LOCAL GOVERNMENT

THREE CHEERS FOR ANGUS GRAHAM!!! At last the Audit Commission are to look into the workings of the Comhairle. Everyone Amadan speaks to in the Western Isles thinks there is merit in an investigation and if our mail box is anything to go by, the Audit Commission should take a very large magnifying glass with them. If the electorate thinks fishy things are going on, why oh why, do the councillors not? (Except for Angus Coir of course).

We'll not go into things very deeply as solicitors are expensive but............. Council Road Contracts (increased from the usual 2 to 5 years after local contractors had been eliminated)......Lochs School (who else would build a community school in a peat bog in the middle of nowhere?) .......Berneray Causeway (Bad rock used - plus, they got EC money for the causeway as it would shorten the Sound of Harris crossing with a new terminal in Berneray - where is it despite tonnes of rock being moved to Bays at taxpayers expense) IF WE DIDN'T LAUGH WE'D CRY. Keep going Angus, you've more support than you think!

HIGHLAND COUNCIL HANGING BASKET LEAGUE

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar have appointed Ray Bowyer (Castaway 2000) to the post of Chief Executive Designate.

The Convener, Alex MacDonald, welcomed the appointment of Mr Bowyer and said that his experience of living in the islands and the fact that he's probably the only one who can scare the present incumbent out of his office, as being crucial to his success. Mr Bowyer, 55, says he is delighted to be appointed and looks forward to leading the council into the new millenium.

He brings a wealth of relevant experience to the post including press evasion, arguing, drinking, swearing, fighting, and having at least half a page of Stornoway Gazette column space dedicated to himself for a minimum three weeks in a row.

CNES have also announced the appointment of Highland psychic Swein MacDonald to the post of "Comhairle nan Eilean Seer". A spokesperson for the council told Amadan that the appointment was a cost cutting exercise as it is hoped that Mr MacDonald will forsee any new scandal coming the councils way before the likes of Angus Graham finds out and causes another stooshie.

Amadan attempted to interview Mr MacDonald about his new job but neighbours told us he left in a hurry five minutes before we arrived.

WHO IS IT?

Can you tell who Amadan is making the DIN about? Go and have a look........

(*Donald, I had to repay you for all the hits I got after you mentioned Amadan on 'Coinneach Mor')