Local resident Akila Kanthaswamy has been selected as your Scottish Conservative and Unionist candidate for the Dyce, Bucksburn and Danestone by-election which will be held on Thursday 23rd of February. The by-election will take place following the sad death of Cllr Avril Mackenzie. Avril cared deeply for her ward and all the people in it, and her community spirit and enthusiasm will be much missed.
As a resident in Stoneywood, Akila saw the good work of Cllr Mackenzie, and was motivated by this to stand to fill her shoes as the new councillor for the ward.
Akila has lived in the ward for over a decade, and for seven of those years ran the SPAR shop on Dyce’s Victoria Street. She is now in property management, and volunteers with local charities and Scouts group. She raised her two children in the ward while running her businesses.
Akila said, “I believe I have a lot to offer local residents. With my experience in retail I understand the concerns of local businesses, and from volunteering and living here I know the biggest issues, because they impact me too. I’m a people person and will always be approachable as your councillor, so please get in touch with me if you have any questions.”
Supporting local businesses
As she formerly ran a small business - the SPAR on Victoria Street in Dyce - Akila feels very strongly about supporting our small local businesses who employ many people locally and give the ward’s shopping areas a distinct and local feel, and also those who provide services.
Akila says, “Business rates, parking limits, bus routes - all these and more have a strong impact on these businesses. If I’m in the Council, small businesses will have a voice."
Safer Communities
A good community can be easily ruined by a few anti-social individuals. And in many cases, people can feel abandoned when they report such behaviour, and don’t hear back. With the quickly growing communities in Stoneywood, Craibstone, and Bucksburn, the Council needs to keep up with residents queries. Akila will work with the local police, who do excellent work in difficult circumstances, and with the council to ensure that people can feel safe in their community.
Dangerous Potholes
With the snow and colder periods, it’s been a particularly bad time for potholes. Roads such as Laurel Drive in Danestone and Victoria Street in Dyce, which are main throughfares, have been especially badly hit. Potholes are dangerous; they damage cars and can cause car accidents. The Council needs to be made aware of serious potholes quickly.
Akila said, “The bad weather combined with slow Council response has led to an outbreak of potholes. If elected, I will address this issue so please contact me now to report any in your area.”
