Alex Comeau, Nashua Alderman At Large Candidate

Alex Comeau

Age (as of Election Day)

42

Position sought (including district number if applicable)

Alderman At-Large

Party Affiliation

Family

Conner (18) and Haley (21)

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

Associates in Science - CAD Engineering & Design

Occupation

Senior Mechanical Designer - 10+ years

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Current Ward 6 Alderman

Campaign website

comeau4nashua.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

I was elected to represent Ward 6 in 2021 and currently am almost through serving a two-year term. I decided to run for Alderman At-Large because I believe turnover on a municipal board like this is a very important thing. I think it's important for new voices to come in and offer fresh perspectives. By becoming Alderman At-Large, I open the door for someone with new ideas to back-fill in behind me in Ward 6, and the cycle can continue. I also heard countless times throughout my two-year term as Ward 6 Alderman from people from virtually every other ward in the city who came to me with their concerns. I heard from so many people "I wish you were my Alderman," so I decided to do it, to become everyone's Alderman, that's why I made my slogan "For All of Nashua."

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

The city has a number of large-scale infrastructure projects looming over the near future, none larger than what will eventually happen on the grounds of the Elm St. Middle School once the new Brian McCarthy Middle School opens. I've been involved in all of the preliminary meetings and discussions revolving around what we will do with that property. Additional discussions will have to happen about projects to rehabilitate other city-owned facilities, including the Nashua Public Library, the Elm St. Parking Garage, and the High St. Parking Garage. Between these projects and several other smaller projects, the city will be spending hundreds of millions of dollars or more in the coming years on renovating aging and poorly cared for city facilities, and whenever the city is going to spend money on that kind of scale, I believe careful and thoughtful oversite is critical. As Alderman, I sat on the Joint Board of Public Works & Infrastructure Committee that oversaw the design and construction of the new DPW Headquarters, so I have experience managing these kinds of large city projects.

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

The primary difference is that the three I am challenging are all incumbent, I'm technically the challenger even though we've all been on the board together for the past two years. Almost all of our votes have been unanimous, but in the few where we've deviated, I've voted to support the Nashua Taxpayer and to protect free speech.

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.

I will continue to advocate for our city's parks and green spaces. I will continue to make sure our Police, Fire, Education, and Public Works departments remain the best in the state by ensuring they are properly staffed, trained, funded, and equipped. I will be a careful steward of the tax payer's money by making sure that the city is always and only spending responsibly. I will do everything in my power to make sure that the city we live in works for us by delivering an outstanding quality of life so that living here is as enjoyable as possible, For All of Nashua.

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

During the last two years, I've really tried to be the city's biggest advocate for our parks and green spaces. I've written several pieces of legislation to improve area recreational facilities, including system-wide rehabilitation of the lighting systems at Labine Field and the Sargent Ave Tennis Courts, two of the most used recreational facilities in the city. These systems not only fix critical failing safety issues but also upgrade the systems to high-efficiency, energy-saving LED bulbs, leading to substantial savings for the city. I authored legislation to secure annual financial support for both Nashua Cal Ripken and Greater Nashua Little League, which serve youth baseball to hundreds, if not thousands, of youth baseball players in Nashua. I supported the complete overhaul of the playgrounds at Field's Grove and St. Andrew's Park, and I've sponsored and voted for many pieces of legislation to make sure that Parks and Recreation as a department is properly staffed and funded, and has the supplies and equipment they need to make sure that our parks and green spaces stay beautiful and highly utilized. In a more general sense, I'm proud to have a 100% positive voting record on all votes to support Nashua Police, Nashua Fire, Public Works, and Public Education, making sure these departments always have the best people, pay, benefits, supplies, training, and equipment to help them do their part to make Nashua as great as it can be.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Listen to understand rather than to respond. I have been an open and accessible advocate for the people in my ward. I plan to continue to do so "For All of Nashua."

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

I've been told by so many people in every different ward in this city "I wish you were my Alderman", so now I will be. I thank everyone for their support. If you'd like to know more about me and the issues that face Nashua, visit comeau4nashua.com.