29 March 2001 Edition
Sligo Deputy Mayor criticised over speed ramps
Sligo Sinn Féin Councillor Arthur Gibbons has launched a scathing attack on the Deputy Mayor of Sligo, Fianna Fáil's Tommy Cummins, over his refusal to allow a motion allocating £3,500 of Cllr Gibbons' own personal council expenses to provide for the installation of a series of speed ramps in Cartron estate in Sligo.
Gibbons, who has campaigned for speed ramps to be installed in the estate for the past couple of years, said he was astonished at Cummins' refusal to allow the motion to proceed. ``This £3,500 is money which each councillor has allocated to them to cover their expenses for their attendance at conferences throughout the country each year,'' he said. ``It is my belief that this money would be better spent making Cartron estate a safer place for local residents and pedestrians, particularly young children and the elderly, than it would be by my attendance at various conferences over the next twelve months.''
Gibbons, who is employed on a Community Employment Scheme, told Monday night's General Purposes Meeting of Sligo Corporation: ``I am more than willing to sacrifice my own personal expenses to ensure that these speed ramps can go ahead. I am not afraid to put my money where my mouth is. Why is Councillor Cummins so terrified of my decision to put my expenses to good use? He has discredited himself and should now hang his head in shame.''
Gibbons, who has campaigned for speed ramps to be installed in the estate for the past couple of years, said he was astonished at Cummins' refusal to allow the motion to proceed. ``This £3,500 is money which each councillor has allocated to them to cover their expenses for their attendance at conferences throughout the country each year,'' he said. ``It is my belief that this money would be better spent making Cartron estate a safer place for local residents and pedestrians, particularly young children and the elderly, than it would be by my attendance at various conferences over the next twelve months.''
Gibbons, who is employed on a Community Employment Scheme, told Monday night's General Purposes Meeting of Sligo Corporation: ``I am more than willing to sacrifice my own personal expenses to ensure that these speed ramps can go ahead. I am not afraid to put my money where my mouth is. Why is Councillor Cummins so terrified of my decision to put my expenses to good use? He has discredited himself and should now hang his head in shame.''