ALDERMAN Stewart Dickson has described his recent visit to the American states of Florida and New Hampshire as a “great success”.
The Alliance Party delegate, accompanied by Councillor David Hillditch and Alderman Jim Brown, jetted off to America on July 24th to attend the prestigious ‘Sister Cities Convention’.
The convention, held in Florida and organised to highlight the positive aspects of towns and cities from around the world, featured workshops and lectures on a wide range of issues.
Tourism, economics, education, politics, cross-party relations and the environment were just some of the issues discussed at the convention.
Although the convention was “extremely important” to the Carrickfergus team, Mr. Dickson also described his meeting with representatives in the New Hampshire state of Portsmouth as “equally important”.
The Carrickfergus councillors spent the first week in Florida before embarking on their trip to Portsmouth where they discussed plans to organise transatlantic educational visits and websites.
Councillor Dickson, who returned from the visit last weekend, is now hoping to continue with the contact they established in Portsmouth.
“After the recent spate of trouble in the town, it was good to see something positive happening for Carrickfergus,” said the Alliance man.
“The convention enabled us to develop links with other cities and many of the delegates were impressed with what Carrickfergus had to offer.
“We were intending - despite the recent negative images of Carrickfergus - to set the record straight and inform the Americans of the positive aspects of our town.
“The convention was a great way of understanding other towns, cities and countries and I hope we can put our experience to good use,” added Alderman Dickson.
But Alderman Dickson, who narrowly missed out on a seat on the Northern Ireland shadow assembly, said the visit to Portsmouth would also stand as one of the “highlights” of the visit.
He said: “The convention we attended was a memorable experience - but so too was our visit to Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
“Portsmouth is the sister city of Carrickfergus and many of the delegates we met were determined to launch various projects between the two towns.
“An educational visit has been planned for next year but delegates from Portsmouth are also keen to establish a web-site between the two towns.
“Our visit to Portsmouth made front page news and we were also on television. Overall, the visit was a tremendous success and I hope that Carrickfergus is now seen in a better light.”
Showing posts with label Stewart Dickson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Stewart Dickson. Show all posts
11 August 1998
17 July 1998
Dickson welcomes cash injection for health service
A SUFFICIENT amount of funds from the Government’s £1.4bn cash injection for Northern Ireland should be used to improve health and educational services in East Antrim, a leading member of the Alliance Party said today.
Alderman Stewart Dickson, who is the Alliance Party’s spokesman on health issues, made the call after Wednesday’s announcement of the government’s plans to upgrade Northern Ireland’s health and education sector.
It is understood that the bulk of the money will be targeted at education and health, but funds are also to be made available to improve roads and encourage overall economic growth.
The government hopes to improve the health service by ensuring that by the year 2002, death rates from heart disease and strokes is reduced by 40 per cent. In relation to schooling, the government aims to raise educational standards among primary and secondary school children.
And, in welcoming the proposals, Mr. Dickson said it was essential for the government to recognise that “important decisions” had to be made about the future of health and education in the East Antrim area.
“Any major cash injection for our schools and health service has to be welcomed, but we must make sure that the money is spent wisely,” said the former Mayor of Carrickfergus.
“The reality is that we have to keep our head above the water and we must do all that we can to ensure that some of the funding is allocated to hospitals, schools and health centres in the East Antrim area.
“For instance, I think that there is an urgent need for more staff in hospitals and health centres in the East Antrim area and this must be addressed with the utmost attention.
“I also think it is important for the Government to consult members of the new Assembly on the allocation of funding. It is clear that member of the Assembly will have an important role to play in education and health matters,” he said.
Alderman Stewart Dickson, who is the Alliance Party’s spokesman on health issues, made the call after Wednesday’s announcement of the government’s plans to upgrade Northern Ireland’s health and education sector.
It is understood that the bulk of the money will be targeted at education and health, but funds are also to be made available to improve roads and encourage overall economic growth.
The government hopes to improve the health service by ensuring that by the year 2002, death rates from heart disease and strokes is reduced by 40 per cent. In relation to schooling, the government aims to raise educational standards among primary and secondary school children.
