Connor Spern, Concord Ward 4 City Council Candidate

Connor Spern

Age (as of Election Day)

24

Position Sought

Ward 4 City Council

Party Affiliation

Family

Husband, Eli Spern 27. Lifelong resident of Concord

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

NHTI

Occupation

Development Director - 1 Year

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

N/A

Campaign website

facebook.com/connor4concord

Why are you seeking elective office?

Concord is the home I never expected to have. After moving here, I quickly learned from the actions of the people of Concord that service to our community is highly valued. I have been deeply involved in this process in my time here, and I want to take my service to the next level. I want to use my natural skillsets and outgoing personality to engage my neighbors in new ways. I want to leverage my network of peers and business connections within the city to help form partnerships and collaborations that benefit the city and my neighbors. I will work hard to keep Concord the beautiful, historic, and unique community that it is, while encouraging growth and advancement that makes sense for who we are as a city.

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

Housing! Not only does Concord have a shortage of housing units, it also lacks a diversity of housing options. We need mid-range housing that is accessible and affordable for the average working person, and appropriate housing for those who may currently be unhoused or unable to obtain traditional apartments. Providing adequate housing for everyone in Concord will remove barriers that keep people from moving here, and increase the number of available workers that can support our local businesses. It will increase the rate of successful substance dependency recovery through Housing First initiatives (again increasing the number of people who are able to enter the workforce), and in turn will decrease the number of calls placed to first responders— providing a potential tax relief to Concord residents. This would have a positive effect on the safety and inclusivity of Concord. My work, my volunteerism, and my unique personal experiences have equipped me with the network, skills, knowledge, and determination to find creative housing solutions that work for everyone.

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

I'm new and different! As a renter, I provide a different perspective and experience with Concord’s housing crisis. As an open advocate and ally, I will work to ensure that everyone in Concord can have the same opportunities that I have had the privilege of experiencing. As a young professional, I represent the many active and hardworking young people in Concord, who are are not only vital to our economy and workforce, but eager to take part in our city’s future. And as a Concord transplant, I can bring a fresh set of eyes and new energy to the council. I am heavily involved in our community (specifically in Ward 4) and I have a deep love for Concord that has become one of my defining traits to those who know me.

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

How do you think local officials performed in responding to the coronavirus? What if anything would you have done differently?

I believe that the City of Concord was proactive in their response to COVID-19, and did a great job of navigating the pandemic as information was released and updated. I would have liked to have seen the mask mandate extended to July 15th as it was proposed in the May meeting. The vaccine was only recently approved for ages under 18, and many of my peers (18-40) are just receiving their second vaccine here in June. Young people make up a large portion of the employees working in retail, restaurants, and other businesses that are exposed to many customers each day. An extension of the mask mandate would have protected all of our city's employees until they could be fully vaccinated.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

I would like to:
- Connect with our neighbors and find better ways to make city council more accessible to everyone, and encourage engagement that is meaningful and sustainable.
-Collaborate with community organizations working for racial justice and equality to ensure that the City of Concord is supporting and actively engaging with these organizations
-Create housing solutions that are accessible and affordable for the average working person, and appropriate housing for those who may currently be unhoused or unable to obtain traditional apartments.
-Communicate needs, priorities, and interests of the community, first responders, and social services for educational and informational purposes, as well as increased efficiency in these partnerships
-Expand arts and culture through public installations such as murals and more regular multicultural events
-Increase traffic safety with speed mitigation efforts, brighter street lights, and more bike/pedestrian lanes

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

My experience is in client-facing, problem-solving public service that requires creative thinking, patience, and a positive, personable attitude. Everything that I have done to this point has been with the intention of bettering my community and helping others. And have I mentioned that I LOVE Concord? I can think of no better evidence of my ability to handle this job-- I do similar work every day!

The best advice ever shared with me was:

"If you try and appeal to everyone, you will appeal to no one. Be true to yourself and your beliefs, and stand strong in your values-- the community you seek will find you."

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

I currently work full-time as the Development Director for The Friends Program, a nonprofit that serves seniors, at-risk youth, students, and operates Concord’s Family Emergency Shelter. I am also a coordinator and member of the Board of Trustees for The Friendly Kitchen, Concord’s only soup kitchen, and a Shelter Manager for the Winter Emergency Shelter for adults, operated by Concord Coalition to End Homelessness— which are located within Ward 4. I am a Steering Committee member for Concord Young Professionals Network (CYPN), and an active student at NHTI (also Ward 4). In 2019, I was selected as the Concord Young Professional of the Year. I was in the Leadership Greater Concord Class of 2020 (Best Class ever!)