My name is Mick Duffy. I'm a Primary School Teacher in Ballina .
I would love to see more emphasis placed on outdoor sports recreation. Skateboard parks for teenagers who mightn't play the mainstream sports. More emphasis on green parks and their upkeep. More quality playgrounds like the Tom Ruane Park. I live on the Killala road. There are 7 or 8 estates and no playground. It's actually incredible to think. Emphasis on providing outdoor recreation for Winter and Summer needs to be looked at. With obesity in Primary and Secondary schools very evident, I believe sport ( not necessarily the main sports ) but other sports that encourages continued participation for teenage girls and boys in sport when drop outs occur. Mental Health etc and general health benefits will be a bi product and the more variety of sport options available the more children that have a path and a future to excel. We must set high standards. Raise the bar for Mayo. Compete with the East.
Ballina ( and Castlebar, Killala etc) can become a French hub for all French tourists coming to Ireland. The whole Humbert's Footsteps Project should get Mayo CoCo backing and it really has the potential to be a national place of interest from a historical point of view, the same way Vinegar Hill in Enniscorthy is recognised.
Pedestrianise streets. Get people out of their cars ( in Summer). A healthy vision from the top in Mayo CoCo would do my heart good. Forgive me if I'm waffling. I just hope these views will be read by somebody. I thank you all for giving us Ballina people the chance to have an input.
Areas of biodiversity. Let's become world leaders in this area. Let's start initiatives. The community are ready to help. Ready to fundraise. We have a strong community ready to help if you guys can set us off. We will rally.
I thank you all. I could keep going.
God bless you all in Mayo CoCo. Mick D