PATRICK WOOD
District 5 - Laconia Wards 1,3,4,5,6
Mr. Wood is a candidate for State Rep.
I am a retired attorney. I practiced law in the Lakes Region for 45 years before retiring in 2020 - just before the pandemic! My twin sister blames the pandemic on that decision of mine; I think there may have been a bit more to it than that, however.
I was really enjoying my retirement - reading, walking, working in the yard and garden, having coffee at Wayfarer, etc. Then there was the massacre in Uvalde, Texas; I knew I could no longer be a bystander - I had to do something. After some serious cajoling and pleading from Ms Kessin and after meeting Scott Ringer, I agreed to run for State Representative, following the path of my courageous wife, Jane!
There are three major issues around which I am focusing my campaign.
1. Free public education is essential to our democracy. The legislature should be invigorating public education not eviscerating it.
2. Safe and affordable housing should not be limited to the wealthy. This is both a social and economic imperative for without housing for those who want to work, businesses cannot survive.
3. Safe gun ownership is a civic responsibility. I believe anyone owning a firearm should be required to take a gun safety course; no one under 21 should be able to purchase a firearm; 5% of the purchase price of any firearm should go to funding the Suicide Prevention Hotline and the gun safety courses; and gun owners who do not properly secure their firearms and ammunition should be held accountable for the consequences.
I also want to preserve and protect the independence and integrity of Gunstock; I want to make sure the State School property is developed in a manner that best protects the interests of Laconia and Belknap County; I want to bring back financial accountability to the state budget; and I want to work diligently to bring back civil political discourse.
Obviously, there are many concerns we all have. I spent my adult life listening and learning and trying to help others; I hope to continue this way of life.
Patrick