Editor’s Note: This is one of a series of biographies and questionnaires asked of candidates in the city election that are running in The Telegraph before the Nov. 5 election. An extended version can be read online by clicking on the “Nashua election candidate survey results” link at nashua
telegraph.com.

WARD 8: 1 seat, 2-year term

Jonathan “Jack” Currier

Age: 51.

Address: 6 New Searles Road.

Years of residence in Nashua: 28.

Family: Married to Kelly, no children.

Occupation, education: Owner of Nashua Medical Device Group, P.L.L.C. A small business which consults in R&D, manufacturing, and quality compliance to the medical device industry (2006-present). Engineer and engineering management at Teleflex Medical, CR Bard, TRW, & Teradyne. B.S.M.E. Cornell University, M.B.A. Boston University, ongoing development in CNC machining and rapid prototype at Nashua Community College. Public high school, Collingswood, N.J.

Political history: Nashua Zoning Board, 2003-present, was chair, vice-chair and clerk; Nashua Conservation Commission: 1998-2003; was clerk and vice-chairman.

Affiliations: Member, British Cars of New Hampshire; life member, Sons of the American Revolution.

Mary Ann Melizzi-Golja

Incumbent

Age: 58.

Address : 2 Amble Road.

Years of residence in Nashua: 17 years.

Family: Married to Bogdan for 29 years; one daughter, Caroline, Nashua High School South graduate.

Occupation, education: B.S. speech pathology and audiology, SUNY Geneseo; M.A. communication disorders, Saint Louis University; additional graduate work, early childhood education, The Pennsylvania State University; employed by the Manchester School District

Political history: Nashua Board of Alderman (2010-Present), Nashua Board of Education (2004-2007), Ward 8 Selectman.

Affiliations: Nashua Goes Back to School, Nashua PAL Board Member; NH Project Learning Tree Board Member, Bicentennial PTO Co-
President, Nashua Block Party Committee.

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?

Currier: I think the initial level of BOA involvement was not out-of-order, I don’t believe any rules were broken. Now that the sidewalk project has a vocal group of detractors, I’m hearing that the mayor is assuming too much authority. I remember hearing similar claims regarding controversial projects in the previous two mayoral administrations. Since I’m not currently on the BOA, but serve on Zoning, I don’t have an independent opinion on the internal dynamics of the relationships between the alderman and the mayor, and don’t care to look into the rearview mirror to speculate on it. Looking forward, I’m a big fan of a vibrant downtown. In addition to the sidewalks, I think the Riverwalk will be a great boost for the downtown. When complete, I think the Riverwalk will be an example of the Community Development Div at its best. So I hope Public Works charges ahead with this project in time for the Holiday Stroll, and I consider your question to be water under the Main Street Bridge.

Melizzi-Golja: The Downtown Sidewalk Improvement Project is a Board of Public Works project with the BOA approving the budget. Repairing the sidewalks was a priority for our downtown; pedestrians were falling and businesses were experiencing property damage from the throwing of loose bricks. Once the project got started the BOA needed to continue to provide funding so all of Main Street was completed. The one aspect of the project I would have liked to have had from the beginning is a better accounting of the use of employees time and the use of other City resources.

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?

Currier: Thanks for adding “and other actions” at the end of your question. I consider “other actions” to be very important issues such and planning, zoning, and conservation. Having been serving on the zoning board and Conservation Commission for a total of 16 consecutive years, and having survived three mayoral administrations, I think Mayor Lozeau has been the best at interactions with those Boards. But I state it as I’ve experienced it. These issues have largely been quiet in the Telegraph; and they’ve been quiet because I think they’ve been working. Mayor Lozeau deserves credit for that. As for the interactions with the Alderman, I don’t have an opinion on that – I’ve been too busy on zoning and working for a living. If I’m elected, I encourage you to ask me this question next year and you’ll get my candid response.

Melizzi-Golja: Mayor Lozeau is in the community communication with the business community and a variety of community organization. She encourages residents to volunteer and looks for members of community boards and commissions that are committed to volunteering their time and expertise for the City. The mayor comes to BOA meetings and is willing to answer questions from the Board and provide follow-up information. In response to a request from an individual member of the Board for information, the mayor provides the information to all members of the Board. Not all members are in agreement with her responses; but on most occasions the exchanges between the mayor and board members are respectful.

The mayor has meetings twice a year with each Alderman to listen to and discuss topics related to the alderman’s ward. She and her staff are responsive to requests from the ward and provide information related to concerns and events occurring in the ward.

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

I’m answering this survey on the eve of the Fed shutdown, and I think the shutdown is depressing. While I think that our nation, state, and city need to reign it debt and tighten our belts, I hope that some good may come from the shutdown, such as collaboration on the ACA. Much more depressing to me than the shutdown, however, is the low approval rating of our collective government. Your first two questions probe at the relationships among elected officials here in Nashua, so it seems to be a local issue as well. I hope that, if elected, I will be a part of a trend in which citizens genuinely come to a level of higher trust and respect for elected and appointed officials. I also hope I can be a part of increased governmental transparency.

Melizzi-Golja: As the Alderman from Ward 8 I will continue to focus on insuring that the development at Gateway Hills has a minimum impact on the Ward while providing jobs and contributing to the commercial tax base of the City. The primary concern related to this project is the traffic on Spit Brook Road. Addressing this issue will require input from the residents of Ward 8 and collaboration between the city, the Flatley Co. and the state. The impact on Bicentennial Elementary school related to enrollment numbers will also need to be monitored. In addition, I will support the development of housing in the downtown area. Once the sidewalks are completed we need to have residents who live in our downtown if we are to have a vibrant downtown with businesses that provide a variety of services.