BUFFALO, N.Y. — Democratic mayoral candidate India Walton has laid out her agenda for Buffalo's East Side.
The former executive director of the Fruit Belt Community Land Trust outlined a seven-point plan Friday, where she addressed several topics including regional lead abatement, improving roads and sidewalks and creating a municipally sponsored micro-mortgage loan fund, which would provide financing opportunities for houses that cost less than $50,000.
Walton spoke outside of the former Community Action Organization building at the corner of Humboldt Parkway and West Ferry Street, explaining how she wants to find better uses for abandoned buildings throughout the city.
"This is can be rehabbed in to housing,” Walton said. “I think that we have to make these types of investments in our community more attractive by partnering with public dollars and private dollars to get these places back online."
Walton added she would like to add an independent parks and recreation department to improve park maintenance.
The Democratic candidate beat four-term incumbent Byron Brown in the mayoral primary this past June. She will run against Brown, who is running a write-in campaign, once more in the upcoming general election.