Meet the Candidates: Mark Tweedie

Age: 55 yrs

Party, Position Seeking: Republican running for the Board of Directors. 

Family Information: Wife, Melissa; Children, Samantha and Brian.

Occupation: Owner, Tweedie Dental Arts, LLC, a Manchester business since 1984; Owner, Vista Properties, LLC.

Political Experience: Four years service, Town of Manchester, Board of Directors.

Other Experience: Connecticut Dental Laboratory Association, past president and member of the Board of Directors; Manchester Little League, Executive Board member for four years; Coach, umpire and sponsor for over 20 years; St. James School, past president of the Home School Association, Coach, baseball team; Manchester Parks and Recreation, volunteer coach for over 10 years; AAU basketball coach; Manchester Police Activities League, former member Board of Directors.

Why did you run for office?

I grew up here in Manchester, and except for the six years I served in the military, I have lived here since birth. I remember the neighborhoods of my friends, the wonderful local stores and restaurants, vibrant downtown, Broad Street and Parkade areas. We have all the elements to make Manchester a town that is affordable, has great schools, and has jobs and industry to help support the cost of town services. I want to make Manchester a better place to live and do business. I want to continue to work hard to make sure that Manchester’s future is as bright as its past.

If elected, what would be your primary areas of focus?

My priority will be on business growth and job creation. We need to make sure that all the assets in our town including retail, industrial, and commercial areas as well as our community college and other area training resources are utilized to their maximum potential to create a trained workforce, new jobs and tax dollars to support our budget.

What do you feel is the biggest issue facing Manchester today?

Our sources for money to support our budget are unknown because of state and federal deficits. A strong business community is needed because it contributes substantial tax dollars without requiring significant town services. Homeowners, alone cannot possibly shoulder the cost of strong schools and other town services so important to our community.

What skills do you have that you could bring to the community?

I am a taxpayer, small business owner and family man who has worked hard to manage and control expenses and stay within a budget in my personal life as well as in my role as Town Director. I pledge to taxpayers that I will continue to scrutinize all town expenditures as if they were my own personal budget. I want to hold the line on taxes and make sure that we have strong schools and town services. I will continue to work hard to develop new sources of tax revenue through economic development to reduce the tax burden on homeowners.