done by the staff of Cork County Council with the resources available to them over this period.
Cllr Doyle (FF): Praises Cork County Council staff. They worked over and beyond the call of duty. Says thank you sincerely. Have had two motions to this Council previously on the effect of the embargo. Not having front line staff to do the very basic housekeeping tasks. We have two flood problems in our Municipal District district. The flood defences in Fermoy and Mallow thankfully worked. But we have localised flooding too. In most cases, these were caused by dykes and drains not being cleared. None has been cleaned for the last 8 – 9 years around our county road network. We need to draw up a compromised plan of work to be done on this, cost it and apply for funding. We haven't got the money ourselves to do this. We are all talking about the Municipal District approach and how effective it is going to be but we all need to have a comprensive dyke amd drain clean. We are facing a €20m bill. If the dykes and drains were cleaned, we would not have to spend this money. We need to lift the embargo. We need the Municipal Districts to meet to draw up this costed plan.
7. Councillor Margaret Murphy O'Mahony:
"This Council calls on the Government for emergency funding to repair roads damaged in the recent storms. Funding to include money for cleaning of ditches, drains, streams etc. to prevent future erosion of roads when repaired."
Cllr Murphy O'Mahony (FF): Pays special tribute to local engineer, Charlie McCarthy. He was on the end of the phone 24-7 during the flooding period. The timeframe given for the flood relief schemes are no longer acceptable. We are waiting too long. A legal challenge has affected their delivery. This is no grounds for the holding up of the schemes. A week is a quarter of the time period since the Minister's visit. This government has blamed EU Directives for not dredging the River Bandon. Now we learn that this is not the case. Is asking for proper dredging of the River Bandon. We will face any legal challenge that arises from this. Is asking for funding for maintenance of drains, ditches, etc. Calls on the government to provide emergency funding for roads. Would like to point out the large amounts of money being diverted from our motor tax to Irish Water. This government is underspending on road maintenance and investment. Underspent by less than €289m last year. As a direct result, many roads were not able to cope with the adverse conditions. Calls on the government to provide emergency funding.
8. Councillor Frank O'Flynn:
"That Cork County Council prepare a list of necessary works to be undertaken and the cost of these works arising from the recent severe flooding throughout the county and call on the Ministers for the Environment to make the necessary finding available to enable these works be carried out and that Cork County Council put in place a strategy for the future management and prevention of flooding.
Cllr O'Flynn (FF): Thanks the CE for the staff in the Fermoy Municipal District. The outdoor staff were magnificent. The engineer is fantastic. Leave him with us! Gives a vote of thanks to all the staff but especially to those in the Fermoy electoral area. Thanks the gardai, the Civil Defence, the Fire Brigade. The embargo needs to be lifted. This should go as an emergency motion from this meeting. Numerous people are asking that the message on the emergency line would be shorter. It would make it easier for people in an emergency. The €20m figure should go to the Minister. We need a designated person in Cork County Council and a designated number to help families who have been affected by the flooding. Asks that we put a team in place to look at planning. Noel O'Keeffe was big into water harvesting. We don't do it any more. For future flooding and future problems, we need to put a strategic team together.
Party leaders:
Cllr Murphy (FG): Thanks all the staff. This was an extraordinary flood. Does not believe any drainage works would have helped. The drainage works that were supposed to take place in Bandon were challenged over the years by Inland Fisheries. If we don't get to grips with the response from Inland Fisheries, we are going nowhere. There was one challenge from a contractor and another from Inland Fisheries. We have to ask Inland Fisheries to back off. Is deeply concerned that another challenge could come to the Bandon flood relief scheme. David Keane (County Engineer) said that as far as he is concerned, the ownership of the waterways has been passed over to the farmers. Wants clarification of who owns the waterways. Agrees with Cllr Doyle that we need a countywide policy in relation to drainage in each Municipal District. We are just coming to grips with improvements in our road network and all of a sudden we have taken a massive step backwards. In some cases the roads are totally washed away. In Kinsale, there were about 9 premises in total affected.
Cllr McGrath (FF): Thanks CE for report. Would have liked it in advance of the meeting. Some hosueholders and businesses have experienced a horrendous time. We need to be as constructive as we can and set about developing plans for the future. It has been the wettest and warmest winter on record. There is an inadequacy in ability to respond due to shortage of outdoor staff on the ground. Ongoing maintenance of drainage infrastructure has been a problem for some time. Those on the ground did their absolute best but there was a shortage of numbers. We need to recruit more outdoor staff. We have seen hypocrisy from some government Ministers who are trying to pass the buck back to local authorities. We do not have the resources we need to deal with this situation. Alan Kelly would be particularly culpable here. We are told that flooding has not been caused by a lack of funding. But there are two examples in his Municipal District alone here where funding was a direct cause of flooding. Ballinhassig, flooded in 2009 and flooded again in 2015. We have tried to get funding from the OPW for flood relief for Ballinhassig but no funding was received. Glenbrook in Passage West saw flooding in the last few weeks and again in 2009. A flood relief scheme has been submitted and adequate funding has not been made available. This kind of extreme weather is going to be recurring and we need to make plans. Acknowledges the efforts made by the community.
Cllr Hurley (Ind): Supports all that has been said. Seconds Cllr Doyle's motion. We need to get back to basics getting the work that needs to be done on the ground done. We need proper maintenance of rivers. The government needs to introduce emergency legislation to facilitate the cleaning, dredging and maintenance of rivers and waterways. Inland Fisheries have indeed been an obstacle in the past. We need an annual maintenance and preventative programme for both rivers and roads. They are neglected and do not have the holding capacity any more. We cannot be waiting years and years for flood relief to be carried out. We need a longer term solution. West Cork is a beautiful place but the roads are built on bog and rock. It takes very little to affect the surface. This is what has happened. Local authorities are starved of resources to deal with events like these. The 2016 roads allocation was €9m. It is a drop in the ocean.
Cllr O'Laoghaire (SF): A lack of investment in some of the flood relief programmes has been a cause of flooding. Mentioned Bandon and Glenbrook. Douglas-Togher was affected but not as badly as other areas. Flood relief there was effective in protecting may be one or two properties but had a spin-off effect on other properties. What is the procedure for distribution of sandbags? Can residents arrive to collect them? Understands that if some properties had received sandbags, they might not get assistance from the Red Cross. Would like clarification on this. Knows Cork County Council worked extremely hard. But understands that the workers got time off in lieu. Thinks they should get time and a half or double time as compensation for the effort made. CE said on News at One that we have adequate resources. Cork County Council had 1,285 outdoor staff in 2008 and 478 in 2014. Would be very surprised if this gave us adequate resources! Pays tribute to the community, particularly in looking after the elderly and infirm.
Cllr Rasmussen (Lab): It is time to reflect and see what we can learn. Many people had difficulty in getting through on the emergency line. Had a motion in about blocked drains at Municipal District level to see could we draw up a list of drain cleaning that should be done in the Municipal District. The response wasn't good. The attitude seemed to be "why should we be doing this?". Appreciates that drain cleaning is not enough to solve the problem but it does help. Is concerned that because there are so many roads, the man-hours necessary to fix them will be a problem. Asks about 3 – 4 roads closed in his own area of Cobh.
Other Members comment:
Cllr O'Keeffe (FF): Staff were exhausted but morale was high. The embargo will have to be lifted. The flood relief works worked really well in Mallow and Fermoy. We need a reserve crew in place to erect the flood barriers. The area staff staff were not available to erect the flood barriers in Fermoy when they were needed. €500m for flood defence works announced by government. But what happens if this is not built. It took two floods in Bandon to get the proper pumps in place. Sandbags were scarce.
