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RATES in Shannon town are to in- crease by two per cent next year, while the overall budget is along the lines as that for the past year.

The proposals are included in the budget for 2009, which was up for discussion at a meeting of Shannon Town Council last Tuesday.

However, the budget, which was due to be adopted by councillors, was deferred after Councillor Patri- cia McCarthy (Independent) walked out of the meeting.

This was after she said she was not comfortable, unless the ethics frame- work was defined and said she would not participate until this was done.

Her comments came in the wake

of a complaint by the Wolfe Tones camogie club, over funding for the development of a skateboard park at the leisure centre. Cllr McCarthy is a member of the board of the leisure centre. However, the Standards in Public Office Commission ruled that there was no basis on which to initi- ate an investigation under the Ethics Act as none of the alleged contraven- tions was “a specified act”.

A number of councillors expressed the view that some members of the town council were also members of various organisations or groups that would be applying for funding from the council.

It was then decided that the county solicitor John Shaw would address councillors at a meeting this (Tues-

day) evening, when any fears could be raised. The budget is expected to be adopted at this meeting.

Under the budget proposal, rates would increase by two percent and would require a town charge of SO Oe

Additional funds have been set aside to cover the cost of the local elections, which will take place next June. They cost almost €15,000 to run in 2004.

The community grants scheme will have €5,300 at its disposal, which is the same as the figure for last year. However, the contribution towards community initiatives, which is a fund to build up a community initia- tives fund, will have a reduced sum of money at its disposal next year;

down €1,000 to €8,000.

It is envisaged that improvements will be made to the Shannon Town Council website, www.shannon- towncouncil.ie next year.

Discussions have been held with Shannon Chamber of Commerce regarding overall development of the website and how it might best be utilised as a wider resource in the promotion of all aspects of activity bom) er-beneCeyee

Town manager Ger Dollard, in putting together the draft budget for the forthcoming year, said it was pre- pared in “a most difficult economic climate and against a background where funding available from Clare County Council is likely to be less than that available in 2008.”

FIANNA Fail is facing the possible collapse of it’s vote in next year’s lo- cal elections – as the county’s 6,000 farmers are on the verge of turning their back on the party.

More than 7,500 farmers attended a protest rally in Ennis on Sunday when farmers were urged to vote with their feet and reject the govern- ment candidates at next year’s local election.

An estimated 4,000 Clare farmers ANA KepOCOLerO MN SCoMB ECD UN AMANO (CKomm OO CoME DUTY] Farmers Association’s Deputy Presi- dent, Derek Deane, urged them to “give the government their answer” at next year’s election.

OF THE many fears and traumas facing patients who have been diag- nosed with cancer, the side effects of chemotherapy loom large.

While the therapy is a life-saving one, many patients and particularly women patients, dread the hair loss that often goes hand in hand with the treatment.

It was why plucky Kilkishen woman, Anne Henry, decided that she would turn something that was personally quite negative into some-

thing which would be positive for many people who are battling the disease.

“IT was diagnosed with cancer on April 4 last and I was told I would be having chemotherapy”, said the mother of three.

“I knew that one side effect of the treatment is that my hair would probably fall out so I decided to do a sponsored head-shave before that happened.”

Anne had her head shaved after the first session of chemo but while she still had her locks.

“I did feel bad about losing it – I had quite long hair but hopefully it will grow back. I’m told it will grow back, but it takes a while after the chemo is finished.”

Anne’s head shave raised an amaz- ing €5,380, money which is going to unit 2 C in the Midwest Regional Hospital in Dooradoyle.

The unit has been accepting pa- tients for some time now but it will have its official opening later this week.

“It’s a fabulous new facility for people who are seriously ill. It has

plasma screen TV’s, very comforta- ble rooms and it’s much more homely than an ordinary hospital ward’, said Anne.

Now that Anne is happily finished her treatment and on the road to re- covery, she decided that on Saturday, she would have a gathering in Gal- lagher’s bar in Kilkishen for friends, family and neighbours who support- ed her.

“I wanted people to know how much was raised and where the money was going. Everyone was so good’, she told

Garda car attack

SANTA may be a while off coming down the chimney but for the young- sters at the Raheen Woods Steiner School, Christmas started at the weekend.

The children at the school were joined by staff, parents, friends and neighbours for their annual Advent Fair.

It was a fair with flair as young- sters got to grips with arts and crafts, making Christmas decorations and gifts that will be treasured for many

a year by older relatives.

Adults visiting the fair had a chance to buy some very special and unique Christmas gifts from the stalls dis- playing the work of local artisans.

Art works, jewellery, apparel and accessories were all on display and quite a few will find their way under Christmas trees in east Clare

Because Christmas shopping and decorating is a hungry business, the organisers laid on delicious soups, teas and coffees.

‘The emphasis in the fair is allow- ing children to participate and there

were lots of activities and games for them as well as a play”, a spokesman for the school said.

After years of campaigning, the two Clare Steiner schools were given official recognition by the Depart- ment of Education this year so they will now receive funding reducing the need for parents and the school to pay for the entire running of the school, including teachers’ salaries.

But that didn’t mean that the an- nual fund-raising Advent Fair was any less necessary than in previous years.

‘Every school could do with extra funds for equipment and activities and we also have a special bursary to help families who need assistance with the costs of schooling so some of the money raised will go towards that”, the spokesman said.

A MAN with 32 previous convic- tions has been handed a one-month detention sentence after he punched a garda patrol car on the day of his child’s christening.

