Narrative

In His Own Words . . .

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​Mr. Cascadden returned his Citizens for Belknap Questionnaire with these responses:

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Dean Cascadden
Democratic Party
Running for House. Belknap 2, Meredith

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1.How long have you lived in Belknap County? If you moved to the county, why did you choose to do so? If you have always lived in Belknap County, why have you stayed? If you’ve been a resident for one year or less, what prompted you to run so soon?
I am a NH native, spending most of my time in Grafton County. I grew up in Littleton and went to college in Hanover living in the Upper Valley for a decade. After five years away for graduate work, I returned to Bristol where I began my service as a school administrator and raised my family. I have lived in Belknap county for
10 years, moving to Meredith from Bristol when I built a house on Lake Wicwas.

2. Why are you running, and what is the most important legislative issue you hope to tackle the next legislative term?
I am running to make a difference in Educational and Environmental Policy. I feel I have expertise in both that can be useful to the legislative process. Gaining property tax relief while funding needed services is my biggest concern.

3. What do you see are the biggest needs or issues in Belknap County, and what would you do to fill that need?
County government provides needed public services efficiently and effectively. To help with that need, I would be present at meetings to review proposals of the Commission and seek input from constituents on how to best provide those services. Ensuring that County services such as the Nursing Home, Corrections, the Court and
Registry are adequately funded along with the critical social support for mental health, environmental conservation and University extension programs will be a priority.

4. What distinguishes you from the other candidates running in your district?
I have over two decades of NH educational leadership experience and I have been involved with the Lake Wicwas Association for over a decade. I have knowledge and experience in both education and environmental policy.

5. A recent independent report found deficiencies in the current Belknap County jail. Would you support construction of a building that meets modern standards? Or should the existing jail be renovated?
I would have to look at the two proposals. Renovation can be effective, but new construction often has advantages. As a Superintendent of Schools we often weighed such decisions. In this case, the upgrades needed are extensive and new construction would seem to be a better option. New public buildings often have significant upgrades in technology, safety and utility.

6. Do you agree that traditional public schools are essential to attracting business and retaining employees in Belknap county? Should our students’ education be funded at ‘adequate education’ levels as defined by the NH Supreme Court’s in the ConVal decision? Why or why not? 

Public schools are essential, but there does have to be alternative pathways for students and parents. School funding needs to be looked at as our present public school funding process is not working. When government provides a service, it needs to do so in an equitable manner. Funding education on property tax is inherently
unequal as towns have widely varying property valuations per student. This needs to be addressed in a thorough and thoughtful way.

7. The Belknap County Nursing Home continues to operate under capacity, yet it has a waiting list of Belknap clients. What will you do as a member of the Delegation, to assist the County Commission to maximize our nursing care facility?
The home may be under physical capacity, but as a provider of intense services it must be staffed adequately. Therefore, staffing levels, salaries and benefits would have to be examined. There must be a balance of accepting private pay patients that help balance the budget and caring for our citizens in the county who
deserve this care. I would carefully review the County Commission proposals to make sure that balance is fair and equitable.

8. The county nursing home and the Belknap Mountain Recreation Area, including Gunstock Mountain Resort, are revenue streams owned by Belknap County. As a County Delegation member, do you support leasing out the property to a private company, or selling those operations?
I do not. I am a supporter of government owned facilities, run by professional managers that serve the interest of the citizens. I grew up skiing on Cannon Mountain and this model provides an economic engine to the local community. They support recreation for citizens and promote our tourist economy which is vital to our county.

9. Opioids and other drugs continue to be a problem in our communities. What are your ideas to reduce the impact of these drugs in our community? What resources are you willing to commit?
Education, treatment and crisis intervention options are all critically important. Typical law enforcement response does not get to the root of the issues.

10. Belknap County’s delegation of state representatives has the poorest rate of attendance in the state at 78% for the 2024-25 legislative session. It’s so bad that the 2nd lowest, Strafford County, is 89%. Do you commit to attending at least 80% of committee meetings, and 90% or more of Session vote days?
Yes. I will show up and be involved.

11. The Belknap County Sheriff’s Department has entered into an agreement with U.S Immigration & Customs Enforcement 287(g) program agreement with Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE). Do you support this, and why? 

No, I believe local law enforcement should not be doing federal work. As a school administrator I supported school resource officers and community policing. I am concerned that this agreement does not support that work.

12. The county nursing home and the Belknap Mountain Recreation Area, including
Gunstock Mountain Resort, are revenue streams owned by Belknap County. As a County Delegation member, do you support leasing out the property/operations to a private company, or selling the property/operations?
This is the same question as number 8.

13. Affordable housing continues to be a problem, causing challenges for our county economy, including limiting the worker pool, attracting business, and attracting younger families. If elected, what will you do to increase the stock of affordable housing?
I will not over-ride local zoning. More workforce housing needs to be constructed, but we need to be careful that ADUs and other development is not used for the short term rental market. Cluster development is community building, environmentally sensitive and should be encouraged. I will work to reestablish the effective
InvestNH and Housing Champion programs that were eliminated in the last legislative session. 

14. Without clean lakes and rivers, the Belknap County tourism economy would be in jeopardy. Should the county financially support pollution control and water quality monitoring programs? Why or why not?
Yes, absolutely, Our economy is dependent on this resource, and there are things we can do to protect the environment, while supporting recreational use, but we need data to make informed decisions. And Belknap County should support the organizations and agencies that do this critical work.

15. Do you agree that the tax reduction for State revenue streams (Business Enterprise Tax, Rooms & Meals, Income & Dividends Tax, et. al), resulted in downshifted costs to Belknap county and local schools, and increased local property taxes? Why or why not?
Yes. As I look at the data of state educational support to local schools, there is a correlation of the reduction in these revenue streams with the increasing property tax burden. Schools do need to run efficiently, but the present issue is a revenue allocation issue. We cannot claim that taxes have been reduced, if in reality, they
have been shifted from the state to the local taxpayer. 

16. Would you favor reforming the Delegation’s meeting format? Should the Delegation conduct monthly meetings? Would you increase public input opportunities? Continue with Roberts’ Rules?
In any board I have worked on, meetings with less formal structure can be effectively used to solve problems, brainstorm solutions and improve service. Monthly board meetings with structured times of public input is the norm for most school boards. I found that a relaxed version of Roberts Rules with plenty of discussion before motions are proposed is an effective meeting method. 

I also found that boards and administrators work best when they respect each other’s roles. The current County Delegation has created a somewhat strained relationship with the County Commissioners that needs to be addressed. The Commissioners have a functional day to day relationship with County Department heads and supported organizations. They know and understand the needs and issues. With that knowledge and understanding the Commissioners prepare and submit an annual budget. The Delegation should vigorously question the Commissioners, County Department heads and the “Outside Agencies” to defend their budget requests, but it appears that the current Delegation attempts to duplicate the work of the Commissioners without having the benefit of the knowledge base held by the Commissioners.
Respecting administrators while holding them accountable to the citizens I believe is the right balance for the Delegation.