Keeley O'Mara
Middleton Independents Party
North Middleton Ward
Hi Middletonian’s, My name is Keeley O’Mara and I’m proud to announce my intention to stand as a North Ward candidate for the Middleton Independents Party in this year’s local elections on Thursday 5th May 2022.
Born in Middleton (Boarshaw) where I went to St. John Fishers then Cardinal Langley. I currently work on the family farm in Hopwood.
When I’m not working I spend a lot of my spare time in the community with a variety of different community groups.
I’m part of the Friends of Hopwood where I work with the ranger to create new paths, the Forest School, the carved sculpture trail and created ponds to increase the habitat for the great crested newt.
I’m the secretary and coordinator for Middleton In Bloom. In this role I work alongside other community groups, schools, the Town Centre, Middleton Township & Rochdale Councils EM department. Being part of Middleton in Bloom has allowed us to enhance the community spirit that Middleton has in abundance.
Alongside these groups I volunteer with Middleton Roundtable where I help with MayDay, MiddFest and the Christmas Light switch on.
During the pandemic I found it difficult to see the NHS struggling like most of the country, I decided to sign up to be an NHS GoodSam responder. I found myself doing prescription collections from hospitals, prescription deliveries, shopping and buying essentials for those isolating.
Whilst doing the responder role I became a volunteer driver for a pharmacist in Oldham to deliver emergency prescriptions. The pandemic saw many a good deed done and many of the community stepping up to help, Middleton was no different it formed Middleton in Action Together.
Due to the pandemic Middleton in Bloom didn’t have a competition and during lockdown we were unable to be out in the community.
I decided to join Middleton in Action Together which was a group run by the Scouts and St Michaels Church. Whilst helping with this group I took donations of food/toiletries, made up food parcels, delivered food parcels and did prescription deliveries. I also helped to point residents in the right direction with mental health issues, benefit issues & housing issues.
To most people this may sound like I’m blowing my own trumpet but this has been the hardest personal statement I’ve had to do. All of the community based volunteering I haven’t done for a pat on the back or a well done, I’ve done all this because I actually care about Middleton.
Hopefully this shows you how much dedication and time I will put into being a councillor if you are kind enough to give me your vote.
My vision would be to see the regeneration of Middleton Town Centre and it given a similar Public Space Protection Order that Rochdale Town Centre has.
To go hand in hand with this we need to provide better provisions for the young people which is promoted better and accessible to all young people.
I would like to see less greenfield/Greenbelt development and better use of the brownfield & derelict sites.
I support an appropriate development of the Warwick Mill site with consideration to parking and affordability.
I do not support the CAZ tax in its current format, there needs to be more research into alternative solutions.
I strongly disagree on the thought process of charging residents/businesses, how is this going to improve the air quality. How do you deliver white goods or get tradespeople to jobs even if the infrastructure is in place?
Middleton has been silenced long enough NOW is the time to have OUR voices heard.
Voting for Middleton Independents is a vote for Middleton's voice.
We are Middleton, We need change, We need votes.
