1 seat, 2-year term

NAME: ELENORE CASEY CRANE

Age: 47

Address: 37 Burnside St.

Years of residence in nashua: 13 years

Family: Married, 5 yr old son who attends Charlotte Ave Elementary

Occupation, education: BA Salve Regina College ; WCAP radio talk host, PR/Marketing Consultant to small and large businesses and associations.

POLITICAL HISTORY: Former 3 term State Legislator representing ward 2 in the House; former CTAB board member; former Chair of 9/11 Committee; former chair and founder of the Mayor’s Presidential Essay Competition.

Affiliations: Community leader organized many recognition events to honor citizens began Mayor’s Honors Night with previous mayor. Member, PTO Charlotte Ave Elementary.

Q. The downtown sidewalk improvements are the most visible project the city is undertaking. Should the Board of Aldermen have had more say in planning and budgeting them? Why?

Yes. Accountability is the basis for good government. You elect a board to provide communication and accountability for citizens. People have a right to know how their money is being spent and if it is being spent in the right places. The project has not had enough accountability and citizens have not had their voices heard nor are they getting the answers they deserve about how much this whole thing really costs. We are seeing a spike in crime. This money could have funded more police or gone back to the taxpayers.

Q. Interaction with the mayor is one of the most important aspects of a successful Board of Aldermen. How do you think Mayor Lozeau is doing, both in her dealings with the board and other actions?

The Mayor like all of us has her good days and bad days. It is possible to be respectful and still ask questions and get answers. I do believe we need to have more involvement and better communication from all parties on issues that involve spending the taxpayers money.

Q. If elected, what do you hope to change about Nashua during your next term?

Better communication and accountability. Improved focus on crime.

NAME: RICHARD DOWD

Incumbent

Age: 67

Address: 8 Ascot Park

Years of residence in Nashua: 67

Family: Divorced; three children Amy Hill, Emily Dowd and Katie Carey; two grandchildren.

Occupation, education: Systems engineering functional manager for product support at BAE Systems (30 years at BAE); U.S, Naval officer, qualified in nuclear submarines. served as electronics material officer, electronics warfare officer and legal officer. Graduate of St. Anselm’s College; graduate course work at Rivier University

Political history:

Alderman for Ward Two in Nashua, member of the Budget Committee, Infrastructure Committee, Joint Special School Building Committee, School Construction Committee, liaison to the Board of Education for the Board of Aldermen; former president of the Nashua Board of Education, former cof the Nashua Zoning Board of Adjustment, former chairman of the Nashua Airport Authority.

Affiliations: None given

Q. The downtown sidewalk improvements are the most visible project the city is undertaking. Should the Board of Aldermen have had more say in planning and budgeting them? Why?

The sidewalk project has been a controversial issue since it began over two years ago. It is a project highly supported by the members of the Nashua Downtown business owners and there are many reasons the project needed to be undertaken. I believe the Mayor probably now feels that more reporting on cost and planning would have been a measure that would have alleviated much of the discussion held at the Board of Aldermen level and also I believe she has tried to provide increased visibility in recent months. The cutting of trees was another issue that raised concerns. The trees that were cut had caused damage to the sidewalk bricks, invaded the foundations and infrastructure of the buildings close to them, and due to lack of care had grown into the sides of many buildings blocking the business signs found there. Not all the trees are to be cut down however, and those that can be saved are slated to remain in place. At this point the project is well under way and I believe as Aldermen we just need to look at completing the project as efficiently and as effectively as possible. In the end I believe the sidewalk project will renew the downtown and while a change, I believe it will be change most people will embrace when it is completed.

Q. Interaction with the mayor is one of the most important aspects of a successful Board of Aldermen. How do you think Mayor Lozeau is doing, both in her dealings with the board and other actions?

I find Mayor Lozeau to be very forthcoming and had a great deal of success working with her on projects involving Ward Two and subjects impacting the residents of Ward Two. I believe she is trying to do a good job for the citizens of Nashua and has done a great deal to this point for Nashua. There are some issues that have caused concern for some Board members but there are bound to be differences of opinions on controversial subjects. I for one wish that there was more respect given to the position of the Mayor by some Aldermen and fewer personal attacks. You certainly can disagree on subjects with the Mayor and other Aldermen, but should always be respectful when serving the citizens of Nashua.

Q. If elected, what do you hope to change about Nashua during your next term?

I would like to see the City engage in more long term planning and long term budgeting. The Board of Aldermen and the Mayor have started to engage in more long term planning, but I’d like to ensure that we continue that planning and get a better handle on spending and major projects. My background is in long range cost-effective planning for major acquisitions in the Department of Defense and trying to make acquisitions less expensive by effective long range planning and cost efficiencies. In past years the City has focused too heavily on a single year budget and not taken a look at how what we do today impacts future years budgeting and taxes. I hope I can get my colleagues on the Board of Aldermen to embrace more long term planning and measured growth within what the citizens of Nashua need and can afford.