Cllr Sheppard (FG): Disappointed that we got the CE's report only this morning. We needed it with the agenda or on Friday. Acknowledges the work of the Council staff over the Christmas. Although we did what we could do, it wasn't really enough. Rang the emergency number 28 times before it was answered. Was trying to get sandbags for an estate in Glanmire in which the houses had no insurance which was about to flood. The shores were very blocked in Cobh but we largely got away with it. Some roads are still closed off at the back of the Island. We are told they are not a high priority because other areas are worse. Glanmire is listed as a medium level of risk. It really should be classified as high. Council staff were pumping the Glashaboy river and commends them for that, but houses in this area have no flood insurance. The buck is being passed and would like to see action on this. We need to be more proactive.
Cllr M Collins (Ind): Commends all those from Council, voluntary staff, etc. who worked so hard. The cleaning of the rivers has been stopped by rules and regulations. Asked for an emergency meeting on 28th December but rules and regulations would not allow this either. In the UK, David Cameron was allowed to call an emergency meeting. It is rules and procedures that have stopped us from doing necessary maintenance. The staff embargo has prevented us from doing necessary maintenance. Recently met a retired council worker who commented on the regularity of cleaning of dykes, etc. in the old days. There are roads closed everywhere. It has been a disaster in West Cork in relation to these three storms. We have to be ready to act when these events hit us.
Cllr N O'Donovan (FG): The Council staff from top to bottom made a serious effort. We have to learn from these events. This government is taking flooding seriously. Agrees with Cllr Collins that West Cork is a disaster. Roads that were resurfaced during the year have been washed away again. We are wasting money. Would like to see us focusing on our core function: road structure. Would like a proper plan prepared on drainage and dykes. Possibly write to the Department about looking for more discretion on spending in this area.
Cllr J Collins (FG): Commends the efforts of staff in the Carrigaline area. They were out morning, noon and night. It started raining on 8th November and we had only 2 dry days between that and Christmas. So the ground was saturated. We have no early warning with regard to saturation. The OPW should advise well in advance of flooding. We did build on floodplains in the last 30 years. Spoke of the bog in Bandon. When he was growing up, the donkeys were on the bog in Bandon and they were taken off for the winter. Now there is a shopping centre on the bog. The NRA made totally inadequate efforts on the N25 around Killeagh. Imagine if a closure of that length of time had happened along the M50 in Dublin!
Cllr Coleman (Ind): 29,000 hours is a lot of hours for the Council staff to be out working over Christmas. Thanks the public also for the work they did. Who is running the show in any town? Is it the chief supervisor or the engineer? Has the Department indicated that it will come forward with funding? Was disturbed when Inland Fisheries Ireland indicated that its perspective on the Local Authorities Works Act of 1949 differs from ours. If flood defences are proposed, then surely it should be obvious that flood control is necessary. Thinks we should get a legal view on the European legislation and the 1949 legislation, find out for ourselves how far we can go and what we should do. There is a reason this legislation was made. Was surprised to see that consultants are being employed to do corrective action in the Bandon area. Would like more detailed commentary on that.
Cllr S McCarthy (FG): Am a resident of Midleton. Cork County Council response was good but not sure how good it would have been without the response of the community. Companies, business community, Red Cross, fire brigade were all out to help. The one concern though throughout all of this was communication. We need to look at this going forward. There was a problem for public representatives. The people on the ground were looking to us and we didn't have the answers. The emergency number is a number available to everybody. The emergency line is subcontracted to a call centre in Dublin. A call centre in Dublin is just not good enough. I asked many times for feedback when I rang that number. But I never got that feedback. We need a task force in place. Asks that elected members would be kept in the loop. Will have a motion in 2 weeks time. Need a direct line for elected members in crises like this. Also a text alert system.
Cllr Mullane (SF): We are lucky in Mallow because we have flood defences. Many saw pictures of the Mallow flood plain. It had 8 – 9 feet of water. There are two families still in that. Wants to ask whether they will have access to the humanitarian assistance scheme? There is no plan or protocol for when there is a flood. Could we write to the Department on this? The embargo needs to be lifted because of the cut in outdoor staff. The Sinn Féin MEP has done work on the dredging of rivers of streams. The EU Directives do not ban dredging of rivers and streams. Nothing in the Directives stop dredging when that dredging is in the overriding public interest.
Cllr O'Donovan (FG): Agrees with Cllr Doyle about clearing of dykes and ditches. Wanted to ask about the interim works for Bandon. What is the time period within which the consultant needs to come back to Council?
Cllr B Moynihan (FF): Getting water off the roads is so important. We have a sparse population where I come from but a high density of roads. Municipal Districts work well but we have no idea how we are going to deal with this problem into the future. Our Municipal Districts have no money, no matter what the Minister is saying. Wants to know when this money the Minister is talking about is going to be available. We have top class people. They know how to solve the problems but they have no money for it.
(6 FF present)
Cllr R McCarthy (SF): Thanks all in the community and voluntary sector. These were staff that were on their holidays. Cllr J O'Donovan was filling sandbags in the Council yard. He was also out on Christmas Day. Who is coordinating the emergency plan? Is asking that footpaths would be cleaned in Bandon and the playground also. Reminds councillors that the Sinn Féin team had suggested in its alternative budget that €200k would be put aside to clear waterways and drains, etc. This was rejected.
Cllr Hayes (SF): Thanks to all the staff, emergency services, etc. There was a huge community effort also. Spoke of Directives and their implications. Rivers can be restocked after dredging but dredging needs to happen. Alan Kelly is on the TV and radio regularly with a very big wallet. There are 12,000 km roads in Cork County and we have one of the lowest allocations in return from road tax. We had a good meeting with Minister Harris in Bandon. Knows the local engineers were putting together a plan/wish list to send to the OPW for pumps, etc. Is wondering if this list has gone yet? Installation of non-return valves should be on the list. Refers to the piece in the Southern Star that the CE mentioned. His reference to delays in processing were taken directly from a letter circulated to all councillors by the Red Cross. He quoted the letter directly.
Cllr Carroll (FF): Thanks the CE for the report. Is there any kind of a bonus scheme for the council workers, etc? Also concerned that they won't hear our thanks from this morning. Thanks the farmers that came up from West Cork. We are tired of Department officials and Inland Fisheries hiding behind Directives. These Directives do not apply if there is a human issue at stake. They cannot hold up a scheme. The road network in West Cork cannot be compared to roads in any other county. We collect the road tax for the government as their agent. We need a return on this.
Cllr N Collins (Ind): Thanks to all who assisted. Time is running out for funding to help the people of Midleton get back to their homes. There is both fluvial and tidal flooding in Midleton. Midleton Town Council approved major capital for the provision of flood defences in Midleton town. This being so, it would be best to have a single flooding contract to deal with both flooding types. Moves this as a proposal. Thanks all the locations that have put up affected families. Thanks the farming community for their tankers.
Cllr Lombard (FG): Congratulates all. Ballinhassig was flooded badly. It flooded badly three times since 2009. We need to look at the rivers themselves. We have been told that legally landowners are obliged to clean their rivers. We need clarity on this.