Barry O’Brien (21), of Burton Street, Kilrush, was convicted of a public order offence, arising out of an incident at O’Curry Street, Kil- kee, on June 15 last.

Kilkee District Court heard that that accused told a garda, “Don’t you {***ing come near me or I’|I take the head off you.”

His solicitor Eugene O’Kelly said his client had christened his child that day and accepted it was an ap- palling way to end what should have been a very happy day.

“The biggest penalty he faces is that he has spoiled what should have been a most happy occasion,” he said.

Judge Joseph Mangan imposed a one-month detention sentence and fixed a bond in the event of an ap- oer

THE fallout from last weeks CAP Health Check continued to dominate affairs this week with a war of words erupting between Agriculture Minis- ter, Brendan Smith, and the farming organisations.

Following negative comments from the organisation on the results of the EU talks, Minister Smith accused the organisations of misunderstand- ing the results of the Health Check and of spreading “misleading” infor- mation about its results.

Last Thursday, the president of the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ As- sociation (ICSA), Malcolm Thomp-

son, challenged Smith’s assertion that Irish farmers are being misled and that they will not lose out from the increase in modulation announced as part of the Health Check.

‘The minister 1s ignoring the fact that money deducted from the Single Farm Payment may not be accessed by farmers so readily.

“Some farmers will certainly lose out, and those who gain will be faced with additional onerous conditions in order to draw down the funding un- der rural development schemes such as REPS,” he said.

Speaking in May EU Commis- sioner Fischer Boel emphasised that one of the main benefits of modula-

tion was that the member states were expected to match the modulated funds euro for euro with exchequer funding.

However, the final outcome of the negotiations was that the 50 per cent matching funding from mem- ber states was reduced to just 25 per cent.

“Worryingly, the minister has made no reference to this in his statements. ICSA is calling on the minister to confirm that this matching excheq- uer funding will be put in place,” said Thompson.

“ICSA welcomes the minister’s success 1n gaining access to unused funds which he has reassured farm-

ers will be worth €23 million per annum from 2010 onwards.

“However, farmers will remain sceptical until the details of how this money will be allocated are out- lined.”

Moving to reassure farmers Min- ister Smith said that Irish farmers would “not lose one cent” from the increase 1n modulation.

“The gain to farmers would come from the access to unused funds in our single farm payment ceilings.

“It was a tough battle in the nego- tiations to get access to these funds and I am very pleased that this was agreed in the final meeting this week,” he said.

Kids rejoice as sod turned on Tulla playground

SHANNON town has much on offer to suit wide-ranging interests — an at- tractive shopping outlet, a good mix of ambitious, thriving businesses and an ideal location close to many tour- ist attractions.

Much has been achieved in the town over the years, in terms of plan- ning and development, while several other key projects are currently being planned.

The local town council ensures that the upkeep of the town is a priority, while dozens of community and vol- untary groups aim to enhance the lives of the residents in the town.

From the schools’ activities, to the sports clubs, to the talent groups, to the senior citizens group, every age group 1s catered for in Shannon. The establishment of international group Le Chéile na Sionna is a reflection of the changing nature of the town, where many foreign nationals have come to live in recent years.

While there is an abundance of hobbies available for the people of Shannon, plans are ongoing in rela- tion to new, welcome initiatives.

Plans are afoot to establish a walk- ing trail in the region. The trail will take the shape of a loop, taking in Shannon and Bunratty. While the proposal is still in its infancy, it has created a huge amount of interest and

there is a sense of optimism that it will get off the ground.

The development of a pitch and putt course is also a strong possibility and four sites have been identified in the town. A recent public meeting to dis- cuss this yielded positive feedback and the people of Shannon firmly believe that such a facility would be a huge boost to the town.

The SkyCourt shopping centre of- fers a wide range of choice to shop- pers in the mid-west. Since it opened in 2004, SkyCourt has attracted several top names in retail and has

earned a fine reputation as a reputa- ble shopping outlet.

Its recent launch of the gift card scheme will undoubtedly augur well for SkyCourt, which boasts a rich blend of fashion, food and conven- ience outlets in its malls.

Newer shops including Lifestyle Sports, Apache Pizza and Subway have joined outlets such as Dunnes Stores, O’Brien’s Sandwich Bar and Xtra Vision, which have been in ex- istence for a number of years.

Given that Shannon Airport is lo- cated in the area, every effort has

been made to ensure many tourist options are available to those who travel into the country. Shannon Development plays a major role in promoting tourist activities in the immediate area, where the local ho- tels and restaurants in Shannon and surrounding areas are top class. Given that many businesses are lo- cated in the town, the role of Shan- non Chamber of Commerce is criti- cal. It is recognised as one of the fastest growing chambers in the country. More than 170 companies are members, which represents 8,500

employees.

Shannon Chamber of Commerce works for the economic development of Shannon town and the adjoining area. The chamber makes every ef- fort to ensure that Shannon becomes a dynamic centre with cultural, sport- ing and educational facilities suitable for a town of its size. As Shannon is largely dependent on industry, it also works towards attracting new busi- nesses to the town, with a view to creating employment.

The chamber actively engages in ways to assist its members and en- courage development. It has set up its own online poll, a service that allows its members to express views on is- sues that impact on their businesses. The chamber uses this information to better understand any concerns its members may have and address these TESS CoaSe

It has four sub-committees that en- sure a cross-section of the commu- nity benefits from its work — retail; school and youth career support; liv- ing, working and investing in Shan- non and enterprise and industry.

All of these groups work together to promote Shannon and to ensure that the town will continue to thrive in every way.

US visitors ‘will return in 2009’