Election Profile: Erle Pierce, Ward 2

CONCORD, NH — Erle Pierce is running for the Ward 2 Concord City Council seat. He filled out this candidate profile for voters to read:

Education: Attended Champlain College, Burlington, VT 1979-1981

Occupation: 45 years in telecommunications, utilities, and government affairs.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office: This is my first run for elected office in Concord. I currently serve on the Concord Planning Board, having been appointed last year.

Campaign Website: facebook.com/pierce4council

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it: The state of streets and roads in Ward 2. I want to make sure my Ward 2 neighbors have safe roads to travel. I would like to see better and safer bicycle access, on and to, Fisherville Rd. and I would like to see Bog Rd. rebuilt and/or paved from Fisherville to River Hill!

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?: N/A, yet

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)?: The incumbent has decided not to seek re-election because a likely, upcoming residential move. I believe he did a good job representing Ward 2.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform: I will work to help intelligently expand our City tax base. I will work to remove communication barriers between City departments to aid in our City Government running more efficiently. I will do my best to keep the residents of Ward 2 up to date with what is happening in our City. I will do my best to get my neighbors in Ward 2 to get involved in City issues that are important to them. I am my neighbors' representative to the City Council. I work for them, not the City.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?: No one person can accomplish all goal by themselves. I believe I have the organizational and collaborative skills to be an effective City Councilor. In my professional life, I was a union employee and worked my way up to VP for Government Affairs before retiring. I managed small and large budgets and small and large groups of union and management employees.

I do my homework and am not afraid to speak up or ask questions. I have chaired the boards of several organizations (Greater Concord Chamber; Capitol Center for the Arts; Touch the Future (associated with McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center) and have sat on advisory committees for Bellwether Credit Union and Bi-State Community Health. I have also been appointed to serve on Commissions by two Governors: McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center Commission and NH Committee on the Arts.

The best advice ever shared with me was ... Always tell the truth and when you shake someone's hand, look them straight in the eyes! (my Dad)

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?: I was involved with the City's first TIF District when it was created to attract the development of Constitution Drive and the development of the Concord Lumber site (now Delta Dental, the Grappone Center and all the buildings in between).

The effectiveness of this TIF is now a model for all cities to follow. When designed correctly with a focus on only infrastructure upgrades, TIF districts are great tools to invite development and expand the tax base!

I have been a volunteer in this community for many years and I love how focused we are on our youth and our quality of life. I believe its the small things you do that really make a difference. Two of my favorite past volunteer efforts were with my entire family at the St. Vincent de Paul food pantry and co-chairing Concord High School's Friends of Music organization with my late wife.

I love this City. If elected, I hope to make a difference for the residents of Ward 2
and I ask for their support at the polls (located at West Congregational Church, 499 North State St.) on November 5th.

Thank you.

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