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Lib Dems pip Tories at poll
JUST six votes separated theTories from the victorious Lib Dems in the Staplehurst by-election. The winner of the seat on Maid-
stone Council was PaulinaWatson (pictured), who snatched the seat from under the nose of Tory rival Louise Brice. The Lib Dem victory means the Tories now hold 24 of the 55 seats on the council, while the Lib Dems have 20, Inde- pendents 5, UKIP 4 and Labour 2. The by-elec- tion result was
declared at 11.30pm, 90 minutes after the polls closed at Staplehurst Village Centre. The result was a further blow for
the Conservatives on Maidstone Council, who lost long-serving member Richard Lusty within days of a new minority administration being selected by the Tories follow-
Results PaulinaWatson (Lib Dem) 609
Louise Brice (Con) 603 Jamie Kalmar (UKIP) 311 John Randall (Lab) 117 David George (Green) 41
ing the May election. UKIP candidate Jamie Kalmar
came third in the by-election, with Labour’s John Randall fourth and the Green’s David George in fifth place. There was a 35% turnout at the polls – higher than for many seats in the local elections. Cllr Watson (61), who is Dutch,
came to England from Holland in 1973 to learn English. A former manager in social care for KCC, she wasmade redundant in 2012. CllrWatson admits she is new to politics, butwas persuaded to stand for election after hearing the huge amount of opposition from friends and neighbours to the huge housing expansion planned for Staplehurst.
Wilsons to sell rental portfolio
ABOUGHTONMonchelsea couple said to be the biggest buy-to-let landlords in Britain are set to retire and sell up their property portfolio estimated at £100 million. Fergus Wilson (65) and his wife
Judith have over 1,000 properties in Maidstone and Ashford alone. He said he had assured tenants they would be protected and contracts transferred to the buyer. He believes the portfolio could
sell for closer to £200 million. High-speed rail links were en- couraging people to move to Maid- stone, pushing up rents, he said, but
he was against the building of 19,600 homes outlined in Maid- stone Council’s draft local plan. Mr Wilson said he and his wife
would be sad to sell the business they had built up over many years but they had worked hard and a holidaywas long overdue. The pair attracted controversy
after serving eviction notices on 200 tenants on benefits. In AprilMrWil- son was convicted of an assault on an estate agent. However, he has announced he would stand as Kent’s police and crime commis- sioner ifAnnBarnes stepped down.
Summer school fun for girls
SIXTY year five students from across Maidstone and the surrounding area raised their hands for extra lessons. They sat down for
classes in English, maths and thinking skills from subject specialists at Maid- stone Grammar School for Girls. Teachers were pleased with the enthusiasm and creativity of the students, from 22 primary and junior schools across the area, including Ditton, Loose, Headcorn and Snodland. MGGS headteacher MaureenWolloshin said: “This was the first of
our many primary school events this year, with more available from September.”
CARE VISITS AT HOME Good Old Fashioned Service
ASK DEBBIE........ for help, advice and assistance
Dear Debbie,
My sister and I are the main carers for our elderly mother who lives alone a few miles away from both of us. She has always been a fiercely independent lady and has loved her home where she has lived for 40 years. It’s where her main memories of husband and family lie. After a few years of increasing confusion, she has now received a dementia diagnosis, apparently in early stage. We are both very reluctant to put her into a care home. Can home care help in this situation?
If you have a question that you would like to ask Debbie then please email her at
debbie@bluebirdcare.co.uk
Yours sincerely Pauline S
Dear Pauline,
The question for you and your sister is “what course of action will be in your mother’s best interest?” Home care can work very well for some people especially where there are strong local relationships, say with neighbours or church groups because they can remain in contact with what is familiar to them. This often provides valuable reassurance in a situation which causes very real stress to those affected and their families. Regular visits from skilled carers can check regularly on well- being and safety, ensure adequate food intake and nutrition and ensure that medication is taken at the appropriate times. As the condition develops, regular contact with familiar faces offers reassurance, especially when the carers are trained in basic dementia coping strategies. You and your sister will obviously want to be at the heart of the care arrangements but carefully coordinated home care visits can help share the burden. Best wishes
Debbie Moulton, Care Manager Bluebird Care
• Help with getting up or going to bed
• Personal Hygiene • Cleaning the home • Preparing Meals • Assist with medication • Overnight Care
• Washing or Ironing • Shopping
• Sightseeing or leisure activities • 24hr Live-in-care
• Trips to see friends or relatives
MAIDSTONE • 01622 809530
maidstone@bluebirdcare.co.uk
www.bluebirdcare.co.uk/maidstone Maidstone Town September 2014
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