The SNP have selected candidates to stand in Stirling city wards in May’s council election.
Incumbent Stirling North SNP councillors Susan McGill and Jim Thomson are once again standing in the ward.
Current council leader Scott Farmer will also be standing in Stirling West.
They will be joined Morag Fulton in Stirling West and Diane Tortolano and Gerry McLaughlan in Stirling East.
Ms McGill said: “It has been an honour, over the last five years, to serve as SNP councillor for Stirling North Ward. I have found the role of Councillor both exhilarating and challenging, and have gained a great deal of knowledge.
“I find it rewarding assisting constituents with issues and concerns affecting them.
“I have worked in the NHS for 43 years in a variety of areas and settings; I am a Registered Nurse, Midwife and Health Visitor and continue to work part-time as a Health Visitor.
“Serving as the constituents of Stirling North as their councillor has been a privilege and I would be delighted to serve for a further term.”
Mr Thomson commented: “I’m delighted to be given the opportunity to represent Stirling North in this election. I was born and have lived in the ward all my life and take great pride in promoting it at every opportunity.
“I was fortunate to have been given a great education at Raploch Primary and Stirling High School before serving my apprenticeship as a Civil Engineer with the former Burgh Engineers Office.
“What I want is for everyone to have the same chances in life that my generation managed.
“I’d love the opportunity to continue the good work on matters such as climate change and poverty alleviation and hope you share my passion on these matters.”
Council leader Scott Farmer, first elected in 2006, is once again standing for the SNP in the Stirling West ward where he will be joined by disability activist Morag Fulton.
He said: “I hope to be able to continue to represent the Stirling West ward and work tirelessly for the people of this area. There are many fantastic things happening in Stirling with the City of Culture 2025 bid and the Stirling and Clackmannan City Region Deal bringing big investment into the area.
“I hope to be able to continue my work in ensuring these benefit everyone in Stirling West.”
Mother and grandmother Morag Fulton is a disability activist promoting equality, diversity and inclusion and aims to uphold and improve the rights of disabled people.
She said: “As a disabled woman, I am a firm believer that we need representatives at all levels in elected office.
“Without people in council who have lived through hardships and had to overcome barriers the most vulnerable in our communities can be left behind.
“I would love to change and with the support of the people of Stirling West I believe that my passion and experience will allow me to make that difference.”
Retired chartered engineer Gerry McLaughlan missed out being re-elected as Stirling East councillor last time round.
He said: “If elected my priorities will be safe streets, clean neighbourhoods and ensuring that people can enjoy their own homes without the threat of anti-social behaviour. The council is facing the continuing challenge of scarce resources. Therefore, one of my main priorities will be to make sure that Stirling East receives it’s fair share of resources.”
Diane Tortolano has lived in Stirling for more than 25 years.
She said: “My priorities are education, the NHS and eradicating poverty.
“If elected I will work tirelessly to ensure attention is given to these issues, and others, to ensure the people of Stirling are well served.”
SNP candidates have also been selected for Dunblane and Bridge of Allan.
Ahsan Khan and incumbent councillor Graham Houston are contesting the ward.
Mr Khan, a father-of-four, lives in Dunblane with his wife, Stirling MSP Evelyn Tweed, and children.
He’s currently a member of the Housing and Property Tribunal, and lectures part-time in housing law and finance.
As well as family and Scottish independence, his other passion is football, and he’s one of the coaches at the Dunblane Soccer Club.
On his selection, he said: “It’s a real honour to be chosen by the SNP as a candidate in these elections. I know that my qualifications and experience can really help an SNP administration continue to improve services for local people, even during these difficult times. Until recently I worked as a chief officer in local government, and before that I was a housing association chief executive. I led these organisations to record levels of performance and customer satisfaction.”
Councillor Houston was first elected back in 2007 before being re-elected in 2012 and 2017.
He said: “I really appreciate the support of the voters over the years. On re-election I will strive to create a council which engages in open and transparent debate on the decisions which affect all of us. Much still needs to be done. It will take real political will to ensure that real solutions to real challenges are found.
“I believe that the SNP can lead the debate on how to make Dunblane and Bridge of Allan, as part of Stirling Council, a place we can be proud of, a safer, healthier, and prosperous place where we can bring up our families and lead our lives in comfort and safety.”
