An
issue has been brought to our attention regarding the graffiti which has been
daubed across the hoarding at a main entry to Strabane town. This is one of
three locations where these large letterings have been identified. The SDLP
office in Strabane has received a number of complaints regarding this issue
from a number of constituents, business owners and various town centre
regeneration groups. There have been considerable attempts made over the last
number of months to clean up the Strabane town centre and make our town
presentable, welcoming and attractive to investors and visitors.
We
would hope that the Chairman of the RNU following his statement in last weeks
paper, will agree that we as Strabane residents need to promote this town at
this extremely challenging economic time. Strabane has suffered significant
levels unemployment, deprivation and neglect for decades. The people of
Strabane must come together and work in the interests of this area and the
interests of local people especially our young people, many of which see no
future here now.
We
in the SDLP are extremely concerned for the future of our young generations and
feel it is our duty alongside many others to do our upmost, in fighting to
ensure some stability for the people of Strabane. We note that the RNU have
intentions of standing in future elections. We also note that Mr Bonner and
others in the RNU have been representing various residents in your area in
recent times; referenced in the recent statement to the Strabane Chronicle. It
is anybody’s right in a democratic process to stand election and represent
those in need. We in the SDLP will never stand in the way of democracy and the
right to representation. We in the SDLP have not singled out the RNU in recent
weeks, or in the past. We in the SDLP have no personal issue with Mr Bonner or
other members of the RNU. We have little concern with the practices or
representations made by the RNU and have no intention of getting involved in
tit for tat political point scoring with them.
We
in the SDLP are here for the betterment of local people and it is our intention
to provide the people of this district with the representation they have been
starved from. It is this party’s intention, as a new SDLP to provide a strong
voice for Strabane and its people. We believe little has been done for local
people and we also believe more can and will be done in the future for the
betterment of local people. This is quite simply about the futures of our
children across this district and about providing and fighting for the
opportunities Strabane deserves.
What
we do take issue with is anyone, or any organisation going out of their way to
deliberately and intentionally place graffiti on any area in Strabane. We in
the SDLP have condemned any vandalism or abuse of our town centre in the past.
The SDLP did not only condemn the recent vandalism by RNU. We have been active
in cleaning up the town centre for a long number of months alongside the
Strabane Chamber of Commerce, the District council and the town forum. This is about Strabane and its people; it’s
about providing opportunity and delivering much needed change. This is
something we would hope the RNU would agree with.
In
the RNU’s article to this paper last week the group seemed offended that we in
the SDLP, amongst many Strabane residents have described these recent
illustrations as vandalism or graffiti.
For
the interests of the RNU Vandalism may be defined as:
Action
involving deliberate destruction of or damage to public or private property.
Graffiti
may be defined as:
Writing
or drawings scribbled, scratched, or sprayed illicitly on a wall or other
surface in a public place:
Following
these definitions and considering the recent acts on the three locations, we as
representatives of the Strabane district and Strabane people stand by our
comments as placed in the local media a few short weeks ago regarding the
wrongful vandalism by the RNU. The writing which appeared clearly on private
property is by all accounts an act of vandalism and graffiti; not to mention a
criminal offence. It appears unwelcoming and intimidating to residents and
visitors alike and portrays a poor image for our town centre.
We
have no issue with the RNU expressing themselves or representing people as
stated earlier. However, we must ask what benefit painting these letters on
busy locations in the town centre will have? It simply causes annoyance and
damages the overall image for Strabane. I refer to all vandalism by any
individual or organisation, and not just the RNU.
If
the RNU are intending on representing and defending the people of this town, we
would urge them to reconsider their advertising procedures. If they are
intending on representing local people and acting as role models for local
people this is a very poor example to be setting.
In
the interests of the town and the interests of the town’s image, I am sure as any
reasonable man would agree that placing large lettering on main entry points to
the town, benefits no one.
Surely
it is in the interest of everyone to clean up our town and make it attractive as
well as welcoming to investment, and the many opportunities investment brings
with it.
If
the RNU still feel the need to meet with local SDLP representatives, our public
offices are open Monday to Friday and an appointment can be made.
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