The Greens nominee for Salford Mayor pledges to respond to 1,000 complaints each year and simplify reporting if elected.
Wendy Olsen, who becomes mayor of the city for the second time this year, said she would respond to three complaints a day every day of the week.
The Claremont resident, who is also hoping to become a councilor in the new Blackfriars and Trinity parish, says she will log all complaints on a website.
That way, she says, people don’t have to report the same issues repeatedly.
“It’s so mysterious right now that nothing is done,” she said.
“When you report a luminaire, the system tells you that you need to put the luminaire number on the lamppost.
“It’s very difficult for ordinary people. All you can say is that the lights in this ginnel or this street are not enough.
“We’d file the complaint, say which street, and then, as a councilor or mayor, I’d do something about it and then put my actions on the public list.”
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On the subject of matching items
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On the subject of matching items
The United States-raised professor at the University of Manchester says the Salford Council website is “wonderful” but believes residents should see where problems are reported and if they have been resolved.
She wants to be more responsive to voters and to address issues such as fly tipping, bicycle theft, and sidewalk parking, which lead to “anger” and “anger”.
Her party, which began operating as an autonomous group in Salford seven years ago, has been well received by newcomers to the city, she says.
“They’re interested in green ideas because they come across and then they realize we don’t have a lot of green in east Salford.”
Despite appeals to new voters in the city, the Greens oppose “endless population growth” in the Greater Manchester area.
Wendy accuses the councils of following this “tremendous population growth” by signing the spatial plan that failed late last year.
Wendy Olsen cast her vote in the 2019 local elections
(Image: Wendy Olsen)
New homes should be built near major bus routes and near tram stops, not on green spaces like Chat Moss in Irlam or Barton Moss in Cadishead, she says.
Wendy maintains the Salford Council’s commitment to tackling the climate emergency and wants pollution to be reduced – not just a “greenwash,” she says.
“We need more staff and less concrete.
“The Salford Council’s direction seemed to be building, planning and housing – and really more housing for immigrants.
“The Greens want stable and secure lives for every Salford resident.
“So we need more councilors like parkies in the parks and youth workers. And that is extremely popular. Removing trash more often.”
Wendy wants to hire more people on Salford City Council and is ready to get rid of a town hall job – the mayor role she is running for.
The Greens want to hold another referendum on the role of directly elected mayor created in 2012 and return to the traditional cabinet system.
The party ran candidates in most of the council districts in these general elections.
“We need another voice to be on the council,” said Wendy.
“We want a green voice. The greens will communicate with the public over the phone, the internet and social media.
“We will answer questions.”
The candidates who will be elected for Mayor of Salford on May 6th are:
- Stuart Cremins – Party of the Republic
- Paul Dennett – Labor Party
- Wendy Olsen – Green Party
- Stephen Ord – Independent
- Jake Overend – Liberal Democrats
- Arnie Saunders – Conservative Party