Sunday 29 April 2007

5 DAYS TO GO !!!

Hello, just 5 days to go to voting day. I think by now 99% of houses will have received my leaflet whether delivered by my own hand or not. I have tried to cover as many houses aspossible myself but had to depend on helpers to get around all. I have had so many interesting and helpful conversations with so many people so thankyou if anyof you read this.
There are certainly plenty of issues to tackle both big and peerie. Lack of housing seems to be a biggee in most areas as is transport and education. Social Care is on most peoples lips as in need of maintaining and indeed some great ideas coming out as to what the Council needs to build to cope as well as find staff to provide the service.
Roads state in some parts are being highlighted and road safety is very much to the forefront both in built up areas and the rural stretches.

Been at the kirk dis moarning ... alot of people at a joint service for Whiteness, Weisdale , Tingwall, Scalloway and Burra. Always does me good to see a fairly full kirk and take part in such good singing.

Fine day but having a day away from canvassing. The voters probably glad of a day of peace too as having been approached by so many of us over last few days.

Mind and vote......the right wye!!

Friday 20 April 2007

Windfarms

I attended a meeting at Aith Hall da streen to hear Viking Energy address and public meeting along with reps. from SIC and our Charitable Trust.
There wiz a guid turnoot and a lively discussion. In fact at 9.45 da Chairman hid tae bring a close. Da discussion covered all areas fae da investment, return on same , share split of Viking Energy, how the vote on teh shares works to protect Shetland public money ,locations of windmills, numbers of windmills and dadifferent wyes o construction and whit hit meant fur d environment. We heard aboot jobs in construction phase and jobs left during operating as weel as opportunities fur local businesses. Also opportunitiesonce cable is installed. The
Da returns being quoted on SCT investment in Viking Energy are tremendous and could be convincing but I wid need tae tink hard aboot dis and have da calculations behind dis explained so I could understand this fully afore makin up my mind.
Dir are concerns aboot da visual impact fur fokk living near and dat wiz aired at da meeting.
I most say I wiz blyde to hear dat a decision by da Cooncil is 3 years awaa as dis is a tremendously important fur wir future and to makk da wrang wan wid be a travesty. So time to get to grips wi all aspects of a yes or no vote is important for all responsible elected members and the electorate. If elected this will receive my full attention and I will look for constituency views so I am informed when the time comes to vote .

Wednesday 18 April 2007

Tough Day da day !

Had a tough day da day. had to get leaflets printed to get out to all voters. So Skerries START were v. helpful ower da helly getting my typing transported into a a presentable leaflet form. Shetland Litho dan took ower and helped me to get colours and a photo sorted in hit. All about resolution and how it does not travel ower da air lines or whatever from Burra to Lerwick!!

Whit a good service anywye. Saw a few other prospective candidates on da sam business. Seems to be alokk of interest inlocal elections anywye so dat is good. MIND AN VOTE FUR SOMEEN.... DO NOT BE APATHETIC AND NOT TURN OOT!!!!! Hit wid be good if you vote fur me but if not weel you hae your opinons too and as lang as we hae a high turnout we will get somwhar.

Onywye by da time dat wiz done hit wiz on to lambing which had taken aff two weeks late. My son Ellis and Husband Theo were struggling ... triplets, 2sets of twins and 2 singles and most with problems. such a day of rain and wind and wan to be helped lambing. dan onto getting dem warm and fed and lambs needin milk and mams needin help to get sooking. Keeps your feet on da ground amongst all da rest.

I have had interesting conversations today... one about the stat of fishing industry and ways to help, one around effect of light pollution which is one of my hobby horses and another about lack of house sites and converse view of the need to label some areas as no more building but in a way which does not encourage nimbyism. Some common sense needed here if we are to increase our population and yet maintain our rural lifestyle. Another about the trials of the crofter which I could well identify with today. A phone call about the pressure to close schools which is a very tricky issu but ther must be ways of delivering education which does not cost so much more then other places. I have to ask have all staff looked to see where they could say money.... have they been asked to?Do not know but something t find out and think about. I find that those who spend the money usually knwo where they could save and yet sustain their service. So as you can see lots of ideas but none of us have the answers tomeet everyones aspirations.

I have had my grandson for a few days travelled from Houston Texas at the tender age of 3 so he has had some experience of island life today. he seems to be taking it all in his stride and is made up with "lambing". A far cry from ranching in his neck f the woods!
time for bed now. Wish I could get some feed back via this site but keep the E Mails coming.

Tuesday 17 April 2007

POSTAL VOTES FORMS CLOSING TOMORROW

It is so IMPORTANT that you vote on 3rd May. It is your opportunity to influence the future of Shetland and of Scotland. So however you decide to vote PLEASE do so , do not adopt an apathetic attitude and just not bother.
Remember a POSTAL VOTE is available to EVERYONE and Andrew Hughson has a useful link on his web site which allows you to print off the necessary form to apply for a postal vote. thankyou Andrew .

The CLOSING DATE for handing in the completed forms at Charlotte House , Assessors Office is Wednesday 18th (TOMORROW).

Monday 16 April 2007

received views and comments in response to letter

I got out 1350 letters so each house in the ward should have got . I have had quite a few e mail messages and comments , telephone calls but mostly meeting out and about and stopping to talk.
Issues are not all that different in different parts of ward.... need more jobs and housing, concern for future of schools and care services, a fear decentralisation ( which the Council have said were committed to ) is not happening as we are too near Lerwick. Scalloway harbour is seen as an underutilised facility.A need for the NAFC to diversify and bring on research projects. Walking/ cycling paths keep coming up. looking at some of the verges along the roads I am not surprised as it is pretty dangerous. Wind power project is of concern as to the size proposed although a lot of support for the concept. concern around the possibility of nuclear power being stored or becoming a store for waste.
A need for more productive jobs and marketing of local produce. have not heard anything so far about reducing our carbon footprint through producing more of our own food. Something I think is important.
i have been able to include much of above in my manifesto so it was a useful exercise. leafletto be finalised now and for printing for distribution as soon as possible. hope more contact and hope that all understand that there views are important even though not included in final manifesto or leaflet. i had to have a cut off point.
thankyou to every one who has offered support and to all who helped get out the letters i could never have done it alone!

Monday 9 April 2007

The Helly

Been busy getting a campaign plan together, talking to lots of fokk and getting a feel for what is important to them in the new council. Also printing some information to put out and signing letters to all constituents. I am at 700 now! the printer is getting tired as is my hand!
Lots of help from family and some young friends are coming today to envelope etc.
I am listing all the comments I have heard over the helly and will summarise after a week or so on this site . Glad to say I have had support so I hope that you all turn out and vote for me as No 1 bearing in mind that you will have three representatives in the new council voted in by you.

Sunday 8 April 2007

What is important to you?

Please write and tell me what is important to you, and what you wish your Council to do for you.