Will StewartNon-Partisan Election

Why are you running for this office?

Our mayor is unlike almost any other in our state. Our mayor doesn’t only preside over meetings or attend ribbon cuttings, the mayor is actually in charge of running the city’s affairs. Whoever wins the election becomes the Chief Executive Officer of Manchester. Unfortunately, our state’s political parties have treated this seat like an electoral prize — and too often this has led to short-sighted leadership and short-term thinking — because the next election is always right around the corner. Many of the pressing issues in our city cannot be solved in a short year or two — and requires an experienced leader to organize our city’s many departments and partners around shared goals. For the first time in nearly two decades, there’s no incumbent in the Mayor’s race. That means this year we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to break out of the tradition of volleying the mayor’s office between political insiders. We are electing our city’s next chief executive — and our residents deserve a leader who can provide professional leadership and who puts them first. I have a background in economic development management with a particular focus on attracting and retaining NH’s next generation. These are the experiences I’ll draw on to lead Manchester into its next era. This race isn’t just about building a stronger and more vibrant city in New Hampshire. If we’re successful, I truly believe that we have an opportunity for Manchester to become not only one of New Hampshire’s proudest achievements, but one of America’s great mid-sized cities.

What qualifies you as the best candidate for this office?

Professional background. Aldermanic experience. And a proven, tangible track record of getting results. When I first ran for Alderman in 2017, in a five-person race, I was no party’s pick. There were some good folks in that race — but when it came down to it, there were two things that set me apart: hard work and a record of results. Since winning that election, voters have re-elected me twice by healthy margins, not because of my allegiance to any political party, not because of campaign slogans, but because they can see results. I am not someone who runs a campaign for the sake of it, nor grandstands to pander to a specific audience. I have listened to constituent concerns and worked diligently to address them. Whether it is reducing speeds and cutting the number of crashes in half on Beech and Maple streets, increasing pedestrian safety and improving city parks, or making it a little bit easier for homeowners to construct accessory dwelling units to help put a small dent in the city’s housing affordability crisis, I have consistently worked with communities to address modern day challenges and I will continue to do this as Mayor. Additionally, as a nonprofit leader at Stay Work Play New Hampshire, I have spent the last six years focused on and addressing one of Manchester, and New Hampshire’s largest existential threats — brain drain and losing the next generation to other states that are more accessible and welcoming to young people, workers, and families.

What are your thoughts on and plans on addressing homelessness?

I believe we need to establish the shared goal of functionally ending homelessness in Manchester — not just addressing its symptoms. A functional end to homelessness means that it should be rare, brief, and non-recurring. It’s a lofty goal, but only the mayor’s office has the ability and opportunity to organize all of the various partners across the city around it. Implementing this goal would happen in four steps: Align efforts. We need to enhance and better align the efforts of existing collaborations between homelessness programs operating in the city by consistently bringing them to the same table, identifying shared measures of success, and incentivizing better collaboration; Enlist more partners, including the business community and additional faith-based partners, to be part of the solution; and Share and evaluate data. We need to enhance the existing Homeless Management Information System database of all homeless individuals by incentivizing homelessness programs that do not receive U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development funding to share, in real time, their data to enable coordinated communication, case management, and customized solutions/wrap-around services for each affected individual based on their unique needs; and Go upstream. We can’t continue to put band-aids on the problem. We must also work further upstream to prevent people from falling into homelessness in the first place. This means addressing the interconnected factors that contribute to homelessness — housing, poverty, mental health, substance abuse, education, employment readiness, and lack of family and social connections. Read my full plan to functionally end homelessness here: https://electwillstewart.com/manchester-needs-a-unified-plan-to-functionally-end-homelessness/