Cllr Forde (FG): Spoke about Council staff. Would like us to be able to deploy extra staff. Should be more availability of sandbags. Curraheen was in danger of having a major incident. They only barely escaped. Asks about Lee CFRAMS study. Thinks the Municipal Districts have a greater role to play in relation to texting in emergencies. Thinks a meeting of the Municipal District should have been convened immediately to discuss issues like, to clarify where were sandbags available, etc. The volume of water in Douglas was phenomenal. Ravensdale was very serious. The water should have been dredged there much earlier. The government has responded. The local authority has the expertise but we do need to bear in mind that in relation to planning, zoning and conditions, we need to be far more careful in relation to our Local Area Plans. What debate have we had in relation to mitigating measures we are taking in relation to climate change? When Douglas was flooded, she asked for a review of the insurance industry. People's policies become renewed at different times and there is no data available. This is a real problem. Hopes it can be addressed now.
Cllr Barry (FG): Spoke of the emergency number. Felt totally out of the loop because he could not contact that number. All he wanted was sandbags. Collins Barracks was going to bring them down but needed authorisation from the Cork County Council. We couldn't get that. A local contractor tore out a trash screen and kept the floods down. There are still houses in Carrigtwohill pumping water. We have a serious issue with the Masterplans and the Local Area Plans. The Masterplan areas were under serious flooding for the last number of days. We have to look at this again.
(5 FF, 9 FG present now)
Cllr A Moynihan (FF): Praised staff and communities. The staff was hugely overstretched. It is clear that the embargo needs to be lifted. There needs to be a drainage campaign. Yet on its own it is not adequate. There needs to be a comprehensive flood defence plan brought forward by the OPW. They are working on some of them but it is too slow. They need to look upstream as well as downstream. Look at sewers in villages. Some are backing up. It is good that the CE has compiled the report. Road tax not coming back is driving people mad. The funding figure that the CE identified as necessary needs to be made available.
Cllr K McCarthy (Ind): Staff and communities were wonderful but resources were a real issue. We are going to have a lot more emergencies. €430m over the next 5 years is pocket money for what we will see over the coming years. We need to get serious about this. The government needs to respond. Visited people last Saturday who had never been visited by the Council. People in small towns and villages are still waiting. The government must respond better.
Cllr Buckley (SF): Cork County Council has employed a consultant to advise on why Midleton is flooding. Before Midleton Town Council was disbanded, we had put €1.2 m aside for flood protection in the bottom end of the town. On the other side of the town, a study had been carried out and had predicted flooding. We know what is wrong. We have a 30 page report to tell us. We just need to use the €1.2m to help the traders and business people and to implement the recommendations of that report.
Cllr Hegarty (FG): Seconds Cllr Collin's motion in relation to flood defences for Midleton. There are roads that are cut off at present and the Council should get bog mats on top of those roads to enable them to be used. Thanks the CE and Mayor for coming to Midleton. We have to get back to local knowledge. With regard to the N25, there are caves there which if they were cleaned and maintained would address the situation. TII were trying to raise the road by a meter. A seriously affected family were never underwater before and TII was trying to bulldoze over them while shoving the problem further over the road. There were some isolated incidents with narrow drains and culverts. Some landowners would not let us in to clean them out.
Cllr D'Alton: Agree 100% with all previous speakers in relation to drains needing to be cleared, ditches and rivers needing to be cleaned but this is something we shouldn't even have to ask for. It should be part of general maintenance. But has major concerns about the calls for dredging of rivers. Rivers are not buckets. Buckets are static storage devices whereas rivers are dynamic. Water flows through them. How much depends on rainfall. How fast depends on gravity. Doesn't matter how wide or deep the river is made between these restrictions, the volume of water the river can process is limited by the most restricted points the water has to flow past. But our landscape has been managed for fifty years and more according to the very opposite logic. Pinch-points on our rivers are, ironically, all man-made: bridges, weirs and towns. Dredging the silt build-up around these pinch points may help. And clearing river channels of dumping and poorly maintained river banks will help too. But dredging that involves digging or sucking out fine silt from the river bed is totally different. People who are in favour of dredging think that a bigger river will allow water to flow faster and more efficiently. Reality is that even if the capacity of the river is increased by 50%, that river can't provide the same volume of storage as a floodplain. So dredging might help in the smaller, more regular flood events but it will not help in the less frequent major flood events. Worse, because dredging can speed up the flow of water in a river, it can increase the risk of flooding downstream. And dredging has to be repeated over and over or there will be no benefit to be gained from it at all. We need to address the decades of mismanagement of river systems. Over the past 50 years, we have done all we can to increase the volume and flow of water entering the rivers, to increase the volume of silt being carried to the rivers, to constrict the flow of water in the river channels and to remove floodplains. Rather than planting conifers on uplands which, when cut, leave compacted hard soil, we need to plant native tree species which soak 67% more water. Where we build, we create hard surfaces – roofs, driveways, roads, patios. Each industrial development should have an infiltration swale or a rain garden into which surface water is diverted. This will allow controlled release of rainwater into rivers. We need to stop building on floodplains. In relation to the consultant being employed to report on flooding in Midleton, when I was doing my post-graduate, my supervisor had a expertise in hydrology. He was commissioned to examine a site in Midleton and I, being his student went along with him. The site was a floodplain not far upstream of Midleton town centre. He recommended that the site would not be built on. It was a floodplain that was needed by the river. But within 5 years it was built on. The Owenacurra, having been deprived of its spill over area simply took the next easiest place to spill out, which was Midleton town centre.
Cllr Linehan-Foley (Ind): The roads in East Cork are shocking. Some are impassable. When the N25 was closed, these secondary roads were the only roads available. Would have liked more time to read the CE's report. Acknowledges the massive community effort. People were out to help other people. Do we have a timescale on fixing these roads? Can you please bring this down to the Municipal District level so we can help with the prioritising of the roads which need to be fixed? Let them please contact local councillors to help them do this. This local knowledge is necessary.
Cllr J Murphy (Ind): Members were getting text updates from our engineer. The embargo is an awful headache for him. It is an issue that comes up for us but when you have a crisis it shows that lifting of the embargo would go a long way. The area engineer has a huge concern about parents putting children up on the flood barriers in Fermoy to have a look. Also youngsters are walking on barriers. To see the barriers being erected is quite a spectacle but one false move and whoever is on top of them is gone.
Cllr Conway (Ind): Reiterates what Cllr Doyle said. It took him one full day to find a gully which would solve a problem. While there was plenty of local support to do this, we still have two roads closed in Blarney. One has 26 residents living on it. We put hardcore on it to help those people using that road. How does the digger driver that broke ditches to drain the water stand? How do I stand as the person who spread the hardcore? What happens if an accident occurs now that the road is closed? Will those in the accident be covered by insurance?
Cllr Hegarty (FG): Walked the banks of the Owenacurra recently. Was shocked at the volume of debris and trees in the water and on the banks. Some of our rivers are operating at 50% of their capacity.
Cllr Creed (FG): Fully concurs with this. A relatively small job in Ballingeary was done on cleaning the river and this has made a huge difference.
(4 FF, 14 FG, 6 SF, 9 Ind present)
Mayor: Compliments everyone on their efforts during the crisis – staff, councillors, emergency teams. There is a severe shortfall of funding. We need €15 – 20m from the Department of Transport to do works on roads. Our staff are doing everything possible to make sure the roads can be travelled on. Acknowledges the money that has come from the Department of the Environment to date, although that will not be enough either. We have used €5m already in this Council alone.
CE:
Knows the time left in the meeting is short but would like to respond to all Members comments as comprehensively as possible. Would have liked to have circulated the report earlier but it was not finished until 10.30pm last night. If it could have been done faster, it would have been. Members' motions will be sent on to national level. They will pick up on the key issues such as funding, resources, infrastructural works, etc.
