Meet the Candidates: Steve Gates

Name:  Steve Gates

Age:  57 (58 on Election Day)

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

Family information: Father of two Daughters: Rachel (22) – Graduate of Manchester High School (2007) and Northeastern University (2011), Employed by Reebok Int’l, Canton, MA; Samantha (18) – Freshman at Brown University; Graduate of Manchester High School (2011), Valedictorian.

Occupation: Business Consultant, Merger’s & Acquisition, Aetna.

Political Experience: Member of Parks & Recreation Commission; Member of Lease Oversight Committee for Manchester Country Club; Alternate Member of Ethics Commission.

Other Experience: President of Manchester High School PTSA, 2006 – 2011; Project Lead – Proposal for Enhanced Indoor Athletic Facilities for Manchester High School and the Community

Why did you run for office? 

My decision to run for the Board of Directors was based on the following:

1. A strong desire to give back to the community that has given me so much.  I grew up and was educated here, raised my family here and received so much support during a long, successful competitive running career. I look forward to serving the people of Manchester.
2. An interest in joining the very successful democratic team of the past two years. As a community we will be best served by a continuation of this cooperative, results oriented leadership style. I believe that my leadership experience and skill set will enable me to enhance the team and insure continued success.

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

1. Fiscal responsibility – we must value every dollar. Fiscal restraint is critical in this economy. We must focus on community necessities such as support of police and fire to insure safety and security, infrastructure maintenance (roads & sidewalks) and water/sewer updates.
2. We must follow through on Broad Street Redevelopment. This area holds a lot of promise for the community.
3. We must be an effective partner with the Board of Education to effectively manage future spending while reaffirming our strong commitment to education.  The school system is the single most influential factor to an individual or family’s decision to live here, open a business here and contribute to the greater good of the community.

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

Given the current economic realities, we must value every dollar. The tax burden on our homeowners is crippling. We must tightly manage spending while working with the private sector to enhance and revitalize the business climate.  Identifying and delivering new sources of revenue is critical. Our follow through on Broad Street Redevelopment is a critical component of potential revenue sources. We must also continue to deliver critical services in the most cost effective means possible and identify cost savings opportunities wherever possible.

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

The most important skill is Leadership. I have a proven track record of delivering results. I bring over 30 years of private sector business leadership and experience.  I am currently leading a team accountable for integrating a recent $290 million business acquisition. On the community level, I recently led a small group of volunteers in the development and delivery of a project proposal to address well documented physical education and athletic facility inadequacies at Manchester High School and throughout the community. Recognizing the economic times we are in, the comprehensive proposal was delivered at no cost to the community. During development of the proposal I worked with a cross section of Community, State and Federal leaders.

I also bring a strong financial background. The current economic realities will shape our decision making. Insuring sound fiscal discipline is essential.