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

Manchester is an expensive place to live. And the biggest reason for this is the cost of housing. With a rental vacancy rate of less than 1 percent and record low housing inventory for those who would like to purchase a home, housing costs continue to climb higher and higher. It’s a classic supply-and-demand issue: there just aren’t enough homes in Manchester for those who want to live here. As a result, finding an affordable place to live in Manchester is increasingly out of reach for so many of our neighbors. This is the underlying cause for the increase in homelessness not just here in Manchester, but all of New Hampshire (which also has a rental vacancy rate of less than 1 percent), and much of the country grappling with a shortage of housing. Simply put: we need to build more housing in general, and more affordable housing in particular. To put it plainly…. Lumber, Labor, Land, and Laws. To a large extent, local governments can only play a limited role in the private sector economic forces around lumber, labor, and land. That said, state and local governments play an important role in setting laws around housing. Changing these laws can help increase housing production across other factors. To address this housing deficit, Manchester needs policies that will incentivize the construction of new housing units across many different conditions within the city. As our next Mayor, I will propose housing production policies on day one as Chief Executive, including: Policy 1: Predictability of the Regulatory Process New Hampshire cities and towns typically seek to preserve some degree of flexibility in their zoning and land use policies to account for specific site conditions or community goals. While a measure of flexibility can be helpful, an overreliance on discretionary approval processes (such as requiring zoning variances or special use permits for all or nearly all new development) can lead to a reduction in the supply of new housing by deterring developers from submitting proposals for needed development. To avoid missed opportunities to increase housing supply, Manchester should ensure the greatest degree of predictability and transparency possible. This means establishing rules that allow for desired development to occur “as-of-right”, without having to seek a variance or special use permit. This will provide developers with a clear understanding of what they will need to provide in order to obtain permits and what they can expect from local agencies and departments. Policy 2: Impact Fee Relief Impact fees and other types of exactions are assessed on developments as a condition of approval of a proposed project, but they take slightly different forms. Impact fees are monetary payments made to the city. The fee amounts are specifically calculated to cover the cost of the infrastructure improvements needed to serve new residents. Manchester should examine their impact fee structure to determine whether it can be lowered without compromising the availability of sufficient infrastructure. Manchester can waive or reduce impact fees for developments that meet affordability objectives or housing goals. Further, Manchester should consider implementing an impact fee payment plan for large-scale developments to support a more diverse field of developers in the city. Policy 3: Streamlined Permitting The process associated with obtaining approval for new construction can be so time-consuming and costly that it dampens the amount of new development and add to housing costs.To help streamline the process Manchester can initiate a comprehensive review of all steps in the development approval process to identify the factors that most significantly suppress new residential construction and redevelopment. With a clearer picture of the obstacles we can assess where the review process can be reduced or eliminated to stimulate development and moderate the price pressure on the existing housing stock. Policy 4: Reform Zoning to Allow More Housing Types To increase the likelihood that the market can produce lower-cost housing types, it is important to have more types of housing allowable as-of-right in more locations and neighborhoods. Because lower-cost housing types are not by-right under most conditions in the city, variances and/or conditional use permits that authorize deviation from existing regulations are required. The need to go through a special process to obtain the permits increases costs, lengthens timelines, and increases risks and uncertainty. To increase the availability of lower-cost housing and encourage a more diverse housing stock, changes to zoning are needed to allow the creation of these housing types in more scenarios than exist today. Read my full housing affordability plan here: https://electwillstewart.com/housing/

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

While homelessness and housing issues are intertwined, woven into that thread is the issue of public safety. We have fully funded our police force and still have 22 officer vacancies. Every conversation about public safety needs to consider the ways this issue is connected to other issues we face, most of them upstream of the incidents that get the headlines. While we absolutely need to address public safety today, we must also be proactive and work on long-term solutions for tomorrow. Here’s how I’ll approach public safety: Stop asking law enforcement to do non-law enforcement tasks. So many of the calls for service that police respond to don’t require a police officer — things like non-violent mental health calls and non-violent domestic disputes. We need to have social workers do social work so that police officers can do police work. Work to prevent violence and other crime from occurring in the first place, through initiatives like neighborhood-based violence prevention programs that identify people who are at the highest risk of violence involvement (both as perpetrators and victims) and engage them in a way that produces authentic and genuine relationships and connections in order to then help those individuals address their complex needs. Support law enforcement every single day by giving them the resources they need to do their job, AND hold them accountable when they get out of line. To me, that’s how you do policing, because we all want the same thing: for the police to show up quickly when needed, and to respect the rights of hard working, tax paying citizens.

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

New Hampshire, in general, and Manchester in specific, run very lean. As a city dependent almost entirely on property taxes, I am very sensitive to the residents – myself included – who pay them, and am grateful to the numerous nonprofit services that fill in gaps. As Mayor, I will always work to ensure that City operations are run as efficiently as possible and I will not tolerate waste. I will likewise always present a tax cap-compliant budget. I will likewise use my position to advocate for the state legislature to return to more adequately funding public education and pension costs for the state’s municipalities, including Manchester. These are two of the larger ways the legislature has downshifted costs to, and raised the tax burden, on local property taxpayers in the recent decade-plus. It’s also worth noting that property taxes are but one of a number of costs faced by city residents. The larger issue is the cost of living in Manchester, including the cost of housing, the cost of energy, the cost of childcare, the cost of transportation, and more. Cost of living in the city needs to be looked at holistically.

