New faces join political veteran

TROSSACHS & TEITH

There was no change party-wise in the first ward declared, but two of the three councillors are new faces.

Trossachs and Teith ward saw the Conservatives holding on to two seats and the SNP the third.

However, while encumbent Martin Earl kept a grip of his seat he will have a new Tory colleague. Former community councillor Elaine Watterson replaced Jeremy Mcdonald as the Tories’ second candidate.

Councillor Watterson, who has lived in Callander for nearly 20 years, has previously been a community councillor and her career path took her into accountancy and financial advice.

Gene Maxwell is the new face for the SNP in the ward. He stood in place of Evelyn Tweed, who chose not run for the council again after being elected Stirling’s MSP at last year’s Scottish Parliament election.

A former Army officer, Mr Maxwell has also worked in the logistics industry, managed a local restaurant and ran the fundraising operation for a successful national charity based in Stirling and, in his free time, enjoys a keen interest in restoring old Land Rovers.

Following the result, Mr Earl said:“it’s a third term for myself and I’m very thankful to everyone who supported me.

“It’s quite humbling to be honest and I hope people think I do a decent job and that I work hard and I will continue to do that.

“I’m delighted that Elaine got in as well and with Gene, that’s two new councillors elected for the ward and hopefully we can work together collectively for the good of the ward.

“The vast majority of what you do in Trossachs and Teith is not political - infrastructure, roads and services - all councillors in wards need to be able to collegiately and I hope we will be able to do that.”