SNP Announce Team For Inverurie & District

FORMER DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION TO STAND FOR SNP

SNP members in Inverurie & District ward have reselected Councillor Bryan Stuart to stand in the Aberdeenshire Council elections on May 3^rd.

In a measure of how much support for the SNP has increased in recent years, the party will be putting up two candidates in the ward, hoping to get both of them elected.  Joining Bryan as part of a strong local team standing for election is Hamish Vernal.

Hamish is a former Director of Education & Recreation for Aberdeenshire Council, holding that position from 2000 to 2005.

Aberdeenshire East MSP Alex Salmond commented:

“Bryan Stuart has a reputation as an assiduous councillor who is not afraid to speak up on behalf of his constituents.

“Inverurie has been fortunate to have a hard-working councillor like Bryan as one of its representatives.

“I’m delighted that Hamish Vernal has joined our team of candidates for the Garioch, also standing in Inverurie.  Hamish brings with him a wealth of experience and knowledge and will be an asset when, as we hope, the SNP takes over the running of the council from the Liberal Democrats, who have run out of steam after 17 years in power.”

Councillor Bryan Stuart said:

“It has been a privilege to represent Inverurie & District on Aberdeenshire Council since 2007, the first SNP councillor to do so.

“At this election, we have the opportunity to replace the current tired Liberal Democrat led administration with a new SNP administration which will bring fresh thinking to issues like parking charges, how we help our town centres survive and thrive, and how we make decision-making more local and more accountable.

“We are now facing the worst economic crisis many of us can remember and it is vital at this time we have a strong team working together in the council alongside the Scottish Government so that we continue to retain local services while letting people keep more of their own money, as happens with the council tax freeze.”

SNP candidate Hamish Vernal added:

“It’s an honour to be nominated and selected as an SNP candidate for Aberdeenshire Council. 

“I believe that Bryan Stuart and myself can be an effective team for Inverurie, delivering for the town as part of an effective SNP administration on the council.  There is a lot of work to be done for the town and I hope to get the opportunity to contribute.”

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BRYAN STUART - INVERURIE & DISTRICT WARD - 3^rd May 2012

Bryan Stuart was born and brought up in the Garioch, and had his secondary schooling at Inverurie Academy.

He attended Aberdeen and Heriot-Watt universities, and holds an honours degree in construction management.  Bryan has run a local timber engineering business started by his father in 1947 for almost thirty years.

Elected as the SNP councillor for Inverurie & District in 2007, Bryan currently serves on the Policy & Resources committee.

Bryan has worked closely with local MSP Alex Salmond to seek to get the best outcomes possible for the town and Aberdeenshire.

HAMISH VERNAL - INVERURIE & DISTRICT WARD - 3^rd May 2012

Hamish Vernal attended Paisley College and Durham University and holds a BSc and Post Graduate Certificate in Education.  He started work as a Geophysicist before entering teaching.

Hamish was a Secondary Maths teacher before moving to Primary teaching.  He was Head Teacher in four different schools from small rural school on the North-west coast to large urban one in Aberdeen over a period of 15 years.

Hamish held a variety of senior posts within Grampian Regional Council and Aberdeenshire Council and from 2000-2005 was Director of Education and Recreation.

Hamish now runs his own education company and is Chairman of Inverurie Events and is currently planning and fundraising to get Christmas lights in Inverurie for 2012.