John McNamee (Social Democrats), Edenderry

We sent a questionnaire to all 10 candidates running in the Edenderry Electoral Area in the forthcoming Offaly County Council election. The responses were published in print in the Offaly Independent last Friday.

NAME: John McNamee

ADDRESS: Carraig Aoibhinn, Edenderry.

PARTY: Social Democrats

SPECIAL AREAS OF INTEREST:

I'm chairperson of local soccer club Derry Rovers, and I love being a coach. I believe in the personal development of the children in our area, and involvement in sport will help them in their later years in whatever path their life brings them on. Sport is also a good outlet for teenagers who, in this day and age, live so much in the spotlight of social media.

WHY ARE YOU RUNNING IN THIS ELECTION?

I love our town. I am proud to be from Edenderry, I want to represent the people of the Edenderry electoral area and work toward having the correct infrastructure and facilities for all the people in this area.

I will make it my responsibility to help make our community a great place for everyone.

WHAT ARE THE TWO BIGGEST ISSUES IN YOUR AREA?

Roads: The road improvement scheme needs to be progressed in a more timely manner. There is a need for another Additional Needs School locally. And a third big issue is that we don't have enough affordable housing.

WHO DO YOU MOST ADMIRE AND WHY?

As with most Liverpool fans, I admire Jurgen Klopp. His work ethic and family values are something to be admired, along with the fact that he always strives for the best out of every situation.

TELL US SOMETHING PEOPLE MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT YOU:

Locally everyone knows me as 'Chip' but this is actually a name that was given to me by friends as a child as I was always eating Chip sandwiches.

So unfortunately the nickname is not for the reason I would have loved, which is chipping footballs over goalkeepers!