Manchester, NH - Two years ago, Victoria Sullivan was doing neighborhood trash clean-ups around Manchester when it was brought to her attention that an area off of Elm Street by the railroad tracks needed to be addressed.
She reached out to our community and had several citizens immediately and generously offer to donate their time to help. Many purchased bags and brought supplies from home. Victoria and a group of residents wanted to clean further down the tracks, but they were told they needed permission from the railroad. Undeterred, Victoria called, got the approval, and coordinated with the city’s Highway Department to pick up the trash. The group filled approximately 50 large construction trash bags and had tires, a mattress, and other large items that were picked up from the area.
Last spring, Victoria went to see what needed to be done for upkeep, and was disheartened that the area was worse than the first time her and other residents were there to clean it. Now, tents were constructed and people living along the area --- a place in the city that volunteers were told needed permission to clean --- was now a homeless camp. Per reporting today, the folks living at Firestone were notified by the city that they have a week to vacate the privately-owned property. What is the plan for those who will be displaced?
Statement from Victoria Sullivan:
“Many residents who live and work in the vicinity of the Firestone camp have expressed concern for quite some time. Alderman Joseph Kelly Levasseur has been keeping the public aware of these encampments and their dangers, and I join many in our appreciation for his efforts. Why is it only now that Mayor Craig takes some action on these camps? It seems to be a priority only in election years.
“The homeless crisis has exploded under Mayor Joyce Craig’s failed leadership. Her solution has been to destroy the camps, displace the people. As expected, the homeless then find new places to build their encampments. Tent cities turn into fence cities, even at what is deemed a city "park" by the University of New Hampshire.
“Joyce Craig has continuously refused to acknowledge the gravity of this situation, but instead points the blame at anyone other than herself. The Manchester Ink Link interviewed some of these unsheltered people who stated that they have no place to go. There is no plan for them, and no solutions have been presented. The quality of life in this city has deteriorated under Mayor Joyce Craig, which is why I believe we need a leader who is willing to actually acknowledge the issues, look at them square in the eye, and take on even the largest challenges.”
ABOUT VICTORIA SULLIVAN
Victoria Sullivan understands what hardworking middle-class Manchester families need out of City Hall because she is one of them. As a wife and stay-at-home mother of two, Victoria and her husband are proud to be raising their two sons on Manchester's south end. Her commitment has always been and will continue to be based on making our communities a better place for our families and for future generations who will call the Queen City home.
As a former New Hampshire State Representative and Assistant Majority Leader who served two terms on the House Education Committee, fighting for Manchester families is at the core of Victoria's journey in public service. She worked hard in Concord to keep spending low, while also ensuring that citizens received the quality services their hard-earned tax dollars pay for. One of her proudest accomplishments was her work on legislation that gave parents a stronger voice in their children's education. Through bi-partisan support, Victoria got play-based kindergarten passed into law. That law has been enthusiastically embraced by the early education educators across New Hampshire and used as an example for other states throughout our nation.
Victoria truly has a history of commitment to our city. She started a volunteer-run drama club at her children's elementary school, has coached and volunteered for South Soccer, South Little League, and Highland Goffe's-Falls Basketball. She served as the PTA president for her children's elementary school, which in turn lead to her service on the New Hampshire PTA executive board. As a testament to her concern about our children's future, she has spent countless hours volunteering for Manchester schools as a teacher's helper and as a substitute teacher at a charter school. In addition to running for mayor of Manchester in 2019, Victoria has also served as Selectman for Ward 9 and on the Manchester Heritage Commission, where she focused on preserving our city's past, while also seeking to prepare it for the future.
