The Alliance Party has selected Carrickfergus Councillor Stewart Dickson and Larne Councillor Gerardine Mulvenna to stand in the forthcoming Assembly elections in East Antrim.
Cllr Gerardine Mulvenna said: “I am genuinely privileged to have been selected to stand for Alliance. Life is all about choices and we are the only alternative to the politics of tribalism and division. Alliance represents positive hope for change and is the only genuine party of a shared future for the new Northern Ireland. Our party has had an excellent year, with David Ford being elected Justice Minister and Naomi Long being elected MP for East Belfast, and we are confident that this success will continue in 2011. My vision is to be the voice for everyone, not just those of one community, and I believe I can be an inspirational new voice in the arena of Northern Ireland politics.
“I already work closely with Stewart Dickson and look forward to the election campaign. I am more than ready to devote 100 % of my time to this new decade of politics and the vision of Alliance, with energy, drive and commitment.
“I also want to take this opportunity to praise Seán Neeson who is stepping down from the Assembly at this election. He has been an excellent public representative for everyone in East Antrim down the years.”
Carrickfergus Councillor Stewart Dickson who has served with his retiring Party colleague Sean Neeson for over 30 years in East Antrim said: “I am honoured to have been selected along with Councillor Gerardine Mulvenna to fight to retain and gain a seat for the Alliance Party in East Antrim at next May’s Assembly election. Having worked together with Gerardine on many issues I know we will make a great team.
Stewart Dickson was first elected for the Alliance Party to Carrickfergus Borough Council in 1977 along with his colleague Sean Neeson. Stewart Dickson continued: “We have been firm friends since then and I have supported Sean in every election he has fought, in East Antrim and Europe, either as a running mate or as his agent. Seán worked extremely hard to secure peace in Northern Ireland and we all owe him a debt of gratitude for his service.”
ENDS
Biography of Stewart Dickson
Stewart Dickson was first elected for the Alliance Party to Carrickfergus Borough Council in 1977.
As well as being a Carrickfergus Borough Councillor representing the Knockagh electoral area, Stewart Dickson is currently the Chair of the Carrickfergus District Policing Partnership.
Stewart has been a member of the Alliance Party Executive for many years and he is the Party’s current Chair.
Biography of Gerardine Mulvenna
Gerardine was born in Feystown, Glenarm, the first of the Glens of Antrim and has lived in Ballygally for the past 25 years. She is a mother of 2 daughters and 1 son. The Elections of June 2001 returned her as a councillor for the first time for the Alliance Party and the respect she has earned from fellow councillors in the ensuing years saw her successfully elected twice as deputy Mayor of Larne.
As a native of the Glens of Antrim Gerardine has worked tirelessly to preserve, enhance and regenerate ‘Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty’. The Glens being her immediate passion, she has worked as a Director and vice-chairperson for North Antrim Leader Board and now a member of the Local Action Group for the Rural Development Programme.
Her transparent fairness and desire for the right for all communities to live in a safe place has been voiced strongly as a current member and previous vice-chair of Larne’s District Policing Partnership. She has steadfastly campaigned and been actively involved to provide improved amenities and facilities for all local communities and opportunities and for young people Gerardine has been a firm generous supporter of The Arts in all its varied capacities. Internationally, she was selected by officials in Washington and the US Consulate NI as a local Ambassador to the American delegation of young political leaders to Northern Ireland in May 2004 and June 2006. Gerardine is also a member of the Alliance Party Executive.