| June 9th, 2009 Gatsas vows to streamline government MANCHESTER – State Sen. Ted Gatsas kicked off his campaign for mayor yesterday with a speech that emphasized his local roots, presenting the Ward 2 Republican as a successful entrepreneur who entered public service after achieving the "American Dream." Gatsas, 59, said his experience as a businessman, alderman and state legislator "will allow me to lead this city and its people at a time when we need leadership most." He promised to streamline city government, consolidating departments "where it makes sense," and to explore "green" initiatives. The speech was short on policy and long on biography, name-checking educators in the city schools who taught him important life lessons and tracing the arc of his career all the way back to his days pumping gas on Elm Street. The setting was the aldermanic chambers in City Hall, where Gatsas, who is also an alderman, was flanked by a veritable who's who of New Hampshire Republicans. Among them: former Gov. John H. Sununu, Senate Minority Leader Peter Bragdon and former Mayor Ray Wieczorek, who has agreed to serve as a campaign co-chairman. Wieczorek shares the title with former Central High School football coach Jim Schubert, whose friendship with Gatsas spans several decades. Tucked within the crowd of roughly 75 supporters was at least one Democrat: Alderman Bill Shea, who said Gatsas has his unequivocal endorsement. Shea, wearing a blue Gatsas campaign sticker on his lapel, said he told Gatsas two years ago he ought to run for mayor. "He's proven he's a good leader," Shea said. "I feel he would be an excellent person to lead the city." Gatsas is the lone Republican among the four mayoral hopefuls in the race so far. The field includes two Democrats -- Alderman Mark Roy and state Rep. Richard Komi -- and an independent, Glenn Ouellette. At least three other Democrats -- namely, Alderman At-Large Mike Lopez, former state Sen. Bobby Stephen and former Alderman Jerome Duval -- have expressed an interest in the job. Roy, responding to Gatsas' speech last night, said, "I have never questioned his love for Manchester. But I think, personally, the next mayor of Manchester has to have more than just a love of the city. They have to have a management approach that truly can bring people together." As an elected official, Gatsas said he has consistently reached across the aisle on issues as varied as the city budget, the education-funding "crisis," utility rates and tax exemptions for seniors. "And," he said, "I made it a point to ask the tough questions so we could find the right solutions." Republicans who cheered him on at yesterday's campaign kickoff said Gatsas is one of the hardest-working officials in state government. Bragdon said Gatsas "does his homework." State Sen. Jeb Bradley said Gatsas "doesn't tolerate foolishness." Speaking after the rally, Gatsas said he stands by the city budget he co-authored with Alderman At-Large Mike Lopez and disputed claims that it will require layoffs. He said he believes Mayor Frank Guinta, a Republican now running for Congress, "does a great job" despite tough circumstances. Gatsas' campaign manager is Samantha Piatt, who is his legislative aide in the Senate. The campaign's fiscal agent is Hillsborough County Register of Probate Bob Rivard. Gatsas, 59, was elected to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen in November 1999. One year later, he won a seat in the state Senate. He served as Senate president for one year, from September 2005 to December 2006. - Scott Brooks, Union Leader 06/9/2009 Back To News |
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Paid for by Ted Gatsas for Mayor. B. Rivard, Fiscal Agent PO Box 6655, Manchester, NH 03108 603.623.0220
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