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Caithness News Bulletins February 2003

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Highland Council Candidate - Wick Ward
Graham Smith - Liberal Democrat

About Graeme
I have lived in Wick for over 18 years.  I joined the Liberal Party in 1982 and have worked closely with Robert MacLennan, Jamie Stone and John Thurso.  Until 1995 I managed the Employment Service in Caithness & Sutherland, based in Wick.

I was elected to represent Wick on the Highland council in 1999 and I battled hard on many local issues since then.  I am also on the royal Burgh of Wick community council, a key body speaking up for Wick.  since 1999 real effort has gone in to sorting the problems that have beset Wick over many years.  The fruits are now just starting to show.  Aged 49, I believe I have the right mix of energy and Council experience to help push on with this regeneration of Wick.

Recently, with solid support from the Staxigoe & Papigoe communities, and after intense pressure of officials in HQ., I helped get the school bus re-instated.  I have been working hard to make sure that we install a proper nursery play surface in North School during May.  I chair the Wick Project steering group which is starting to oversee the sensitive re-development of the town, and the Lower Pulteney Town Heritage Initiative which will transform that area over the next few years.  I helped wick Harbour Trust get proper funding from National and Local government, to strengthen their planning their medium-term future.  currently i chair the Area Planning Committee, this is a key position for planning the future of Wick and its environment.  I am also the Council's representative on the Caithness Archaeological Trust.  As a committee member of the local branch of Alzheimer Scotland I take a keen interest in local Health and Social Issues.

With real community effort we will soon be able to say "Wick Works Weil" again.

I believe that I am well placed to keep working for the community in this.