This week as part of our council election coverage we are looking at the candidates in the Lochar ward.
There are five hopefuls going for four spots with two sitting councillors.
The ward has an electorate of 10,140 and the main towns and villages are Ae, Auldgirth, Collin, Dalswinton, Heathhall and Locharbriggs, Holywood, Kirkton and Torthorwald.
Linda Dorward - Labour
I’ve spent 36 years in public service, from working as a nurse to most recently governor of Dumfries Prison.
I’ve made my home here in Lochar ward and I want to make a positive difference to the lives of people who live here, listening to local people and giving them a strong voice on the council.
I have the experience needed to get things done and I recognise the expectations you have of public servants in terms of honesty, integrity and decency, I believe strongly in living these values. In politics today that’s never been more important.
It’s been a difficult few years for everyone, and I want to support our community as we recover from the pandemic.
Government cuts to council budgets mean our local services are under pressure and with families facing a cost of living crisis, every penny of your council tax needs to be properly spent. I’ll be fighting to protect your services from local libraries to local schools and care for our older people and making sure we get the basics right, from fixing potholes to maintaining our playparks.
With your support, it would be an honour to represent you as councillor for Lochar ward.
Ivor Hyslop - Scottish Conservatives
I have lived in Lochar ward all my life and work within Dumfries town centre.
I have a background in local issues having previously been a hall committee chairman before being asked to stand for my then local community council, where I was chair, before being elected to Dumfries and Galloway Council.
I have always put the local issues residents have highlighted to me as the most important. Whether it is education, roads or the economy I have always looked to improve and invest in areas of concern.
Maureen Johnstone - Scottish Conservatives
As we gradually recover from Covid-19, we need to build back a better, more robust economy, making use of funds available.
Schools furnished with equipment for today’s education needs, with buildings fit for purpose.
There is a need more than ever with the rise in the cost of living to look after vulnerable residents of all ages, provide public transport with workable timetables and routes that meet the needs of society. We need to listen to those who work in social care and housing.
We must revisit the proposed flood defence scheme for the Whitesands. Is this the time to be spending millions on a scheme, still under scrutiny, when our roads desperately need repair?
An increase in the number of day centres and facilities for the vulnerable in our communities, roads and pavements accessible for all, affordable homes encouraging families to stay and work in Dumfries and Galloway.
I have set out what I believe are important issues while actively engaging and seeking out the views of local people, if elected I will treat all issues brought to me with respect, as I work to make Dumfries and Galloway an even better place for everyone.
Tracey Little - Scottish National Party
It has been an absolute privilege to be your local councillor and an honour to be Provost of Dumfries.
I will continue to work on your behalf, representing the people of Lochar ward with honesty, passion, integrity and empathy.
I am a Doonhamer through and through, born and raised in Dumfrie,s so have a strong sense of shared experience with the people in this community and have witnessed the many changes over the decades – and probably more than a little biased.
I love my home town and want to make sure it is a great place for everyone – vibrant, safe and economically thriving. I will continue to seize every opportunity to promote our wonderful region as an excellent location in which to live, work, create and study.
Our schools, local healthcare provision, family services and public transport are all key to get us through the cost of living crisis. I will ensure these services are properly resourced.
I will also make certain that educational opportunities are available that target the requirements of our region’s workplaces, as well as national and international markets.
I have the energy, commitment, vision and drive to deliver for Dumfries & Galloway.
Sandy Rogerson - Scottish Green Party
I live near Dumfries town centre and have served on Loreburn Community Council for more than five years.
Scottish Green councillors will push for flood management further upstream to enable the landscape to absorb flood water, negating the need for an expensive scheme in Dumfries itself.
I would support town centre regeneration, involving the community, getting people living in our town centre and building on the excellent work done so far by the Midsteeple Quarter, who can attract funding from sources that the council cannot.
The gull problem in Dumfries can be dealt with by better food waste management, and the Scottish Green minister at Holyrood is working on additional funding for councils to address this. Removing the food will mean the gulls move on elsewhere.
I would push for the council to access Scottish Government funding for active travel, and prioritise public transport, thereby reducing the wear and tear on our local roads. I would push the council to finally address the problem of vehicles accessing the town centre pedestrian zone during trading hours, an issue I have raised through the community council.
A vote for the Scottish Greens is a vote for positive change in Dumfries and Galloway.
