Karen McNamara, Concord Ward 4 City Council Candidate

Karen McNamara

Age (as of Election Day)

52

Position Sought

Ward 4 City Council

Party Affiliation

Democrat

Family

Married to Peter McNamara with two children, Connor and Brenna. Connor graduated from UNH in 2020 and Brenna has one more semester at UNH.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

N/A

Education

Masters Education Curriculum Administration from Olivet Nazarene University
Bachelors degree in Education from Western Michigan University
Advanced Orton-Gillingham (multi-sensory instruction) Nashua Dyslexia Center

Occupation

Middle school teacher for 22 years
Currently 6-8 reading essentials teacher

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

N/A

Campaign website

https://www.facebook.com/mcnamara4ward4

Why are you seeking elective office?

Concord has been a welcoming and caring community. I have witnessed and been involved in the service-first mentality that Concord nonprofits and community members provide. I see the position of city councilor as an opportunity to provide a voice for city issues allowing me to give back to my community and continue to make Concord a better place. I am a goal driven person and would enjoy being a voice for change and continued growth. Because I grew up in a community and family that helped others and gave back made me who I am today.

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

The single most pressing issue is maintaining the strong financial position of the city while keeping the municipal tax rate as low as possible. With the continuing downshifting of costs from the state and reduced revenues in many areas, we need to develop and execute a plan to increase the tax base such that development adds more revenue than it costs. We need to carefully manage city costs with smart investments like LED street lights city-wide, keep staffing levels lean and support housing growth opportunities that will provide workforce for tax base development.

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

I can’t really speak about the others running as I don’t know them personally. As a Concord homeowner and taxpayer, I realize how critical city services are to each of us but also how the impact of rising property taxes can be detrimental to those struggling to make ends meet. Making sure service agency providers who offer services to the entire area or county are also proportionately raising funds from those other communities.
My volunteer board work (Crisis Center of Central NH, Concord Babe Ruth and COPOCO), my volunteer work (24 hour crisis line and winter overnight homeless shelter), my professional career experience as a grade school teacher and instructional coach, and parent has provided me with a multitude of experiences to continue to be a better team player, listener and advocate for what’s important to me and others.

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?

Concord municipal officials overall did an exceptional job in making government function during a very difficult time. All core services were delivered without interruption despite the fact many employees were dealing directly with Covid in their own lives and with their own families. The budgets were managed extraordinarily well and they were able to be very flexible in creating solutions for businesses like the restaurants.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

If elected, I will be providing guidance from Ward 4 perspective on State projects that will impact this area and the city as a whole: I-93, psychiatric prison, I-89 exit 2 roundabout, state parking garage(s), Stickney Ave., solid waste/recycling, provide guidance on negotiations for new contracts. I would work to bring broadband competition to city, work with private and non-profit sectors to expand housing opportunities throughout community and continue to invest in maintaining and improving city parks - White Park (Monkey Around Playground, White Park Pond, William Thompson Playground).

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

Starting my teaching career in an inner city opened my eyes to extreme community and student needs. This allowed me to use my creativity and passion to make lives better, work closely with my team and reach out to my community to bring outside support into my classroom. Teaching and working as an instructional coach and mentor with Plymouth State University continued to allow me to develop working relationships to support graduate students entering the teaching field.
I managed a successful campaign for Senator Dan Feltes which allowed me to use my organizational skills and, again, work cooperatively with others to accomplish goals.
At the Crisis Center of Central NH, I started out as a board member, 24 hour volunteer phone advocate and then was hired as their Development Director. I also was the fundraising chair for Concord Babe Ruth.
As the development director, I oversaw the organization’s fundraising and managed relationships with community donors, planned fundraising events, and sought out opportunities for financial support through grants and sponsorships.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Take a step back before judging or dismissing someone, especially if you haven’t walked in their shoes. I tell the children in my classroom, "You don’t know what happened at someone’s dinner or breakfast table, so be kind when they seem grumpy or in a bad mood.”

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

Knocking on doors this past month, has given me greater insight and appreciation into the concerns and wisdom of my constituents. You have as much say as everyone else in Ward 4 and Concord. Your concerns are valid and affect you when you walk out to your car, drive from one end of town to another, walk your dog at midnight, have questions about your water bill, can’t find affordable housing or parking, etc. I will be open minded and listen and learn from you. Being the voice of Ward 4 is being your voice, taking a stand and being willing to change how I think about something. Your concerns are valid. I will be “a spoke in the wheel” of Concord. Vote for me, Karen McNamara to be your Ward 4 City Councilor.