1) What do you plan on doing for the people of Andover?
I would like to provide local people with a ‘direct line’ to the council, a magnifying glass for the issues inside the council that never get addressed or the public never find out about that cost us money, and result in poor service. I was recently accused of being childish for raising potholes as an election issue. But I don’t think it’s childish to point out that after four years of complaining about their road in Wherwell, pensioners in their 70s actually filled in their own potholes. And yes, I got my hands dirty and helped them – you don’t often see our councillors doing that! I am not suggesting throwing more money at the issue. The money needs to be spent in a better way with better controls on the contracts.
2) What have you done for the people of Andover?
I have supported my community through the cricket club with over 20 years of service as either captain or chairman. I came up with the idea for the Wherwell Last Night of the Proms, and was the ‘driving force’ – not my words – behind its first event which is now annually raising thousands of pounds for local charities. I have also helped drive forward the development of affordable housing for local people.
3) Why should people vote for you?
It would be difficult to find a person as passionate as I am about this part or the country. I was born here, went to school here, went to Cricklade College, and came back after university to contribute to the community that brought me up. There is a heart and a soul to the place we live in that needs protecting and nurturing, regardless of who you vote for. I hope you see that those who are in the job now are not giving us value for money from the council, and neither are they protecting the heart and soul of our communities. I believe I can do a better job than they can; only your vote can help me prove it.