Christy Houpis, Amherst Planning Board Candidate

Christy Houpis

Age (as of Election Day)

62

Position Sought

Planning Board - 1 Year Term

Party Affiliation

Unaffiliated

Family

Wife and daugther

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

BS - Business Administration from UNH

Occupation

General Management, Sales and Marketing Executive in Communications and Technology

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Currently Appointed Planning Board Alternate

Campaign website

None

Why are you seeking elective office?

My name is Christy Houpis and I am proud to be running for the Amherst New Hampshire Planning Board for a single year term. I was appointed to the Amherst Planning Board as an Alternate eighteen months ago, after many long-time Amherst friends and neighbors urged me to volunteer.
During my interview by the Select Board, I stated Amherst will need to balance land development with its rural character and desire for open space. I worked to achieve this during my 18-month tenure on the Planning Board by asking important questions, engaging in comprehensive reviews, requesting independent impartial analyses, encouraging an open dialogue with residents and developers alike while ensuring full transparency during all proceedings. These are the same objectives I commit to pursing if elected to the Planning Board.
I recognize change is the only constant and do not follow an anti-developer, not-in-my-backyard approach. However, I have not and would not be a rubber stamp for development approval. I respect property owner rights to develop land while clearly embracing the Planning Board’s responsibility, stated in its regulations, to manage development applications with the needs, safety and quality of life of Amherst residents. Each perspective of landowner/developer and Amherst resident is valid and protected under the Planning Board’s charter and can be simultaneously considered.
The value of any development, commercial or residential, must be understood in conjunction with the impact to life in Amherst including water, traffic, emergency services, educational systems, and open space.
I know competing objectives can be balanced. While not having decades on a Zoning or Planning Board, I ran a cellular telephone company for many years and creatively and successfully balanced the competing objectives to meet public demands for mobile communications with the equally strong desire to not have visible cell sites.
Born in New Hampshire, I am not a native of Amherst and have only lived here for the last 33 years. But I love Amherst, its community, its character and, most importantly, its beautiful charm. It is the hometown where my wife and I live. Its where we raised our daughter. It is where I hope to live out my life. Because of this deep appreciation for our town, its residents and the people who serve it, I am asking for your vote.
I have no other political aspirations or agendas beyond giving back to our community by providing knowledge and continuity during the transition from an appointed to an elected board, helping produce an inclusive Master Plan and supporting the updating of our ordinances given the residents’ repeal of the IIHO.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Mr. Christy C. Houpis

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