Election Newsletter - 2025

I am running for re-election.

I take my role and responsibilities as a City Councilor very seriously. I’m committed to sustainability—environmentally, and financially, by ensuring responsible budgets that keep taxes fair. I’m not here to rubber stamp decisions—I’m here to work hard, ask questions, and deliver results. Together, we can build a city that’s vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable. On Election Day, November 4th, I humbly ask for your vote. Let’s make Concord stronger, together.

• My interview with the Concord Monitor: https://youtu.be/MWzcbtN-OH4?si=2XcxE8pG6DQu8Cdp

• My Concord Patch Forum: https://youtu.be/eKnWBxFFL94?si=OI3Zm9r-_brMGkzA

• My 2-minute commercial, courtesy of ConcordTV: https://youtu.be/SquRG-W57Uk?si=Mmn8e3cCx2T1w6W7

City Council

In a Council-Manager form of government, the mayor is a ceremonial figure: setting the meeting agenda, conducting the meetings, and assigning councilors to committees. I think Mayor Champlin does a nice job at ribbon cuttings and being available at coffee shops, but we have conflicting definitions of transparency and accountability.

• Ordinarily, if you want to know what items are scheduled for public hearing, you look at the City Council agenda. In October's agenda, 11 items are listed for a November public hearing - the police station isn't one of them. You have to open the report, item #40, to see there will be a public hearing for the new $45.5 Million new police station in November. Mayor Champlin's recent newsletter also doesn't mention the upcoming public hearing on the police station. *I will not be voting on the police station as my husband is a police officer, but I can still provide information about it.

• When I questioned where $200,000 was spent from a capital reserve account in September's MS-9 report, Mayor Champlin accused me of wasting staff's time with my questions, even though capital reserve accounts can only be created for a specific purpose and the Finance Director couldn't say how it was spent. *The Trustees of Trust Funds responsible for the City's trusts and capital reserve accounts did not approve this MS-9 report.

• The Public Safety Board recommends policy for the enhancement of public safety; rules and regulations to improve public safety within the community; and considers special projects. The webpage claims they meet once a month, yet the At Large Councilor chairing the committee has only held four meetings this year and none in 2023. Meanwhile, another At Large Councilor assigned to the committee has only attended one meeting in five years. Both are up for re-election. *I will be voting for Robert (Bob) Washburn and Fisto Ndayishimiye for At Large City Council.

School Board:

The School Board Policy #322 on Bidding states "The District shall request competitive bids whenever the cost of a product or service is expected to exceed $20,000."

Yet, no one thought to enforce this policy when the Business Administrator said it would cost $17 Million to do the HVAC at the high school. They approved $17 Million February 2024 and by May 2024 a contract was signed by the Business Administrator for $16.1 Million; no Request for Proposals and no competitive bids. *I am supporting Jeff Wells for School Board to represent Wards 5, 6, and 7. 

School Question:

This question is on the ballot as a direct result of the efforts of residents who wanted more input on decisions made by our currently autonomous School Board. With a super majority in the last election, charter amendment voters made clear that they wanted to weigh in on decisions related to the sale of school-owned land and relocation of schools. This is a reminder of the power voters have to change our governing bodies. *Fun fact: The Council-Manager form of government was decided in 1968 by 712 votes.

Question 1:

Shall we allow the operation of Social Districts within the City of Concord?

Social Districts: Under the recently passed law, social districts must be approved by ballot. If approved, the city would have to regulate and create a maintenance plan. Beverages must be in containers that are not glass, have multiple required labels on it, and cannot be reused for another drink. If you want the city to spend resources and time to create and regulate a social district, you will vote yes. If not, you will vote no.

Question 2:

Shall we prohibit the operation of Keno games within the City of Concord?

Keno Opt-Out: Under the recently revised law, Keno is authorized unless a municipality opts-out of it through a ballot question. If you want Keno in Concord, you will vote no. Currently, it is not allowed in Concord. If you agree with this, you will vote yes.

*In either outcome of Question 1 & 2, the City may reconsider this issue in future elections.

Voting is at Christa McAuliffe School, 17 North Spring Street on Tuesday, November 4th, from 7am to 7pm. Please enter through the gymnasium entrance on Rumford Street.

I will be collecting nonperishable goods to distribute to our local food pantries. Please bring an item, if you are able.

See you soon!

"It is, Sir, the people's government, made for the people, made by the people, and answerable to the people". -Daniel Webster