Who will you vote for? (From Warrington Guardian)

Who will you vote for?

RESIDENTS of the Verdin and Swanlow wards in Winsford will have the opportunity to vote for their representative on Vale Royal Borough Council at a by-election taking place this month.

The election will be held on Thursday, January 20, with three candidates to choose from in each ward.

This week, the Guardian is giving all six candidates the chance to persuade residents to vote for them.

Swanlow Ward

Tony Dahill, Conservative Party: "During my police service I witnessed at first hand the problems people experience daily, many of which can be resolved with a little help, understanding and determination.

"Since leaving the service I have sought an opportunity to help people in a similar way and being selected to represent the Conservative Party at the Swanlow by-election has presented me with that opportunity.

If elected I will, as a member of the Primary Care Trust scrutiny committee and the Local Strategic Partnership, work to resolve issues which concern the residents of Swanlow, particularly the elderly.

"I intend to form a community safety partnership group within the ward and linking my work with the Vale Royal Community Safety Partnership.

"As chairman of the Vale Royal Association of Town and Parish Councils, which speaks on matters directly affecting the life of people throughout Vale Royal, I will be able to continue working with the many agencies to enhance the quality of life and well being of everyone within the ward.

"Much can be achieved by hard work and I welcome the opportunity to meet more residents and work on their behalf."

Brandon Parkey,

Liberal Democrat:

"After spending more than 31 years in the chemical industry including working in Europe, I have taken early retirement and am now actively working within the community and for local charities including St Luke's Hospice.

"I am also the vice chairman of the Eddisbury constituency of the Liberal Democrats.

"Living locally on the Carisbrook estate I am readily on hand to respond to your needs as and when they arise.

"I am delighted to have been selected as the Liberal Democrat candidate for this election and that the local residents will have the opportunity to vote for the borough councillor of their choice and not have one selected for them.

"From local surveys we realise that many people are disappointed in the Labour Government.

"The rot really set in when in 2002 the Labour Party offered pensioners an insulting 84 pence increase a week on their old age pension.

"Since then things have gone from bad to worse with annual increases in Council Tax. Many pensioners are now paying more and more every year when a local income tax would be a much fairer way of paying for local government services."

Steve Smith, Labour:

"I was born and brought up in Winsford and attended local schools.

"I have put time and effort into Winsford as the founder and organiser of the Winsford Town Festival, and more recently the Winsford Riverside Festival.

"I am also a school governor within the ward at Over Hall Community School, where the Labour Government has given money to initiate Sure Start supporting parents.

"The Labour Party has worked hard for Winsford residents and is committed to continue solving local issues such as mending roads, refuse collection, recycling and working on bigger issues such as health, employment and education.

"I pledge my support to the residents of Swanlow by campaigning to bring back the weekly collection of refuse and to improve the existing recycling scheme.

"I will also keep open the Swanlow Lane Post Office for the benefit of local people.

"I would also like to see an additional play area in the Swanlow area for Glebe Green residents.

"When elected, I pledge my support to continue working for better services for the ward and Winsford as a whole."

Verdin Ward

Derek Wright, Labour Party:

"I am an active pensioner and committed to doing the best for Winsford. I want to be a voice for the people who feel they are not listened to.

"I hold on to the Labour Party's policies and principles, but my standing for Verdin is much more than that.

"I have a real concern to see that everyone is given the opportunity to live life to the full.

"This means educational opportunities, security of income, community and health facilities and protection from law breakers.

"The Labour Party has made great headway on all these issues, but we still have a long way to go.

A local problem is the fortnightly refuse collection. Changes are needed and it is time for the Tories and Liberal Democrats to review their policy.

"I will keep raising this issue until the right action is taken - we need a fairer service.

"Yes, even at the age of 71, I still want to see changes and be part of the action and I ask the Verdin residents to vote for me."

Peter Gannon, Liberal Democrat:

"I am Cheshire born and bred and have lived on Nixon Drive for nearly 40 years.

"Before taking early retirement I worked as a joiner for most of my career before working locally at various companies on the Winsford Industrial Estate, where I was actively engaged in representing the workers and caring for their well being.

"Engaging with the community over the years has included being involved with voluntary organisations such as Rudheath Youth Club and being chairman of the Knights Grange Action Committee.

"Since being elected as a town councillor in 2003 I have been successful in raising several issues of concern to the residents of the Verdin ward, with both the borough and county councils.

"After working closely with fellow councillor Des Worthington on the Verdin ward I decided to join the Liberal Democrat Party.

"I have worked closely with Liberal Democrat local councillors and have found my views and theirs on matters local, national and international to be compatible and I was delighted to be selected to have this opportunity, if elected, to serve my own community as a borough councillor."

William Hall, Conservative:

"I am 56 and have lived in Winsford all of my life. I was educated at Verdin Grammar School and Reaseheath Agricultural College and now run a small plant hire business.

"I have served for four years as councillor on the borough and town councils for the Swanlow ward and the Muir Housing Committee. I am also currently chairman of Winsford Conservative Association.

"My hobbies include windsurfing, motorcycling, snooker and videography.

"If elected I will endeavour to reduce bureaucratic excess and minimise the huge rises we have seen in our Council Tax."