Karen McNamara, Ward 4 Concord City Council Candidate

Karen McNamara

Age (as of Election Day)

54

Position sought (including district number if applicable)

Ward 4 City Councilor

Party Affiliation

Democrat

Family

My husband Peter and I moved to Concord 16 years ago. Our grown children attended Concord school. My son, Connor, resides in Dover, NH. and my daughter Brenna resides in Bozeman, MT.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

NO

Education

I am a graduate of Western Michigan University with a Bachelors of Arts in Education and a graduate of Olivet Nazarene University with a Masters in Curriculum and Administration. I also received my advanced certificate in Orton-Gillingham as a dyslexia practitioner 2

Occupation

Currently, I am a middle school reading essentials teacher at Southside Middle School in Manchester. I have 20 years of teaching experience.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

I have served the past 3 years as Ward 4 City Councilor.

Campaign website

https://www.facebook.com/mcnamara4ward4?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Why are you seeking elective office?

To continue to give back and be a voice supporting a strong and vibrant community for people to live, work and raise a family. It takes a lot of energy, partnerships and knowledge to do this work. Our community expects and should have a good quality of life. We provide outstanding infrastructure: sewer/water, roads, parks, libraries, green space for trails and relaxation etc. To continue providing a quality of life, we must be steady and thoughtful about our economic development. Where we grow density in the city should be happening without harming the quality of life that we have built. The city can’t do all of this alone, but with partnerships with other business developers, owners, the state and federal government.

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

Affordable and available housing is a huge concern for young people starting careers, single parents and families. There must be a multifaceted approach to providing adequate housing for all. The county, CAP and CCEH continue to have conversations and connect people to services to help when they are struggling to pay for rent, food and heat. The city is doing a lot in the area of economic development but we can’t do it all and not without public and private partnerships. 600 units are pending in planning, 700 units have been approved, 400 units are under construction and 1200 units in pre planning stages. In 2020 Concord has approved or built 500 affordable housing units. How much can the city afford is the fair question. Increasing density for the whole city would not be good. The city has taken steps to look at zoning and how it affects density. Also, the city has looked at fee structures and made reductions and reduced barriers. Some of the places we can take advantage of, without hurting our quality of life are: Penacook Place, The Rail Yard (which is taking housing applications now), and the old NH Employment Security Building, which is under construction. The city is doing its share, but before we blow up the process, we need to be deliberate to get smart growth. Continuing public, private partnerships to continue development growth is how we will continue to be successful.

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

I would have to say experience. I have learned so much in my term as city councilor; if elected, I will continue to build upon my knowledge. I have witnessed the service-first mentality during my past time volunteering as a Second Start volunteer tutor with the new Americans, at the winter overnight shelter, and as an advocate and development director at The Crisis Center of Central NH. I have served as a board member on Concord Babe Ruth and The Crisis Center of Central NH.
As Ward 4 City Councilor, Currently serving on the Solid Waste Advisory, Parking, Rules Committees along with the Regional Planning Commission, Regional Utility Utilization and Friends of White Park provides me with a great amount of knowledge to understand how the city does its job. With this knowledge comes access to connect with the right people to ask questions when solving problems.

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

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Along with creating more low income and working class housing, Economic development to grow our tax base is definitely a priority. Everyone wants a quality of life and Concord provides outstanding infrastructure ( clean water, sewer, roads, libraries, parks etc) with continued improvement. Our economic development must be thoughtful and deliberate on where we grow density not to harm our quality of life. Finally the city can’t do it all! We do a great job but we can’t do it without public and private partnerships.
Also, supporting public safety by recruiting and retaining highly qualified officers is another priority. I am seeing first hand in our budget priority meetings how Concord PD is struggling due to officers retiring and or moving to other forces outside of Concord. I am supporting two new social workers who will provide outreach and direct services to those who are living unhoused or dealing with substance abuse issues. I see this as a preventative measure supporting unhoused and traditionally and provisionally occupied folks while supporting our patrol officers. Continuing a community that has sense of belonging.

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

I have always been a goal driven person. I started my career teaching in Chicago Public Schools, where I was the minority. I learned how to maneuver and appreciate the different rules of social classes. This gave me grace and empathy for my peers, students and families. My career in education taught me how to work as a productive member of a team and not everyone does this well but we are still a team.
Working as an advocate for CCCNH taught me how to support someone by empowering and providing needed tools. This builds their confidence and moves them forward without shame or judgment.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Don’t assume anything, there are always 3 sides to a story.

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

I am a practical person who wants what is best for our community. I enjoy the day to day problems that need solving and I have gained a great appreciation for our city staff and workforce. That’s where it's at.