Express & Star

Tributes paid to former E&S journalist Dave Lawley at council meeting

'A very, very good human being' – that's how the leader of Sandwell Council described former Express & Star journalist and council press officer Dave Lawley, who died suddenly last week.

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Councillor Darren Cooper and the borough's Mayor, Councillor Linda Horton, both took time out to remember Mr Lawley at the start of last night's full council meeting in Oldbury.

Mr Lawley, who was 61, worked at the E&S for 30 years before moving on to Sandwell Council.

At the packed meeting, Councillor Cooper said: "He was the first journalist that I ever came across before I was elected in 1991 as a councillor.

"Dave to me was a very, very good human being – words are often said about people like that, but let me assure you that anyone who came across Dave Lawley and knew him would agree with that."

One of Councillor Cooper's first encounters with Mr Lawley was, he said, after having moved house shortly after Poll Tax was introduced, and, not being aware of the system, had failed to pay £800.

Councillor Cooper added: "I will miss him, he was a great man, and I know many people in the council will miss him. Dave, wherever you are, God bless you."

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