CANDIDATE PROFILE: Donna Schlachman

Editor's note: The following is a candidate profile for Donna Schlachman, who's running unopposed in the Democratic Primary for state representative.

Name: Donna Schlachman

Date of birth: July 18, 1949

Background/education:

Born in New York and educated there in excellent public schools, I have lived in the same home in Exeter since 1978, where my husband and I have raised our 3 children. I hold a Bachelors of Science in Occupational Therapy from Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons, and a Masters in Education – Developmental Disabilities Administration, from the University of New Hampshire.

Experience/occupation:

I began my career as a pediatric occupational therapist working in children’s hospitals, and spent many years working with birth to three year olds with disabilities, and their parents. Toward the end, I worked for DHHS Division of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities as the Director of the Infants and Toddlers Program – overseeing the State’s early intervention services.

Over the years, I have volunteered in the schools, been involved with a variety of community committees and boards, and founded a philanthropic organization to benefit at-risk youth and children living in poverty.  On my own initiative, and later in partnership with the Rockingham Planning Commission, I spearheaded Exeter’s efforts to improve transportation options for seniors who no longer drive.

Presently, I serve on the Board of Rockingham Community Action/Southern New Hampshire Services which provides nutrition support, literacy classes, job training/employment, housing, Head Start, and fuel assistance/weatherization services to individuals and families living below the poverty level.  

Prior elected offices you have held:

The year 2008 was the first time I ran for an elected public office. I am now finishing my second term as a New Hampshire State Legislator, representing District #13, which covers Exeter, North Hampton and Stratham.

I have been on the  Commerce & Consumer Affairs Committee for both terms, serving as its Vice-Chair 2009-2010.  I was the 2011 recipient of the Legislative Award from the Council on Developmental Disabilities and also received the Governor’s Accessibility Award for Outstanding Service.

Personal information:

I have been married for 43 years and have three grown children. I am an avid sailor during the summer months and am the former commodore of our sailing club. For land-based enjoyment, I have practiced tai chi for the past 14 years and I volunteer as a tai chi instructor at a studio in Exeter.   

Priorities if elected:

• I will continue to represent the people of Exeter with integrity and decorum.
• Support NH’s tradition of Fiscal Responsibility and Balanced Budgets
• Improve infrastructure to support business growth & development and create jobs
• Support changes in higher education to serve business growth & development
• Implement health care changes to lower costs and improve access to medical care
• Increase transparency of medical costs to improve decision-making and reduce waste
• Expand NH’s K-12 Anti-Bully Protections to Post-Secondary Educational Settings

Why are you running?

I am seeking a third term because I believe it is critically important to send people to Concord who understand that governing is about listening to one another and working together to solve problems. I believe I do this well. Being a State Representative is about serving the public and enacting policies and laws that enable individuals, communities and state government to play positive roles in keeping NH the best state to live, raise a family, grow a business, and retire in.  It is not about political agendas and ideologies. I am running again because I believe in the New Hampshire tradition of being fiscally and socially responsible