Criticism of 'book of promises' NAAS, 3 June 1999: Dear Editor, As a candidate in the up coming local elections, I am very disappointed in misrepresentations that are being made to the public with regard to the contraversial Town Plan. The latest ploy is the much talked about "Book of Promises" as it has been labelled- This book makes the plan out to be the greatest thing since the invention of the Wheel! There are gross inaccuracies contained in the book. It doesn't explain that Naas will end up being a concrete jungle sandwiched between industrial parks, with over priced houses, over flowing schools, a water system that won't cope, I could go on and on. The Naas UDC can't cope with the people here at present, why encourage disaster! There are estates in the town at present that haven't been finished, The UDC have apparently spent the bonds meant for these estates elsewhere! There are older estates that haven't been taken in charge, why build more! This plan is creating a monster for our town, with the people growing up in it now being unable to afford to buy houses in their home town. The UDC's housing policy is a joke and the so called provisions in the new plan is Too little Too late! The third level centre (RTC ATHLONE) hasn't even been sanctioned by the Dept. of education! How can they say it will be up and running next year? Let me finish by saying that I am not against building per se, but it MUST benefit the people living here. The infrastructure must be put in place first. We want to be able to live in comfort in our town. We want our children to be able to live in this town if they so choose and not have to move out for financial reasons! I hope that this e-mail will appear on your web site and that the organisers can be impartial, and give freedom of speech. To allow the people see all sides of the argument is a basic right of the people of our Town! Yours sincerely, Martina O'Kelly (LABOUR)