Another day, another set of outright lies told by someone who would rather make things up than campaign honestly on the issues. Last week, Tracy Pappas – another candidate for BPW – joined candidates Colquhoun and Ortolano in her write up in the Nashua Telegraph, focusing on their fabricated “conflict of interest” story and calling my work managing a staff of 5 and a dozen community events and programs throughout the year “part time.”

I’ve addressed these same lies before, on several occaisions and yet Pappas finds the need to repeat them. She must be relying on the old addage: “If you repeat a lie enough times, eventually it is accepted as true.” Personally, I can’t wait until November 3rd – so perhaps we can be done with people lying about my employer and the work I do for their own perceived political gain.

Do these three even have jobs? They seem to have a lot of free time to dedicate to writing bad fiction about mine.

There are a number of other assertions by Pappas that stand to be corrected. Most notably, she’s attempted to lead readers to believe that my employer is dependant upon city funding, and that I am thus a sycophant of the Mayor.

First, the organization could absolutely survive without city funding, though it would be capable of much less. As Executive Director, I’ve worked to progressively reduce the proportion of city funding from 36% to 28% of our operating budget. We leverage this funding that is part of the city budget, and which is provided by way of Board of Aldermen approval annually – because our work is a driver of economic development. We bring in a great deal more through sponsorships, individual donations, fundraisers and charitable gaming. During my time in this role, I’ve managed to work with our Board of Directors, staff, and volunteers to grow the way we serve from four programs to over a dozen – which generate over $1million in economic activity annually and contribute to the success of our small businesses here in the city. You can learn more about what we do at DowntownNashua.org.

I’m also someone who has stood against Jim Donchess on a number of issues – most notably on Legacy Playground. Pappas and Donchess used their position and process to keep an ADA accessible playground out of Greeley Park (their back yard) despite efforts to manipulate the conversation by hiring a consultant for thousands of tax payer dollars, who would go on to actually recommend Greely as the optimal site. They chose to site the playground at a suboptimum location that wasn’t even among the many sites recommended.Finally, I was also on Chris Williams early mayoral exploratory committee – I didn’t even support the mayor! Furthermore, ultimately the buck for the budget stops with the Board of Aldermen, not the Mayor. But for Pappas, that’s all an inconvenient set truths. Its all preposterous.

Pappas also took issue with the fact that I called out her vote to table and delay the Roby Park Disc Golfcourse project. When that maneuver didn’t work she ultimately voted against it – and she was the only commissioner to do so.

In her objection, she stated: “Not that I am the arbiter of good taste, but it’s obtrusive looking, you know, that’s the only way I can put it. And land in Nashua is really at a minimum and you can’t put a price on open space. I just don’t think that there’s been enough community involvement and I think that people over there are going to get very upset when they see that go in. As far as the $30,000 if it’s going to be paid for I’m not in favor of spending that money, and aside from the money I really think that we ought to have the community take a look at that and we should table this. Let’s do a walkthrough. Let’s see what this is going to look like because once the trees are down, and I appreciate cleaning up the trash and I understand that there might be trees down there, but when you think in terms of walking trails and discs that are going 70 mph sometimes that can be, I can see that as a bit of a safety issue.”

I support the project, and in my view and clearly the view of the rest of the committee, the due diligence has been done.

This professional quality Disc Golf course will create a great opportunity for positive social activity and exercise to the wooded area at the south side of Roby Park. Shout out to Dicky Smart, Alexander Maclean and Gate City Disc Golf, Avery Jenkins Disc Golf, Nashua Public Works, and Rotary Club of Nashua West for all of their hard work that has gone into developing the concept, and to bringing this vision and awesome opportunity for family friendly fun to life in our city!

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been focusing on what makes me a great candidate for the Board of Public Works – and the experience and dedication I have demonstrated over my years of service to our community. Where voters have a choice this November, I think it is also important to demonstrate differences between myself and other options voters will consider as they head to the voting booth on November 2nd.

I support this project. The folks involved have put a great deal of work into developing the concept, they’ve demonstrated community support, and they’ve worked with generous neighbors to bring together a source of funding to make it possible that will not put the cost upon the tax payers. They’ve talked the talk, and walked the walk. They’ve surveyed over 45 miles across a number of possible locations in the city, and with a professional consultant – identified the ideal location at Roby Park. This plan involves the wooded area remaining in place, with minimal clearing of limbs and a few trees to open up course lanes, and provides a plan to maintain great walking trails alongside the course – preserving the current use of the area. If you know the disc golf community, you know that stewardship of the land is a big part of their ethos, and I know they’ll do an amazing job keeping this space clean and maintained, putting little to no burden on department resources as this course is enjoyed for many years to come. This is exactly the kind of recreation, by the people and for the people, that we should be encouraging here in our community.

It is important to not that the above perspective on the project and my disagreement is taken verbatim from what Pappas unfairly charachterized last week as a “hit piece.”

Those who know me, and the good I’ve done for our community in this role over the past six years, know that I have worked tirelessly and given my all to build the capacity of the organization I work for, and how we serve our mission. The fact of the matter is, I hate that I even have to address this – I’d much rather be focusing on matters relative to the Board of Public Works, and why I’m the best candidate for the job – but I refuse to let lies replace my reputation, or negate my values and all the work I’ve done for our community.

What we want is simple. Streets and sidewalks that are kept in good repair, trash & recycling that is taken out on time, beautiful and well maintained city parks for our enjoyment, good schools and public facilities, care for and protection of our environment, innovative and efficient city departments, and an open, transparent, and level headed local government that works for all Nashuans.

That is why I am asking for your support on November 2nd. To bring these priorities and values to our Board of Public Works.

I am passionate about our future here in Nashua, and if you send me to serve on our Board of Public Works – I won’t take your support for granted. I’ll work to earn it every day.