WRG work goes on regardless

After the WRG meeting on Friday evening it was decided to tackle Caledonian Properties head- on over their refusal to clean up the land along the 'ransom strip' on Angus Avenue. This is the same strip of land that could make the difference between a safe journey to school for our children and a journey mixing with delivery vans and cars.

So a few of the group got their gloves and rakes out to clear up a section of the strip, bag the rubbish and take it down to their offices at the Cross.

To find out what happened...buy this week's Bishopbriggs Herald.

Bumped into Alan Brown this morning while doing some final leaflets. Disappointed to learn about his taste in music...to find out how bad it is buy me a pint the next time I see you and I will reveal all.

Election loss

Thought that would grab your attention. If you live in Myrtle Square and you have found a small digital camera lying beside your path, could you please contact me.
Just one of the many dangers of leafleting.

I was sent this email by a friend on this very subject who is helping to leaflet:

I have some new issues for your manifesto.

i) Houses with more than four steps to the front door.

ii) Letter boxes designed specifically not to be delivered to.

and

iii)Man eating "pets."

Note:The above conditions being most dangerous when encountered all at once!!!!!!

Seriously it was nae bother.

I would add that once elected I'll be fighting for a British Standard regarding which side a gate opens on, the consistent design of gate latches and letterboxes not to be at the bottom of doors.

What I had not expected to see were doors with hand written notes saying NO ELECTION LEAFLETS. I don't know if this is because of the volume of them or the banal quality of most of them.

I can understand people being fed up with political parties, after all that's why I'm standing. But to shut out a possible message from a candidate (not just me) seems the wrong way to go.

It was less than 100 years ago that the suffragettes were dying so that women could vote and now, especially in this ward, turnouts can be as low as 53%.

It is up to prospective councillors to give Bishopbriggs South a message that is not simply a re-hash or copy of another candidate's, but something fresh and different to invigorate the electorate.

What Gott into him?

Today, along with the rest of the Independent Alliance candidates, I spent the morning in Milngavie.
This week it only took the SNP 18 minutes to turn up behind us. For the past two weeks they have been 'stalking' us as we've moved from Town Centre to Town Centre. The word on the street in Milngavie is that they are unlikely to pick up any anti Lib Dem votes as they are viewed as being more unwelcome than even the Labour Party!
Across the precinct I could see Eric Gotts. Eric strikes me as being a decent man, but he looked a forlorn figure standing outside Iceland. The perfect place to get a frosty reception I suppose.
I received an email tonight challenging me over the statement about Cathy McInnes being unable to find Lib Dem voters in Bishopbriggs. I was told this by another candidate in another ward, who was told it by another candidate in yet another ward, who was apparently told this by Cathy herself.
Happy to retract this if we can get another two people from Bishopbriggs who are not and have never been members of the Lib Dems to come on and tell the world they are voting Lib Dem.

Academy Board

Today I received confirmation that I've been elected onto the Bishopbriggs Academy School Board. I'll be joined by Kathy Dunsmore as one of two new members of the Board.
Tonight I attended the regular Woodhill Residents Group meeting. If you want to keep up to date with the work of the WRG logon to
http://www.woodhillresidentsgroup.org.uk/
this weekend we will be picking up litter from the 'ransom strip' which Caledonian Properties have not bothered to move since being told about over a month ago.
Watch this space.

Tempo rises and so does the temp!

Another hard day out leafleting. Yesterday as the Chair of the Woodhill Residents Group I spoke to members of the St Dominic Senior Citizens Club about our Play in the Park initiative and also our traffic survey.
Today the Bishopbriggs Herald called to see how the survey was getting on. i was able to report that the response has been great, and with the paper flyers going out all the time hopefully we'll get a better picture of just what is of greatest concern to local residents.
Off to bed...my legs are too tired to type any more!

Save our NHS Group

Received this email when I got back from putting out my second leaflet this morning.



