I was late today because I went over to say hi to a fellow Free Stater who had surgery. Meal trains FTW!
Last night, West Siders attended an informational meeting about a proposed new community center… that would rip out the community garden we’ve built, replace it with parking and a giant building the size of a football field, taking out the only green space in the area.
The mayor, alderman, consultants, architects, planners, etc. about 15-20 City operatives were there, including Senator Lou. Everyone else, mostly abutters who have finally been informed, about 40-50 of us, all appeared to be against the proposal.
From Manchester Ink Link, READ FULL ARTICLE:
“’I think we should stop and sit at the ‘If’ question, not the ‘when’ question,’ said neighborhood resident Carla Gericke. Mark Degrossiliers, a direct abutter to the proposed site, shared Gericke’s concerns. “It feels a little bit like the train has left the station, and we’re being asked to jump on as it goes down the railroad,” he said.”
Manchester Ink Link
What the article fails to mention is:
1. The project is ongoing since last November but they only informed the abutters last week and scheduled ONE 1 hour session to discuss, used up 20 of those minutes talking at us, and then ended the session when they realized that other than the city operatives there, the 40+ neighbors and property owners weren’t happy.
2. They are claiming they want to “build a community center” BY RIPPING OUT THE WORK BUILT BY… THE… COMMUNITY… It’s pretty insulting!
3. They said “trust us,” after telling us it’s a done deal (it isn’t) and that “they don’t legally have to inform” abutters. As one of my neighbors, a direct abutter (I share one post/cnr) said; “What is legal is not the same as what is right.”
4. Several schools on the West Side are underutilized. Why not start there instead of destroying our green space and garden?
5. The property will be “tax free,” so they will downshift the tax burden ONTO THE SURROUNDING PROPERTY OWNERS WHO CATEGORICALLY SAY THEY DON’T WANT THIS.
6. Where is the money coming from? Other than a contribution by the Stebbins family, sounds like a lot of it is Federal Rescue Plan funds washed through non-profits which makes me wonder who pays when that dries up? (Us, the neighborhood residents.)
7. When you plan a “community center” in secret and then tell the literal people in that community who own the properties and pay the taxes that THEIR OPINION DOESN’T MATTER, you are NOT building “a community center.”
Next meeting is 7/19 at City Hall. More to come.
On Tuesday, candidates and supporters gathered at Manchester City Hall for our first Town Square: Come hear ye, hear ye! The goal of these recurring monthly events is:
"Candidates, bring your 5 minute stump speeches! Voters, bring your questions! Let’s have some fun while we respectfully discuss issues important to us in our communities. Hope to see YOU there! Be there, or be, well, not at the Town Square! :P"
You can catch my short speech here–my first ever Facebook Live! Eek!
Two Republican candidates from Ward 3 joined the fun, each also giving a short introductory speech. I hope next time even more candidates–of all persuasions–show up. Let’s bring some human interaction to the race!
Read what inspired me here.
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Tell a friend or family member in District 20 (Goffstown, Manchester Wards 3, 4, 10 & 11). Word of mouth is a powerful tool!
Thanks for your support! Let’s build a better future for all Granite Staters, young and old!
A couple of weeks ago, I met a retired firefighter while out on the Piscataquog River trail. We walked together for about an hour, chatting about life in New Hampshire and my Carla Gericke for NH State Senate race. He spoiled Nellie with treats. He seemed to like my general joie de vire and invited me to join him today to help make pierogies at the Holy Trinity Polish Catholic Cathedral on Pearl Street–what a beautiful church, masterfully renovated!
Pictured is my first ever pierogi. The folks I met were oh-so patient and kind with my clumsy attempts! Clearly, there’s room for improvement, but the kitchen said most of them held when cooked, so there’s that. (And, I remembered my apron!)
Thank you to Stan for the invitation, to Rick for the tour of the cathedral, and to all the folks I met who spent their Wednesday morning selflessly making hundreds of pierogies for their community, including a spry 94 year old lady whose pierogies were, as far as I could tell, perfect (as practice does).
If YOU would like me to come meet with and chat to your community in District 20 (Goffstown & Manchester Wards 3, 4, 10 and 11), please email carla (at) carla4nhsenate (dot) com. I’d love to come and meet you!