Council to meet project founder

Oct 17 2008 by Craig Robertson, Dumfries Standard Friday

COUNCILLORS are set to meet with the People’s Project to see if it can help the regeneration of Dumfries.

It had been suggested that the Standard-backed scheme could be turned into a development trust for the town centre.

But at a planning meeting this week, councillors held back from handing regeneration responsibilities to the project. A meeting is now being earmarked with its founder, Dumfries businessman Mark Jardine.

Meanwhile, Mr Jardine has delivered hundreds of letters and “Let’s Kick Butts off our Streets” posters to local businesses and shops. The posters call on the Doonhamers and visitors to keep the town clean.

Mark said: “Many stores rightly complain that they already pay for their own rubbish to be collected and pay rates for the council to empty bins. But his initiative has the possibility of a double whammy though — forcing the council into more action and also getting people directly involved in looking after their town.”

Meanwhile, volunteers are needed to operate a cherry picker to clean the guttering around the town centre.

Anyone interested should contact the Standard on 01387 240331. Training will be given.