And, in welcoming the proposals, Mr. Dickson said it was essential for the government to recognise that “important decisions” had to be made about the future of health and education in the East Antrim area.
“Any major cash injection for our schools and health service has to be welcomed, but we must make sure that the money is spent wisely,” said the former Mayor of Carrickfergus.
“The reality is that we have to keep our head above the water and we must do all that we can to ensure that some of the funding is allocated to hospitals, schools and health centres in the East Antrim area.
“For instance, I think that there is an urgent need for more staff in hospitals and health centres in the East Antrim area and this must be addressed with the utmost attention.
“I also think it is important for the Government to consult members of the new Assembly on the allocation of funding. It is clear that member of the Assembly will have an important role to play in education and health matters,” he said.
16 July 1998
"Look to the future": Dickson's plea to Carrickfergus
EVEN though the image of Carrickfergus may have been damaged by the recent outbreak of violence which swept through Northern Ireland, a leading member of the Alliance Party has called on the people of the borough to “look to the future”.
Alderman Stewart Dickson - who stood as an East Antrim candidate in last month’s shadow Assembly election - said it was vital for the people of Carrick to remove the “dark spectre of sectarianism”.
And Mr. Dickson, a health spokesperson for the Alliance Party, has also described the intimidation and violence which flared in Carrickfergus as a form of “nazism” and “ethnic cleansing”.
The former Mayor of Carrickfergus is now calling on the people of the borough to “all they can” to improve the image of their area. He said that any hope of future investment and potential job creation in the borough lay “purely” with the people and local politicians.
But Mr. Dickson also pointed out that further outbreaks of violence would leave Carrickfergus “lagging behind” other towns in the province. He added that, with the new Assembly, it was now time for the people of Carrickfergus to move forward.
“The events which flared after the Drumcree stand-off in Portadown cast a long and dark shadow over the borough of Carrickfergus,” said the Alliance Councillor.
“Violence, mayhem, disorder and blatant sectarianism were all to evident in this borough in recent days. The intimidation which occurred in Carrickfergus can only be described as a sickening act of ethnic cleansing.
“Many Catholic families in the borough were intimidated, but many police officers in the town were also victimised by people who can only be described as thugs and animals.
“And at the height of the violence, what type of image was the borough portraying? An image where local hooligans had the authority to place young children at the burning barricades and road blockades. An image of sectarianism, hatred and bigotry.
“That’s why the recent levels of intimidation and attacks witnessed in Carrickfergus must not be allowed to happen again. We must fight against this hatred and we must do it together,” he said.
The Carrickfergus Councillor is also adamant that the people of the borough must do everything in their power to heal division and promote cross-community dialogue.
Mr. Dickson said: “We must not be allowed to forget about the victims of the past few weeks. They have suffered at the hands of evil and despicable thugs and we must all help them. It is clear that we must offer the hand of friendship.
“If we want to improve the image of our borough then we can start by showing the victims of intimidation that we care. It is essential that they don’t feel isolated at this moment. The thugs must not be allowed to win.”
And, in a further development, the Alliance Councillor has spoken of his contact with Americans who expressed concern about the situation in Northern Ireland and with Carrickfergus in particular.
“I have been inundated with calls from people in Carrick’s sister town in America. The people of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, were disgusted at the images on their television screens.
“They were genuinely concerned about the outbreaks of violence and intimidation, but what do I tell them now?
“Just before the referendum on May 22, American newspapers such as the New York Times painted a positive image of the town detailing its historical and cultural value to Northern Ireland.
“However, it is essential that we repair the image of this community. Carrick has great prospects and great potential. It must not be allowed to be destroyed by a small minority who are hell bent on causing death, destruction and mayhem,” said the Alliance man.
Alderman Stewart Dickson - who stood as an East Antrim candidate in last month’s shadow Assembly election - said it was vital for the people of Carrick to remove the “dark spectre of sectarianism”.
And Mr. Dickson, a health spokesperson for the Alliance Party, has also described the intimidation and violence which flared in Carrickfergus as a form of “nazism” and “ethnic cleansing”.
