Independent candidates are being disingenuous

Let us go through their election letter in order (“Independent candidates’ allegiance is to local people”, John O’Groat Journal, April 6).

Point one: Not having the finance to produce a colour brochure. Really? May I draw the electorate’s attention to the independent councillors’ full colour, A4 leaflet, Your Local Voice... issue one.

Admittedly, Thurso SNP financed the cost of my A5 full colour leaflet which amounted to £190.

Point two: Lack of recreational facilities in Thurso and the non-repair of such as a result of the previous administration... one which these councillors were a part of.

Point three: Thurso cemetery. It is only fair to point out it was due to the efforts of Thurso Community Council (TCC) that any work was done and for a number of years the Highland Council pled poverty as far as the cemetery was concerned.

The TCC highlighted the issue of the kerbing of the driveway, the widening of internal walkways, the need to repair the steps and install new handrails.

Yes, it is due to the elected councillors that the funding for this allowed the projects to come to fruition but that is the job they are there to do. It would have been more credible had they flagged up the need for this work in the first place.

Point four: Thurso footbridge. Again, it must be noted that following the demise of the footbridge in the 2006 flood, the Highland Council, for the best part of a year, denied ownership of the bridge and refused to replace it. It was due again to historical research by myself and like-minded colleagues that the Highland Council was eventually forced to accept responsibility.

I am sure many of the ward electorate will remember signing the TCC petition at the time. Yes, Councillor Rosie fought hard to secure the required funding and, credit where it is due, this eventually proved successful. Again though, that was the job of our elected member.

Point five: Victoria Walk. Here again we have a project which was initially flagged up by the community council and the Rotary Club of Thurso. At the time I am sure many will recall that, again, the Highland Council was denying any ownership or responsibility relating to Victoria Walk due to the legal actions taking place at that time.

Point six: The pedestrian precinct. Another project highlighted by the TCC and one which Councillor Rosie was originally not in favour of. Many of you will also recall the work put in by the community council on a project which would have come in on time and under budget. The involvement of the Highland councillors actually led to the project overrunning and resulted in the precinct being unfinished at the time of the Christmas fun day activities.

Point seven: Old St Peter’s Kirk. Here again there are questions to be addressed. As far back as 2004 proposals were put forward to the Highland Council for the replacement of gates and this was costed at several thousands of pounds less than what has recently been installed. Note this has only partially completed the necessary work.

While I in no way lay the full blame for the untimely delay of the project at the door of our local councillors, it must again be noted that for many years the Highland Council denied ownership of and responsibility for the kirk and it was again due to intense historical research it was forced to accept the situation.

It can be reasonably argued this delay has actually cost the public more than was necessary.

While I fully welcome the inward investment secured by our sitting councillors, I would draw attention to the fact that £931,000 over the lengthy period of time these councillors have been in office does not appear to be that great a sum of investment.

Finally, let us debunk this myth independent councillors are somehow free to operate at will.

Independent councillors are operating as a group, they are operating as a political party in all but name and are subject to the same codes of conduct, rules and regulations and restraints that party political candidates are.

There is of course one vital difference... they do not have the wealth of support and expertise to call upon that a party political candidate has.

To state publicly they are not tied to the politics of Inverness or Edinburgh shows just how out of touch with the politics of today our sitting “independent” candidates really are.

It is the duty of all local councillors to put the needs and interests of their local residents first, irrespective of their own political views. To those of you who have read my A New Don leaflet, you will know this is clearly my stated commitment.

Don Smith,

Thurso SNP candidate,

39 Brownhill Road,

Thurso.

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