Council pays respect to former leader

DUMFRIES and Galloway Council last week paid respect to a former leader of the local authority.

At the final full council meeting of the year last Thursday, a special tribute was paid to Dumfries man John Dowson, who led the local authority for five years in the 90s.

Council convener Councillor Katie Hagmann, said: “It is with sadness that we learned of the recent passing of the former Dumfries and Galloway Council leader John Dowson.

“John had a distinguished career in public service serving as a councillor at Dumfries and Galloway Council, including as council leader. We would like to pass on our heartfelt condolences to John’s wife Margaret and his sons Paul and John during this difficult time.”

John, 76, died a couple of months ago following a short illness. He had lived on the High Street for decades and was passionate about trying to revive the area.

An antique and fine art dealer, former councillor John was leader of the local authority from 1995 to 1999, before being appointed Dumfries Town Centre manager in 2000, a role he held for two years.

One of the founding members of social landlord Loreburn Housing, John was the association’s first chairman in 1981.

He was also regional co-ordinator of Dumfries and Galloway Coalition of Disabled People for a time and ran The Echo forum on Facebook.