It's all over by the counting....

I've arrived back home after a long day out on the polling stations - cold, sunny, cold - for dinner but disappointed not to have been able to go straight to the count.

Instead, it's a quick message to say thanks to everyone who has helped on my campaign.  Starting with all those who have voted for me.  I'm honoured, thrilled and privileged to have secured your support and been a hard working candidate for the last 12 months.

I've had enormous pleasure in dealing with the issues in the ward and sorting out problems for residents. 

The list of those individuals who helped the campaign runs to many people and I will thank you all personally over the next couple of days.  Without your support, time, shoe leather and lifts here and there, the campaign couldn't have been the success it has been.

For everyone who has sent emails, texts and twitter/facebook messages, your wee comments and quips have made me smile when times have been tough. 

Some 65,000 leaflets have been distributed over the last 12 months.  Doors have been knocked.  Blisters have been popped. 

All roads to Meadowbank Stadium at 9am for the count to see if I get a podium spot.  1,2,3 right enough....

Eve of Poll and its all to play for in Drum Brae \ Gyle

It's been a quick 12 months since I was selected to be the candidate for the Scottish Conservatives in Drum Brae / Gyle.

Unlike some of the other candidates, I actually live in the ward.  Since my selection,. I have been working hard for residents and have already achieved a great record of success on local issues.

I am delighted to have spoken to so many residents already. By listening to your issues, a lot have been achieved so far.  You can find out more information on my wins for the community throughout this blog.

I will continue to engage with local residents and pledge to work in the best interests of the area.

Your priorities are My priorities:

• Be contactable and keep residents up to date with local issues through local newsletters
• Fight hard for increased investment in our roads and pavements in the area
• Campaign against any proposed housing development at West Craigs / Cammo
• Continue the fight against the litter, dog fouling and graffiti which has featured heavily in your recent survey responses.

Where absent councillors have failed, I have delivered.  If that's what can be done on the outside as a candidate, imagine what can be done on the inside as a councillor!

Realise the potential and Vote Brown 1 on Thursday!

Evening News feature Drum Brae / Gyle ward

The Edinburgh Evening News has been running a series of features on tomorrow's polling day predictions.

On Monday, they previewed Drum Brae / Gyle amongst others.  They are calling it "one of the most closely-fought contests of the election"

http://www.scotsman.com/edinburgh-evening-news/election-fight-is-on-as-decision-time-nears-1-2265341

Ian Swanson's comments are heartening, "The Conservatives were ahead of Labour on first preferences last time and say their candidate, Mark Brown, is working hard and could be in with a chance. One senior figure privately suggested that, if the SNP did not perform well, both Labour and the Tories could win seats along with Cllr Aldridge."

I'll take that as the result on Friday....

Local Candidate clears up in pathway clean-up campaign

As one would expect from a hardworking prospective Council candidate, one doesn't just rely on a glossy leaflet a week before polling day to woo residents with a host of promises they may or may not deliver once elected.

Working hard since my selection almost 12 months ago, regular viewers here and residents in the ward via the 60,000 or so leaflets delivered, will have spotted the differences I have made in Drum Brae / Gyle.

My post on the 8th April entitled Pathway to graffiti, litter and yes, dog poo! highlighted the pathway from Bughtlin Market to Craigmount High School and after a phone call on the 11th April from the Environmental Warden Team Leader, further information has been forthcoming.

Earlier this week, I received an email from West Edinburgh Community Safety/Housing and Regeneration Manager, of which an extract is below:

"Thank you for your email dated 8 April 2012 regarding complaints you have received from local residents in the Bughtlin and Craigmount area, with regards to graffiti, dog fouling, the run down condition of the play park, and the lack of bins in the pathway used by the pupils at Craigmount High School during their breaks.

"I can advise you that we are aware of these problems and notification have been forwarded to our Task Force Team with regards to the removal of the graffiti on Council Property, and for additional bins to be situated on the pathway.

"With regards to dog fouling, we carry out regular patrols to deter and catch dog owners who do not act in a responsible manner. Any person found failing to pick up after their dog is issued a Fixed Penalty Notice of £60, reduced to £40 if paid within 28 days. We intend to continue with our patrols in the area varying the days and times to effectively deal with any offenders.

