Graeme Smith (independent)
I CAME to Wick in 1985 to manage the unemployment benefit office, and then the Jobcentre until 1995.
After four years with Mackay’s Hotel you elected me a councillor for Wick in 1999. I have been privileged to serve this community continuously for 13 years (not superstitious!).
Being liberal by nature, I cannot accept the antics of the current Lib Dem leadership. Local politics has seen highs and lows over these 13 years and we are in a real low patch just now.
The cause is constant interference from Holyrood and the new “political” nature of Scottish local government.
You know my record on local issues. I will fight to keep decision-making local and stop the centralising “one size fits all Scots” mentality.
I will concern myself with potholes and people rather than policy-mongering in secret rooms in Inverness. I will rattle the cages of bureaucrats who see communities as mere inconveniences to their systems.
I see opportunity to cut out wasted spend in our education budget. I will argue that spend on some spurious “social” services for the few be better used on improving our roads and basic community amenities for the many.
Local control of local budgets.