Election in the air?

THERE is definitely an election in the air! The papers are still buzzing with all sorts of reactions to the council budget – both for and against, some reasoned some definitely off the wall. One point being missed is that although the South Ayrshire hike was one of the highest, the rates being paid are still lower than North and EastAyrshire. And had Labour been in charge you would all be facing a 4.6 rise.

But enough of tit for tat politicking.

Going round the doors it is interesting to see the subjects you raise. The weather was good last weekend so I headed for Maidens – to the south of the new ward which stretches north to Coylton and Annbank and complaints and comments ranged from the closure of the A&E unit at Ayr Hospital. - NOT a popular move - to what Maggie Thatcher did for the working man! How long has she been out of power? Business rates came up, speeding on the M77 – some for and other against the 50mps restriction being discussed for the Symington stretch to Monkton roundabout – but everyone was in favour of a Maybole by-pass, which the council is really fighting for.

And of course there was a unanimous welcome for the posts put up at the seafront to keep the travellers off the grass.

These posts of course were part of the Civic Pride initiative launched by the Conservatives when they took over power last December. Putting pride back into the community didn`t just mean flower baskets in Ayr High Street as Labour keeping implying. And what`s wrong with putting flower tubs and baskets back into our towns and villages. Tourism is our major industry and pretty areas attract visitors. And let`s admit it – we like them too