We will not have a detailed schedule of works for another week or two.
There still are 42 roads closed in 3 of 8 Municipal Districts. The others are still undergoing assessment.
If your land is next to a watercourse, it is assumed that your land runs to the middle of the watercourse. Will confirm this. The CE read aloud some statutory responsibilities of owners with land beside a river.
Cork County Council is not responsible for maintaining the waterways of Cork County. In emergency situations, we will do what we can. But we are not responsible for maintaining waterways free of obstructions, etc.
Drainage – resources – we can't pull a rabbit out of a hat. We will have a certain level of funding available to us. We have had to reduce our workforce to remain financially stable. That's not going to change. There is a real challenge in terms of getting around to drainage works. We need to recruit staff for drainage works, but we can't. We can take existing staff off potholes, etc. and put them on drainage. This should be considered at Municipal District level. There is no magic wand to this. Having this matter on the agendas of our Municipal Districts over the next few months is very important. We will be examining to see what the right mix here is. There are implications for other works if we focus entirely on drainage.
Dredging is effective when done in conjunction with an overall plan for a watercourse. For dredging in small areas, it is ineffective, as Cllr D'Alton said. The OPW may also take this view. Will consider further the Inland Fisheries response. If planned flood relief schemes don't go ahead, we will also have to consider what this Council's response should be.
The list of works needing to be done in watercourses must be itemised and funded. I have no revenue or capital funding for this. This is not an easy problem to solve. Has given no commitment that we are in a position to undertake interim works on the Bandon scheme. That commitment was given by the OPW. I had identified three things that might help when Minister Harris was down. But we as a Council do not have the resources to do them. Although licence was taken locally by some and it was assumed that because I recommended them, the County Council was going to deliver them.
Yes, we would like more resources on the ground.
The procedure for getting sandbags varies. Some people collect them, but we also distribute them. We gave out 31,000 sandbags during the December floods. We will have our own internal review and will look at these procedures then also. Doesn't think there is any restriction on getting Red Cross assistance if one has already got sandbags.
Is limited by Haddington Road in what overtime he can pay.
The emergency line helped but yes, improvements can be made. 85% of the calls were taken and responded to. Average waiting time was 30 seconds. Rang it to test it and was kept waiting 45 seconds. We tried to put more resources on this. We already have suggestions on how to improve this. The emergency line took 1,500 – 1,600 calls. Sometimes people found it difficult to get through, but that wasn't the norm. Some calls are dropped after 20 seconds if not answered.
The flood barriers in Fermoy are owned by the OPW. There is a contractor in place to maintain them. Three of our staff were taken away from our normal duties to help erect them. We will have to review this.
In Mallow, we erect all the flood barriers ourselves. Perhaps the OPW should use a contractor to erect the barriers.
The N25 was a real challenge. Impacted primarily by groundwater challenges and infiltration of the underground cave network. We brought in the best equipment we could. Whitegate Oil Refinery helped pump water for over a mile. The more we pumped, the more the groundwater came up and up and up. There is a problem there with getting access from one particular landowner.
The estates Cllr Sheppard referred to in Glanmire: Meadowbank was saved by Council staff but Copper Valley was flooded, although only once. A second flooding was averted by Cork County Council action.
The executive held meetings over Christmas, the staff were on overtime dealing with the situation. The last thing anybody wanted was to call yet another meeting with councillors.
Cork County Council is responsible for leading the coordination of the agencies on the ground. The Area Engineers liaise with the gardai, etc. While they do not have the role of coordinating the community response, there is very effective system in place in Skibbereen which we need to look at. The community is working very well with the local authority.
Assistance for the families in Mallow can be responded to only by the Department of Social Protection.
To Cllr Hayes – was not aware the OPW committed to providing funding for pumps. In relation to the Southern Star article, please could Cllr Hayes provide a copy of the Red Cross letter.
Will personally ensure that staff is thanked. We will get a letter out from the Council, expressing the sentiments of Council.
Will talk to the County Engineer about Curraheen and the Lee CFRAMS study.
There is a very formal procedure to get the defence forces out. This procedure cannot be worked around. We used that. It is not possible to call them in through the normal emergency services. It has come through our offices with that formal protocol.
The consultant's report for Midleton is expected in a few days. It is about upstream remedial measures.
Addressed all councillors individually. Agreed that the effects of spot dredging is very limited. It is good only as part of an entire scheme. But engineers will deal with this.
We are undertaking our own review. The issues all Members have raised will be part of that review.
[g] VOTES OF CONGRATULATIONS
9. VOTES OF CONGRATULATIONS (if any)
Some congratulations were issued.
10. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Cllr Linehan-Foley (Ind) asked about a date for the reception for the Special Olympics.
Sean O'Callaghan: We did contact them on several occasions and they could not arrange a date in January. The delay is not our fault.
* The remainder of the meeting was deferred.
[f] NOTICES OF MOTION
11. Councillor Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire:
"Go néilíonn an Chomhairle seo ar Bonneagar Iompair Éireann teacht os chomhair an Chomhairle, le míniú a thabhairt ar an Staidéar Bainistiú Éileamh don N40 atá idir lámha acu, agus ar na tuairiscí a deánadh le deánaí tar éis dóibh bheith cruinniú de choiste an Chomhairle Chathrach, go bhfuil BIE ag moladh tollaí a chur ar an bóthar, agus le nithe ábharach a phlé leo.
That this Council requests that Transport Infrastructure Ireland come before the Council, to outline the Demand Management Study currently being undertaken by them on the N40, and to respond to reports recently following their meeting a committee of Cork City Council, that TII is considering tolling the road, and to discuss related matters."
[Deferred from Council Meeting on the 14/12/15]
12. Councillor Kevin Murphy:
"That Cork County Council seeks an immediate meeting with the Minister Kelly, Minister for the Environment and Local Government and Minister Coffey, Minister for State, to address the serious anomaly that has arisen in regard to the limits on County Council's House Purchase and City House Purchase Scheme."
13. Councillor Noel Collins:
"That this Council call on the Minister for Justice, Equality & Law Reform to consider an early change in the Inheritance Tax Laws."
14. Councillor Aindrias Moynihan:
"Lorgionn Comhairle Contea ar an Aire Coimirce Sóisioltí deireadh a chuir leis an slí go bhfuilid ag idirghealú de reir aos daoine, nuair ata an leibheal pinsean ranníocach á dheanamh amach acu.
That Cork County Council calls on the Minister for Social Protection to end the age discriminatory way the contributory pension levels are being calculated."
15. Councillor Michael Collins:
" I call on the Minister for Finance to provide the funding for a number of urgent issues to safe guard our Primary Schools.
1. For an immediate and proper reduction in class sizes in 2015.
2. To give proper state funding for the running costs of our primary schools.
3. To allow funding in future budgets for teaching Principals to have one day a week off with substitute cover free from teaching. This would greatly improve the management of schools and benefit children.
