A plaque for Andy?

Well it`s been a slow week on the political front
.
You can judge that by the only negative campaigning story to appear in the local press this week – frustrated soon to retire councillor McKenzie banging on about how he believed that not enough Tory Councillors had been attending Cosla meetings. Riveting stuff!
For those of you not in the know Cosla is the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities – a political talking shop – which discusses issues of interest to politicians – fortunately councillors do not spend their time and your money going to Edinburgh to talk for a hour or so about things that do not affect you but are working here in South Ayrshire for the folk they were elected to represent.

But enough of overtly political stuff.

I have been on out on the campaign trail in the new Maybole, North Carrick and Coylton ward this week - a daunting prospect if you look at the map. The new ward stretches from half way to Girvan in the south, past Straiton to the east and Coylton and Annbank to the north. A real mix of small towns, villages, country houses and farms – and a real mix of problems.

It`s amazing what comes up when you speak to folk on the doorstep. The most startling comment was from the guy who asked `Tory – what`s that?` I was concerned he was about to come up with a witty or rude response, but he quickly followed with – `Oh that`s Conservative isn`t it? –I got a letter from your leader this morning` - referring to the David Cameron espistle that will have been received by most of you. Great sigh of relief.

Another wanted to know what could be done about the famous – or should it be infamous – Maybole railway bridge. Could it be removed or was it too late. We agreed it could probably be a tourist attraction in 100 years or so. Maybe it should carry an Andy Hill commemorative plaque so we all remember who was responsible for it.

In Coylton a demand for a by-pass came high on the list for some just as it does to the Maybole folk. I will fight for both of them. And there are the usual dog mess and litter complaints and of course the state of the roads which are shocking!

Then I called at the home of Mr and Mrs Ismail, who live in my ward. You will remember their son was murdered in a robbery at the family shop in Maybole before Christmas. Seeing their grief, desolation and feeling of isolation put a different perspective on things and reinforced the need to create safe communities for our families.

It is conversations such as this that makes me feel that it is necessary to get around the ward and listen and speak to people to understand what is going on. Maybe I will get a chance to meet you on the doorstep soon.