Speakers’ Corner: Tom Fortune

Tom Fortune APR24

ith the local elections set for Friday, June 7th, we have once again sent out our Speakers’ Corner questionnaire to the local wide-eyed hopefuls.

Starting with the 11 candidates running in the Greystones Electoral Area, we’ll then open the floor to the other 4,893 upstanding Wicklow citizens currently stepping into the ring for 2024.

Up for grabs, 32 councillor seats across this great county of ours, with all the hopes and dreams – plus prestige, pressure, resentment, ridicule and mediocre pay – that such an exalted position entails.

Suffice to say, there are plenty of candidates to choose from, from the strong, silent types who simply, quietly get on with their work in the community to the loud, social media-shagging self-promoters who seem to leave little time for any actual graft. We’ve been reporting on this town daily for 12 years now, and the one thing we’ve become very, very wary of is the black arts of stolen valour. Feckers sticking their flag in other people’s hard work by racing to share the good news first on Facebook, Instagram and beyond, slyly hoovering up all the likes, thanks and praise in the process. It’s akin to waiting at the finish line and throwing your arm around the winner for a quick selfie, owning their victory online before they’ve even had time to catch their breath.

The 2019 Local Elections

So, whatever your party loyalties and your political leanings, it’s worth taking a moment to look beyond the glitter. These people will be your eyes and ears – and big mouth – down in Wicklow County Council, after all.

In the meantime, on with Speakers Corner 2024, and the very independent Cllr Tom Fortune. First, a quick bio…

The important count…

Councillor Fortune is a member of the county and district joint policing committee and chairperson of economic and community development SPC. He has also served as a board member of Bray Area Partnership which also has responsibility for the Greystones district, chairperson of KCDA (Kilcoole Community Development Association) and vice chairperson of KWETB (Kildare & Wicklow Education Training Board).

He has served as chairman of Wicklow County Council and Greystones town council and also chair of the district council. He served as chairman of Wicklow County Tourism for seven years. He was elected to local government in 2004 where he said he witnessed at first hand the problems that can affect communities, either through inadequate planning or poor infrastructure.

And now for those soul-searching and life-affirming Guide questions…

What inspired you to become involved in local politics? Was there a Road To District Council moment…?
I have been active in my community all my life and I became a local politician because my community asked would I put my name forward for election. At the time the community was neglected and in the view of many, had been dumped on. I have always had an interest in current affairs and I enjoy a debate. Over my time as a councillor I’ve always worked hard for the community. I have and continue to raise relevant issues and ask the hard questions of Wicklow County Council that affect our communities of Greystones, Kilcoole, Delgany, Newcastle, Killadreenan.

My political values are:
1. I have an independent mind.
2. I ask hard questions on your behalf.
3. I like to help people.
4. I challenge unfairness.
5. I have strong family values.
6. My life experience.
7. I believe community is key.

Of your work so far, are there particular achievements that you are particularly proud of?
I have years of experience in this role now that helps me cut to the core of any given matter. Having a business background of over 30 years too helps in understanding how the numbers do and don’t add up. I’ve worked in corporate and indigenous Irish companies at board level, and I have also ran my own business. Which is invaluable in the role of councillor, as you constantly battle for funding and budgets for the people and the areas that nee it most.

It’s all about seeking out fairness on behalf of my constituents, utilising my ability to navigate local and national government on the community’s behalf. And the role of the councillor is more important than ever, given just how much it has been undermined over the past three years, something I have campaigned strongly on.

Of your work so far, are there particular achievements that you are particularly proud of?
Given the years, there are many achievements that make me happy, including getting community centres and playgrounds sorted, addressing bus and train services, contributing to education and tourism (having been teh chairperson of Wicklow County Tourism for eight years).

I’ve also been working hard on our housing needs, contributing greatly to the county development plans and Local Area Plans. But really, it’s all down to the individuals, being able to help people navigate both local and national government, and finding solutions to their problems. Which is what being a councillor is all about.

Looking forward, what are the main goals that you would like to achieve over the coming years?
The Local Area Plan is something that we’ve all got to work on together, because that will be key to more school places, and more schools, all so badly needed here. The new build for Greystones Community College is finally getting underway and the extension to Colaiste Chraobh Abhann will bring their student count up to 1,000.

The key to a good life is education, and being vice chair of KWETB, chairperson of CCA, chairperson of BIFE and a board member of the Greystones National School, these roles give me a greater understanding of what needs to be done on this front.

As always, the everyday needs of people – better footpaths, lighting, better roads, help with property, taxes, etc – that’s what I’ve always been here for.

To turn a fine Mayor Quimby quote into a question, ask not what you can do for your county, but what you can do for your county…?
I believe that what I need to do is continue to speak up for the role of the councillor, which, as I said, is under threat from central government. I have written extensively on this challenge. There are a lot of powers and decisions now dictated from the centre. In this changing environment, a strong councillor is more vital than ever, someone who will challenge, and ask the hard questions. I am up for that.

For example, the way Greystones fishermen have been refused permission to land their catches at Greystones harbour for 11 years now is one of the unfairest actions that I have witnessed as a public representative. I have supported them since the issue began in the mid 2000s, and will continue to do so. I offered to mediate with Wicklow County Council and the fishermen, but to date, have received no response.

If elected again on June 7th, I will continue to be my INDEPENDENT self. I am totally community driven. INDEPENDENT is better for local government; INDEPENDENT is better for you.

If being a politician doesn’t work out, have you got a Career B in mind? Dancer? Magician? Traffic warden…?
During Covid, the two years that we lost from our normal lives (if there ever is such a thing). I did a lot of reflecting and started a diary on my thoughts and reflections. In the last year I started to write it all up in a book format, which will require editing. So, my Plan B is to write my book…

Finally, Trump or Biden?
Just two more reasons why it’s great to live in Ireland…

You can find out more about Tom Fortune on his website here, follow on Instagram here, Facebook here or X here, and get in touch directly on email here. Other Speakers’ Corners here.