Mum and daughter out to create family double

Mum and daughter out to create family double

14 May 2014

THE Bailie household in Ballygalget is alive with election fever.

Mum Sheila is standing for Sinn Fein in the Ards Peninsula while daughter Naomi is flying the flag for the party in the Downpatrick area. Both are fighting their first election campaigns and hope to be successful.

Originally from Kircubbin, Sheila is well known across the peninsula for her cross-community work and is the current director and manager of Peninsula Healthy Living Partnership.

A keen supporter of Gaelic games, she is a member of Ballygalget GAC Club and the Bailie family are deeply rooted in the local hurling community.

Mrs. Bailie has 32 years’ experience in the health and social care sector and is currently an Independent representative and former vice-chair of the Ards Policing and Community Safety Partnership.

She says, if elected, she will endeavour to reach out and represent the entire community on the Ards peninsula.

Daughter Naomi (29), a university graduate with a degree in politics and government and an MA in Irish politics, is a former pupil of St. Mary’s High School in Downpatrick and South Eastern Regional College. She also studied at Queen’s and the University of Ulster.

Naomi is confident that her experience working in the community and voluntary sectors will assist her in helping to tackle a wide range of issues if elected to the new Newry, Mourne and Down Council.

The current political advisor to South Down MLA, Chris Hazzard, working daily with statutory agencies, Naomi revealed she and her mum are enjoying the election canvass and getting a great response on the doorstep.

“My mum has always had an interest in politics and is deeply-rooted in community organisations and sits on various boards and agencies. She is fighting her first election and has a good chance of securing a seat on the new North Down and Ards Council,” said Naomi. “My mum is a very credible candidate and I am hoping she does really well.”

Naomi admits that it’s “all systems go for her” and is delighted with the positive feedback she’s getting on the doorstep, describing the reaction s “fantastic.”

She continued: “I am really enthused by people’s response and it is clear that voters are concerned about bread and butter issues in the lead up to next week’s election.

“I hope the new council can deliver for the people of the area. Under the current council structure it could be argued some councillors are sleeping at the wheel and not working to the extent the area deserves, coming up with new ideas.”

Naomi said one of her key priorities will be endeavouring to reach out to the young, the marginalised and the under-represented in society.

She added: “I have an acute understanding of the pressing issues facing the people of the area and want to deliver for local people.”