"Our Community Parks Officer has informed me that he believes that the play park is on the rolling programme list for improving play parks in the City."

I am pleased that the Council are, with my perseverance and determination to provide a better Drum Brae / Gyle for all, turning residents concerns into positive action.  I will be monitoring the area - until at least May 3rd - for progress.

Remember, by voting Brown 1 on May 3rd, the residents of Drum Brae / Gyle will see a local champion work hard for all - not just at election time, but all year round.

Does it matter if your Councillor lives locally?

Pentland's SNP Candidate Bill Henderson argues in his recent leaflet that a Councillor living locally does matter for those they represent.

Many people on the doorsteps I have turned up on agree with Mr Henderson (naturally without knowing of his comments!).  It's not however a train of thought shared with his colleagues in Drum Brae / Gyle.

With Cllr Keir stepping down from double-jobbing to channel his energies as the local MSP and his initial replacement Elaine Morris (who hot footed it from her spot as Forth Ward Cllr) stepping down due to ill health, the local association went scouring the city for a replacement. 

They actually found two in the end.

Interestingly, one of these was Cllr Ron Cairns.  Cairns was ousted by Henderson as in-fighting within the local party saw Cairns de-selected.   

Cairns is of course standing alongside another candidate who lives outside the ward, Alison Lindsay.

Lindsay, a former Councillor in Clackmannanshire also stood for the party as their Westminster Candidate in 2005, however she resigned with less than two months to go before the election after allegations by opponents that being on sick leave whilst conducting an election campaign were not compatible.

The lack of local knowledge from both Candidates at Monday night's Hustings frustrated several of the audience when the duo were put under the microscope.

Meanwhile, another Drum Brae / Gyle candidate is also a stranger to the surroundings.  Green Party candidate Linda Hendry pointed out at the hustings that she didn't live in the ward, although she did raise a respectful smile by noting that her Mother was buried in it. 

Cllr Robert Aldridge lives in East Craigs, Karen Keil in Drumbrae - maybe it's to be a trio of local candidates for the three places on offer in seven days time? 

Both Independent candidates I understand are local however, with it being likely that the only time we'll meet is at the count on May 4th following their non-appearance at the hustings, I can't comment any further on their standing.

For me, localism is at the heart of being a Councillor.  I am proud to be standing in my wee bit of Edinburgh. I love my home and it's right in the heart of the Drum Brae / Gyle ward. 

During the last twelve months, I have been working on the issues that matter on people's doorsteps.  Listening to the concerns that matter most to local residents who feel let down by the absent councillors during this outgoing Lib Dem / SNP administration.

The people of Edinburgh - and Drum Brae / Gyle deserve better. 

Only on May 3rd by voting Brown 1 can you bring change.  Vote Conservative for a change.

Election Hustings - A Resume....

Monday night saw the Candidates comes together at the Rannoch Centre for the Hustings orgsanised by the Drum Brae Community Council.


6 out of the 8 Candidates turned up - both Independents failed to show. 

Hopefully not a shape of things to come, but the apathy shown by these Candidates seem to rub off on the public, with some 20 people attending.  However, those who did were to have their collective voices heard over the almost 2 hour session - an over run of some 20 minutes!

Candidates drew cards to see who went first.  Comically, the Chair hadn't removed the 7 & 8 cards - guess what was picked out first!

Anyway, Lib Dem incumbent Robert Aldridge, the only one of the 3 standing again, opened.  His opening salvo mentioned bins, buses and that a focus should be on bottom up politics.

I was up next and a copy of my 5 minute speel will be available on this blog elsewhere shortly.

The Green candidate, Linda Hendry was up next.  Despite not being local, Linda mentioned that she did have a local connection in that her mother was buried in the ward.  There followed a fascinating insight into how vital Bees are to the world.  Linda also noted her party would like to sell off the Lord Provost's 'SO' Registration Plate.

The first of the SNP duo, Alison Lindsay took to the floor.  Another candidate who didn't live in the ward.  Alison, a former Clackmannanshire Councillor, spoke of how the party were ensuring free bus passes were being kept by the SNP, how the Curriculum for Excellence had been introduced into schools by the SNP - all very fine and well, but not very local.  Until, she mentioned Drum Brae Primary.  Alison told the hall that 'it was over for Drum Brae Primary' and it was time to move on.  This didn't go down spectacularly well...

