Dacid Morrison, Independent
Steòrnabhagh a Tuath / Stornoway North
I am David Morrison and I am standing for election as an Independent candidate for Stornoway North. I have lived on the island all my life, spending my younger years in Shader Barvas and the last 30 years in the Stornoway area. I am married with three wonderful children and have a passion for community involvement, having been active in numerous local organisations over the years.
I have been a volunteer / director with the local community radio station, Isles fm for over 15 years, and have played a major role in ‘keeping the show on the road’ and developing the station to a stage where it was recently nominated for national (Celtic Media) radio awards , and is soon to move into purpose built premises on Seaforth road.
I have been involved with various Residents Associations in the town area and have been part of the Stornoway Primary School Board, parent Council and PTA over the last 12 years.
I am currently the Chairman of the Bridge youth club and a board member of the Bridge Centre.
I would now like to be your voice on the local council.
I am fully aware of all the issues that face our community and the local authority in the coming years, but this election is not really about what I see as important, but what issues YOU care about and how YOU want your community represented.
I believe passionately in real democracy, where your councillor represents your views, and I will, if elected, uphold these principles
There are without doubt financial challenges lying ahead for our island. Individuals, families, local voluntary organisations and businesses will all be affected. It is a time when we need the right people at the helm. People who have the relevant experience, skills and the Attitude, Commitment and Enthusiasm to take us through these difficult times, but most of all, people who listen to, hear, and act on, the priorities of those they represent.
My role is to help you, and also voice your concerns, and opinions on local ward matters, and to act on your instructions regarding wider community topics.
Issues such as Fairer Fuel Prices, Road Equivalent Tariff, and Air Discount Scheme are all very much on any councillor’s agenda as are issues such as Education, Renewable Energy and the support of our traditional industries.
Fair fuel prices, RET and Air Discount Scheme issues are important areas to review; it is essential that the Island community get their local councillors to fight for these.
From an education perspective, we need to ensure that the schools in the Stornoway area are provided with the facilities that modern day schools should have. The fact is that both our main primary schools require improvements to them, classrooms, office areas and gymnasium facilities all need attention. We cannot delay on improving as many of these areas as we possibly can. What can be done should be done as soon as possible. The proposed cut backs to the Itinerant teacher provision are a major backwards step in my opinion. We have a fantastic provision that enables our children to benefit from qualified expertise in areas such as music, art, and PE. We should not be depriving them of that quality tuition and the fact that other authorities no longer provide it, should not be a bench mark that this authority strives towards.
Renewable Energy could be a major source of employment and community benefit to the Islands over the coming years. The Island needs employment and it also needs some income resource to help try and improve future job prospects on the Island to help try and retain our youth by providing apprenticeships and future employment opportunities. Community Projects like the Point and Sandwick development, and the developer projects such as Pentland Road wind farm and the Stornoway wind farm should be encouraged. We need them and we need them sooner rather than later.
Vote Morrison 1 and be assured of being represented as you deserve to be, by someone who will be in touch with you on a regular basis, and to whom you will have easy access whenever you might need assistance from your local councillor.
When you vote Morrison 1, you will be voting for someone who genuinely has your interests, and the interests of the wider community at heart.
I thank you for taking the time to read this and wish you all the very best for the future regardless of the outcome on May 3rd.