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 have lived in Belknap County since January 2007. I decided to move here because it was a small town and I love the lakes and mountains. It was just the right distance to family. I decided to stay in Belknap County after I retired from the military in 2012.

2.    Why are you running, and what is the most important legislative issue you hope to tackle the next legislative term? 
I decided to run for office because I believe it is our civic duty to participate in our democracy. The dismantling of our state and federal government is of major concern to me. I took an oath to defend our US Constitution and I believe NH’s constitution is under attack as well. I would like to stop the downshifting of costs from the state to local towns and cities. We must hold our state accountable to its obligations to public schools, retirees, etc.

3.    What do you see are the biggest needs or issues in Belknap County, and what would you do to fill that need? 
Belknap County desperately needs affordable housing. Median home prices are approx. 534,000. There is a critical shortage of rental properties, starter homes for families as well as smaller homes for seniors who would like to downsize. We need to build better housing communities to tackle all these issues as well as manage growth to preserve open/green spaces and preserve our water quality. I would seek guidance from housing
experts and master planners in the towns of Belknap County to develop long term building solutions. I would also encourage innovation in terms of regulations to remove some of the limits on how property can be used to serve our housing needs.

4.  What distinguishes you from the other candidates running in your district?
I am a Veteran. Over my nearly 24 years of service, we, US military members, have had to do more with less. We improvise, adapt, overcome.

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? 
Our residents already suffer from high taxes, primarily at the local level rather than the county level, and building a new jail would obviously add a large burden. It should not be entered into lightly, and if deficiencies can be safely addressed without new construction, I would lean in that direction. In making a decision on this, I would tend to rely heavily on the views of the county commissioners and the jail superintendent. I would have to look at both proposals, and the deficiencies to more fully understand the scope of each and the additional tax burden on our residents.

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? 
Yes, I agree that traditional public schools are essential for all communities in order to attract business and retaining workers in Belknap County. The state constitution has a mandate to provide adequate education AND FUNDING for EVERY child. (Claremont Ruling 1990’s). Education has been underfunded for decades. We need to better define “adequacy” to keep up with new technology and educational requirements on a regular
basis. We need to abide by the law! Our kids deserve an education that serves them upon graduation. 
 
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 nursing home is a tremendous asset to the county, being a highly rated facility that gets consistently high marks for its care to our residents in need. The county needs to optimize that by working to fill the beds. Staffing issues are a primary concern, with our facility having to compete with others, including private. There are no quick fixes, but the delegation needs to support our nursing home administrator in any efforts geared towards filling the home.

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 would never support the privatization of our county assets to any company. Both the nursing home and Gunstock are vital to the welfare of our residents and the economic viability of the county. Gunstock is a jewel of the area; it is used and loved by people from all walks of life. If there is anything Belknap County residents agree on, it is Gunstock. These county assets provide much needed revenue for Belknap.

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?
According to New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute, investments in SUD (Substance Use Disorder) prevention, treatment and recovery can lead to cost savings in the future, I would continue support for these programs and would suggest an increase (currently at 15%) from the NH Opioid Abatement Trust Fund that Belknap County receives.

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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?
This is one of reasons why I am running for office- - our current Representatives, (including one of my representatives from Alton, who was the worst offender at both state and county level) have a poor record of attendance!   Yes! I will commit to attending at least 80% of committee meetings and 90% or better of session vote days.

11. The Belknap County Sheriff’s Department has entered into an agreement with U.S.  Immigration & Customs Enforcement  287(g) program agreement .  Do you support this, and why?
NO! I do not support our local law enforcement being used for federal law enforcement. We need our local law enforcement officers committed to the citizens of Belknap County.
 

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?

 In 2008 NH passed a law to require every community to provide workforce housing (RSA 674:58-61). We need to ensure they are doing that! There are currently 1200-1300 active rentals in the County across Airbnb and Vrbo. The county could incentivize these homeowners to rent their properties for long term rather than short term (if applicable). Towns should also be encouraged to considering loosening some regulations and exploring innovative solutions to increase the housing stock.

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?
The county should absolutely support pollution control, water monitoring ad other pro-environment measures for the physical health, economic health, and the beauty of the region. Outside agencies concerned with the environment should be fully funded, and the county should take advantage of any state and federal grants and loans directed to improvement of the environment. Our lakes and rivers are our source of income for our economy. We need to protect them and the environment at all costs.

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, I agree that the downshifting of state costs has been happening for many years now. We need to hold the state accountable for what they are responsible for. In my town of Alton, and in several other Belknap County towns, the voters voted in favor of warrant articles addressing the problem of downshifting. If the state reduces revenue streams, the costs fall to the taxpayer in the form of higher property taxes. This is
irresponsible leadership and we need to change this so that everyone, especially every business, and the ultra-wealthy pay their share.

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? 
Monthly or bi-monthly (as in every 2 months, not twice a month) meetings might be a good idea, primarily to give citizens of Belknap County more opportunities to voice concerns ad seek more accountability from our delegation. Roberts Rules keep order and discipline and are therefore essential to public meetings.