Stacey Brown, Concord City Council Ward 5 Candidate

Stacey Brown

Age (as of Election Day)

51

Position sought (including district number if applicable)

City Councilor, Ward 5

Party Affiliation

Democrat

Family

Wade Brown (husband), Jack and Francesca Brown (children)

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

My husband is a Master Police Officer with the Concord Police Department

Education

BA, English, Keene State College, NH; MA, Diplomacy (24 credits), Norwich University, VT

Occupation

Administrative Assistant, Concord Public Library Foundation (6 yrs); former intelligence officer, Army sergeant, English teacher

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

I am the current Ward 5 City Councilor. I serve on the Ad Hoc Gully Hill Rd Committee, the Ad Hoc Committee to Review Outdoor Dining and Food Trucks, Community Development Advisory Committee, Conservation Commission, Energy and Environment Advisory Committee, Parking Committee, Transportation Policy Advisory Committee, and Tree Subcommittee.

Campaign website

stacey4concord.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

I am looking forward to continuing the momentum I have had as the current Ward 5 City Councilor and collaborating with a new City Council to address the big issues impacting our City: housing, homelessness, and rising property taxes, while improving sustainability, transparency, community and equity. I believe that a City Councilor should be proactive in gathering information and expertise to solve problems, seeking out the input community members who will be impacted by the decisions and policies we make.

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

There are many issues that need to be addressed: expanding affordable housing, ensuring access to community resources, maintaining public safety, eliminating wasteful spending, and developing the city in a way that provides maximum benefit for all those who live, work and go to school here. We need to work on all of this together while also doing everything we can to address the climate crisis.

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

I am an elected official who is responsive to my constituents, proven that I am effective in my role, and can work professionally and respectfully with those whom I disagree. I dedicate a large amount of my time to researching the issues and obtaining feedback/insight from constituents and experts, so that I can make the most informed decision in the best interests of Ward 5 and the community as a whole. By serving on multiple committees and attending additional meetings, I have a broad vision of the strengths we can highlight and the challenges we need to address together. I will continue to bring energy, determination and perseverance to the role of City Councilor.

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.

Bringing people together to improve our community, ensuring equity of access to civic resources, addressing the climate crisis at the local level.

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

I have been successful in involving residents in the civic process in tackling issues that impact them, amplifying their concerns and pursuing solutions together. Different neighborhoods have had different concerns: from removing the construction of a costly, unnecessary highway to opening lines of communication with a facility that made neighbors feel unsafe; from paving roads ahead of schedule to pushing back against an international company shaking residents’ foundations. I have also participated in, and initiated, various events connecting residents with each other and our natural resources, such as guided hikes, community rides, and tree tours. I also lobbied to create the Ad-hoc Gully Hill Road Committee which led to the City negotiating a more profitable lease with an organic farmer whose sunflower festival attracted 15,000 to the heart of our City.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

The best advice was from my dad: Challenge yourself, step outside your comfort zone.

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

I love serving as the Ward 5 City Councilor and I am committed to developing our community in a way that includes and serves everyone.