Derek Thibeault, Nashua Ward 8 Alderman Candidate

Derek Thibeault

Age (as of Election Day)

52

Position sought (including district number if applicable)

Reelection for Ward 8 Alderman

Party Affiliation

Family

Wife - Loren, Children - Libby (21), Alex (19), Andrew (15)

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

A.A. Liberal Arts - Southern NH University

Occupation

Call Center Manager/Director (Current Company Eversource) - 27 years

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Alderman Ward 8

Campaign website

thibeaultfornashua@gmail.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

I am not done helping my ward and my city. We have a lot to do still to continue to keep Nashua one of the best cities in the country. We can't go back to the 1970's. Nashua is moving forward, it's a progressive and welcoming city that I want to continue to serve. I am a Nashuan, like my father and grandfather before me and the health of this city is important to me. People in this city are important to me.

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

It's 100% housing. I purposely did not use the term "affordable" because it's misused. "Affordable" means different things to different people. We need housing on all levels, and that includes low rent. We already have some great projects, Monahan Manor, School St, the Apartments on Lake and Pine, and a couple different spots on Main St, including the empty lot across from CVS. I want to continue to find ways for innovative thinking. What can we do in the DW Highway and Amherst St corridors, for example. The Mohawk Tannery site needs to be done as well; this will finally get use out of a great piece of land. Elm St Middle School will be closing soon and we will have to come up with a plan. I have been active in these discussions and there could be some very good housing options on that site, but there is still much work to be done with those plans. I don't want to shortchange the opioid crisis either. drug misuse is a huge problem all over the state and I would like to work with our health officials to see what we can do to help people fight addiction.

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

First off - I don't want to close any schools and I believe the Nashua Center for the Arts was a great project that was legal and ethical. It will serve the city for more years than I will be around. I am a believer that the last 2 budgets which I supported were fiscally conservative while providing Nashua with the services that were needed. I am supported by union groups. I love this city and I believe it is a great American city. We have the same problems any other cities have of our size. We will continue to work on them but we are not the terrible city we are being led to believe. I lead with a positive message. There is nothing this city can’t do.

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

Incumbent

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

I have shown with my votes that I am strong supporter of the firemen, police, teachers, and the public health officials. I have voted for budgets that included support for these departments. I have and will continue to push for a new fire station in the Amherst St. corridor. We currently have less than we should and that’s a safety issue. The Amherst St fire station needs a new floor. This is also something we need to fix ASAP. The two Main St. parking garages need to be improved sooner than later. We need to work on preserving the city’s infrastructure just like Alderman Dowd was able to do with the schools. As a city baseball coach, I am also a big supporter of Parks and Rec, which also includes support for our conservation land and our waterways. I want more innovative economic development. With all that being said we still must closely monitor spending and be careful with the taxpayer’s money.

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

My biggest accomplishment is being available to my constituents in Ward 8. I have responded to every email, text, call, etc... I haven't been able to solve every issue but I try. I was able to get a stop sign for a busy intersection, a no right on red sign at the BJ's gas station, and listened to resident's concerns about the speeding problem. I authored a bill to increase veteran's tax credits, which has not passed yet. I co-authored a bill to increase income levels to allow more senior citizens to qualify for the elderly tax exemption. I send a weekly newsletter to my constituents to keep them up to date on city business. I sit on the Planning and Economic Development and the Personnel Committees. I am an alternate to the Historic District Commission and the Planning Board, where I recently voted no to the Asphalt Plant. I often go to other committee meetings I am not part of so I can learn and participate in those discussions. I go to as many city events as possible, the Welcoming City Proclamation, flag raising ceremonies, the St. Andrews Park dedication, Multicultural Festival, the Energy Fair, the PRIDE parade and Festival, etc... I do this so I can talk to people and learn about the things they care about. I have helped outside my ward as well, spending time cleaning up Sandy Pond and trying to find ways to clean up the debris in that pond. This includes meeting with the people in the senior housing there. As an alderman I feel I should be responsive and to be seen and to be available. I want people to know they have an advocate. I have been that advocate for ward 8 and for all of Nashua. Being an alderman is servant leadership, we serve the people of Nashua. That is the number one part of this position and I have been proud to serve.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

"Don't forget where you came from". First boss I ever had at Market Basket. He meant it, as I moved up in the company as a 15-year-old, not to forget I was once a bagger. It has given me a better perspective of people I have managed in work or served in public life. Empathy and compassion.

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

Something that I haven’t brought up is my commitment to clean and cheap energy. I was proud to be part of the vote to help reduce electric rates by bringing in Nashua Community Power. This has been a big win for the city. We need to keep looking for ways to get closer to our energy goals.
I am also a huge supporter of a diverse community. Having people from all walks of life and culture is a positive thing that should be embraced. It makes a city stronger. Seeing the Multicultural Festival grow this year was great.
I am hoping for my ward 8 voters to come out to vote for my on 11/7 and excited to hopefully receive another two years.