News / Tribute to late councillor
TRIBUTES have been paid to former councillor Andrew Williamson, who passed away on 26 November.
Speaking at the outset of Wednesday’s Full Council meeting, SIC deputy convener Cecil Smith said members were saddened by the news.
Williamson was elected as a councillor for Yell North and Fetlar in 1990 – one of nine Shetland Movement candidates to stand for the council that year. He served a single term until May 1994 when he retired.
Smith said that Williamson had taken an active interest in the full range of council business including membership of committees on social work, housing, roads & transport, leisure & recreation, education and development.
He was also vice chairman of the marine operations committee during a spell which coincided with the grounding of the Braer in January 1993.
“He is remembered with fondness by colleagues, as a councillor who was very supportive, and as someone who had a thorough and practical understanding of the committee’s areas of responsibility, having himself had a maritime background,” Smith said.
He added that, as vice chairman of the building industry working group, Williamson was “keen to see building projects designed to a high standard to meet the rigours of the Shetland climate, reduce heating costs and wherever possible reduce future maintenance costs”.
Meanwhile the Shetland flag was flying at half mast above Lerwick Town Hall on Wednesday afternoon as a mark of respect for the late Willie Clark, former deputy county clerk, whose funeral took place in the town in the morning.
Clark served as a public official in Shetland from the early 1940s when he left school until he retired from the SIC in 1991. He passed away last week after a period of poor health aged 86.
Council convener Malcolm Bell said: “Willie was a truly dedicated council official, serving Shetland for almost 50 years. He was also committed to helping others, as he demonstrated in his service with organisations such as the Rotary Club of Shetland.
“On behalf of the council I express my deepest sympathy to his wife Betty and all the family.”
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