By Christinede Kock
GREENS candidates will be out in force come the November council elections.
The Australian Greens has declared its intentions to present a united front and provide candidates for each of Maribyrnong City Council’s seven wards.
It is yet to find a representative for the Ironbark Ward, a position currently held by Maribyrnong mayor Michelle MacDonald.
Sheoak Ward councillor and Greens member Colleen Hartland and Saltwater Ward councillor and Greens member Janet Rice have announced their intention to run again.
They will be joined by Friends of Stony Creek member Steve Wilson, who will run for River Ward, and Greg Ferrington, who will run for the Bluestone Ward.
Teacher Nora Tchekmeyan will run for the Stony Creek Ward and small business owner David Jefferson will run for Wattle Ward.
Mr Wilson said he planned to encourage residents to have their say about community issues such as the closure of the Westgate Golf Course to the public.
He said he would like to see residents have more say in the decisionmaking process.
He said he wanted to improve amenities for families, and work towards removing trucks from local streets.
Mr Ferrington also said the removal of heavy vehicles on residential streets was an issue he would takeup if elected, along with visual and noise pollution at Tottenham rail yard, upgrades to Barkly Village, the health of Stony Creek and the visual amenity of the Footscray Central Business District.
Mr Jefferson said his decision to join the Greens resulted from his frustration with the “big” parties.
Ms Tchekmeyan said she had a strong sense of social justice and had been involved in a number of organisations including Home and Community Care, Sustainability Street and Maribyrnong Truck Action Group.
Crs Hartland and Rice were the first Greens councillors to be voted into Maribyrnong City Council.
Cr Hartland said the Greens hoped to increase its presence on the council, which is presently dominated by the ALP.
