Years in Concord: 10
Experience: Concord City Councilor for Ward 10, 3 terms (2019 to present); member, Concord Transportation Policy, Public Safety, Community Development, Solid Waste, and Everett Arena Advisory Committees and Mayor Bouley’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Justice & Belonging Committee; Executive Director, Concord-based non-profit (15 years); Mill Brook School PTA Treasurer (3 years)
Three key issues and potential solutions
■Investing in our local economy and expanding our commercial revenue base. The City Council plays a critical role in creating an environment that attracts and retains quality businesses that contribute to our local economy, provide jobs, and expand our revenue base. I’ve been proud to encourage economic development in Concord, including supporting public-private partnerships to spur investment and bring necessary projects to reality. The Merchants Way development at Exit 17 is an example of how we can work together to both provide solutions for community needs and generate additional commercial revenue, which in turn helps keep our resident taxes lower. Working with our economic development staff, Concord has the opportunity to encourage mixed use spaces of housing and retail in our city center and other commercial spaces, expand our Main Street investments toward Storrs Street to build a strong second “Main Street” area, and strengthen small business opportunities in existing, underutilized spaces in Concord and Penacook. I support smart, responsible economic growth in the city that invests in our future and creates more opportunities for all of us.
■Increasing affordable housing and complete streets. We must address challenges like affordable housing, which is an existential threat to the ability for Concord working families to afford to live in our community, and for those already in homes to be able to stay here, especially our elderly. Concord must complete ConcordNext zoning updates, which could provide residents with more housing options while preserving the character of our city. Specifically, accessory dwelling units (ADU’s) are one option that allows elderly family members to age in place, or young adults to remain at home, and increases housing density. Public transportation options and complete streets initiatives (walking, bicycling, public transit-friendly streets) are interconnected issues; multimodal transportation options allow a broader range of families to seek housing in different areas of Concord and still be able to easily access groceries, jobs, and health care. Complete streets also encourage safe, healthy lifestyles for all Concord residents. When housing is not being developed quickly enough, Concord must bring together leaders and resources to explore options. Affordable housing is a concern across New Hampshire, and our community and state must take urgent action to ensure every family has the opportunity to find safe, secure, affordable housing.
■Building a resilient, welcoming community. In June, a group of neo-Nazis marched on the streets of Concord and attacked a local business, spewing antisemitic and anti-LGBTQ+ slurs. The City Council has an incredibly important role in sending a strong message that hate has no home in Concord. Our community cannot thrive if our neighbors are threatened and our small businesses are targeted. In these moments, elected officials must come together swiftly to condemn hate activity and provide support to our community members and small businesses. We must use our city departments and resources to create strong plans that ensure the public safety and dignity of all Concord residents and guests. Our work to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion justice and belonging is instrumental here, because it guides us towards policies and ideas that address the needs and experiences of those community members most marginalized and under threat. Concord is a welcoming, inclusive community, but only if we continue to do the work to make it one, and to really engage community members in the decisions that impact them each day.