Labour's Karen Keil was up next - the last of the 'local' Candidates.  Karen laid the blame firmly on Robert Aldridge for her standing as a candidate. As a former Lib Dem supporter and voter, Karen said she was disappointed in his decision to close Drum Brae Primary.  Karen spoke of her work in the community and noted that there were huge social issues in certain parts of the world.

Finally, it was Ron Cairns - the second SNP candidate. Ron is the incumbent Councillor in Pentlands however due to de-selection by his local party at their candidate selection meeting, he was out on his ear.  Due to the decision by Elaine Morris to stand down due to ill-health, Ron was drafted in

He was quick to lay claim to ensuring the Hub was delivered on time etc.  Odd as the Lib Dems are taking the credit for that too...

Ron's 'style' as it where was "If you send me an email - put your number on it.  That way I'll get back to you rather than have a long paper trail." Mmmm.....

So, on with the show. 

The event mainly concentrated on Education and it is clear that the whole schooling system in the ward needs a good look at.  Schools bursting at the seems, some due to numbers, some due to poor facilities, are a very big issue out there.  I know, I've been speaking to many residents who are parents of children attending said schools.

Robert Aldridge recorded a figure of some £4k per pupil cost to keep a child at Drum Brae Primary and with the number of kids attending at the time, it wasn't viable to keep the school open.

However, the chickens have, it appears, come home to roost.

Alison Lindsay was challenged over when she was selected as a candidate - "I can't remember the exact date" was her initial response before seeking clarity from a member of the audience, an SNP hack-tivist, the answer was 5 months.  Really Alison?!

By this point, a chap in the audience, waiting patiently to ask his question, got up and walked out. 

A resident from Parkgrove cited issues re speeding and the lack of signs near the school.  Hopefully this will be rectified shortly.

A question re funding issues and provision for 3 or 4G sports pitches in the area were pretty much dismissed by Cllr Cairns as these would cost some £400k and if one school got one, everyone would want one.  Nothing better than being ambitious for the community.....

Clermiston Park improvements were brought up, with a resident angry over being let down by the Council re promises to make it a top priority case.

There was discussion over how to get youth into employment in the area / City-wide.  It was universally agreed that any programme should be used as a view to obtaining permanent employment at the end of it, not an excuse for cheap labour for a couple of weeks.

Finally, the Clermiston Primary issue, highlighted at the previous week's Community Council meeting came up for discussion.  Acoustics in the school were frankly useless from it's building in 2010 and there have been promises to get this remedied asap.

A fairly disappointing part to this was the revelation that incumbent Councillors had failed to make any effort to attend Parent Council meetings to find out what the issues were....

At 9.15pm, the meeting drew to a close and everyone went back home still clear as to how they would be using their 1st Preferences however the battle for 2nd / 3rd preferences may have been given food for thought by the debate.

How did the Candidates perform?

Well, a purely unscientific ranking of the candidates was offered to me post-hustings which gave the following;

1: Aldridge, 2: Brown, 3: Keil, 4: Hendry, 5: Cairns, 6: Lindsay with 2 non-runners.

Result! Progress on the Pathway....

I had an educational, constructive and positive discussion earlier today with the West Neighbourhood Environmental Warden Team Leader re my Pathway to graffiti, litter and yes, dog poo post.

I am delighted to hear that the pathway will be getting a clean sweep next week when the team are back to full strength and the Taskforce Team will be working with other partners to rid the area of the grafitti where possible.  Negotiation will need to take place with residents where the grafitti is on 'private ground'.

In addition to this, there is a promise of provision for additional bins.  This covers the area from the entrance opposite the High School up towards the play park.  The extra bins will hopefully encourage more people to think twice about throwing their litter on the ground and also for irresponsible dog owners to bag in and bin it, instead of ignore it and leave it.

Proactive prevention was also discussed and I was heartened by success stories at other High Schools in the West Edinburgh area when it comes to educating kids over litter.

If elected on May 3rd, I will be engaging with all schools to ensure that continued focussed is played on ensuring personal responsibility is key.

Remember, by voting Brown 1 on May 3rd, the residents of Drum Brae / Gyle will see a local champion work hard for all residents not just at election time, but all year round.