[5/10/15]
Previous PostCork County Council Community Grant Schemes 2016Next PostNotes from a meeting of the full Council, 25th January 2015
Cllr. Marcia D'Alton
You might have guessed it by now but we're having awful problems with getting the lights in #PassageWest working this year. When/if we succeed, I'll have a rake of people to thank. More on that later. For now though, I absolutely need to give a massive shout-out to my hubby, Rob. He has climbed trees, spent hours sorting and testing light strings and yesterday he spent several more hours on the roundabout before climbing into his car and driving three boats all the way to Southern Europe. In fact, he missed his ferry as a result. Even if we never…
https://www.facebook.com/cllrmarciadalton/photos/a.1464150847135543/2416164335267518/?type=3
If you are a civic-minded young person aged 18-30, you may be interested in this opportunity to apply for a two-week mini-internship with the Council of Europe. You would take part in the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities "Rejuvenating politics" initiative in Strasbourg and would then be expected to initiate a project at home under the stewardship of the Congress. The Congress comprises 648 members, all elected members, from 200,000 authorities in 47 European States. Its role is to promote local and regional democracy, improve local and regional governance and strengthen self-government. It meets in session twice a year.…
Children from Rathbarry, Ardfield, and Lisavaird national schools light up the Christmas tree in County Hall yesterday, ably assisted by the The Mayor of the County of Cork 😍☺🎅🎄
https://www.facebook.com/cllrmarciadalton/videos/561046148069152/
Cork County Council's Local Festival Fund is open for applications for festivals in 2020. A total of €65,000 is available to distribute and applicants can apply for amounts ranging from €500 up to a maximum of €6,000 per festival. To be eligible, running the festival/event needs to cost a minimum of €7,500 and generate at least 350 bed nights in the local community. The Festival Fund Criteria and online application are available at: https://www.yourcouncil.ie/service/Local_Festival_Fund. The closing date for applications isFriday 10th January, 2020 at 5.00pm.
I care a lot about trees. Especially those that have lived for centuries, that could tell us stories about our place at a time when our great-grandfathers and great-great-grandfathers walked the earth. Apart entirely from all the wonderful functions they perform with regard to absorbing carbon dioxide, purifying the air we breathe and providing drainage solutions. They are proven stress reducers, proven to increase house values and of course each tree is a home to many species of bird, plant, insect and fungus. When trees are grouped together, their value is even higher. If any human could design a device…
Photos from Cllr. Marcia D'Alton's post
A gentleman gave a generous number of non-perishable foods whilst I was manning the Carrigaline & District Lions Club Christmas Food Appeal trolley. "I remember what it was like to be hungry", he said. "I've turned my life around but it's very humbling to remember what it was like to be hungry". I was grateful to him. He validated the time I was giving and brought home how close not having enough can be. Today is Day 2 of the Lions Club Food Appeal. Positive Passage People and the Passage West GAA are collecting every weekend at the GAA Clubhouse.…
Sixth class from Star of the Sea singing outside Passage West Post Office this morning whilst fundraising for Marymount University Hospice. They were so good that I couldn't help standing in the adults-who-sing-along corner 😉. The turning on of the pretty Christmas lights in Ardmore Estate with Santa and festive tunes from the Passage West Youth Choir. A heartwarming community event. The launch of the Youth Choir's CD, "After All" in Fr. O'Flynn Park with all proceeds to Barnardos Ireland and the Cope Foundation. They treated us to some songs from the album and they were fantastic! And I manned…
Cork County Council is working with the Ringaskiddy & District Residents Association on a public realm enhancement plan for Ringaskiddy village. Today we got an official update on where the project is at. The site surveys have been completed and the Council is meeting with TII next week to get their feedback. When the first phase of the enhancement plan is sufficiently developed on paper, there will be a period of consultation with councillors and the public. This will help inform the detailed design and Part 8 planning application that will follow. When the Port of Cork got planning permission…
Christmas events on Friday 6th and Saturday 7th in Passage West and Carrigaline. With Star of the Sea at the Passage West Post Office, Passage West Childrens Choir and the Carrigaline Business Association/Carrigaline Christmas Lights. Things are getting seriously festive 🎅🎄☃
Three 100% genuine, easily accessible ways of giving a little back to make someone else's festive season a little brighter. All have a #PassageWest connection ... - Feed Cork is working towards filling a 20ft container with non-perishable foods and chocolates. They have a number of drop-off points around the city (see below), although the closest to us is in Billy Mackesys Douglas Village Foods. Feed Cork's Director of Funding is a Passage West lady. - Positive Passage People is collaborating with Passage West GAA in collecting non-perishable food items every weekend at the GAA clubhouse for the local branch…
Ryan Tubridy wears the Shamrock at Christmas-time on the RTE The Late Late Show. An irony only #PassageWest people will understand 😂😂😂
From Monday, the traffic app "Dunkettle Live" will be available as a free download on the Apple App store and Google Play store. It will provide real time information on traffic flows at various parts of the network including live journey time data through the Dunkettle Interchange to/from key points. If your notifications show lots of red, you will know you'll be in for a slow trip. It will be very useful for those of you who commute this route and you can get a preview of what it offers here: https://wetransfer.com/downloads/4aa67770580755aa5d7404075bdc235320191129114236/235935bff589cd9da28b5483d806555f20191129114236/241fc6
A friend is organising this very novel fundraiser for the Cork Simon Community, a particularly worthy cause at this and every time of year. It's in the Rochestown Park Hotel on Sunday. Head on down after the Passage West Tidy Towns coffee morning! I am told that the paintings are particularly lovely ☺
Bus Éireann is holding a Road Show tomorrow to celebrate the introduction of the Haulbowline - Carrigaline - Ballygarvan - Cork Airport 225 route. It will run from 2-5pm in the Barry Collins' SuperValu, #Carrigaline. Everyone is welcome. Corks RedFM 104-106 will be there and Bus Eireann promises lots of freebies and goodies, including Leap Cards with travel credit 😃 Please excuse the borrowing of Bus Eireann's rather cheesy photo 😉
Having had a sneak preview, I can confirm that this year's calendar is outstanding! I am thankful to be part of the wonderful committee who put this together. Some jobs make one smile 🥰
The Passage West/Monkstown calendar 2020 is now available in the Passage West Post Office and in the Passage West Pharmacy. Thank you sincerely to everyone who submitted a huge number of magnificent photos. It was not at all easy to pick between them. Thank you to LB Design & Print for the fantastic production. We are thrilled with this year's edition and hope you like it too 😅
Seven of us lady councillors and one lady T.D. who spoke to undergraduates and postgraduates studying in the Department of Government and Politics, University College Cork yesterday evening on our experiences of being a woman in Irish politics. Cllr Lorna Bogue from Cork City Council spoke also although unfortunately isn't in the photo. A surprisingly very enjoyable experience. Although some of us have been working together for over five years, we learned more about each other than we ever had the opportunity to do before. And it was fascinating to hear the diverse ways in which my fellow councillors found…
Attention businesses in the tourism sector ....! Cork County Council is hosting a breakfast workshop on 2nd December in the Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Cork, 7.30-10.15am to brief tourism-related businesses about the various supports, funding and guidance that are available for them. This workshop is designed specifically for small and medium-sized businesses and entry is free of charge. I think you might even get breakfast! Details and booking is at: https://www.localenterprise.ie/SouthCork/Training-Events/Online-Bookings/Local-Tourism-Supports-Let-s-Talk-Business.html
The turning of the sod at the #Carrigaline three-school campus this morning. A 30 acre site, it will be the new home for the Gaelcholáiste, the Gaelscoil and the Sonas special school. My Thea is in 5th year in the Gaelcholáiste. They have been in temporary accommodation for the past five years. It is very nice temporary accommodation but it is indeed temporary! The new school will be just about ready as she sits her Leaving Cert. You win some, you lose some 😉
Passage West Tidy Towns is hosting a coffee morning this coming Sunday, 1st December from 11am to 1pm. Proceeds from the morning will help the Passage West Business Association to cover the cost of the flowers which brought such beauty and colour to the town centre this year. We really appreciate their effort and your support 🌺🌸🍮🧁 Douglas Credit Union Passage West Post Office Passage West Pharmacy O'Donovans Off Licence BAIGS Brendans Butchers Akkaya Barbershop Farmers - J.Barrys Passage West The Criterion Crown Hairdressing M.A Healy & Sons Ltd - The Safety Specialists Oysterhaven boats CACI & Beauty Salon The Ferry Arms Bar Passage West Creates Passage West Market Hugh Looney's Signs
Cork County Council is holding three one-day workshops for individuals, community groups and professionals to promote understanding and good conservation practice in the cleaning and maintenance of archaeological/historic monuments with a specific focus on cleaning and caring for carved stone (including headstones) and metalwork. Each workshop will start at 10am with illustrated presentations and talks in the morning and afternoon presentation of case studies by experienced professional specialists. The day will finish by 4.30pm. Attendance is free of charge and refreshments will be provided. Places are limited though so if you would like to attend, please making a booking with…
On this day 10 years ago, the River Lee burst its banks in what was described as a one in a thousand year flood. The torrent of water released from the Inniscarra dam was about three times the volume of water flowing through the Mississippi every day. County Hall was one of the many buildings submerged. To this day when I go looking for certain documents that cannot be found, staff often describe them as being LITF. Lost In The Flood. EchoLive.ie gave a superb day-by-day precis of the events leading up to these photos which, if you want to…
Training in Suicide Awareness and Prevention is being offered in #PassageWest on Thursday, 28th November. We're very grateful to Lisheen's House, Preventing Suicide & Self Harm for facilitating the training. They are an ongoing huge support and do fantastic work. To attend the training is free and all are welcome. You might please just get in touch as indicated on the poster so we have a handle on numbers in advance. Thank you!