Hi Donald,
It was good to have met you last week. I've had a look at your leaflet and the website...I think you're right that there's an appetite for change and that people are generally disillusioned with what is euphemistically known as political democracy. Most people I've met in the last week or so aren't too thrilled with party politics.
They've also raised a lot of the issues you highlight...Marks & Spencer, Stobhill Hospital, profiteering from the building of schools, ineffective council, etc. I have to say, I even agree with what you say...maybe I should be switching allegiance?????!
Anyway, I hope you do well...we're getting a good response - especially in Bishopbriggs and Alexandria - but we have such a lot of ground to cover in a short time.
Anyway, whatever happens I think you and your group should be commended for making a stand and being politically apolitical!
Best wishes and good luck,
Andrew Billson-Page
Save our NHS Group

Education Education Education

Today I received a request from the EIS to state my opinions on Education in East Dunbartonshire. It might sound woolly but I don't have any policies on Education in the same way Labour or Conservatives have.
My policy is to reflect the views of people in Bishopbriggs South. And that could be different from my own personal views. But that's old fashioned politics for you.
For the record I'll be telling the EIS that I think the electorate in Bishopbriggs South will

• support the right for all 3-5 year olds to attend nursery
• support smaller class sizes
• not support rationalising primary schools - with the proviso that they cannot be allowed to drain resources from other more viable schools
• support more investment in primary school buildings
• pay for this with prudential borrowing not PPP/PFI
• support the six new secondary school, although I don't for a minute think that anyone didn't support them in the first place. What they didn't support was not being given the full story as to why schools were being moved or losing land under false pretences
• support smaller class sizes in secondary schools
• and support additional investment for additional needs of children

Having read both the EIS manifesto for the election and the Curriculum for Excellence it is vital for the future of Scotland that we support teachers at every opportunity. Having spent some considerable time over the past year in a local primary school in preparation for applying to undertake a PGDE in Primary Education, I am more aware than most 'outsiders' of the challenges faced by teachers at the 'whiteboard' nowadays. In particular persistent low level disruption which not only robs the perpetrators but also the rest of the class, and even nowadays struggles to get adequate textbooks.

Reception clear

Over the past fortnight, as other Independent candidates and myself have been out and about, the reception has been incredible. Seasoned campaigners say they have never experienced anything quite like this. People seem to be sick of Party Politics and appear to be getting ready to do something about it on May 3rd.

SNP breaks election pledge already

Along with all of the other Independent Alliance candidates we spent a rather driech Saturday morning handing out flyers in Kirkintilloch.

Also in attendance were the SNP. One of the group was saying to passing shoppers, 'vote SNP - we're campaigning for better weather', to which my wife said to him quick as a flash, 'is that you making promises that you can't deliver already!'

Seemingly Lib Dem Cathy McInnes has been telling people that she can't find a single person in Bishopbriggs prepared to support her. Frankly after what has happened with the Academy, the Prison and Marks and Spencer I'm surprised she can even find that many!!!

Fair comment

Received this email via http://www.voteindie.org/ today. It is good to see that the message is getting through that Independent candidates are committed to local issues. What is the point of voting SNP at the local elections for Independence, when an SNP councillor will not be able to deliver that. Whereas an Independent candidiate offering real local consultation will be able to do just that. Anyway here's the email.


'Hi there, I live in Kirkintilloch with my wife and we received one of your leaflets through our door and I have to say it was a breath of fresh air.
What a difference to hear specific, genuine local issues being mentioned instead of the vague terms being used by the usual parties we are both definitely pledging our votes to our local candidate and would both love to help in any way we can.'

Remember you can send me or any of the candidates an email via our website - http://www.voteindie.org/

Bishopbriggs Herald

Today we got our first look at the Manifestos of everyone who is standing in both Bishopbriggs North and South printed in the Bishopbriggs Herald. Interesting reading. There was no mention of the new secondary schools by the Lib Dems, and only one mention by Lib Dems in the other 3 wards.

Recently I spoke to a senior educationalist who expressed their total disbelief that a council could create such ill will when building new schools. They claimed that this was unheard of.

I must agree, new schools for our children is of such importance that parents and residents should be delighted at the prospect. Instead what we got over the past year was a lot of unhappy people, because consultation was ignored and everyone suspected that the reasons given for changing the location of the school were not the true reasons...that financial matters were of greater importance than the claimed educational ones.

With a change of administration a certainty, this way of treating the council tax payers will hopefully become nothing more than a bad memory.

