In The Community

In 2006, over one thousand other renters on Country Club Drive (where we live) were given notice our on street parking would be cut in half. Parking on the west side of the street would be prohibited. This was important to us and many other people because after a snow storm, all cars had to be removed from the parking lots and parked on the street. So I printed flyers and organized opposition to the parking ban. As a community, we made phone calls to the Public Works Department, convincing them not to rush into anything. I made a presentation before the Traffic Committee explaining that the 36 foot wide street was designed for parking on both sides. However, the Committee passed the parking ban anyway.
See the article in the Hippo Press

The unintended consequence of the parking ban was that cars were now parked on the opposite side of the street from the apartment buildings. During the warm summer months, thieves would frequent Country Club Drive and, in relative obscurity, vandalize and steal from these unobserved cars. My own minivan had a window broken and a stereo stolen from it. Finally, in 2008, after another rash of vehicle break-ins, Alderman Kelleigh Domaingue agreed to bring the matter before the Traffic Committee again. No hearing date has been scheduled at this time.

I've also participated in litter pickups with Neighborhood Works of Greater Manchester and Friends of Stark Park. To me, it is very satisfying to look back at the trash bags filled with garbage. It's solid evidence of the improvement you've made in a community. Keeping our neighborhoods clean doesn't have to be part of an organized effort - each and every one of us can do a little bit whenever we see litter in our community. That way, we can all take pride in knowing that we've helped make our neighborhood cleaner.

When Representatives had the opportunity last fall to introduce legislation for the coming year, I organized a bi-partisan town hall meeting for the west side. Reps. Beaulieu, Forrest, Soucy and Messier all joined me to meet with constituents who had concerns or questions about what was going on in Concord. As a result, we introduced several pieces of legislation for the 2008 session.

Last fall, ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition came to Manchester. Since I'm a carpenter by trade, I volunteered to help out on the project. I spent most of the day Monday, October 22nd, framing on the 2nd and 3rd floors, as well as helping up on the roof. It was a fascinating project to be around. More then 100 skilled craftsmen were working on every aspect of the project simultaneously. For example, the sheetrock was just being installed on the 1st floor when I arrived Monday morning. Installing and finishing it might take a small crew 3-4 days, but with dozens of people pitching in, it was almost finished by lunchtime. The community spirit was very strong on that jobsite, and I'm proud to have played a small part in helping out one of our neighbors.

Want to learn how you can help out in our neighborhood? Governor Lynch has called for volunteers to help their neighbors prepare for winter. You find more details at Stay Warm