Social farming offers people who are socially, physically, mentally or intellectually disadvantaged the chance to spend time on a family farm in a healthy, supportive and inclusive environment. It is a safe, supportive environment that takes account of abilities and interests and helps participants to socialise, gain confidence, learn new skills and build relationships. You can learn more about social farming at www.socialfarmingireland.ie. Social Farming Ireland is giving a presentation on social farming this coming Monday, 25th November at the Tracton Arts and Community Centre. Entry is free and all are welcome.
This is an incredulous move from Minister Eoghan Murphy. Last week his Department sent the draft Heads of a proposed new Planning Bill to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government. The Bill he anticipates becoming law by Easter 2020 aims to limit access to the courts for appeals to planning decisions on environmental grounds. It is already massively difficult to access the courts. You remember how to get the Indaver appeal before the High Court we all had to collectively join forces to fundraise a colossal 6-figure sum in 8 weeks? The European Commission has said…
STOP Eoghan Murphys Bill which will block environmental democracy
Today I spoke to 1st - 6th class students from Star Of The Sea School, #PassageWest about our human footprint on the earth, its impact on climate and biodiversity and, most importantly, our power as individuals to be part of the solution. We talked about the magic of trees ... and then we planted one! A native silver birch. It meant so much to be invited - thank you. As for the kids, there aren't enough good words to describe them. They're fantastic ❤
Independent Councillor in the Ballincollig-Carrigaline Municipal District of County Cork
Posts by category Select Category 2004 2005 2006 2007 2011 2012 2013 2014 Local area Meeting notes Minutes meetings Motions 2015 Motions 2016 Motions 2017 Motions 2018 Motions 2019 News Newspaper Articles Personal Submissions Planning Submissions on behalf of Passage West/Monkstown Town Council Policies Ringaskiddy Incinerators Submissions to County Development Plan Uncategorized Various on behalf of Town Council
Cllr. Marcia D'Alton
Welcome to my website. I am currently serving on Cork County Council. The site contains information about the various projects which I have been working on.
Politics is about improving the everyday lives of people. At a local level, those improvements are sought in the areas in which we live and work, the quality of our free time experiences, how easily we can access necessary services. We have many assets in and around our communities. But much more can be done to protect and improve the quality of our everyday lives. As an environmental engineer, I have developed the technical skills so useful in tackling this job effectively. As a former consultant to local and national government, I am acquainted with those who make this job possible.
As an independent, I have the freedom to act always in accordance with my professional integrity.


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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


ENGLEWOOD -- Among the physical, emotional and financial hurdles facing people with spinal-cord or brain injuries, learning or re-learning to garden may seem low on the list of priorities.
Craig Hospital cares exclusively for such patients. And as it turns out, gardens and gardening go to the heart of its mission to enable people recovering from crippling physical traumas — including car accidents, serious falls, sports injuries and violence — to live independently and recapture as much of their original lives as possible.
The hospital's long-standing horticultural therapy program has expanded significantly in recent years thanks in part to Colorado Garden Show Inc., the organization that produces the annual Colorado Garden & Home Show.
This year's show begins today at the Colorado Convention Center and runs through February 20th. Proceeds from every ticket sold are awarded in horticulture grants and scholarships like those that have gone to Craig.
"The Colorado Garden & Home Show was very instrumental in helping to upgrade and create brand new gardens on the Craig campus," Susie Hall, the hospital's horticulture therapist, said earlier this week after wrapping up a topiary class with a small group of patients. "We now have a variety of sunny areas, shady areas, perennials, annuals, vegetables and herbs along with lighting and plant-ID tags.
Hall's practice focuses on using plants and planting activities to enable patients to address physical and emotional needs. She said it's not unusual for patients to come to horticultural therapy withdrawn and disconnected. But once they begin working with plants and soil, and learning about adaptive gardening solutions such as planting tall containers, patients tend to come out of their shells.
"There's just something about working with live material," Hall said. "I see so many people come out of a very quiet place once they have an opportunity to connect with plants. Nobody is telling them what to do or pointing out their weaknesses."
Even on a brisk winter day, the large garden outside the hospital's northwest entrance is aglow with golden grasses and dark-green shrubs punctuated by kinetic sculptures. This has become a spot for patients and families to spend time together. Neighbors also pass through to take in the garden's serenity and solitude.
"We tried to incorporate as much plant material as we could," said Ann- Marie Srivastava, one of the landscape designers with Colorado's H&L Architecture who conceived the look of the terrain park.
"Patients had been going all over the city to find specific instances to practice with their wheelchairs," she said. "Our mission was to design a space with all the elements they needed to practice on — stairs, curbs, ramps and different surfaces."
"Working with the staff at Craig Hospital is very inspirational ... the strength that they have, and the attitude that they take toward recovery," Srivastava said. "There's no sitting around and moping."


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Protests against the election of Republican Donald Trump continued for a fifth straight day on Saturday in the city of Los Angeles.
Some 10,000 marched through downtown Los Angeles. A few dozen protesters were arrested both prior to and after the main march in the early morning and evening. Small protests also took place in the nearby cities of Long Beach and in Hollywood on Sunday morning.
While the news media and Los Angeles Police Department estimated the size of the main Saturday protest to be no more than 8,000, aerial photographs show far greater numbers, stretching across tens of city blocks.
The protesters chanted "Money for jobs and education, not for war and deportation" and "We reject the president-elect," among others. Strong sentiment in defense of basic democratic rights was present, along with support for immigrants and their families.
While protests such as those arising in Los Angeles and across the country against what will be the most right-wing presidential administration in American history are an expression of deep social opposition, the political orientation of many involved is extremely confused and continues to show lingering support for the Democratic Party and the pseudo-left forces that promote illusions in liberalism.
