Lagan Valley Ulster Unionist Alexander Redpath has been selected to replace Councillor Ronnie Crawford on Lisburn City Council. Mr Redpath is an Ulster Unionist Council Candidate for Downshire West which encompasses Moira, Hillsborough, Culcavy and Blaris. He also serves as Treasurer of the Local Ulster Unionist Association and as a central Party Officer. Earlier this month he was elected Chairman of the Ulster Unionist youth wing the Ulster Young Unionist Council.
Commenting on his co-option to Lisburn City Council Councillor Redpath commented:
“It is a tremendous honour to be selected as a Lisburn City Councillor. I was born and have lived my entire life in the Lisburn area. I am tremendously proud of where I come from and am really looking forward to giving something back to the City that has provided me with such a superb place to live.
My absolute priority remains the economic regeneration of Lisburn. I pledge to support the early devolution of parking charges to Lisburn City Council giving councillors the opportunity to strategically target reduced parking charges to help city centre traders.
I am also a firm supporter of the John Lewis development and when this project is delivered in Lisburn I will campaign to have all extra rates revenue ring-fenced. This extra revenue should be used to lower city centre parking charges and regenerate the city centre.”
Outside of politics Councillor Redpath serves on the board of governors of Beechlawn Special School in Hillsborough and as an Elder in Harmony Hill Presbyterian Church.
Alexander Redpath replaces Councillor Ronnie Crawford who is a former Mayor of Lisburn. Councillor Crawford recently decided to stand aside for health reasons.
Councillor Crawford was elected to Lisburn City Council in 1989 representing the Killultagh District. In 1993 he moved to Lisburn North and was subsequently re-elected in 1993, 1997, 2001, 2005 and 2011.
In 2008 Councillor Crawford was elected Mayor of Lisburn and led the City through a difficult year dealing with the impact of the global economic downturn. Councillor Crawford has been a constant champion of retail in Lisburn with support for the John Lewis development featuring heavily during his year as Mayor.
Outside of politics Councillor Crawford ran a successful printing business on Railway Street in Lisburn. Councillor Crawford recently handed over the family business to his son Greg. Councillor Crawford is an Elder in First Dromara Presbyterian Church.