Business leaders endorse Chris Williams
NASHUA – Six leaders of the city’s business, economic development and legal community endorsed Chris Williams for mayor on Tuesday, citing his efforts to expand passenger rail here and his early support for the Broad Street Parkway and development of the Millyard.
Williams will face off against Alderman-at-Large and former mayor Jim Donchess in the Nov. 3 general election to succeed Mayor Donnalee Lozeau in the corner office.
Real estate developer John Stabile said Williams was an early supporter of the Broad Street Parkway, who saw its potential to resurrect the Millyard soon after he became president and CEO of the Greater Nashua Chamber of Commerce 10 years ago. Stabile said the Broad Street Parkway was a key factor in his decision to build the 109-unit Apartments at Cotton Mill in the Millyard.
"I believe Chris Williams will best deal with the economic issues facing Nashua and will raise the tax base, not the tax rate," Stabile said at a press conference at City Hall Auditorium.
Stabile was joined by recently retired Nashua Community Development Director Kathy Hersh, local attorney and former state Sen. David Gottesman and businesswoman Alyssa O’Mara in endorsing Williams. Local developer Rob Parsons, who bought the former district court house property, and entrepreneur Becki Somers also endorsed Williams, but did not attend the press conference.
"Our city’s success depends on a modern understanding of how to grow our city’s economic, cultural and education systems. Placing our city’s future in leadership will not work," Williams said. from three decades ago
Leaders praised Williams for his leadership, ability to forge relationships to meet challenges and get things done, and vision to restore economic vitality to Nashua.
"He understands what’s good for the city is good for businesses and what’s good for the businesses is good for the city as well," Hersh said.
She cited Williams’ work to help create New Hampshire Rail Transit Authority and raising private money to fund studies critical to the progression of the rail expansion.
Gottesman cited Williams’ efforts to forge alliances with the business and legal community to fight to keep Hillsborough County Superior Court in Nashua.
Kathryn Marchocki can be reached at 594-6589, kmarchocki@ nashuatelegraph.com, or @Telegraph_KMar.