Popular among the protesters was a distributed moveon.org petition to abolish the Electoral College, not because of the undemocratic nature of the archaic institution, but to deliver the presidency to Hillary Clinton based on her victory in the popular vote. Another petition was distributed calling for Electoral College members to change their votes to Clinton when they meet on December 19 of this year.
Reporters for the World Socialist Web Site spoke to several protesters at the demonstration.
Jesse works in a music-recording studio in downtown Los Angeles. "I am a child of Mexican immigrants and I'm very afraid of what a Trump administration will mean for my friends and my family. I have a close relative who is undocumented and she's also the mother of five children.
Although Jesse believed that the victory of Trump could be explained by lack of education among rural American voters, he at the same time stated that Hillary Clinton didn't represent a real alternative.
Lourdes has lived in Los Angeles for nearly thirty years and was accompanied by her niece Barbara, visiting from Brazil.
Barbara said, "I am very concerned about Trump and a lot of the racist things he said about immigrants and Muslims. I came to the protest because I thought it was interesting and I wanted to spend time with my aunt. I've never been very political before.
Lourdes also expressed a desire to fight for basic rights.
Douglas Young also spoke with World Socialist Web Site reporters as the march was beginning to wind down. "I think people should be treated equally. It's such a regression, that's what's really sad.


#9thStreet rapper, Soze, raises some hell on new drop 'SHAKU'!
9th Street rapper, Soze, has been going in so far this year, and with his name already growing massively across the UK, the popular talent is back with a fresh new track as he looks to end the year on a high.
This one see's him 'Raise Some Hell' as he lets the scene know that he doesn't 'Shaku On The Beat Aswell'. Some clever word play is accompanied by his heavyweight raps which sit perfectly over an dope beat which comes courtesy of Gotti On Em & Sapphire.
Props have to be sent out to Ade OG, MRK and Murshed who have cooked up a clean cut visual which is doing up views here at Link Up TV.
Check it out now, and let us know if you're feeling this one.


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BC Budget Update September 2017
by H+K Canada
Finance Minister Carole James delivered her first budget update since the New Democratic Party formed government in July. This is an update that builds upon the previous budget delivered by the BC Liberals in February. This first budget update repeats the New Democrat priorities of improving affordability, enhancing critical services, and building a strong, sustainable, and innovative economy that creates jobs and works for everyone.
Key new spending initiatives include funding for affordable rental housing, new education funding, more resources to address the fentanyl emergency and income assistance increases.
Government also announced that they are following through on their campaign commitment to increase the corporate income tax rate to 1 point to 12% and increase individual income tax rates on income over $150,000. The NDP also announced that they will increase the carbon tax by $5 per tonne next April and that it will no longer be revenue neutral which was the former BC Liberal governments policy.
The Ministry's estimate for BC real GDP growth in 2016 and the outlook for 2017 are higher than what was projected in Budget 2017, as BC's economy has performed better than expected. Stronger than anticipated consumer spending and export activity in the latter part of 2016 are primarily responsible for the upward revision to the Ministry's real GDP estimate for 2017, from 3.0 per cent to 3.6 per cent growth. Meanwhile for 2017, year-to-date data for key indicators such as employment, retail sales, housing stats, and exports have exceeded expectations. As such the Ministry forecast for BC real GDP growth of 2.9 per cent in 2017 is higher than the 2.1 per cent projected in Budget 2017. The outlook for BC's economy for 2018 and beyond is relatively unchanged from the previous outlook as the balance of risks to the domestic and global economy remains largely unchanged.
Revenues, Expenses and Debt
The September Budget update forecasts a surplus of $246 million, down $49 million from February. However, once the forecast allowance and contingencies are factored in there is now $100 million in extra funding available before the budget would go into deficit.
The budget update anticipates $1.6 billion in additional revenue but this is offset by $1.67 billion in additional spending over the February budget.
The updated debt forecast reflects an improved outlook for the elimination of the governments operating debt by 2019/20 due in part to 2016/17 results carrying forward and stronger projected economic growth.
Improving Affordability
Government is working on improving affordability for families and businesses in BC. Budget update 2017 will see new investments to support the construction and operation of 2,000 modular housing units for the homeless, as well as the construction of over 1,700 new units of affordable rental housing. The elimination of tolls on the Port Mann and Golden Ears bridges was announced and is effective September 1, 2017. Government also announced an increase of $100 per month for both income and disability assistance, and there will be a 50 per cent reduction of the MSP premium rate for all British Columbians starting January 2018. There will be no need to apply. MSP Premiums will be lowered to levels applicable in 2002. Government will also establish an MSP Task Force to advise on how best to eliminate the premiums altogether and replace the revenue.
Additional funding will also be added to develop a comprehensive Poverty Reduction Strategy and a fair wages commission to chart the path to $15 an hour minimum wage.
The Ministry of Health will receive a further three-year total increase of $306 million versus what was announced in Budget 2017.
Almost all new health spending highlighted in the budget relates to mental health and substance use, with a direct focus on addressing the ongoing fentanyl emergency. There will be $322 million dedicated to the comprehensive response to the crisis. Of that $265 million is dedicated to the Ministry of Health, $32 million will go directly to increase police resources and to relieve pressures being faced at the BC Coroners Service. And the remaining $25 million to establish the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions.
There was also a commitment by the government to reinstate funding to the Therapeutics Initiative to $2 million annually.
Funding in Budget 2017 for education sees a $681 million increase for the K-12 system, including $521 Million to provide for improved classroom supports for children, as well as an additional $160 million to fund enrollment growth and other cost pressures. This is in addition to capital funding of $50 million to address space requirements There will also be $19 Million dollars added to restore tuition-free adult basic education and English language learning.
The budget did not however, include any new capital spending to accelerate school construction.
Housing Affordability
New housing investments announced in this budget include $208 million over four years to help build over 1,700 new units of affordable rental housing in communities across the Province. Additionally, $291 million is budgeted over two years to build 2,000 new modular housing units for people who are homeless along with an additional $170 million to operate these units.
The update also includes $7 million dollars for the Residential Tenancy Branch to reduce wait times for dispute resolution services and to establish a new compliance unit.
Investment in Social Programs
Budget update 2017 sees a $20 million dollar increase in spending to allow for earnings exemptions for social assistance recipients by $200 per month. An increase of $114 million over three years will also be added to the budget of the Ministry of Social Development to deal with caseload pressures. Budget 2017 update also includes $312 million over three years to start rebuilding and strengthening the child protection system, and to begin to respond to the recommendations from the Grand Chief Ed John Report on indigenous child welfare.
Technology/Innovation
Funding in Budget 2017 will allow for the creation of The Innovation Commissioner and the Emerging Economy Task Force.
A Fair Wages Commission will be put in place and their job will be to provide advice to government on the increase of the minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2021.
Business Tax Initiatives
Budget Update 2017 will see an increase of the individual income tax rate to 16.8 per cent (up from 14.7 per cent) on taxable income over $150,000 for individuals. The general corporate income tax rate will increase from 12 per cent to 11 per cent. Additionally, the International Business Activity Program will be eliminated. This program has been in place in BC for over 30 years.
There will also be a phase out of PST on electricity for businesses beginning with a 50 per cent reduction, effective Fall 2017. Small business corporate income tax will also be reduced to 2.0 percent from 2.5 per cent.
