Norm Vincent
Running forWard 11 Alderman
in 2023
Running as Non-Partisan Election
I’m a Retired Army Veteran and lifelong Manchester resident. I went to Brown School, Gossler Park School, Beech Street School, Hillside Middle School, and graduated from Manchester Central High School. I have twin sons, both in college, graduates of MST, and a daughter currently at MST. We reside on Montgomery Street with my girlfriend and her two wonderful sons. We share our home with my two best friends, Seamus (Black Lab) and Yankee (Lab/Shepherd mix).
This is my first time running for a public office position.
Current jobI am an Army Reserve Administrator for the Department of Defense out of Londonderry NH. I’ve had this position for 20 years with experience in Management, Finance, Logistics, and Personnel.
Current residenceManchester
Time lived in NHI’ve lived in Manchester my whole life and was raised on the West Side where I now reside.
Degree of Science in Criminal Justice.
United States Army, Military Police Officer School.
Best way to contact candidateNormVincent.Ward11@gmail.com
Why are you running for this office?
I’m running for Alderman of Ward 11 because I’ve lived in Manchester my whole life. As a parent of 3, all going through city schools and as a homeowner, I want to do what I can to help keep this city a great place to live and raise a family in. I have experience in finance, management, and logistics as well as the community service needed to be an effective Alderman. I will work hard, ask the tough questions, and make sure the residents of Ward 11 are heard.
What qualifies you as the best candidate for this office?
Having the honor to serve the people of Manchester and residents of Ward 11 means putting all efforts forward. I will bring transparency and ensure that the interests and concerns of the people are heard and addressed. My experience in finance, management, and personnel will bring a clear communication with all matters that come before the board. Manchester needs fresh and well communicated ideas and I can promise that I will not be a rubber stamp.
What are your thoughts on and plans for addressing homelessness?
Homelessness is a real challenge facing Manchester and something many residents I’ve spoken with have a genuine concern about. We need real solutions to help the homeless find stability and get back with their families. This takes the work of everyone elected by the people and will require tough decisions followed with results. We must avoid at all cost enabling and really work the issue head on. There are programs in place that must be utilized and not taken advantage of with current ordinances being enforced.
What are your thoughts on housing costs and plans for addressing those concerns?
As a homeowner for 20 years I’ve seen and felt the ups and downs of housing costs affected by higher taxes. We must work to have all spending and budgets align with making housing affordable for residents so we can all live here.
What are your thoughts on and plans regarding crime and public safety?
The safety of all residents in Manchester is a priority. There must be no hesitation to support and properly fund our Police and first responders. Placing a budget priority helps our first responders get the necessary resources to work on daily issues. Manchester must work with officials in Concord to pass legislation for bail reform and keep repeat and violent offenders off our streets.
What are your thoughts on and/or plans for addressing concerns about property tax rates?
The revenue from taxes is used to fund local government and schools. No property should have to pay more than its fair share. We must eliminate ineffective policies resulting in excessive spending without results. Reducing spending will allow us to work a tax cut. Any increase of spending that is not necessary will bring higher taxes affecting property owners and renters.
What are your thoughts on the city's snow removal and trash pickup services?
What are your thoughts on the city's small business climate?
It’s disappointing to see several locally owned restaurants closed here in Manchester over the past year. Too many residents just don’t feel comfortable dining downtown as they once did. We must work to support our small business climate and hear and address their concerns.
What are your thoughts on and plans on improving the city's medium and large business climate?
There are many areas that need to be addressed before we can even begin to think about attracting medium or large sized companies to Manchester. We must immediately address homelessness and drug use that our City is experiencing, along with the shortage of housing, which in turn, creates a shortage in the workforce needed for new and existing businesses. In addition, our public schools aren’t exactly showing good results, which unfortunately is highlighted by the fact that the Manchester School District has been ranked near the bottom when compared to all school districts throughout the state. Manchester just can’t afford to continue to ignore these issues any longer. We must act now!
What are your thoughts on and plans on improving parks and recreation in the city?
Residents I’ve spoken to have expressed the need to work a plan addressing the homelessness and drug use that takes place in some parks. I stand with the Police to enforce local ordinances and will also work to get the homeless reunited with their families. The city will continue working to maintain our parks with several great organizations having volunteers to help keep our parks clean. We are all thankful for the individual efforts that are keeping our city parks clean.
What are your thoughts on how public transportation and infrastructure in the city can be improved?
Manchester’s public facilities must be maintained and budgetary requirements met without allowing excessive and unnecessary spending. The priorities of maintaining our streets, sidewalks, curbs, and more are crucial to the quality of life for our great city. Accessibility, safety, and affordability are the keys for a successful transit system in any City. An option would be to take the old bus station back or find a way to build a new one which will be needed to handle the anticipated increase in public transportation. Having our bus station being a city street by the park can be better utilized. In addition to fulfilling the accessibility needs, we can look at further expanding bus routes and frequency on those routes to all parts of the city.
What are your thoughts on the current state of the city's civic pride and ideas on how to improve it?
There is much history in Manchester and the people that live here add to that history everyday. There’s no lack of pride however, there is lack of confidence and great concern if issues hurting our city are not addressed. The people of Manchester will respond to the needed and overdue change and seeing their city government lead will result in the confidence of positive changes. As Alderman, I will address the issues and not bring in outsiders to “repaint” our city pride.
What are your thoughts on any neighborhood specific issues in your ward as well as any plans on addressing those issues?
Ward 11 is filled with strong rooted small businesses and a diversity of great people. The issues of homelessness, crime, schools, and taxes are heard and as Alderman, I will be accessible to discuss and work to bring real solutions to these issues and maintain transparency to the good people of Ward 11.
What is your view on the main role of an Alderman?
The Duty of an Alderman is to work by creating policies for the city and act as a legislative body. My views are that an Alderman with this responsibility must also listen to those who put me in that position. This means, as an elected official, it’s important to be the voice of the people and work to create policies that can help and create opportunities.