Wazlaw Wants to Improve NH's Quality of Life

Brian Wazlaw, a 37-year Portsmouth residents, is running as the Democratic candidate for the Ward 5 House District 29 seat unopposed in the Sept. 11 primary. He is expected to face Republican candidate Arthur Clough III in the General Election on Nov. 6.

Here is a Portsmouth Patch candidate questionnaire that Wazlaw submitted about his candidacy.

Name: Brian Wazlaw

Background /Education: B.S. Fitchburg State College, M.S. Biology, University of New Hampshire,  Ed.D. Boston University.

Experience: Portsmouth Conservation Commission 1996 – 2011, Ward 5 Moderator, Participant in Portsmouth Listens, NH Dept. of Education – Professional Standards Board–past member, NH Dept. of Education – Board of Examiners – past member, Former Governor Shaheen’s Blue Ribbon Commission on “Binding Arbitration," Board of Directors –  Seacoast Kiwanis Club, Board of Directors - Laboratory Safety Institute, Founding board member of the non-profit School Care Health Insurance Company.

Occupation: Former public school science teacher and science department chair – 37 years. Currently -  Laboratory Safety Consultant

Personal: Married with two children and six grandchildren.

Why are you running? Representing the residents of Ward 5 and Portsmouth is a great responsibility; you need to be accountable to the people you represent.  I will listen to your comments and seek your input.  By working together, we can ensure our city and our state will be great places to work, live, and raise a family.

For a strong and vibrant future and to continue our New Hampshire advantage, we need to move forward. Education is a central part of our advantage. We need great public schools to create tomorrow’s talented and well educated workforce.  A strong state university is crucial in fostering  the  talent our state will need to compete for innovative companies that will require the best trained workers.   For our families, great public schools and an affordable state university system need to be a priority.

Moving our economy forward involves promoting a business friendly state. We need companies that are involved in research and development that will lead to new technologies, new products, and new jobs.   We need to be strong partners with our state university and with such organizations as the New Hampshire High Technology Council.  Understanding the challenges of small businesses and of creating new jobs needs  to be a priority.

Our environment is what makes New Hampshire special.  From the Seacoast  to the Presidential Range and  from the Great North Woods to the Capitol Region,  our natural resources require our stewardship. Protecting and preserving our environment for the future needs to be a priority.

Our House of Representatives experienced challenging times this past session.  We need to encourage civility, respect, and confidence in our House of Representatives .  Solutions to problems need to move from a politically driven analysis to a data driven analysis.  Cooperation and teamwork are much needed requirements to move forward.

Once again, by working together, we can ensure our city and our state will be great places to work, live, and raise a family.