Mayoral candidate Michael Soucy speaks with supporters during his Smoke This Election event at Castro's Back Room on Oct. 3. Telegraph photo by Christopher Roberson

NASHUA – Amid a cloud of cigar smoke, mayoral candidate Michael Soucy fielded questions from supporters during his Smoke This Election event at Castro’s Back Room.

“The homelessness issue is out of control and it’s growing,” he said during the Oct. 3 event.

Soucy spoke about the tent city located behind the Crown Street Park and Ride. He said the encampment was set up haphazardly with no resources for anyone suffering from mental health problems.

“There’s nothing for these people other than a place to stay,” he said, adding that drug use will likely become prevalent. “Addiction is a very powerful thing.”

The tent city is only a half-mile from Crisp Elementary School.

“There’s a lot of little kids,” said Soucy. “This is a cruel thing that we’ve done.”

To make matters worse, Soucy said he noticed a hole in the fence around the perimeter of the encampment. In response, he called Ward 7 Alderwoman June Caron to ask that the hole be sealed off.

Although homeless shelters are available, Soucy said many of these individuals would rather live on the street than to go to a shelter.

“We need to get the state involved in re-engaging mental health services,” he said.

Speaking about outdoor dining, Soucy said it was initially a good idea to help restaurants stay afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it is now being overused.

“They want to make this permanent,” he said.

Soucy said he spoke with multiple business owners on Main Street who agree that outdoor dining has become detrimental as the jersey barriers have hampered on-street parking.

“Eighteen businesses on Main Street told me that the barriers are killing them,” he said. “I’m absolutely against the barriers.”

However, Soucy questioned if he would have the authority to remove them.

“I’m not sure if I could do that,” he said, adding that outdoor dining is now permitted by the state Legislature.

Currently a HIllsborough County commissioner, Soucy addressed comments he previously received about increasing the county tax by 20 percent.

“As county commissioner, I have zero debt,” he said.

He said that without a 20 percent tax increase the county would have a $15 million deficit going into the next budget cycle. Soucy said the increase would cost each resident an additional $24.

The results of the primary election showed Soucy trailing Mayor James Donchess by 592 votes.