Mark Dennis (Winter Trabex)
Running forAlderman At Large
in 2020
Running as
This is my first campaign.
Current job. I work as a freelance writer for Manchester Ink Link and have worked as Personal Care Assistant for Ascentria Care Alliance.
I went to high school at Cumberland Valley High in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. I work as a freelance writer for Manchester Ink Link and have worked as Personal Care Assistant for Ascentria Care Alliance.
Best way to contact candidatewtrabex@gmail.com
Why are you running?
I’m running for Alderman at Large because I’m tired of seeing taxes go up, of homeless people die, of education getting worse. I don’t know that I will win, but I thought I have to try. Things can’t keep going on like this.
What uniquely qualifies you to be an Alderman?
I have been homeless. I’ve seen what it’s like, and how hard it is. I’ve seen how much disdain some people have for those who have nothing. I’ve seen people carted away in zipper bags because they died on the street with nowhere else to go, abandoned by their families, left to their own devices, without hope and with little help. I’m tired of seeing these circumstances continue, and I’d like to do something about it.
What do you see as the main function of an Alderman?
To support/inform the community, and to interact with city services such as police and fire departments.
What do you see as the key solution to reducing homelessness in the city?
It has to start with empathy- believing that another person deserves to be alive. There are some who don’t believe that, and I’m not okay with this. If we want to get people off the street, the most efficacious solution is going to be providing affordable housing. Rent is too high, and wages are too low. Without addressing either of these concerns directly, the problem of homelessness will continue and persist. No one working 40 hours a week at ten dollars an hour can afford to live an apartment costing 1300 dollars a month.
Do you feel that Manchester needs more affordable housing as defined by US HUD and NHHFA (costing no more than 30% of occupants' monthly income)? If so, how would you achieve this? If not, why not?
Absolutely, the city needs more. I would prefer to do this with state or federal funding. I believe the cost is too prohibitive for municipal funding. There have been opportunities in the past, if I remember correctly, where the city was offered grants and turned them down.
What are your thoughts on public safety in the city?
Theft is getting much worse, by far. The police may say crime is down, but they are going by their own statistics. I have observed theft is way up, especially related to drug activity. People will steal something and then trade it to a drug dealer for their next fix. The drug dealer in turn sells it on eBay or to another person. The stolen goods then pass through so many hands it’s unlikely it will ever be recovered. Mopeds and motorcycles are particularly vulnerable at the moment. Violent crime may getting better in the aggregate, but there are way too many shootings. This didn’t used to be a violent town. I think people are desperate and miserable, and they are taking out their frustrations on one another.
Please provide one or more examples of a person, organization, or business that exemplifies the spirit of Manchester
Does Manchester have a spirit? I guess I would go with Shire Sharing, a program led by Rep Amanda Bouldin who provides Thanksgiving meals for the less fortunate.
How would you describe the city's current infrastructure and business climate?
The roads are terrible, especially in residential areas. Driving around feels like playing bumper cars at the park sometimes. I keep seeing roads get paved near a lot of businesses, but others get ignored for years on end. It’s long past time we as a city took care of the roads upon which we drive. The business climate is in decline. There are no properties for sale. Everything is for lease. Wages are too low. Some businesses are struggling to find employees. Those who can afford to move are moving. The Portland Pie location on Elm Street closed up abruptly one February and has been sitting empty for months on end ever since.
What are the strengths and weaknesses of the Manchester School District? What is the top need for improvement or change?
The biggest concern I have for Manchester Schools is that the schools’ budget keeps growing every year, yet academic outcomes are not significantly improving proportionately. I believe the teachers we have are excellent, and are trying their best. But I think we would do better to have full disclosure of all school expenditures through a check registry that could be updated every month and posted on the school’s website. I am concerned there are homeless students utilizing food pantries at the schools just to have something to eat. I am concerned that there may be students graduating high school who are unprepared for college. I believe Manchester schools should offer cooking classes and a tax preparation seminar as a requirement for graduation.
Do you support the budgetary autonomy of the Manchester School District's governing body? (currently known as the Board of School Committee, but proposed to be renamed as the Manchester School Board). If so, why (or why not?)
Yes, I believe we should fund things locally and have local control over our school districts. I have often found the folks in Concord don’t really know what’s going on in our town and don’t seem all that concerned to help things improve.
What is the greatest strength of your ward and what needs improvement? For at-large candidates, what is the greatest strength of the city as a whole and what is in need of improvement?
Unfortunately, I find myself rather pessimistic about the city as a whole. We can’t keep using the same failed ideas and expecting new success to come our way. We have to invest in our working-class communities by means of affordable housing and better public transportation. We need to treat each citizen in our town as though their lives matter just as much as our own, and not treat people differently according to how much money they may have or not have.
Anything else you'd like to add?
I am transgender. That may matter to some of you. For others, it may not matter at all.