The former Mayor of Carrickfergus is now calling on the people of the borough to “all they can” to improve the image of their area. He said that any hope of future investment and potential job creation in the borough lay “purely” with the people and local politicians.
But Mr. Dickson also pointed out that further outbreaks of violence would leave Carrickfergus “lagging behind” other towns in the province. He added that, with the new Assembly, it was now time for the people of Carrickfergus to move forward.
“The events which flared after the Drumcree stand-off in Portadown cast a long and dark shadow over the borough of Carrickfergus,” said the Alliance Councillor.
“Violence, mayhem, disorder and blatant sectarianism were all to evident in this borough in recent days. The intimidation which occurred in Carrickfergus can only be described as a sickening act of ethnic cleansing.
“Many Catholic families in the borough were intimidated, but many police officers in the town were also victimised by people who can only be described as thugs and animals.
“And at the height of the violence, what type of image was the borough portraying? An image where local hooligans had the authority to place young children at the burning barricades and road blockades. An image of sectarianism, hatred and bigotry.
“That’s why the recent levels of intimidation and attacks witnessed in Carrickfergus must not be allowed to happen again. We must fight against this hatred and we must do it together,” he said.
The Carrickfergus Councillor is also adamant that the people of the borough must do everything in their power to heal division and promote cross-community dialogue.
Mr. Dickson said: “We must not be allowed to forget about the victims of the past few weeks. They have suffered at the hands of evil and despicable thugs and we must all help them. It is clear that we must offer the hand of friendship.
“If we want to improve the image of our borough then we can start by showing the victims of intimidation that we care. It is essential that they don’t feel isolated at this moment. The thugs must not be allowed to win.”
And, in a further development, the Alliance Councillor has spoken of his contact with Americans who expressed concern about the situation in Northern Ireland and with Carrickfergus in particular.
“I have been inundated with calls from people in Carrick’s sister town in America. The people of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, were disgusted at the images on their television screens.
“They were genuinely concerned about the outbreaks of violence and intimidation, but what do I tell them now?
“Just before the referendum on May 22, American newspapers such as the New York Times painted a positive image of the town detailing its historical and cultural value to Northern Ireland.
“However, it is essential that we repair the image of this community. Carrick has great prospects and great potential. It must not be allowed to be destroyed by a small minority who are hell bent on causing death, destruction and mayhem,” said the Alliance man.
29 April 1998
Rail crash inquiry demanded
Carrickfergus Alderman Stewart Dickson commenting on this mornings derailment at Yorkgate Railway Station expressed serious concern about Northern Ireland Railways recent safety record.
Alderman Dickson said:
“This accident following on from the recent accident at Adelaide involving a goods train requires Northern Ireland Railways to assure the travelling public that they are doing all in their power to ensure the safety of there trains track for their passengers.
“Although no one was injured in this mornings accident, it could have easily been a train full of school children travelling from Whitehead, Carrickfergus and Greenisland to Belfast.
“I saw the train myself this morning at Yorkgate and it is no doubt had there been passengers on board there would have been serious injuries.”
Alderman Dickson is now calling for a public inquiry into safety issues into Northern Ireland Railways.
Alderman Dickson said:
“This accident following on from the recent accident at Adelaide involving a goods train requires Northern Ireland Railways to assure the travelling public that they are doing all in their power to ensure the safety of there trains track for their passengers.
“Although no one was injured in this mornings accident, it could have easily been a train full of school children travelling from Whitehead, Carrickfergus and Greenisland to Belfast.
“I saw the train myself this morning at Yorkgate and it is no doubt had there been passengers on board there would have been serious injuries.”
Alderman Dickson is now calling for a public inquiry into safety issues into Northern Ireland Railways.
05 January 1998
Dickson welcomes cold weather payments
Carrickfergus Alliance Councillor Stewart Dickson has welcomed Health Minister Tony Worthington’s decision to provide cold weather payments to Northern Ireland’s pensioners.
Alderman Dickson, who is the new health spokesperson for the Alliance Party, said the payments would be appreciated by Northern Ireland’s pensioners - particularly after last weekend’s treacherous weather conditions.