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

Small businesses are essential to Manchester’s economy, and a big part of what makes Manchester such a special place to live. But Manchester always doesn’t make it easy for small businesses to get off the ground. In fact, for small business owners, it can feel like the City is just putting up hurdles. One business owner we spoke with said, “I feel like there were a lot of steps to open my business, and not a ton of guidance [from the City on] how to navigate those steps. There was no direction.” Another business owner has heard from fellow business owners who say they want to grow — but in Concord, not in Manchester, because Concord “makes it easier to do business.” If Manchester is serious about expanding the local economy, making downtown more vibrant, and attracting new businesses and talent to our city, we can’t keep making it hard for businesses to get started — we have to change the way the City does business, and make the process easier. We’re fortunate to have the Manchester Economic Development Office (MEDO), which was reborn in 2022. They’ve done important work in a short period of time. But we need to do more. I have a plan to cut red tape and make it easier for businesses to take root and grow in Manchester. This includes: Assessing and streamlining the process of starting a business in Manchester to make it easier, faster, and more affordable. Establishing a “one-stop shop” support center — physical and digital — for new and existing businesses to help them navigate the new and improved process. Gathering data to help us better understand the demographics of the local entrepreneurial community and focus the City’s efforts where they’ll have the most impact. Expanding MEDO’s capacity. If a city our size is serious about economic development, we need more than a two-person department supporting it. As Mayor, I’ll be an advocate for small business, and a champion for a growing economy that works for everyone. Read my small business plan here: https://electwillstewart.com/it-should-be-easier-to-start-a-business-in-manchester/

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

Having worked with, advocated for, and supporting the business community in the Manchester region for a decade as President of the Greater Derry – Londonderry Chamber of Commerce and the Vice President of Economic Development and Advocacy at the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, I can tell you their number one issue is finding and retaining talent. The businesses and jobs are here — and companies want to stay and grow in Manchester – but to do so they need the workforce that wants to stay and thrive here too. We need to address and increase affordable housing, improve our schools, and increase access to quality childcare, and recreational opportunities for our current and future residents to provide a sustainable workforce for a strong economy.

What are your thoughts on and plans on improving parks and recreation in the city?

Manchester has an incredible number of parks and recreational spots, but many are underutilized. This lack of activation leads to antisocial behavior. Our city can do more to make it easier for public and private entities to hold events in our public spaces, which will bring more attention and activity to them. I would also encourage our Parks and Rec Division to utilize our parks more through City programming.

What are your thoughts on as well as any plans on improving transportation and infrastructure in the city?

As the former Manchester Transit Authority Commissioner, I’ve always been a big proponent of more robust public transportation services. While we often talk about the goal of commuter rail — something 75% of NH residents support — to get there we need to make Manchester rail ready by investing in a multi-modal public transportation system, specifically our bus service and safe bike lanes and other bike infrastructure, as well as better and safer pedestrian access to more economic centers. I support a vast improvement in our public transportation system, so that Manchester becomes a leader in affordable, environmentally conscious, and accessible public transit operations, positioning the Queen City as one of America’s Great Mid Sized Cities. Read more about my plan to make Manchester rail ready: https://electwillstewart.com/railready/

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

In 2016 I wrote “An Insider’s Guide to Manchester” because in my 19 years here I discovered a vast amount of hidden, and not-so-hidden, gems that are worth celebrating. Manchester has many things to be proud of, despite what outsiders, and some insiders, will sometimes claim. We can’t leave it to just our Chamber or Economic Development Office to promote our city — the mayor should always be the city’s number one cheerleader. But it doesn’t stop there. We also need to activate and empower city residents to be cheerleaders too.

What are your thoughts on the city's relationship to state government and other NH cities?

I’m not going to wait for the right governor to come along to do my job for those in Manchester. While it’s true that the the State has in many ways abrogated its responsibilities to municipalities across New Hampshire – from downshifting school and pension costs to shirking its responsibility to those New Hampshire residents who are homeless – Manchester cannot afford, and is not served, by having a mayor and governor who squabble about such things. As your next mayor, I’m not going to wait for a governor to take accountability, nor am I going to wait for some other city to do it first. Ten years from now, I want other cities across our country to say “look at what Manchester did.” Look at how neighbors and communities came together to build stronger, resilient schools, to put a functional end to homelessness, bucking most trends, to modernize its public safety and social services to be responsive, adequate, humane, and effective. To modernize its zoning and other land use laws to generate a healthy mix of real estate development so everyone can afford to live and thrive there. That’s the vision I have, because I want my neighbors to connect and feel a sense of pride in where they come from, work, or belong.

What are your thoughts on the mayor's role in city government?

