BELOW are brief profiles of the six candidates standing for election in the North Berwick Coastal ward at the East Lothian Council election on Thursday, May 4.
Three of them will be elected.
North Berwick Coastal is currently represented by one Conservative, one Labour and one independent councillor.
Candidates are listed below in alphabetical order.
Jeremy Findlay (Conservative)
BROUGHT up in rural Angus, Jeremy Findlay lived most of his adult life in Edinburgh before moving to Gullane 10 years ago. Married for 32 years to a school teacher, they have three grown-up children. He started his own business arranging golf tours to Scotland in 1999. He said: “On moving to Gullane, I joined the community council, becoming chairman three years ago. This, as well as being on the North Berwick Area Partnership, has given me a good insight into the issues that this ward faces.”
Laura Forrest (SNP)
A FORMER North Berwick school pupil, Dr Laura Lowe Forrest researches the evolution of early-diverging land plants and teaches plant DNA methods at the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh. Laura has studied and worked in England and the USA, returning to North Berwick with her daughter six years ago. If elected, Laura will focus on environmental issues and improving the planning process to better protect East Lothian. She will also work to mitigate Tory Government austerity measures.
Jim Goodfellow (Labour)
JIM Goodfellow taught at North Berwick High School before retiring in 2006. He has been active in the community throughout his life in North Berwick, including serving as chairman of the community council. He said: “I feel the major issues in the North Berwick Coastal area are lack of affordable homes to rent or buy, maintenance of health and care facilities and upgrading of schools, all of which are under pressure. I have worked hard over the last five years, holding regular surgeries throughout the area to represent all constituents, and hope to be re-elected.”
Jane Henderson (Conservative)
JANE Henderson has lived just outside North Berwick for over 10 years. After an international career in the investment and pensions industry, she welcomes the opportunity to “stay at home”. She is a fully-qualified, university-trained STGA Blue Badge Scottish Tourist Guide. She said: “My love of the countryside and rural affairs is balanced by an understanding of economic realities and the enormous challenges facing a county in such close proximity to the sprawl of the Capital.”
Robert O'Riordan (Liberal Democrats)
ROBERT O’Riordan has lived in Gullane with his family since 1999 and is now retired. He said: “Further rapid population growth looks likely due to the outstanding attractions of this area and its proximity to Edinburgh. Growth can, and should, bring long-term economic and social benefits but it needs careful management so that transport, education and healthcare provision meet the needs of an expanding population without damaging communities, landscapes and livelihoods.”
Eurig Scandrett (Greens)
EURIG Scandrett lives in North Berwick and is a lecturer in sociology and coordinator of postgraduate programmes in social justice at Queen Margaret University, Musselburgh. For eight years he was head of community action at Friends of the Earth Scotland; he is co-ordinator of the Bhopal Survivors’ Movement Study and is a Fellow of the Centre for Human Ecology. He previously stood as a candidate in the council elections in 2007.
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