A politics free meeting at last

What a difference to go to a meeting and be free from election talk. This is what happened tonight when I spoke at the Glasgow North and Bishopbriggs Rotary Club, of which I recently became a member. I spoke about the industry I worked in for the past 20 years, namely the Newspaper Game.

After that it was on to the Bishopbriggs Community Council meeting where I was able to update everyone on the exciting plans for this year's Gala Day. Just a few more confirmations before we launch this year's event.

Interestingly Tom Dibble predicted that neither he, me or Gordon Low would be elected based upon his 'canvassing'. Totally the opposite from what I'm hearing from all parts of the ward...except for Tom and Gordon!

Candidates briefing

Today I attended a meeting of candidates at Tom Johnson House to be given information about the lead up to the election. Most people seemed fairly relaxed and friendly to each other...but I bet that might change over the coming weeks and months.

This evening along with a big group of Independent supporters I went over to Milngavie to give Pat Ryan a hand putting out his leaflets. He has a good strong presence with his lamp post signs.

It was lovely cool evening, just perfect for delivering leaflets. Boy - the drives are long in Milngavie! Glad to get home and put my feet up

Day Off

Decided to enjoy the good weather and cycle with my Brother in Law, along the Forth & Clyde canal to Sea Lock No 2 at Grangemouth. The mistake was deciding to cycle back! 50 miles all in (according to the Brother in Laws fancy on board computer). I'll be glad to get a rest tomorrow delivering leaflets.

On a more serious note, the state of the surface along the canal could really do with some improving. The canal is a great outdoor feature, right here on our doorstep. We should be making it as attractive as possible, not something that would put you off using the canal and getting fit.

My Brother in Law is disabled and rides (sits?) this fancy German three wheeler. But he says that he could not possible use the canal on his wheelchair because of the poor state of the surface. An improved surface on the canal towpath would not only benefit disabled users, but also able-bodied runners, cyclists and walkers.

Pick a winner

Today I was joined at Bishopbriggs Cross by Jim Gilmour, the Independent candidate for Bishopbriggs North. There was also a good turnout from other Independent candidates and supporters from across East Dunbartonshire.

We were joined by the SNP, and at one point the Labour Party bus drove through the cross with what I assumed to be Una Walker waving regally from the open top deck. The bus must have been running behind it's timetable, because it barely slowed down as it passed the cross. Either that or they weren't too keen in letting anyone speak to them.

Afterwards I relaxed with my wife watching the national. I don't usually bet and was surprised to learn that you don't pay any tax on your wager. I must get out more. Anyway it was all in vain (as usual) except that my wife backed Silver Birch at 33-1. She says that she usually picks a winner - I think she meant me:)

Lamp posts

The first of the lamppost signs went up today. Lovely weather for it!

Dear Sir

The (Glasgow) Herald had an election 2007 supplement today. But there was no mention of the Independent candidates or indeed Independent councillors in their analysis. This apart it painted a fairly accurate picture of the problems facing the established political parties in East Dunbartonshire.
But I decided to write to the Editor via the letters page.

In case they don't print it, here's the letter.


Dear Sir

It is truly a brave man or woman who disagrees with The Herald when it says that something it has printed is not 'authoritative'. However I must question just how authoritative the Election 2007 Guide (12 April) was in respect of the Independent Alliance in East Dunbartonshire. The Independent Alliance already has two councillors and will be fielding a candidate in 6 of the 8 so-called super wards. Sadly they failed to get a mention.

The Independent Alliance, as the name suggests, are a group of Independents who are working together - but are not controlled by any party whip. Perhaps our philosophy of co-operation will bring some much needed harmony to the disarray affecting our area. The fact that this council can create opposition for new schools is incredible. But like the bins this is due to the arrogant and secretive way they have gone about making decisions.

With real consultation comes better decisions. Something long overdue for the people of East Dunbartonshire.

Donald Macdonald
Independent Alliance candidate for Bishopbriggs South

Get fit...get elected

I've made the decision to use the run up to the election to get a bit fitter.

This morning's 500 leaflets burned the equivalent of some 500 calories. During the afternoon I cycled around Woodhill planning the best locations for the 200 lamp post bills I have planned.