Carbon tax rates will be increased by $5 per tonne beginning April 1, 2018, and the climate action tax credit for low and middle income families will also increase. The requirement for the carbon tax to be revenue-neutral is eliminated so carbon tax revenues can support families and fund green initiatives.
Stakeholder + Opposition Reaction
Immediate reaction from media pundits is that the BC NDP Government will increase taxes on the wealthy, corporations and polluters, while increasing spending in education, homelessness, rental housing and the overdose crisis. Early criticism is that key government campaign commitments such as $10 dollar a day daycare were not included in this fiscal plan. James said "her party only had a few weeks to prepare the budget update and stakeholders should expect to see more details in the February budget".
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Specialist Expertise: Public Affairs
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American pressed glass oil lamp style vintage table lamp with swirled design clear glass globe. The glass stem has cross hatching which descends into a glass skirted bottom base which is mounted upon a gold gilded metal base that has four bun feet.
COMMENT: Ideal for a summer cottage!


Cardiovasc Interv Ther. 2014 Apr;29(2):162-6. doi: 10.1007/s12928-013-0205-9. Epub 2013 Aug 24.
Successful penetration and bougie dilatation with Brockenbrough needle for severely calcified occlusion in superficial femoral artery.
Makita T1, Suzuki K, Takizawa K, Ootomo T, Inoue N, Meguro T.
Department of Cardiology, Sendai Kousei Hospital, 4-15 Hirose-machi, Aoba-Ku, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan, makitoshi0327@yahoo.co.jp.
A 75-year-old hemodialysis patient with right critical limb ischemia received endovascular therapy for a chronic total occlusion (CTO) in a diffusely calcified superficial femoral artery (SFA). During a retrograde approach, a Brockenbrough needle (BN) was able to penetrate the calcified hard plaque formed in the middle segment of the CTO. Moreover, bougie dilatation with the BN allowed balloon crossing and stent deployment, even after failure to pass a 2.0-mm monorail balloon across the plaque. These results suggest that the BN offers a new therapeutic option in the penetration and modification of severely calcified CTO in SFA.


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Free Picks » NHL Picks » Ottawa Senators at Boston Bruins 4/17/2017 Free Game 3 NHL Picks & Predictions
Ottawa Senators at Boston Bruins 4/17/2017 Free Game 3 NHL Picks & Predictions
by Guy Bruhn - 4/16/2017
Get todays NHL hockey odds on this game.
The Ottawa Senators travel to TD Garden to play the Boston Bruins on Monday, April 17, 2017 in Game 3. The series is tied 1-1. The opening line for this game has the Senators at +155 and the Bruins at -172.
Ottawa had an overall record of 44-28-10 and on the road they were 22-17-2. They finished 2nd in the Atlantic Division. They've scored 212 goals and given up 214 goals for a point differential of -2. The Senators have an overall record of 4-4-2 in their last 10 games. For the season they have an ATS record of 38-37 and an over/under record of 32-47-3. Boston had a regular season record of 44-31-7 including 23-17-1 at home. They were 3rd in the Atlantic Division. They've scored 234 goals and surrendered 212 for a goal differential of +22. The Bruins have a record of 6-3-1 in their last 10 contests. Their record against the spread is 42-38 while their over/under record sits at 37-37-8.
For expert handicapping advice on this game check out our NHL expert handicapper tips.
Valuable Ottawa Senators Betting Trends
The Ottawa Senators are 38-37 straight up
The Ottawa Senators are 32-47-3 against the over/under
Important Boston Bruins Betting Trends
The Boston Bruins are 42-38 straight up
The Boston Bruins are 37-37-8 against the over/under
Key Ottawa Senators Injuries
04/15/17 D Mark Borowiecki Lower Body left last game, "?" Monday vs. Boston
Key Boston Bruins Injuries
04/15/17 D Brandon Carlo Upper Body "?" Monday vs. Ottawa
04/15/17 D Colin Miller Knee "?" Monday vs. Ottawa
04/15/17 C David Krejci Upper Body "?" Monday vs. Ottawa
04/15/17 RW Jimmy Hayes Lower Body "?" Monday vs. Ottawa
04/15/17 C Noel Acciari Upper Body "?" Monday vs. Ottawa
04/15/17 D Torey Krug Lower Body out indefinitely
Erik Karlsson has accumulated 71 total points this season for the Senators. He has 17 goals this season with 218 shots on goal giving him a shooting percentage of 8%. He has a total of 54 assists on the season and averages 26.8 minutes played per game. Kyle Turris has averaged 19.5 minutes of ice time per game this year. In that time he has a shooting percentage of 15% by scoring 27 goals on 185 shots. He has 28 assists giving him a total of 55 points on the season. Mike Condon has 19 wins and 14 losses this season in net for the Senators. He has had 1,122 shots against him and has given up 96 goals. He has made 1,026 saves for a save percentage of 91%.
Brad Marchand has accumulated 85 total points this season for the Bruins. He has 39 goals this season with 226 shots on goal giving him a shooting percentage of 17%. He has a total of 46 assists on the season and averages 19.4 minutes played per game. David Pastrnak has averaged 18 minutes of ice time per game. In that time he has a shooting percentage of 13% by scoring 34 goals on 262 shots. He has 36 assists giving him a total of 70 points on the season. Tuukka Rask has 37 wins and 20 losses this season in net for the Bruins. He has had 1,610 shots against him and has given up 137 goals. He has made 1,473 saves for a save percentage of 92%.
Useful Team Statistics
The Senators have 98 total points this season. They have scored 212 goals while giving up 214 goals. They have had 254 power play opportunities and have scored 43 goals on those chances for a percentage of 17%. The Senators have allowed 247 power play opportunities and given up 50 goals on those chances for a penalty kill percentage of 80%. They average 30 shots per game and as a team are shooting 8.61% for the season to this point. They allow 30 shots to their opposition per contest and have a team save percentage of 92%.
The Bruins have a total of 95 points on the season. They have 53 power play goals on 244 opportunities thus far for a percentage of 22%. They have allowed 266 power play opportunities and have given up 38 goals on those chances for a penalty kill percentage of 86%. As a team, the Senators have a total of 234 goals scored while they've given up 212 goals to this point. They average 33 shots per contest and have a team shooting percentage of 8.60%. As a team they give up 27 shots per game and have a save percentage of 91%.
Advanced Statistics
Ottawa has a Corsi percentage of 48.3% as they've attempted 4,550 shots on net at full strength while they've given up 4,863 shots on net in the same situations. Their Fenwick percentage is at 49% as they have 3,380 attempts while they've given up 3,511 shots on the defensive end. The Senators start possessions in the offensive zone 52.2% of the time while their defensive zone percentage is at 47.8% for the season. They have 2,549 face off wins compared to 2,452 losses, meaning their faceoff win percentage is 51%. On defense Ottawa has 2,114 hits and they've blocked 1,352 shots from the opposition.
Boston has attempted 4,975 shots at full strength and they've given up 4,187 attempts, meaning their Corsi percentage is at 54.3% for the season. In terms of Fenwick percentage, they currently are at 55.1% as they have 3,792 shots while they've given up 3,094 attempts on defense. The Bruins have an offensive zone percentage of 53.2% and their defensive zone percentage is 46.8% so far this season. They have a faceoff win percentage of 53.2% as they've compiled 2,681 face off wins this season and they have suffered 2,358 face off losses. On defense Boston has blocked 1,093 shot attempts and they have 1,775 hits as a unit.
Who will win tonight's Senators/Bruins NHL game against the spread?
Guy's Pick: Take Boston -172
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