This letter is a response to recent hit pieces written by Board of Public Works (BPW) candidate Paul Shea.

Mr. Shea criticized me for voting to table the disk golf project at Roby Park. I moved to table the project due to the lack of a budget and lack of neighborhood input. The administration asked for $30,000. It was stated that they really didn’t need the money, but asked for it anyway. That seems odd. The administration stated the Rotary Club agreed to pay for materials. No cost for the materials was submitted to the board.

Other costs for the project include: plans drawn up by an Olympic-level disk golf player, tree removal, relocation of walking trails and extra paved and striped parking. These items weren’t priced out, and I didn’t understand why the administration was asking for $30,000 they claim they don’t need.

Additionally, I thought there should be a ward meeting so people who use the playground, ball fields and walking trails have the opportunity to view the plans and weigh in on the project. Eighteen holes of disk golf takes up a lot of acres, and the paraphernalia is obtrusive. I’m disappointed the mayor, Commissioner Moriarty and Commissioner Teas approved a project with no budget and no neighborhood input.

I’d prefer debating issues, facts and credentials rather than the type of smear campaign Mr. Shea is choosing to run. I have served the citizens is Nashua with distinction for years.

Mr. Shea serves as the executive director for Great American Downtown (GAD). It’s a part-time job that pays more than $50,000 per year. This organization receives a lot of money from the city, and likely wouldn’t survive without city money. The mayor serves as the chairman of the BPW. It’s unlikely that Mr. Shea would disagree with the mayor when a good portion of his livelihood is dependent on city money. This is a clear conflict of interest.

The citizens of Nashua are best served when qualified candidates without a conflict of interest serve.

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