Tracey O'Dwyer election campaign launched
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| Tracey O'Dwyer and Deputy Martin Heydon, with her fellow Fine Gael candidates Tom Dempsey and Peggy O'Dwyer. |
With her at the launch were her Fine Gael running mates for the Kilcullen-Newbridge LEA, Tom Dempsey and Peggy O'Dwyer. A special guest travelled all the way from her home in Mayo, the Fine Gael candidate for the European Elections Maria Walsh.
Deputy Martin Heydon opened the proceedings by reminding that Kilcullen's representation at Council level in recent years had begun with his own election as a councillor in 2009, then by Ivan Keatley who took his place in KCC when the deputy was subsequently elected to Dail Eireann. With later changes in the electoral areas, Kilcullen had most recently been represented for Fine Gael by Billy Hillis, who is retiring, and Fintan Brett.
He commended Tracey for accepting the challenge to run in the election, noting that while it was an exciting time for her and her family, it is 'also a very brave thing to do'. "It's very refreshing to have people who don't have a background in politics who see the value of public service," he continued. "Ten years ago, I took on that challenge because I thought I could make a difference ... now she is taking it on for the very same reasons."
Maria Walsh, who was the winning Rose of Tralee in 2014, said she had become very aware of the importance of Irish culture, music and dance in her subsequent year as the Rose, and since getting to know Tracey O'Dwyer recently she knows that she is also be a very special advocate for that special heritage, through her dance teaching. "It's great when you see young people learning from passionate people. The seeds that people like Tracey are planting are changing our heritage, are celebrating who we are."
In her turn, Tracey said that her interaction with families through her teaching activity she is very aware that all parents want the same things, 'to do the best they can to secure a stable future for their children and families'.
"We all want safe roads, to live in safer communities ... to ensure that our villages and towns are not forgotten about when it comes to employment, rural roads and infrastructure. More importantly we all want to feel we at least will hear about plans for our area, but also to ensure that our concerns are heard. We need a voice at County Council level, and I promise you that if you put your trust in me, I will be that voice for you."
She noted that, since she had been selected as a candidate, she had been working consistently with local groups, businesses, and residents, finding out what challenges they face on a day to day basis. She referenced her previous work in construction, and with the Barretstown Children's Camp where she had to negotiate donations to pay for flights for the children and other expenses.
"I learned very early on that the key to a successful outcome in any sector is to build good working relationships, and it is no different being a councillor. If elected, I will be required to negotiate between the County Council and my community, and it is very important to be able to listen to all parties and develop good working relationships with them."
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| Tracey and Martin Heydon, with her husband Brian and their son Lochlann, and the Mayo-Midlands Fine Gael candidate in the European elections Maria Walsh. |
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