I am certainly becoming fit...fit to drop!

Tonight met with some of the other Independent candidates who are working with me. All report the same thing, lots of support on the doorstep and promises of votes. It's surprising how quick the message is spreading. When I put out leaflets this morning, little did I think that someone would be speaking to the Bishopbriggs North candidate Jim Gilmour a couple of hours later in Torrance and saying he'd be voting for me.

Taking a leaf(let) out of someone's book

Without doubt the creation of super wards to accommodate STV or PR was a great idea. But did anyone give any thought to the poor candidates and how they would go about putting leaflets through all of the doors in the area.

At over 5,000 houses, Bishopbriggs South is by no means the largest ward but that doesn't make it any easier to cover. At least one rival has reverted to the old standby of relatives and grandchildren.

Maybe next time around, local council candidates will be allowed to have a 'free' mail drop courtesy of the Post Office.

So can anyone help and spare the odd hour to drop leaflets. Please click on the comment link below.

Play in the Park

It was nice to have a bit of a day off yesterday from organising things for the election. But you never have a day off really.

Here I am trying out the swings in Etive Park...all in the line of duty of course. The Woodhill Residents Group are working to get funding to improve play parks all over Woodhill. Modern equipment, but also fairly ordinary stuff too, like paths and lighting. But it is important to get peoples views.

If you would like to give your thoughts, please visit www.woodhillresidentsgroup.org.uk/playareas

It is vital that residents are consulted before the process starts, rather than at the end when it is harder to make changes.

Go on have your say about the swings...and don't say keep Macdonald off them!

Hit the street

The first morning of handing out leaflets and balloons at the Woodhill shops went off like a dream. The reaction from the people receiving the leaflets was very positive. Many recognised me from my work with the Parents Association at Wester Cleddens school. As well as the school campaign.
What was noticeable was just how busy the road at the shops is. We witnessed two near misses and sundry cars parked on pavements and on yellow lines. There really needs to be a cohesive plan for parking here that won't take business away from the shops, upset residents and help customers.

What a bunch of Balloons

Took delivery of the first 1,000 balloons which will be given out by candidates over the coming weeks. One definite voter, but will have to wait about 15 years until she can vote for her daddy!
Incidentally, the lady at the balloon suppliers was saying that we need more Independent councillors, as they can fight for their constituents rather than simply toe the party line.

Admin, admin and admin

Today I lodged my nomination papers at Tom Johnson House. There seemed to be a form for every eventuality and part of the election process.

Sadly my day was spoiled by an apparently random act of vandalism on both my car and my wife's car. However when I tried to contact the local police it proved very difficult to simply pass on the information about what had happened to our vehicles. It used to be a fairly simple matter to call the local police station and report an incident, so that the next shift would be aware of what was happening on their beat. Ah if only it was so simple. But that's progress.

Battle Bus or should that be trailer?

One of the benefits for me of working with other Independent candidates is that you can get synergies like this. Individually I could never hope to organise this. But working together it helps everyone. But never forget we are working together as equal partners. There is no 'whip' or 'party line'. It means that an Independent candidate can vote in the best interests of their constituents...not in the best interests of their party as we have seen so often in recent months.

More voters

A member of the Woodhill Residents Group always greets me with the statement - " got a couple more voters for you" whenever I bump into him.
It always cheers me up.
Today I had the same experience when a neighbour's friend shouted across the road to me, 'give me your autograph'. I asked if he would do likewise for me on the ballot paper and he replied certainly...because I'm not representing any political party.

Another Independent

Today I met with Robbie Robertson, Jean Turner's election agent. It is clear that not only Jean, but also her team has a clear vision of what is needed not just in relation to Stobhill, but also hospital provision all round the north of Glasgow.
Plans for Jean's campaign seem very well advanced and I have offered to help in Bishopbriggs South. If you are reading this and you would also like to help Jean Turner to be re-elected please click on the comment button below, and I'll pass on your details.

Far and wide

The brother in law visits me today. He was talking to a Tory party activist from the HELENSBURGH area who said that he'd heard all about me and the Woodhill Residents Group's campaign about the fight to be told the real reasons for the school being moved.