He was there at the beginning when Dumfries and Galloway Council was formed.
That was nearly three decades ago as David McKie was first elected as a councillor for the Corberry Ward.
Now, 27 years on and one of the longest-serving councillors in the region, the grandad says he’s stepping down because age has caught up with him.
“Unfortunately I am at the wrong side of 80 years,” he replied when asked about his decision to quit.
Labour councillor David, who lives in North West Dumfries, is proud to have served his local area for so long.
A move into politics seemed unlikely for the Post Office workshop employee, but David ended up running for the newly-formed Dumfries and Galloway Council in 1995.
He explained: “I was a branch and area representative for my trade union, the Communication Workers’ Union.
“It was just something that no one else wanted to do, so I took it on locally at first. Then it just developed and expanded in to regional representation and national representation.
“A colleague from the union advised me that an election was coming along and suggested that I should stand. I was elected for the Corberry Ward.”
Over the last five years, Councillor McKie has served North West Dumfries alongside councillors Graham Bell (Conservatives), Andy Ferguson (SNP), and Ronnie Nicholson (Independent). Councillor Nicholson has also announced that he will not be seeking re-election after 17 years.
Councillor McKie said: “I have served on the social work committee since I was first elected. That is the most interesting committee in the council.
“I have always enjoyed meeting with the staff and they are always very helpful. I find it difficult to say that any one item has been better than any other.
“It has always been very interesting and working together with other councillors has been enjoyable most of the time.”
Asked what he’ll do with more free time, Councillor McKie said: “I suppose that gardening will be very important.”
