Sean Rogers Courtesy photo

NASHUA – Concerned that the actions of the federal government have trickled down to the municipal level, Sean Rogers is forging ahead with his campaign for alderman-at-large.

“There have been many controversial decisions made by the Board of Alderman in the past few years, including involuntary masking of all adults and children and increasing property taxes during an economic downturn,” he said. “What I find most heinous is the lack of any real discussion or debate with the public. The elected representatives don’t seem to listen much to dissenting points of view.”

Rogers said there have been times when residents were threatened by public officials or were told to leave a meeting.

“Everyone should have the right to speak and shutting us down and shutting us up only exacerbates the problem,” he said.

If elected, Rogers said his top priority would be to lend a “receptive, sympathetic ear to people who are outraged.”

“Just having someone listen to their problems is a powerful tonic and can help ameliorate frustrations and misunderstandings,” he said.

Rogers said another problem is the city’s 1.8 percent property tax. Under the current tax rate, he said a home valued at $500,000 would produce a tax bill of nearly $9,000.

“That is a ton of money, especially when the average taxpayer already pays $16,000 to the federal government,” he said.

Speaking about the election itself, Rogers said many of the problems that existed in 2021 have not gone away. He said some of those issues include political divisiveness, increased taxation, increased inflation as well as residents feeling ignored and intimidated.

“Something’s got to give,” he said. “I hope that the business as usual candidates with reckless spending plans are repudiated with this upcoming election.”

Rogers also said the presence of social media has become a “real factor” for incumbents and candidates alike.

“I knew it would be bad, but I was hoping it wouldn’t be too bad given it’s a local municipal election,” he said. “I was wrong. It has been painful and stressful, with people answering the door with guns, with people yelling and screaming at me for little to no reason and with people dogpiling me online when I have the most mild, milquetoast opinion on something.”

However, Rogers remains determined to push through to the Nov. 7 general election.

“I just can’t live like this anymore, I’ve got to say something,” he said.

Professionally, Rogers is a doctor at St. Joseph Hospital and at Southern New Hampshire Medical Center.

“I have no direct political experience, which I think is a big bonus,” he said.