Who should we vote for? Contribution from a regular Gurnite

The following in from one of our regular readers in response for our call for the thoughts of voters in the Nairn (19) ward, our correspondent is obviously looking for changes this time round:

We know what we've had in the past and it's time for a change. We've had visionary proposals from the new candidates and bold words from the old ones - why didn't they implement them when they were in power? So, do we stick with who we know or take a chance on the new candidates?

I am less bothered about who gets voted in than their ability to roll up their sleeves and work together for the good of Nairn. In the past there has been too much jockeying for position and headline grabbing.

National political agendas and Highland Council decision making have been foisted upon us. While there has been a willingness to listen to local concerns, there has been an obvious reluctance to act; to represent or to deliver outcomes. Indeed, I often feel we have been charmed with warm words; told how important our views are - but in the end we have been side-lined.

Yes, our past elected representatives can highlight what they think have been achievements and how things have got better in Nairn, yet many of us still don't feel you they listened. What we need is a new dynamic group of councillors, who don't just listen but find ways of delivering for Nairn. There is a huge resource of expertise within the town; there are many who are passionate about Nairn and the future. Dear prospective councillor, we want you to listen; we want to feel that you will work with us; we want you to represent us and that you will take our voices into the chamber at Highland Council. For too long councillors thought it was their job to tell us what their political masters thought was best for us. That's not the way it should work.

So voters in Nairn, here's your chance to make a difference. It's very important who you vote for. I'll be voting for those who I believe will listen to our concerns and be prepared to sit down with us and work together for a better Nairn. My only worry is that once they get programmed by the big machine in Glenurquhart Road, they'll lose that ability to hear or to even conceive that it's possible for anyone to bring forward a good idea worthy of serious consideration. Time will tell.