Manchester Chamber of Commerce Hosts Board of Directors Debate

Republican and Democratic candidates for the Manchester Board of Directors engaged in a debate hosted by the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2013, in the Lincoln Center Hearing Room on Main Street.

The debate gave 11 of the 12 candidates present (Susan Holmes did not attend due to a previous engagement) a chance to present themselves and their platforms to voters and answer a series of questions about a number of issues facing the Manchester community in the coming weeks and months. Candidates were also given a chance to make a two-minute opening statement and a two-minute closing statement to potential voters.

Leo Diana, the town's current mayor and a Democrat seeking re-election, highlighted his accomplishments as a local business owner and family man with deep roots in the community. Diana said that Manchester faced a number of complex problems and issues in the coming years, and that good governance and a philosophy of being willing to spend on projects that were beneficial to the community while always being mindful of what the community could afford would be required of members of the Board of Directors in the coming years. He said he hoped voters would again elect him as mayor.

Cheri Ann Pelletier, a Republican seeking re-election, said that she felt the current iteration of the Board of Directors lacked productivity and that Democrats were spending too much.

Steve Gates, a Democrat seeking re-election, said that if re-elected for a second term he would continue his focus on trying to enhance the Manchester community through policies that promoted "health, wellness and fitness." Gates said he would continue his push to build an indoor athletics facilities on Broad Street.

Mark Tweedie, a Republican seeking re-election, said it was time to elect a Republican majority to the Board of Education because taxpayers couldn't afford another two years of Democratic control.

Rudy Kissman, a Democrat seeking re-election, said that he felt voters should maintain the Democratic majority on the board because Democrats have done a good job of "truly truly listening to the residents and accepting their concerns."

Patrick Greene, a Republican running for the first time, said that he was concerned about the direction of the town, particularly seniors who he said were being forced from their homes and the town due to continually rising local taxes.

Jay Moran, the Democratic deputy mayor seeking re-election, said that he felt Manchester was still the "City of Village Charm" but that it had a perception problem. He also said he felt that Democrats had done a good job managing the town budget in "tough economic times" and should be re-elected to a majority.

Tim Devanney, a Republican running for the first time, said the town had a "spending problem," which was particularly evident to him as one of the owners of Highland Park Market because its town taxes and bills continually rise each year.

Lisa Paggioli-O'Neil, a Democrat seeking re-election, said she would advocate for "prudent solutions" to the maintenance and repair issues facing the town's public schools if elected for another term.

Bert Gay, a Republican running for the first time, said that if elected he would try to live and contribute to the town's governance based on principals his mother taught him: "contribute to your community and leave something better than you found it."

Paul Rubin, a Democrat running for the first time, said town officials would face some difficult issues with the town's public elementary schools in coming years. "

"Which ones do we close, which ones do we renovate and which ones do we repair," Rubin said.

Pelletier read a statement from Holmes apologizing for her absent and stating that she was concerned about the ever rising cost of municipal government to seniors and wanted to see less affordable and low income housing developments in Manchester. Holmes is a Republican seeking re-election.

Richard Lion, a Libertarian candidate who petitioned his way onto the November ballot, did not participate in the debate but did attend, sitting in the audience. He said that, if elected, he would "work to ensure our government functions to secure and not to oppress our unalienable rights."

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2013.