What are your thoughts on and plans on Improving grade-level proficiency scores

State assessment scores for recent standardized tests are incrementally being released and the results are not surprising. Our children have struggled and we must contextualize the environment that has created less optimal grade-proficiency scores. Students were not in-person with their teachers for over a year, and the type of instability that was experienced across the board was unprecedented. The Manchester School District gets a lot of criticism, and while we should expect great things from our schools, I think most of this criticism is misdirected. Because here’s the reality: we don’t have an education problem in Manchester — we have a poverty problem. The barriers faced by some of our students — as seen by the high number of students on free and reduced lunch, who have limited English proficiency, who are homeless, whose parents suffer from addiction — are greater than those of any other district in the state. Manchester schools do very well when measured on progress instead of raw performance — meaning the kids who are in our schools make significant improvement. But helping students successfully overcome the significant barriers they face takes resources. At the same time, MSD spends less per pupil than any district in the state. Therefore, when analyzing any improvements or commentary of grade level proficiency, these factors must be considered. I will work with our district administrators, educators, and reading and math specialists to learn about what resources are available and where there are gaps. I am a data-guy and I will use both data and trust those who work on the front line to help drive any decision about grade-level proficiency score improvement. We also need to start upstream, which is why I have a plan to make affordable Pre-K available for every family in Manchester. Learn more at electwillstewart.com/pre-k/

How would you address student equity?

I would listen to students about their experiences within the district and analyze data including demographic breakdown of student participation in advanced courses, vocational programs, and extra-curriculars in order to understand how accessible these programs are to the entire student body. In consultation with district staff, educators, guardians, and students, I will learn about the barriers that exist and help develop, implement, and support a plan to deconstruct the barriers, and improve equitable access in district-wide courses and programs based on data and student testimonials. Work to address the interconnected issues that impact students and families, including economic development, housing, food insecurity, transportation, and public safety. Focus on equity to ensure students of all backgrounds have equal opportunity to thrive and that our students from historically marginalized groups feel safe, heard, and are able to be their authentic selves. Give students the support they need beyond the classroom, including help developing social capital (access to mentors and role models), social and emotional learning opportunities, weekend food services, expanded school transportation options, English language assistance, and more.

What are your thoughts on per-pupil expenditures/costs per student?

While Manchester is the largest district in the state, and whose students face the most barriers, we spend the least amount per-pupil in the state. I believe it is critical to provide a strong public education for every child in the Queen City, and as mayor, I would Advocate for changes to the State Adequate Education Aid formula to ensure that Manchester receives the funds to which it is entitled. Furthermore, I would ensure the Board of Mayor and Aldermen give state funds appropriated to our schools to our schools, rather than keep them for the general city budget.

What are your thoughts on or plans on addressing attracting and retaining Manchester School District staff?

What are your thoughts on and plans on addressing school safety?

For the past couple decades, students have grown up in the lockdown generation. Schools have become more hardened to deter bad actors and shootings have become normalized. I believe it is important for the school district to collaborate with law enforcement and community partners to implement preventative measures and action plans so we are proactively working to keep students, educators, and district staff safe.

What are your thoughts on and/or plans on addressing remote learning/other uses of technology in education?

The remote learning model was implemented to mitigate any potential COVID-19 exposures. While this was an important model to limit the spread against COVID-19, it is also critical that students are in the classroom in-person, learning with their teachers and with their peers. In addition to remote education, districts also purchased software licenses to support students as they learned remotely. The software is not cheap, and we need to consistently evaluate these purchases to ensure they are both effective and helpful for our students, and financially sustainable for our taxpayers. I also know that our administrators are and have been on the front lines of this issue even before COVID-19 and I will rely on and trust their experience and guidance when it comes to creating the most effective learning environments for our students.

What are your thoughts on or plans on addressing vocational and career-focused educational initiative?

A 21st-century education must include vocational and career-focused educational initiatives. Four-year college is not going to be the right path for everyone. Students should be guided through various options and experiences to learn what they enjoy, and how they would like to expand upon their education, and build a future they want. I would work to expand vocational initiatives, identifying new fields and occupations to focus on, cultivating paths for a diverse student body.

What are your thoughts on as well as plans on addressing issues related to Special Education/IEPs

It is a school district’s obligation to provide special education and IEP services that fit and meet an individual student’s needs. If a school district does not follow this, then they are out of compliance and frankly, unconstitutional. I will continue to work with the school district and the Special Education Director to ensure we are addressing students’ needs. Moreover, I want to see the district diligently and regularly updating district testing procedures so students and guardians are informed about how a child can receive services in an accessible manner. It is important to highlight that some special education services can exceed a quarter million dollars, and the Manchester School District has limited funds to expend, so I would work to improve State and Federal support of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and New Hampshire Constitutional mandates, so Manchester taxpayers are not burdened with skyrocketing costs.