Wednesday May 3rd 2017
Here are all the candidates standing in the Bonnyrigg ward. Three candidates will be elected as councillors. The methood of voting differs in a Local Election so click HERE for a quick reminder.
Dianne Alexander – SNP
Dianne lives in Rosewell with her husband. She is passionate about her community and is a member of Tyne and Esk Writers, and other Midlothian based cultural groups. She has started up a Midlothian WASPI group.
Dianne believes in the importance of putting her community first and in particular protecting our libraries and promoting our cultural heritage.
Commenting Dianne stated “There remains much work to do supporting the vulnerable in our society against the savage Tory budget cuts. If elected I am determined to work hard for my constituents and to ensure Midlothian keeps moving forward. I am fortunate that I am now in a position to give back time to the community in which I have lived, and which has given me so much pleasure, for many years.”
Dianne is a keen walker and cyclist and intends to promote these activities within the Council if elected
Ian Baxter – Greens
I have lived in Bonnyrigg for 36 years with my wife Karen, a retired Primary school teacher. I worked in IT and Finance for 30 years, then as a freelance Bookkeeper for social enterprises and charities. In 2012 I was elected as Midlothian’s first Green councillorand have dedicated my time to that task.
My emphasis as a councillor has been to work with other parties to find common ground and try to make a real difference at a time when local government is under enormous pressure. We have to find new ways of working and often there is a surprising amount of common ground.
Issues such as climate change, active travel and sustainability have until recently just been paid lip service to by all other parties and within the council, and although this is changing much more pressure is needed. This will only happen if more Green councillors are elected.
We are seeing many new housing developments with inadequate infrastructure to support them. There is no sustainable or integrated transport strategy for Midlothian which supports our growing local economy. Unless we address this critical issue before it’s too late, we will face permanent gridlock which will become very difficult to resolve.
Colin Lawrie – SNP
Colin is a nurse, working for the NHS at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, very happily married with 6 children and 5 grandchildren.
Colin, a keen biker, is also Vice President of an anti bullying support group called Bikes Against Bullies which has campaigned across Scotland which has been a great success. The faces of the children the group helps when all these bikers turn up to support them are priceless memories that make all the background work worthwhile.
“I will work hard for our community and for what I believe in and wish to have the chance to bring my passion for caring to the role of councillor. Within my role as a nurse i am an agent of change and efficiency. My role involves looking at best practice in other areas and introducing change for the benefit of the patients, staff and the organisation in general. I would like to use these skills for the benefit of our community.”
Janet Lay-Douglas – Conservatives
Janet has lived locally in Bonnyrigg for a number of years and has brought up her family here. After a career in international fashion and gaining wealth of experiences Janet is keen keen to make a difference to her local community and be a strong voice for Bonnyrigg and Lasswade.
Janet wants to see services and infrastructure improved in her locally community and across Midlothian, and has a keen interest in improving the facilities available for children and young people. Delivering value for money from local services and standing up for local residents are Janet’s top priorities
George McIntyre – Independent
George McIntyre is standing as an Independent candidate in the Bonnyrigg Ward.
Midlothian View have been unable to get hold of George for a profile.
Derek Milligan – Labour
After 5 years running Midlothian Council the SNP/Green budgets have left the Council’s finances in a mess, spending over £4 million more than it has coming in and facing upto £40 million of further cuts from Scottish and British governments over the next 5 years.
As the SNP/ Green budget used up all available reserves (Council savings) to fill the budget gap this year, and with no means to raise significant additional finance, there is an urgent need to fight the cuts or reduce spending by an estimated £12 million by the end of 2017.
As you can imagine this will have a serious impact on all local Council services. It is time to stop the meaningless consultations and start doing what is right for those that need help most.
If I am re-elected I will fight against the government cuts and protect funding for services most in need.
Louie Milliken – Labour
My name is Louie Milliken and I am 41 years old. I live in Bonnyrigg and I am married to Neil and we have 4 daughters attending local schools and university. We are also a fostering family. I have worked with children and early years for last 12 years. I was a childminder for 10 years before becoming a foster carer. I am also an early year’s practitioner. I have an HNC in early years and childcare and I am currently in my last year of my degree studying my BA Childhood Practice.
I am also chairperson of Bonnyrigg events committee who organise the xmas lights ceremony every year and I can be found on the stage with the chosen children who are switching the lights on. I enjoy working in the community, our community and if elected would be proud to stand up and represent all the people who make up our fantastic towns.
I have worked with Bright Sparks additional needs group and have fundraised for Bonnyrigg Rose football team and Lasswade Primary School over the years. I have also fundraised for Richmond Hope Bereavement Charity who are much needed in our community.
I decided to stand for election as I feel I have a lot to contribute to the area and I will stand up and fight for my community. I am fully aware of challenges faced by families every day.
For me, community means everything.
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