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Jeanie Johnston
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Councillors Say Yes To Festive Lighting
Councillor Bríd McElligott-Rusk proposed that Standing Orders be suspended before the Estimates were discussed in order to have the matter of Christmas lighting for Tralee debated, as it was possible that, unless financial assistance was provided by the UDC, there would be no festive atmosphere in the town this year.
Councillor Bríd McElligott-Rusk supported what Cllr. Wall had said. "The amount of negative publicity which we have got in recent days", she said, "has been terrible for the town. We as an Urban Council are trying to promote Tralee. However, I would be slow to have the UDC get involved in the provision of the Christmas lights. The Chamber of Commerce has indicated that the total cost would be approx. £15,000 and the UDC provides £6,000 of this sum. I would be in favour of us increasing our contribution and that this sum would be matched by the Chamber."
Councillor Norma Foley said "Tralee is a progressive, vibrant town and the UDC has done its best to promote it as such. We need to take a pro-active role in bringing to an end this negative publicity. The Chamber is having extreme difficulty in getting any money from the town for this event. I propose therefore that we increase our contribution to £7,000 and ask the business sector to match that". She was confident that Tralee would benefit from the support of the UDC.
Councillor Ted Fitzgerald said that he personally was very disappointed at the negative publicity for the town. He felt that it was an awful insult to the people not to provide lights or a Santy for the town, it being the capital of the county. "The lights aren't just for the business people - they're for ALL the people! If it takes £15,000 then the Council should come up with that. Provide the money this year and get the lights up!" When the question of where an additional £1,000 would come from was raised, he immediately retorted: "Of course we can find that money! Reduce our contribution to the Festival of Kerry by £1,000!".
Councillor Risteard Pierse wondered if Kerry County Council had been asked for a contribution as he felt that their assistance should have been sought.
Councillor Tommy Foley stated that, from January to December every year there was pressure on the Urban Council from all sides for money. He strongly objected to the UDC paying for the Christmas lights. "After all", he said, "the lights are always on in Tralee. The business people should put their hands in their pockets and pay for this. It's the publicans and hoteliers that make the money. The people who benefit most are the business people. If we in the UDC have £6,000 to spare we should give it to the St. Vincent de Paul, who provide for the people of Tralee who deserve help most. It's the people who are making the money who should put up the lights, not the UDC!"
Councillor Martin Ferris said "There is certainly pressure on the UDC to come up with the money. Yet it's the businesses that benefit the most. I believe that more funding should go to sporting, community or religious organisations who need it most".
Councillor Cathal Foley did not see why the Council should provide any additional funding for this use. "Let's maintain the status quo", he said. "After all, Christmas only lasts for 12 days and then it's over! It's almost impossible to see where we can get the money. Ithink that this is very unfair to the needy people of the town".
Councillor Miriam McGillycuddy, Cathaoirleach, maintained that the Christmas lights are for the benefit of everyone who comes into the town - shoppers, children, the people of Tralee. "We should be there doing our bit. The least we should do is provide an additional £1,000 for the provision of lights to add to the festive atmosphere", she said.
The Town Manager, Willie Wixted, said that as far as he was aware, no other town or village in Kerry was looking to the Local Authority for money to put up Christmas lights. "It is a very bad reflection on the town of Tralee. This Council has always played its part but I wouldn't like to take on the liability of taking over other people's lights and being responsible for them. What is truly amazing is that this is happening at this time of economic boom - when retail sales are up by 15% or more. There seems to be a misconception that this Urban Council is a private company - it is not".
The Town Clerk, Michael McMahon, pointed out that the UDC contributes the equivalent of £6,000 each year towards the decoration of the town for the Christmas period, by purchasing and erecting three large Christmas trees around the town and paying for the electricity costs for lighting the trees.
The matter was put to a vote and the proposal (to provide an additional £1,000 for the provision of Christmas lighting in the town this year) was carried by 8 votes to 3. Voting for the proposal were Councillors B. McElligott-Rusk, M. Spring, J. Wall, R. pierse, T. Fitzgerald, T. O'Brien, N. Foley and M. McGillycuddy. Voting against were Councillors C. Foley, T. Foley and M. Ferris. Councillor John Blennerhassett was absent from the Meeting.
The Estimates Meeting proper started and the Council agreed to
It was agreed that the sum of £1,000 to provide for the Christmas lights this year was taken from the following sources in next years budget:
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27 Nov 2000: Christmas Lighting Support