Ward 6 encapsulates the heart and soul of downtown Concord, including much of the revitalized Main Street area and a narrow sliver reaching down toward Exit 12 on I-93.
It includes some of the major employers in Concord and capital projects on the city’s radar. Think Memorial Field, the Hall Street Wastewater Treatment Plant, the state office park and the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center.
Two political newcomers, Aislinn Kalob and Brenna Kehew Sculley, are vying to represent Ward 6 on the city council.
Kalob waitresses at a restaurant in Henniker, a career switch after working in academic and youth development at a Rochester school and spending several years in the nonprofit world. Kalob lives with a roommate and her greyhound, Turn. This is her first time running for public office.
Kehew Sculley, too, has never served in public office before, but as the policy director of the National Foundation for Women Legislators, she has spent her career around people who have. She lives with her husband and two kids, and she volunteers with the Junior Service League of Concord.
Scroll on for more information about the candidates.
Aislinn Kalob
Age: 31
Years living in Concord: 3.5
Top issues: Housing affordability/availability, Homelessness, Government transparency and accessibility
Reason for running: “I want to serve the city of Concord because I love the city of Concord. Moving here and building a life enriched by this community has been incredibly rewarding for me, personally. If I am elected, I will be presented with the opportunity to vote on matters that have a very real, measurable impact in people’s lives, and I don’t take that lightly. I want everyone to feel the same connectedness, sense of safety and ease of enjoyment that I do, and I know this value of mine will guide my decisions.”
Key point: “I believe city councilors should be ever-present in the community, get information on council matters to the public in a timely manner by utilizing the tools of social media and the internet and solicit feedback from constituents on important issues.”
Most important projects for Ward 6: Rundlett Middle School, Memorial Field, library
Brenna Kehew Sculley
Age: 37
Years living in Concord: 2.5
Top issues: Housing affordability/availability, Economic development, Downtown revitalization
Reason for running: “There is no greater motivation for me than to make sure I do everything I can for my family, friends, neighbors and fellow residents to have a great place to live. I want everyone in this city to live a safe and comfortable life.”
Key point: “If people have access to housing they can afford and jobs that pay them well, that is a big step that can be taken to head off a potential path towards homelessness. Attracting new taxpayers is preferable to raising taxes, looking out for everyone’s bottom line. Eliminating any bureaucratic barriers is essential, and adding more people and entities to share in the tax burden and expand our tax base will make it more manageable for everyone.”
Most important projects for Ward 6: Hall Street Wastewater Treatment Plant, Rundlett Middle School, library
