Council's Silent Tribute to Former Peterhead Councillor

Members of Aberdeenshire Council’s Buchan Area Committee observed a minute’s silence at the start of their meeting today for former committee member Jim Davidson, who died at the weekend.

The popular former SNP councillor served on Banff & Buchan District Council from 1988 and on Grampian Regional Council from 1990 until their replacement by Aberdeenshire Council, on which he served until retiring at the 2007 election.

Buchan Area Committee Chairman, Cllr Stuart Pratt said:

“Jim was a valued colleague and dear friend and I will miss him greatly. We were elected together to the old District Council in 1988 and served alongside each other until he retired in 2007.

“Jim and his wife Jean spent a lot of time in the Far East doing work for the Salvation Army and until quite recently he continued as a preacher in various local churches filling in for Ministers when they were absent or on holiday. He will be a great loss to the community.”

Peterhead South & Cruden councillor Stephen Smith, who succeeded Jim as SNP candidate at the 2007 council elections said:

“Jim served Peterhead for 19 years as a councillor but was active in his community for all of his life. I first met him when he was considering standing for the council in 1988 and I never thought back then that I would be his successor.

“Jim gave me a lot of good advice when I was elected in 2007 and is remembered fondly by his former constituents.”

Banffshire & Buchan Coast MSP Stewart Stevenson also paid tribute saying:

“Jim was a real community stalwart, always willing to assist his constituents and serve the party.

“He was a dedicated councillor and always a source of wise advice who will be sorely missed.”

Local MP Dr Eilidh Whiteford said:

“I was so sorry to hear of Jim’s passing and send my condolences to Jean and his family. Jim was an exceptional public servant and lifelong champion of all things Peterhead and his loss will be sorely felt by all who knew him.”