From a Concerned Nashua Resident: There’s been a lot of talk on several online forums about the political situation in Nashua. There’s been a lot of talk on several online forums about the political situation in Nashua.
There’s been a lot of talk on several online forums about the political situation in Nashua. How some of the elected members of the Board of Education seem to have serious anger management issues. How the Board of Aldermen has beclowned itself by its fiscal irresponsibility.
By a mayor who, when questioned about his (lack of) leadership, has actually become angry at some of Nashua’s residents.
This isn’t a Republican vs. Democrat thing. Nor is it a gender, religion, race, or age thing. It’s a “fiscal responsibility” thing. It’s a “kids deserve an excellent in-classroom education” thing. It’s an “if you don’t want to do the job you were hired to do as a municipal employee, quit or leave – but get out” thing. It’s a “keep your campaign promises or resign now” thing.
But mostly, it’s an adulting thing. It’s about being an adult. It’s about behaving like an adult.
So how do we “fix” Nashua? We start by restoring Nashua’s elected representatives – the Board of Aldermen, the Board of Education, City Hall’s “corner office” – to adulthood.
To do this, adults need to get involved in the political process.
For those who are asking “how do I get involved”, there’s a simple process. It starts with talking to the candidates running for office, finding the one(s) you support, and being willing to be a door-knocker in your ward.
Those of us who are not part of the political power elite in Nashua do not have a well-established and well-funded organization like a municipal union to help us. We can’t offer paid time off to our supporters. We don’t have a “mouthpiece” in City Hall or a local newspaper (the Telegraph is basically out of business).
But we can start making arrangements for ward-level “awareness” walks: groups of 20 or more local residents, all carrying professionally-printed signs about city policy. “Who pays for the PAC?” and “Schools should STAY open!” for example. The groups need to walk through every street in town and do it on multiple weekends.
Why do the signs need to be professionally-printed? Simple: it implies that there’s an organized group behind the individuals involved. Yes, there’s value to people grabbing a piece of cardboard and marching together with homemade signs. But nothing says “organized group” like professionally printed signs, all in the same typeface and colors, and all saying the same 2 or 3 things (keep it limited – make it easy to remember).
If teachers can do an organized street-by-street “awareness” parade in their cars, grass-root supporters can do it on their feet. Oh, and “teacher parades” were nothing less than a waste of taxpayer money – they took place during the school day, which means YOU paid them to do it!
Awareness is key. A mailer won’t do it. Most people toss them in the trash… right?
No candidate signs yet. First, raise awareness. THEN more marches… with candidate signs mixed in with the policy signs. Get the message out first. Raise awareness. Then, when people are “awake” and listening, let them know who to vote for.
A Concerned Nashua Resident
