As Nashua's only serving Independent, I represent the views of Ward 9 residents, not a political party. I value family, freedom, personal responsibility, service (to community and country), transparency, discipline and spirituality. We must always prioritize our needs and balance them so taxpayers (you and me) aren't over-burdened.
MY TRACK RECORD
TAXATION/SPENDING
Since taking office, I've been on the BUDGET COMMITTEE, JOINT SPECIAL SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE and INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE.
Every dollar the city spends comes through the Budget Committee. The past four years have been an extraordinary learning experience for me. My work outside of my city role requires me to manage finances, understand the return on investment and be flexible when it comes to priorities.
Out of the four years I've been in office, I voted against three city budgets. Why? Because there was too much spending in the budget coupled with the boost in assessments you were seeing. It was a double-whammy on top of record setting inflation we were seeing.
I don't just vote NO, I offer real-world solutions to help ease the tax burden on you. I scrutinize large capital projects to make sure it's worth the large investment. The biggest responsibility as leaders in this city is to allocate capital. We must be mindful and accountable to our residents.
DOWNTOWN
Our city has spent millions downtown, while the other crucial areas of opportunity (Amherst Street and DW Highway) remain largely ignored.
Amherst St and DW Highway can be re-imagined and re-zoned. Both areas have easy access to Route 3 and plenty of room for parking, walking areas and green space. Strip malls and box stores can give way to mixed - use development.
In my third term I will strive for balance when it comes spending capital. We can (and should) have a strong downtown, but not at the expense of other areas.
HOUSING
The price of housing in Nashua continues to tick upwards. Owning a home is not only about the mortgage payment, but your property taxes, utilities, etc.
Nashua must grow, but we must keep in mind along with that growth comes the need for more public safety, education and infrastructure. I will continue to ask questions of city leadership to ensure we are looking at all outcomes that occur with more residents coming into our city.
OUR PUBLIC EMPLOYEES
I voted in favor of all new contracts for all of our city employees because they make the City of Nashua what it is.
I supported new contracts for:
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Nashua Police Department
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Nashua Teachers
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Nashua Fire & Rescue
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Nashua Paraprofessionals and Custodians
ST. ANDREW'S PARK
Before I was Alderman, this park in Ward 9 was ignored. Millions were spent in other parts of the city while our crown jewel sat neglected.
Today, that park is fixed up and looking GREAT! What's better is that it was funded not by taxpayer dollars, but proceeds from an easement agreement in Ward 2.
I hope you and your family enjoy what our Ward 9 parks offer (St. Andrew's & Pickleball on Shady Ln).
RESPONSIVENESS
When I first ran, I told you I would return every phone call and reply back to each email. I did that, and still do!
No matter the issue; snow plowing, drainage, speeding or overgrown trees if it matters to you, it matters to me to get it fixed.
I recall one email I got a few months into my campaign from a gentleman on Cardiff Rd. trying to fix an issue in front of his mailbox, "What I tried to get fixed for over 1.5 years, you got fixed in less than a month."
That's why I want to keep doing this!
COMMUNICATION
I conduct in-person ward meetings. I frequently released videos on my Facebook page. I call you back. I respond to your emails.
MY VISION FOR NASHUA
While my heart and energy is in Ward 9, I frequently think about the whole city. We're at a crossroads. What will our city look like for the next generation? The Nashua I want to leave to my children will be safe, clean, walkable and modern.
I will put my focus on areas of our city that offer us an advantage over many other NH cities. Decades ago companies like Sanders Associates, Nashua Corp. and Digital Equipment Corp. brought people to Nashua. They came to work here and stayed in town to live and raise their families. Ward 9 was essentially built out during the '80s when all of these companies were thriving.
My vision of Nashua has economic development at its core. Nashua was originally built on manufacturing. Then, starting half a century ago, we reimagined and revitalized the city as a retail mecca. Many of our older residents watched the decline of manufacturing. All of us are
experiencing the dramatic shift in retail going on now. Nashua is on the cusp of reimagining itself yet again, and our city has a history of innovation that provides seeds for a future that could include a transition to more robust light/contract manufacturing, medical research, education, software development and the arts.
Our city also enjoys an enviable geographic advantage, and the New Hampshire advantage – a knockout combo we should exploit to its fullest.
The Nashua I see has green space, clean public areas, safe streets, excellent public education, a broad and resilient economic base that include businesses of every shape and size, and a diverse population that makes our city "hum".
As your Alderman, I hope you will join me in building that kind of future for our next generations.