All individual candidates or political groups contesting the forthcoming local council elections in Moray are invited to state their case through the pages of our community news site – contact for submissions is editor@insidemoray.news. Here we have views of John Cowe, Independent candidate for Heldon & Laich.
FOUR YEARS AGO the electorate of Heldon & Laich gave me the honour of representing them on Moray Council as an Independent Councillor.
To be honest, I did not know what was ahead of me and it’s safe to say many who are elected on the May 4 will feel as I did then.
I am reminded also that it was the Editor of this very publication who was in second place when I was elected – and he often reminds me that it was the biggest favour I had ever done for him!
I am a Lossiemouth man, raised and lived there all my life. My working background was in the Seafoods Industry, growing a business which exports worldwide – promoting the wonderful larder of Moray.
During this time I was fortunate to be recognised, both locally and nationally for my contribution to the economy of Moray and Scotland.
Within days of becoming a Councillor I was asked to be Chairman of Economic Development and Infrastructure and weeks later to also Chair the Moray Economic Partnership and have worked tirelessly in support of local businesses, helping new and established entrepreneurs expand and create employment in Moray.
Recently the Moray Economic Partnership was credited by the Scottish Government for playing a crucial role in retaining Kinloss Barracks and as the economy is the No1 priority of Moray Council it has been my privilege to be at its helm these past four years.
I make only one promise to the electorate of Heldon & Laich – that is to do my best on their behalf and try to continue the progress of the past four years.
I am proud of the role I have already played in ensuring that we get a new High School in Lossiemouth to be proud of, including a Community Centre, Library and Swimming Pool – one that benefits the children of Lossiemouth, Hopeman, Burghead and the surrounding area by March 2020.
Other achievements in the last four years have been the introduction of Seafest and the Lossiemouth Development Trust with their ongoing Community Asset Transfer for Station Park and East Beach Bridge refurbishment.
I hope to continue fighting for all of these things and more in the Council chamber.
Also contesting the Heldon & Laich ward are: James Allan (Scottish Conservative and Unionist), Ryan Edwards (Independent), James MacKessack-Leitch (Scottish Greens), John Mitchell (Scottish Lib Dem), Amy Patience (SNP), Dennis Slater (Independent).