Morning Focus Wednesday November 7

Barack Obama has been re-elected President of the United States of America
On Wednesday’s Morning Focus we heard from the re-elected US President Barack Obama and defeated Republican candidate Mitt Romney.

The Mayor of Clare has branded as "a total farce" the process whereby homeowners already compliant with the household charge have been receiving new letters demanding payment
In the past few weeks, on foot of data base information provided by the Local Authority Management Agency, Clare County Council has issued 33 thousand such notices to homes around the county
While the letter states that if householders have paid up, they should confirm this with the LGMA, but dozens of people have contacted Clare FM expressing their distress and concern over the situation,  particularly as some are addressed to a family member who’s now deceased

John Cooke spoke with Aine in Scarriff, Tom in Kilrush and Phil in Scarriff – all frustrated and upset at receiving these letters- Aine and Phil are widows and yet received letters sent to their late husbands

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Pat Daly, Mayor of Clare and Bodyke Councillor Joe Cooney also discussed the issue 

Concerns about Household Charge Reminder letters being sent to people now deceased or to families who’ve already paid were also raised in the Dail last night, by Clare Labour Deputy Michael McNamara
The Scarriff TD said the manner in which the household charge is being administered has made the 100 euro tax even more unpopular – we heard some of Deputy McNamara and Phil Hogan  Minister for the Environment’d response.

Clare FM’s Doireann Wilde was out and about and asked people in Clare what they thought about the abolishment of town councils

Further reaction to this occurred in Shannon last evening, as members of the smaller local authority meet for the first time since Minister Hogan’s announcement
It comes following calls from Kilrush Town Council for Clare’s local authorities to unite in opposition to Minister Phil Hogan’s Plans, and a meeting of Ennis Town Council last night which heard suggestions of a protest to the Dail or President Higgins
Proposing the four Clare town councils meet to oppose this move

Clare FM Breakfast Show Presenter Ross O’Donoghue had a word with John having just completed 50 kilometres on a treadmill in the window of Madden’s Furniture in aid of Clare FM’s 50 Cent Appeal
Clare FM’s 50 Cent appeal for four Clare charities:
Kilmaley Day Care Centre
Rape Crisis Midwest Clare Centre
Irish Wheelchair Association Clare
Kincora Kids Community Childcare Killaloe
If you would like to organise your own fundraising event email [email protected] or call 065 682 88 88.

What are the ‘dos and don’ts’ of waste management that will benefit householders through sensible management of their waste so that they can reduce costs and support the environment?
Caroline Walsh of Clean Ireland Recycling in Shannon joined John in studio to discuss
They recently achieved the Repak Award-  a major achievement for the local company that began as a two man operation in Cree 21 years ago and are now absolute pace settings when it comes to providing a ‘green’ waste service

Paul Wolfe of Clare Citizens’ Information Service was in studio to answer listeners’ social welfare, employment and consumer law queries.

If you have a story, comment or query for the Morning Focus team email [email protected]