LIB DEMS SELECT LOCAL RESIDENT ROB MACKEY FOR NORTHOP SEAT

7.20.00am GMT Thu 29th Oct 2009

LIB DEMS SELECT LOCAL RESIDENT ROB MACKEY

Flintshire Lib Dems have selected local resident Rob Mackey to stand in the forthcoming by election in Northop ward following the sad passing of Councillor Mel Higham recently.

A well known member of the local community Rob lives in Park View and is married with four grown up children.

Rob has been in the horticulture industry since leaving school at 18. After training in commercial vegetable production and working as a grower for twenty years, he retired from working as a lecturer at the Welsh College of Horticulture after 28 years at end of 2008.

Rob believes strongly in community before politics - saying it is essential that the people come first. He has been a member of the Northop Community Council for over 20 years and was a former member of Delyn Borough Council.

Rob has worked in the community in many ways, as a community councillor, helping to run the village hall, chairing Northop 2000 and taking part in community activities such as the litter picks that have helped Northop to success in the Best Kept Village Competitions and taking part in the annual pantomime.

Rob is a member of Buckley Running Club, competing in road, cross-country and fell races. He is club chairman of the club, acts as course marshal for races and is Chairman of the Borders Road Running League.

An active member of the Institute of Horticulture, Rob has recently been elected chairman of the North West and North Wales Branch.

LIB DEMS PAY TRIBUTE TO MEL HIGHAM

Flintshire Lib Dems have paid tribute to the contribution made by former Northop Councillor Mel Higham following his sad passing recently.

Group Leader Cllr Robin Baker said: "Mel was highly regarded and respected by Officers, colleagues and opponents at County Hall. He will be sadly missed by us all."

Local Party Chair Cllr Chris Dolphin added: "Mel always put the needs of his community first, whoever is elected in Northop will have a hard act to follow and they will have to work hard to match Mel's commitment."