Kelleigh Murphy, Bedford Town Council Candidate

Kelleigh Murphy

Age (as of Election Day)

42

Position Sought

Town Council

Party Affiliation

Independent

Family

I'm a single mom with three kids in Bedford Schools - kindergarten and 3rd @ Riddlebrook and 5th @ McKelvie.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No.

Education

Boston College, B.A., Political Science (concentrations in music and linguistics); University of Richmond Law School (transferred to Vermont Law School in 2003 and graduated in 2004 with a J.D.)

Occupation

I am a complex/high asset divorce attorney and civil litigator. I own my own law firm - Murphy Legal - with offices in Manchester and Portsmouth. I passed the bar in 2004.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Town Council, 2012-2018 (Chairwoman, 2015-2017); Bedford Planning Board (2018-present, current Vice Chairwoman); Manchester Board of Mayor and Alderman (2007-2009); Manchester School Board (2005-2007); Bedford Master Plan Committee (2019-present).

Campaign website

https://murphylegalnh.com/our-...

Why are you seeking elective office?

Bedford is such a great community with big-town amenities and a small-town feel. I want to work to preserve the character of this town for future generations to enjoy, which ensuring that taxes are reasonable and the town's needs are met, particularly when it comes to investment in Police, Fire and our roads and infrastructure. I enjoy public service, and feel as though my background as an attorney serves as an asset on the Council.

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

I would like to focus on forward-thinking for the community. By that, I mean that I would like to focus on preserving Bedford's unique character while planning for the future. Specifically, public safety issues, including a more secure and safe Police Station, additional ambulance services, and appropriate personnel levels must be considered. Infrastructure is another area that needs attention - the road bond allowed us to reconstruct many of the roads in town, but they must be continually maintained so that they do not fall into disrepair in the future. I would look to find efficiencies in operations, particularly post-COVID. Perhaps some town employees can continue to perform remotely, freeing up space in existing town offices without the need to construct additional buildings for non-safety-related personnel. I would also seek to work with the Planning and Zoning Boards to address and promote responsible growth and to ensure a sustainable tax base into the future.

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

I am an attorney with extensive experience with oral advocacy, reading, writing and contract review and drafting. In my past work on the council, these skills have served me well, and I anticipate they will continue to do so in the future. I also have a history of working collaboratively with existing town council members, no matter what our individual views are on an issue. Finally, I believe that the best governance is that which listens to the people - I would listen to the concerns of residents and taxpayers if I was fortunate enough to be elected to the council.

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

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

I think that holding meetings via ZOOM has been an excellent call, and its one that I hope continues well into the future. I believe that community participation is easiest when it is most accessible, and allowing people to attend meetings remotely drives resident participation.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

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

I'm a tireless worker and a creative, out-of-the-box thinker. I am able to bridge disagreements to work collaboratively for solutions that benefit all residents and to advocate fiercely on the town and state levels for the needs of this community. These are all skills I utilize daily in my work. I have been recognized in the past for my advocacy skills and was also a recipient of the Union Leader's Forty Under 40 award.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Love what you do, and it'll never feel like work.

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