Community focus of SNP candidates
Hopefuls to contest rural wards in May 5 elections
The SNP have announced their candidates for rural Stirling wards at the May 5 council elections.
John Watson and Gene Maxwell are to contest the Trossachs and Teith ward for the party.
John Watson is a consultant working in the energy sector who has been a lifelong resident of Trossachs and Teith. John spent his formative years at Loch Katrine attending Inversnaid Primary and McLaren High schools. More recently he has been a community councillor in Callander.
John says; “Having lived and worked locally all my life, I have the necessary appreciation of the challenges facing local residents and businesses as we emerge from the pandemic. Trossachs and Teith is a magnificent ward and if elected, I will represent the unique needs of the local area.”
Gene Maxwell is a former army officer who has been active in the Trossachs community for many years, something he says ensures he understands the issues affecting local rural areas, towns and villages.
Gene says “Helping make this a place where people can live, work and bring up a family is my priority, focussing on the delivery of local services like our schools, transport, housing and broadband rollout. Assisting local businesses to recover sustainably from the pandemic will be key.”
Rosemary Fraser and Paul Goodwin meanwhile have been announced as the SNP’s candidates to contest the Forth and Endrick ward.
Following a 30-year career as a chartered financial planner and business consultant, Rosemary currently operates a zero-waste refill shop as a social enterprise in Dunblane, where putting planet and people before profit is the driving ethos.
Rosemary said: “People make communities. I am passionate about supporting people and this underpins all I will do as your local councillor. I care deeply about inclusion, equality and diversity and aim to create a fairer, more equal and more just society.”
Paul Goodwin has lived in Kippen for 17 years and is co-founder of the Scottish Football Supporters Association which he helped grow to an organisation of nearly 76,000 members. In 2010/11 Paul became known locally after leading the campaign to save Stirling Albion FC from collapse and running the club for 18 months.
Paul says, “I am privileged to live in this beautiful area that I hope to represent. Living here gives me a perspective of the local needs and wants and I hope to work tirelessly to represent these and take steps to offer solutions.”