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Russ OuelletteNon-Partisan Election

by

R Ouellette
Background info

I am 56 years old and a lifelong resident of Ward 11.

Married to Lisa Ouellette. Daughters Catherine Spitzer 28, Emma Spitzer 24; Grandchildren Kayden 5, Paisley 3 months. I am 56 years old lifelong resident of ward 11.

Prior political experience/offices

Manchester Board of School Committee Ward 11: 1999 - 2007; Board of Mayor and Aldermen 2007 - 2012.

Current jobService Advisor at Werner Mazda in Manchester.

Current residenceManchester

Time lived in NH56 years

HometownManchester

Education

Attended Gossler Park School, Parkside Junior High School, Manchester High School West Class of 1984. Post University.

Why are you running for this office?

I am running to restore pride in our neighborhoods and make Manchester a place where people want to raise their families again. As an active member and past president of the Rimmon Heights Group, we have proven when citizens work together by supporting our police, beautifying our parks and looking out for one another this can be done and can be done throughout our city. We are taxing the most vulnerable residents out of homes and apartments and this trend needs to stop.

What qualifies you as the best candidate for this office?

I am the only candidate in this race who has city government experience. I am the only candidate who has been born, raised and has resided every single day of my 56 years on this earth in Ward 11. I know the ward best because I have been involved in this ward as a Little League coach at West Little League where I played as a kid, parishioner of Ste. Marie Church where I was baptized had my first communion, confirmation, and married; active volunteer member of the Rimmon Heights Neighborhood Group, as a member of the Manchester Board of School Committee, and representing Ward 11 as a member of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen.

What candidates running for office in Manchester for races (other than your own) do you support?

I am solely focused on getting myself elected to represent Ward 11 on the Board of Mayor and Aldermen.

What are your thoughts on and plans for addressing homelessness?

This is a complex issue and we didn’t get here overnight. It has taken years of underfunding of mental health and recovery services, it will take us years to get this under control. When Governor Benson gutted the mental health services in the health and human services budget, the commissioner warned at that time that the action would be catastrophic to our state. Fast forward to today and here we are.

As someone who has suffered from mental illness and addiction, I know firsthand the effects this has had on our community. We need to have more pressure on our congregational delegation, state senators and representatives to help us provide more affordable and readily available services to our sick and suffering individuals who want help.

Now that brings me to those who do not want help. It’s time that this city needs an intervention. We need to stop bowing down to the ACLU and take back our neighborhoods. We need to draft ordinances that make it difficult for those who refuse services because they do not want to live within our laws and continue in their addictions to stay here.

What are your thoughts on housing costs and plans for addressing those concerns?

This economy is devastating our middle class and in particular those on fixed incomes. Inflation, grocery prices, heat and electricity increases are making it difficult for these folks to make ends. Some areas have seen rents increased up to 35% in some cases. No question more affordable housing is needed. We need to work with our building department to help encourage investors to build in Manchester. We may need to consider tax incentives for those investors who would create an opportunity for affordable housing to our elderly and our veterans.

What are your thoughts on and plans regarding crime and public safety?

Our police offices are some of the finest in the country. The courage and bravery they demonstration for putting on the uniform and going to work protecting us each and every day should not go unnoticed. I think the establishment of community groups like the Rimmon Heights Neighborhood Group would greatly assist this process. The Rimmon Heights group works with the community policing division having the come to our meeting every month and hear from them what is happening and how they are addressing issues. There is an exchange of ideas and concerns and our community police officers respond. It’s a terrific partnership. We need to encourage more community involvement by encouraging more private citizens to step up to get involved by forming more groups like the Rimmon Heights Group.

What are your thoughts on and/or plans for addressing concerns about property tax rates?

Originally, I did not support the tax cap when it was voted on. I did not vote for the tax cap. I felt strongly that that’s why you elected and trusted officials to work all that out. As we all know the tax cap passed the vote and became the law of the city. Ever since then, the board has done nothing but disrespect the vote by overriding it over and over again. Then there’s this year (an election year) they didn’t have to override it because there was only a less than half percent increase to the tax rate. The aldermen then proceeded to declare victory and give each other high fives and pat each other on the back. So, as I mentioned previously we have rents going up 35%, utilities going up the highest rates in the country, inflation out of control, rising interest rates. This year the current elected officials think that they did you a favor by only raising your taxes by less than half percent. In reality, you were given a gift of higher taxes to go along with other struggles. I am wondering with all these issues not one person on the board said ‘hey why don’t we find a little more savings so we could give the people struggling a half percent tax CUT instead of adding to our burdens?’ That is not leadership. I was on the board and I worked with chairman Mike Lopez and others to give the last tax cut this city has ever seen.

What are your thoughts on the city's snow removal and trash pickup services?

Our highway department men and women are some of the hardest-working people in the city. They do an excellent job under difficult circumstances.

What are your thoughts on the city's small business climate?

We have some of the best small businesses located in Ward 11. We have restaurants, a bakery, a floral shop, a cobbler shop, insurance agency, and much more. Rimmon Heights Neighborhood Group is constantly encouraging people to patronize these fine establishments.

What are your thoughts on and plans on improving the city's medium and large business climate?

I believe along with the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce that commuter rail would be a catalyst for growing both current and new business for the city of Manchester. I think the issue should be studied and vetted. It would be very attractive to companies to locate here and expand the talent pool and also give our residents the convenience of working down the I-93 corridor without having to relocate.

What are your thoughts on how public transportation and infrastructure in the city can be improved?

In Ward 11 it seems that for some reason some streets are all well maintained free of cracks and potholes and other streets are like driving through a war zone. There is supposed to be a priority list of streets the alderman and the Director of Public Works would identify as the most in need of repair. I will make sure that list is followed.

What are your thoughts on the current state of the city's civic pride and ideas on how to improve it?

Manchester is my home town! We seem to focus on our problems and neglect what Manchester has to offer. I was talking to someone I went to high school with just the other day. She mentioned to me how the old neighborhood had deteriorated and didn’t seem like it was as safe as it used to be when we were kids. Sure, things are different now from back then; everything changes. It occurred to me that Manchester has a perception problem. It’s still a great city to raise a family and put down roots, that’s why we’re still here. The perception is coming from those who have left. We need to change that.

What are your thoughts on any neighborhood specific issues in your ward as well as any plans on addressing those issues?

As always the focus on crime and safety is the biggest issue. We must support our police officers as best we can. The conditions of our roads and sidewalks are always another concern. The Douglas Street Extension is a dumping ground for trash and furniture that needs to be addressed.

What is your view on the main role of an Alderman?

The main – and most important – role of Alderman is constituent services. I will work for you. When I was on the board last time I took great pride in the way I served you. I will work with you in getting any issue resolved. I will answer all emails and return every phone call in a timely manner. I will work for you.