| June 22nd, 2009 Five Questions for TED GATSAS: Long-time political figure recently launched his latest campaign: to be Mayor of his hometown Q1: Why are you running for Mayor? I am running for Mayor because the City of Manchester, much like our nation, is facing a number of once in a generation challenges. I think the combination of my diverse business experience and local and state government experience will allow me to lead this city, and its people, at a time when leadership is needed most. There would be no greater personal honor for me, as a life-long resident of Manchester, to serve as its leader. Q2: What are the three biggest challenges the city faces? First, expanding our tax base. Manchester is an established city and our resources for development are limited. We must use what we have (for example Hackett Hill) to attract new business and expand businesses already located in the city. Second, the Manchester taxpayers enjoy a high quality of essential services thanks to dedicated pubic servants across the city and we must maintain this level of service. Third, to get our schools out of a A District in Need of Improvement, status; working alongside Superintended Brennan I am confident we can make this happen. Q3: As Mayor and school board chairman, what would you do to help improve Manchesters public school? I believe that we need to go into the classrooms, talk with the teachers and the students, understand the limitations and challenges they are facing and work together to find responsible solutions. We must also engage the parents, and solicit their feedback because they know their children best. Manchester is a community and we need to come together as a community to provide a brighter future for our children - this begins at home and in the classroom. Q4: What should you do as Mayor to stop people from leaving the city? I have lived and worked in Manchester my entire life; it has always been, and continues to be a wonderful place to call home. As I visit families across the city they tell me they are concerned about their taxes and the cost of living. Our solution to this is two-part. First we must send a message to leadership in Concord that its not acceptable to balance the budget on the backs of city taxpayers. Just as we do in city government, the state must learn to spend within its means. Second, we must increase our local tax base and we can do this by attracting new business with economic incentives and promoting the high quality of life Manchester has to offer working families. Q5: Some critics say the recently approved 2009-10 budget was approved too quickly and without a chance for review. What is your position on this question? The Mayor presented his budget at the end of March and the Aldermen passed their budget the first week of June. In the nearly sixty days that elapsed the Board of Mayor and Aldermen heard from Department Heads and the School District. Additionally during that time every Aldermen has the opportunity to meet with Department Heads and the District individually. After hundreds of hours of work and deliberation the Aldermens budget was crafted; this is precisely the reason why the budget received bipartisan support by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen. It's disingenuous to assume that the budget was passed without due consideration. From the Manchester Express, June 22-28th Edition. 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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