An “ecstatic” Mark Jefferies has said he did not expect to win yesterday’s Isle of Wight Council by-election by “that much”.
After taking almost 50 per cent of the votes in the race to be Wroxall, Lowtherville and Bonchurch’s next ward councillor, Councillor Jefferies said his immediate priorities will be to “settle in” and see how County Hall works.
Taken part in “many charities and volunteering roles”
The “born and bred, at least fourth generation Ventnorian” has worked in the building trade for most of his working life as well as taking part in “many charities and volunteering roles”, including helping to launch the diabetes research charity shop in Ventnor.
His latest volunteering has been for the Riverside Centre vaccination clinic in Newport.
Support from former councillor
The Ventnor town councillor made his county councillor bid with the support of Rodney Downer, a veteran of Island independent politics who represented Wroxall, Lowtherville and Bonchurch for 16 years.
Prior to stepping down, Mr Downer played an instrumental role in the Save Wroxall School campaign, both in County Hall and protesting on the streets of Newport – something which Councillor Jefferies also actively participated in.
Downer an inspiration
Councillor Jefferies hopes to continue in Rodney’s footsteps, describing him as an “inspiration” who taught him “very much in the last four plus years”.
A key plank of their shared vision is a “people before politics” mantra – that political parties should stay out of local government, with councillors focusing on community and residents.
A range of roles
To back up this claim, Councillor Jefferies has pointed to being chair of Friends of Ventnor Cemetery, Upper Ventnor Community Association and vice chair of Ventnor Carnival Association, on top of his Ventnor Town Council work and attending Wroxall Parish Council meetings.
A recent achievement he has cited was “helping residents of (Ventnor’s) St Catherine’s Street get the no parking order revoked”.
An independent councillor
Despite this however, Councillor Jefferies last night said he expected “people will be talking with me – do I want to join this party or that party” with his phone buzzing “all day, probably, tomorrow”.
Turning to the big issues ahead which he had surveyed “off the doorstep”, he pointed to the “road situation” and schools.
His first opportunity to raise them is only just round the corner with a full council meeting beckoning next Wednesday (16th) .
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
