NASHUA – Bill Ohm is challenging incumbent Linda Harriott-Gathright for the Ward 9 seat on the Nashua Board of Aldermen.

Voters will choose one of the two candidates during the Tuesday Municipal General Election.

Harriott-Gathright

Harriott-Gathright is running because she has really enjoyed these last couple of years serving the residents of Nashua. Joining the board, she did not know how she would fit in, considering her background is more with state government than with the city. Nonetheless, during her time serving on the board, she has come to show concern for the city’s police and fire departments, as well as the education system.

“I’m concerned about everything in Nashua,” Harriott-Gathright said. “Five kids later and 12 grandkids later, I’m definitely concerned and want the best of life for my family and all the other families.”

Since she moved to the area, she has watched on as various changes have occurred in Nashua. She said she is always trying to make sure everyone has the same opportunities for different positions around the city, and in particular, people of color.

As far as problems facing the city, Harriott-Gathright said the city’s educational system is the biggest one. For example, she believes classes are too large and that the district could have more teachers. However, she said the school system is starting to get there, but more work can be done.

“Nashua is more diverse now than ever before, and with that diversity, there’s challenges on both sides, academically, physically, whatever it might be,” Harriott-Gathright said. “For me, because the kids are our future, and with that in mind, I am looking at what we do for our young people because that’s the future for Nashua.”

She said it is important that the city starts getting more young people involved, also noting that there is an aging population throughout New Hampshire.

Furthermore, another concern for Harriott-Gathright is transportation. She remembers the days of having to commute to Boston for work, and was less than a fan of having to navigate her way on the route. She said many people in the community work in Massachusetts, and is sure that they do not like making the drive, particularly during the winter months. She also really wants commuter rail in the city.

“I think we’re a large enough city that we should have better transportation,” Harriott-Gathright said.

As for Nashua’s greatest asset, she said that it is the children.

“I just think the young people are our greatest asset, and we just have to do everything we can to develop them to be the people to run this city,” Harriott-Gathright said.

Ohm

Ohm is running to keep property taxes as low as possible by adhering to Nashua’s spending cap, despite the recent New Hampshire Supreme Court ruling that it was unenforceable.

“As the Ward 9 alderman, I will lead the charge to correct that language,” Ohm said.

Moreover, he said there are always more suggestions for spending than there are funds to support.

“Budgeting requires setting priorities and making tough choices between ‘like to have’ and ‘must have,'” Ohm said.

With an MBA from Harvard Business School, and having served as general manager of a high-tech company with more than 100 employees prior to retiring, he has faced those choices.

In terms of problems facing the city, Ohm said when walking the streets and talking with neighbors about their concerns, he said much of it deals with topics that aldermen should have resolved. For example, dead trees and speeding traffic.

Additionally, he highlighted how Ward 9 is being considered for an expensive new middle school project.

“I will make sure that any school near residential property has properly mitigated traffic concerns,” Ohm said.

However, he said a huge problem that remains to be addressed is the unfunded pension liability for city workers, both present and retired. He said last year, he served on the Decennial Retirement Commission to review the problems, and that New Hampshire is about $5 billion short of what is required to meet its obligation. He said that is worse than 10 years ago, and will be about the same 10 years from now, unless change occurs.

“Part of the city budget has to be a better contribution to the commitment we made to our dedicated police, fire and teachers,” Ohm said. “Until that happens, and the deficit is paid down, additional benefits, such as COLA (cost-of-living-adjustment), cannot be considered.”

Ohm said the city’s greatest asset is its proximity to the burgeoning biotech industry in Greater Boston.

“Halfway between the cutting edge research in molecular biology in Cambridge, to the Dean Kamen initiatives on regenerative tissue in Manchester, Nashua is well-centered to provide talent and business opportunities as one of the most attractive and desirable cities in New England,” Ohm said.

Adam Urquhart may be contacted at 594-1206, or at aurquhart@nashuatelegraph.com.

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