Saxton Criticizes Mayor, Police on Pioneer Park Policies

None by KCPW

(KCPW News) Salt Lake City Council candidate Nancy Saxton says the Mayor and Police Chief have not been proactive enough in dealing with crime and violence in Pioneer Park. She says Police Chief Chris Burbank has been too quick to discount possible solutions, such as patrolling the park with officers on horseback:

"We just have to start going through the litany of options and see what will be most appropos for our location," says Saxton. "I was totally taken aback when Mayor Anderon and Chief Burbank rolled out their new plan of 'Zero Tolerance" back in September. And I think, 'What's been our tolerance before this?'"

Pioneer Park is in District Four, which Saxton hopes to continue representing on the City Council. She also criticizes the Mayor's office for being slow to evaluate and approve recommendations from the council. The Planning Department is another point of contention. Saxton says permits and zoning laws are not being enforced consistently and she wants the department restructured. As for a skybridge over Main Street, Saxton says it's a good alternative:

"I'm not wild about skybridges, but what I am a proponent of is open space," says Saxton.

She says the LDS Church can only create large open spaces in its proposed City Creek Mall by putting the shops on two levels, rather than just one. The skybridge would connect the second level of shops on either side of Main Street.

Click here for a longer conversation with Saxton.

Tune to KCPW's Midday Metro Monday, Oct. 22 at 10 a.m. for an interview with her opponent, Luke Garrott.

Email to a friendPosted in KCPW Newsroom. Copyright 2009 KCPW