Jerry Hanauer, Bedford Library Trustee Candidate

Jerry Hanauer

Age (as of Election Day)

72

Position Sought

Library Trustee

Party Affiliation

Not Applicable. Town elections are non-partisan and should stay that way.

Family

I have lived in Bedford since 1984. My 2 daughters grew up here and went to Bedford Schools. They both are married and have families of their own. One daughter has 4 kids who have been through Bedford schools. 2 are now in college, 2 others now in BHS. The other daughter lives in Merrimack. She and her husband have 2 elementary school boys. I'm fortunate to have my kids and grand-kids close by.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No. I am retired from a 30 year career with the Federal Housing Administration. I was chief mortgage insurance underwriter for northern New England

Education

Bachelor of Science - University of Wisconsin, Madison 1970
Master's Degree in Urban Affairs - Boston University 1979

Occupation

Since 2002 I have owned a photography and photo restoration business: PhotoArt Imaging. Website is: PhotoArtImaging.com
My principle occupation since retirement has been public service here in Bedford
-Since 2007, Board Member, Chairman, now Treasurer of BEDFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION.
-Since 2001, Board member, and past President of ROTARY CLUB OF BEDFORD
-Since 2019, Appointed twice by Bedford Town Council as alternate Library Trustee.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Currently alternate LIBRARY TRUSTEE (there are 3 elected Library Trustees and one appointed alternate on the Board of Library Trustees). I was appointed alternate by the Town Council in 2019, and again in 2020.
I was an elected Assessor in Bedford, Massachusetts and was Chair of that Board until I moved to Bedford, New Hampshire in 1984.

Campaign website

https://www.facebook.com/jerry...

Why are you seeking elective office?

I have been acting as a full Bedford Library Trustee since one of the 3 elected Trustees resigned this past summer. I am now running for the unexpired 2 year remainder of that term. My long-time dedication to the Bedford Library is clear from my work as an acting and appointed Library Trustee, and my long-time service on the Bedford Library Foundation. I wish to continue that service as an elected Trustee.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Heavy and increasing use of our Library indicates its success, but is its major challenge. Covid has aggravated this challenge. In 2019, there were over 133,000 visitors to our Library, and over 370,000 materials were loaned! Though Covid reduced this number in 2020, use of electronic media, such as e-books and on-line subscriptions- has risen dramatically. We look forward to return to a post-Covid normal, but Library usage will be more intense than ever. I intend will work with the Bedford Library Foundation to support the cost of these needs, avoiding a need to increase the town's library budget.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

My years of service to the Bedford Public Library.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

Bedford is well-served by its Library Trustees. In the past year, there was an initiative by a former Library Trustee to sever the Library's building maintenance arrangement with the Bedford Department of Public Works. Our maintenance arrangement with the Bedford DPW is effective and efficient. The Library Trustees were prudent in rejecting this initiative. The Trustee who made the initiative subsequently resigned from the Board.

How do you think local officials performed in responding to the coronavirus? What if anything would you have done differently?

People should know that its Library staff is remarkable, and has responded remarkably to Covid. The staff now has hours for library visits. A look at the Bedford Library's website gives an indication of how vital our Library has remained: http://www.bedford.lib.nh.us/

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

Continued financial success of the Bedford Public Library Foundation.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Never postpone the urge to go to the bathroom.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?