Kevin A. SheppardNon-Partisan Election
I am a longtime resident of Manchester, who graduated from Central High School and then went on to receive my Bachelor of Science from U.N.H. and my M.B.A., in leadership, from Franklin Pierce University. Manchester is where I have made my career. Last year, I retired from the City of Manchester Public Works Department, having served the City for 37 years, the last 15 as the Public Works Director. Manchester has been more than a home to me. It is where I raised my family. My wife and I have four children who attended the Manchester schools and participated in the local sports leagues. I have always believed it is important to give back to our community. I have helped to coach my daughter’s team with the MGSL, volunteered at the Manchester Soup Kitchen, was a swim coach with a local Special Olympics swim team, a former Big Brother in the BB/BS program and served six years on the Board of the Mental Health Center of Greater Manchester, with my final year as Chairman. One of my proudest moments was being named one of the Top Ten Public Works Directors, in the country by the American Public Works Association.
I do not have any former or direct political experience, but during my time as Public Works Director I attended Board of Mayor and Aldermen meetings and have a strong understanding of the role of an Alderman. Also, having served on many non-profit Boards, some as Chairman, I have a good understanding of how our local government operates.
Current jobI am currently retired from the Manchester Public Works Department, having served the City and our residents for 37 years, the last 15 as Public Works Director. Fortunately, being retired will allow me the necessary time to dedicate to this position.
Current residenceManchester
Time lived in NHManchester has been my family’s home for the past 28 years.
I graduated from Manchester Central High School and then attended U.N.H. where I graduated with my B.S. in Civil Engineering. I also obtained my M.B.A., in Leadership, from Franklin Pierce University. All of this, along with my volunteer time and life experiences will assist me with serving the residents of Ward 1 and the City.
Websitehttps://kevinsheppardnh.com
Why are you running for this office?
Throughout my career, I have learned the importance of community. I now feel it is time for me to give back to the City that has been good to my family and me. I believe my past experience, both at work and volunteering, will allow me to assist the City with moving forward in a positive direction. There are many concerns being raised by our residents and I hope to be part of working toward positive and creative solutions.
What qualifies you as the best candidate for this office?
My experience working with the Board of Mayor and Alderman as well as with our dedicated Department heads, along with my experience of volunteering with local non-profits, allows me to have the experience of how the City operates and understand the current concerns within our City. As the Public Works Director, I was able work directly with providing many of the expected basic services required by our residents, such street maintenance, parks, recreation and building maintenance and our sewer/drainage systems. This background gives me the ability to assist with Building a Better Manchester for all residents.
What candidates running for office in Manchester for races (other than your own) do you support?
At this time, I have not supported any candidates running for office.
What are your thoughts on and plans for addressing homelessness?
What are your thoughts on housing costs and plans for addressing those concerns?
What are your thoughts on and plans regarding crime and public safety?
Manchester is a growing City, which is great, but with this comes the growth of public safety issues. I believe our local Public Safety departments have done some thoughtful and innovative work attempting to keep up with the growth of our City. Continued support or our Public Safety department personnel, who are our ‘experts’, along with implementing innovative solutions to crime prevention will serve our residents well and further reduce crime. I believe no or low cost recreational opportunities will help our residents and children become involved, versus having the time to ‘hang out’ on our streets and parks.
What are your thoughts on and/or plans for addressing concerns about property tax rates?
What are your thoughts on the city's snow removal and trash pickup services?
As former Public Works Director, I feel the dedicated employees of Public Works provide these basic services in a manner that is superior. As with many businesses, Public Works is challenged with the hiring of employees and filling critical positions, but although short staffed the employees of Public Works get the work completed in a timely and professional manner.
What are your thoughts on the city's small business climate?
Small businesses are very important to our community. I look for opportunities to support them as often as possible. We need to be cognizant of the challenges faced by small business owners, from staffing to operating costs and we need to do everything possible to assist and support them, for they are part of the fabric or our local neighborhoods. It is up to all of us to support our local small business in any manner possible.
What are your thoughts on and plans on improving the city's medium and large business climate?
These businesses are very important to the residents of Manchester, for they are a large part of our tax base. We need to continue to find innovative ways to not only bring new businesses to the City, but also support our current businesses. Reaching out to and working with these businesses is in the best interest of all.
What are your thoughts on and plans on improving parks and recreation in the city?
As the former Public Works Director, the City’s Parks, Recreation and Cemeteries Division was my responsibility. It was my goal to increase no cost recreation opportunities to our residents. This included park and playground improvements, playing field improvements, trail expansion, the installation of two disc golf courses, several pickle ball courts and two splash pads. I would like see us continue to expand on what we have already completed by continuing to expand recreational opportunities for all residents along with keeping our parks safe and clean.
What are your thoughts on how public transportation and infrastructure in the city can be improved?
We are fortunate to have the Manchester Transit Authority, which is available to assist residents with getting to where they need to go. The Transit Authority continues to review the needs of our residents and adjusts their routes accordingly, but transportation is more than a public bus system. Transportation includes having good roads, sidewalks and trails, which are accessible to all. Transportation is important to our residents and the commerce of the City. The City has a road and sidewalk program, funded every year, with a plan to continue increasing the quality of our transportation systems. Further connection of our trails and bike lanes, as currently underway, will assist with mobility of all residents.
What are your thoughts on the current state of the city's civic pride and ideas on how to improve it?
A majority of the residents, I speak with, truly enjoy living, working and playing in Manchester, but they also feel there are some issues that need to be addressed in the near future, otherwise they will seek other places to live. I believe the City’s ‘re-branding’ effort will be helpful, but we also need to create more low cost opportunities for our residents to recreate, socialize and get them to know their neighbors. Many people do not recognize all of the good things going on in Manchester, for the discussions seem to center around our problems. We need to talk about what is working well, along with ideas for improvement.
What are your thoughts on any neighborhood specific issues in your ward as well as any plans on addressing those issues?
Upon speaking with some of the residents of Ward 1, I believe the priority issues are helping to reduce our homelessness problems and maintaining public safety. Although our ‘downtown’ is not in ward 1, many of our residents like to frequent this area of the City, but with the continued homeless issues they now avoid going downtown. We need to work to keep our downtown safe, accessible and clean, not only for our residents, but also for the small businesses that depend upon people frequenting this area. Residents also speak about the need to keep maintaining and improving our streets, parks and sidewalks to which we are fortunate the Board of Mayor and Aldermen dedicate funding for on an annual basis. I do plan to be accessible to the Ward 1 residents to assist them in any way possible to resolve their concerns
What is your view on the main role of an Alderman?
As an Alderman, I would see myself as the conduit, for our residents to have their voices heard. We are elected at the will of our residents and need to make decisions based on their input and what we feel is best for all of the residents and businesses of the City. As an Alderman, I will always remember that it was the residents of the ward who elected me and work hard toward assisting them with their questions and needs.
