City
Lilac
Experienced
Family Man
Determined
Why I'm Running For Mayor
We need to improve communication with the public about city actions and address the strained relationship between the mayor and the press. I will work to build a better relationship with the media and ensure people have accurate information about city actions. I will challenge the city council to be more involved in decision-making and encourage greater citizen input through their councilors. Every comment and concern should be reviewed by a council committee and responded to.
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With the challenges in maintaining city services, we need innovation and community involvement to not only maintain but improve services. I will collaborate with City Councilors, the School Board, Police Commission, Planning Board, and others to address issues like homelessness, high housing costs, property crime, drugs, and job creation.
Safe, Clean, and Affordable Housing for Everyone
The city should work to create truly affordable housing for young families looking to stay in Rochester. Current market prices are unaffordable for our children and grandchildren who have been raised here and would like to stay in our community. As your Mayor I will work to find state and federal resources to assist our community in developing the infrastructure necessary to reduce the overall cost of new housing and apartments. We need to look at locations near the downtown area first, as many young individuals and couples prefer to live near services. Also, we need to address the issue of homelessness. We need to “think outside the box” to increase the number of spaces either in shelters or micro units so we can eliminate homeless encampments on public and private properties. I have been working with county and regional groups to find solutions to our homelessness issues.
Latest Updates
Homelessness
I have been working with community leaders in the tri-city area, our county commissioners, and statewide housing advocates on this issue for several years. Homelessness is a regional issue which Rochester cannot solve on its own. Many of our homeless have full-time jobs but cannot afford rising rents. Many are children who are homeless through no fault of their own. We need to look at what other communities around the country have done with this issue. I have been a proponent of “pallet shelter” communities as just one possible interim solution. As mayor I would be an advocate of county solutions for transitional housing and low barrier housing so that no one must live in their car, or in the woods. We need to speak out in support of mental health services for those that need help. I would work with our faith community, local non-profits, the mayors and selectmen of surrounding communities, and state and federal representatives to find funding and support services for our homeless population.
Housing Affordability
I do not support legislative actions to override our local planning board and zoning which one of my opponents has lobbied in favor of. I do support a comprehensive relook at our zoning to find ways to reduce the cost of development. If we are truly going to find ways to reduce housing cost, we need to think outside the box when it comes to housing. We have a business right here in Rochester who is developing new construction methods for the construction of homes. I have met with them many times and they are working with communities outside of Rochester due to the city’s seeming lack of interest. Tiny homes such as those developed in Dover are a good source of starter homes for young working families. We need to investigate what other communities are doing, work on public/private partnerships, and work with our planners to find and support better ways to meet our future housing needs.
Education
I've spent many hours talking with Teachers and School Administrator's. Our educational system has struggled for many years due to reduced funding at the state level. Efforts to increase funding for education have been met with opposition from anti-public education forces. I feel it is important for the City Council to work in conjunction with our School Board to advocate for greater funding for our schools within the state and federal budgets. Rochester taxpayers have always supported funding for our local schools, but we have been stymied by cutbacks at the state level. Good local schools are the driving force behind every great community.
Personal Information
As a lifelong resident of Rochester, my wife Anne and I have raised five children in our community. We have both been active in our schools, after school sports, school music programs, and many non-profit organizations. I have been personally involved in the creation and development of programs for both our senior citizens and our children. I’ve served as Deputy Mayor of our city serving for over 25 years on the council, over 10 years on our planning board, and 18 years as a state legislator. I worked professionally as a community panner for many communities in our state and have been an advocate for environmental and childcare issues in NH. I am not a Concord lobbyist, or a good old boy. I have struggled to make ends meet like many Rochester families have. I know what it’s like to see our taxes go up over 30% on our modest home. I’m now mostly retired and will be a fulltime Mayor for our city. I will be available for any citizen who needs to connect with their government. I will hold regular office hours. I will challenge the city council members to be more involved with their wards and bring their concerns to the council for debate. I will be an advocate for Rochester. I will work closely with all our boards, commissions, state, and federal agencies to achieve a more responsive, and affordable government for all our people. My experience and lifelong commitment to our community give me a perspective no other candidate for Mayor has.
Personal Information
Rochester City Council 25+ years
Rochester Planning Board 10+ years
NH State Legislator 18 years
Rochester Childcare Center
Strafford County Homemakers
Youth Sports Coach
Spaulding Music Boosters Board
School Street School P.T.O. Board President
Founder and Director of the New Hampshire Youth Leadership Foundation
Retired Municipal Planner
Retired Elementary Special Education Paraprofessional