Alderman Dickson said: “I would like to commend the Minister for providing these winter payments. Many pensioners faced a bleak Christmas as a result of the bad weather.
“The necessary conditions for payments were triggered by recent storms and bad weather. However, the Department of Health and Social Services does not take into account higher domestic fuel costs in Northern Ireland.
“I understand that funding for solid fuel in glass fronted fires has not been provided and despite recent reductions in electrical prices - costs are still very high. And for most domestic customers - gas is not yet a reality.
“If the bad weather continues, I would hope that the Government would take all the matters that I have listed into account. If the bad weather continues - it’s essential that the Government look’s after Northern Ireland’s pensioners.”
Alderman Dickson, who is the new health spokesperson for the Alliance Party, said the payments would be appreciated by Northern Ireland’s pensioners - particularly after last weekend’s treacherous weather conditions.
Alderman Dickson said: “I would like to commend the Minister for providing these winter payments. Many pensioners faced a bleak Christmas as a result of the bad weather.
“The necessary conditions for payments were triggered by recent storms and bad weather. However, the Department of Health and Social Services does not take into account higher domestic fuel costs in Northern Ireland.
“I understand that funding for solid fuel in glass fronted fires has not been provided and despite recent reductions in electrical prices - costs are still very high. And for most domestic customers - gas is not yet a reality.
“If the bad weather continues, I would hope that the Government would take all the matters that I have listed into account. If the bad weather continues - it’s essential that the Government look’s after Northern Ireland’s pensioners.”
12 December 1997
Alliance to meet Chief Constable
A delegation of Alliance Councillors will meet with the Chief Constable Ronnie Flanagan on Tuesday 16th December. The meeting has been organised at the request of the Alliance Councillors who are increasingly concerned about the level of paramilitary activity in their area of East Antrim.
The three Alliance Councillors attending the meeting will be Sean Neeson, Stewart Dickson and Jim Rooney.
The three Alliance Councillors attending the meeting will be Sean Neeson, Stewart Dickson and Jim Rooney.
09 December 1997
Dickson welcomes BMA report
The Alliance Party’s new Health and Social Services spokesman, Alderman Stewart Dickson, has welcomed the British Medical Association’s detailed analysis of the Northern Ireland health service.
The Carrickfergus Councillor said the report, which claims that half of Northern Ireland’s trusts to do not have enough beds to cope with emergencies, highlights the “genuine” concern facing the province’s health service.
Alderman Dickson also welcomed the report’s call for the Government to take swift action - especially in relation to the number of hospital beds being blocked by patients who cannot leave hospital because of inadequate after-care.
Alderman Dickson continued: “As the new Health and Social Services spokesman for the Alliance Party, I would welcome any survey into the workings of the province’s health service.
“I think it confirms the concern that people have into the current state of our health service - especially in relation to the number of beds being blocked by people who have to wait on the Social Services.
“The survey makes us aware that there are people in hospital due to lack of home help services and other community support services and I think that this is a very worrying trend.
“I also believe that we urgently need an acute hospital services review by the Department of Health so that we can judge what the Government is saying alongside the yesterday’s damming report from the BMA.”
The Carrickfergus Councillor said the report, which claims that half of Northern Ireland’s trusts to do not have enough beds to cope with emergencies, highlights the “genuine” concern facing the province’s health service.
Alderman Dickson also welcomed the report’s call for the Government to take swift action - especially in relation to the number of hospital beds being blocked by patients who cannot leave hospital because of inadequate after-care.
Alderman Dickson continued: “As the new Health and Social Services spokesman for the Alliance Party, I would welcome any survey into the workings of the province’s health service.
“I think it confirms the concern that people have into the current state of our health service - especially in relation to the number of beds being blocked by people who have to wait on the Social Services.
“The survey makes us aware that there are people in hospital due to lack of home help services and other community support services and I think that this is a very worrying trend.
“I also believe that we urgently need an acute hospital services review by the Department of Health so that we can judge what the Government is saying alongside the yesterday’s damming report from the BMA.”
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)