Article Sponsored by Kevin Bradley, Independent
The Mayor of Letterkenny Kevin Bradley is your local man that will deliver.
Not only does he deliver bread daily as the manager of Highland Bakery, but in local politics he delivers on his commitments to his community.
As he seeks re-election to Donegal County Council on June 7th, Cllr Bradley outlines his priorities:
As a Letterkenny man born and reared I am proud of my home town and I’m the Manager of Highland Bakery. We deliver bread to outlets all over Donegal and down into the west, to Galway, Dublin, Kildare, Monaghan and Cavan.
As Mayor of the Letterkenny and Milford Municipal District since last June, I’ve attended many events and gatherings and have seen at first hand how many small community projects are doing so much good work that makes Donegal a better place for all of us.
As an elected Member I am proud of the role the Councillors in Letterkenny play in promoting and funding so many projects to improve facilities and to make our town a more attractive place to live, to shop, to work and for education.
I was elected to Donegal County Council five years ago and since then I’ve worked for the people and the challenge to bring investment and jobs is an ongoing battle. With a university on our doorstep that status must drive the demand for investment in the town as more and more students come here for their third level education.
Mica and Housing are critical issues
As an Independent Councillor, it has given me a new vision of what is good or not so good about my home town. It has also given me a better insight about those left to struggle in life. Housing and Mica are critical and the need for 100% Redress hardly needs to be spelt out to the government. As elected Members it is our role to pressure the Council Executive and to be a member of delegations going to Dublin to bring the concerns of those affected to the Government. This is not about politicians or parties: it is about doing the honourable thing that ensures all those in homes affected by the Mica crisis are given fair play and their homes must be replaced without any strings attached because of the urgency and speed needed to solve this crisis.
Letterkenny needs 2,500 housing units in the long term. More urgently we need more new houses and rental properties and student accommodation. Letterkenny needs more industry and more employment opportunities. Our town cannot be allowed to stand still and there is a need to develop projects and infrastructure south of the Swilly. There is a demand to house a new young generation who want to live and work in the town. However progress to deliver is too slow and lacks vision in the numbers of units planned.
Reopen New Building
The HSE is woefully short of beds and facilities at LUH: all the while a prime property lies idle. The ‘New Building’ to the rear of the St. Conal’s complex has lain idle for too long. It housed four wards and it should be utilisied urgently.
The ‘New Building’ is a symptom of neglect and mismanagement of HSE property and I am calling to have it reinstated as a step-down ward and it has space to provide a medical hub and its proximity to the University Hospital should be a bonus. The property could also have a Mental Health Centre that would allow people to be assessed urgently instead of having to queue for hours on end at A&E… it is an urgent matter that this issue is given top priority.
Regeneration
From Dunne’s Corner to the bottom of the Port Road is urgently in need of regeneration because it is the main thoroughfare in this county and it has to be made into our big selling point for investors and visitors to this part of Donegal.
There are too many empty show windows and a lack of outlets to encourage footfall.
It seems as if this is a place that time has forgotten and the new Council must prioritise this regeneration as a major project for the future of this historic part of Letterkenny.
Town Bus Service:
Letterkenny has ambitions to become a city… but with only one town bus that cannot happen. I’m proposing three electric buses for starters and we can build on that. A full timetable has the potential to divert traffic away from some of the main pressure parts of the roads network.
A dedicated bus hub close to the town centre should also be a priority.
Kevin Bradley was first elected to Donegal County Council in the Letterkenny MD in May 2019
Secure places:
Our Town Parks and open spaces are great amenities and they are well used.
However the issues of public safety and security are concerning. We need full-time security from dawn to dusk to ensure that all those using these facilities can do so in the knowledge their safety is not compromised.
Letterkenny is a big area and every day there is a huge footfall. But we do not have a litter warden. It would help greatly in promoting our town as a litter-tree environment and that is one of my priorities if returned to Lifford.
Urban Town Council:
The decision to remove Town Council status in 2014 has had a detrimental loss on the town. Having nine Members with a dedicated budget was a valuable asset.
The fact is that the revenue losses have not been made up in County Council budgets and we have to become united in getting the new government to reverse this decision.
Letterkenny Town Council’s final budget was close to €8 million: in today’s terms that is close to €20 million. That is what the loss of the Urban Council has cost Letterkenny every year. We must change that!
Serving the Letterkenny area:
The town’s infrastructure for water and waste water is under pressure and that must be addressed if growth is to be achieved. There are many fine facilities: a new 100 bed nursing unit is welcome as is the planning permission for the ATU Sports Complex. It is a great plan and will enhance the lives of students at the university and the wider urban area.
Outside of Letterkenny Town, I represent New Mills, Dooballagh, Rahan, Lisjack, Breenagh, Churchill, Legnahoorey, Glenmaquinn, The Wood-lands: Manor up to Ballinalecky Crossroads: Ballylawn, Ballylennon up the boundary with South Inishowen. I am fighting for all of you across this urban and rural area and every issue you raise with is me treated equally. With your support on June 7th, I hope to continue fighting for a better deal for everyone in the Letterkenny and Milford Municipal District.
Family life:
I am married to Lorraine and we live in the heart of Letterkenny. The Council work occupies much of my time and I’m also a member of the Joint Policing Committee but I enjoy cycling and have competed in a few Donegal Rallies and the Sperrins Rally over the years in my free time.
Get in Touch:
087 264 2823
kevinbradley@donegalcoco.ie
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