Good Evening, Nashua Democrats!
The September Nashua Democratic City Committee Meeting is coming, and we would love you to stop by virtually, of course!
General Meeting
Date: Monday 9/13/2021
Time: 7:00PM-9:00PM
Where: Still on ZOOM (ID sent to email list – Contact Us if you would like to be added)
All Nashua Democrats Welcome! See you there!
The Municipal elections are coming up fast, and we need as much help as we can get. This is a critical election, and we need to get our base out to vote on November 2nd. This is where you come in. We need help in the following areas.
The extreme right is well funded, and their play book is to take over local government. This election couldn’t be more important. Our effort will need to be great to win. It can be done, and your support will be critical.
If you are interested, please reach out to Josh Query at jquery@nhdp.org. A little help or a lot, it will all be appreciated and worth your time.
Thank you,
Nashua Dems
The accolades STILL just keep coming!!
In 2018, WalletHub rated Nashua as the 9th best-run city in the US.
“Being repeatedly recognized by WalletHub and Money Magazine, as well as receiving a AAA bond rating from the Fitch and S&P, shows off the effectiveness and efficiency of Nashua’s city government,” Mayor Jim Donchess said.
In 2019, Money Magazine continued to rate Nashua as the best place to live in NH and #71 in the country. In New England, only Portland ME, Somerville MA and Brighton MA did better.
Nashua Democratic City (NDCC) Minutes
Monday Aug 2, 2021
7:00 – 8:02 p.m. (Zoom)
Our NDCC April meeting was called to order by Vice Chairman Nikki Arguin at 7:01 p.m.
Nikki introduced Caitlin Rollo who gave a presentation. Pre-registration was required due to the sensitive nature of the discussion.
After the presentation Nikki mentioned Drinking Liberally had started up again and tomorrow it would be at 603 Bistro at 7:15.
Next general meeting will be Sept 12 at 7:00pm on Zoom.
Nikki motioned to adjourn at 8:02, John seconded it.
Nashua Democratic City (NDCC) Minutes
Monday July 12, 2021
7:00 – 8:19 p.m. (Zoom)
Our NDCC July meeting was called to order by Chairman Keith Thompson at 7:05 p.m.
Bruce mentioned the voter suppression law was thrown out as unconstitutional but it could be slipped in 2022’s budget. Rooms and Meal Tax was reduced slightly in the budget. Lou mentioned the failure in the Family and Leave Act portion of the budget.
Next general meeting will be August 2 at 7:00pm on Zoom.
Keith motioned to adjourn at 8:19.
Nashua Democratic City (NDCC) Minutes
Monday June 7th, 2021
7:00 – 8:39 p.m. (Zoom)
Our NDCC April meeting was called to order by Chairman Keith Thompson at 7:05 p.m.
Keith thanks the past board and there were introductions from many of the new board members.
Slate Goodwin gave updates for the NHDP. Their main focus is the special election in Dunbarton, anyone that wants to make phone calls or knock doors can reach out to Slate at sgoodwin@nhdp.org or 205-737-5423.
Gary Hoffman provided a city update. Spending Cap limits could be coming back to the city which would hurt the city unions. Alderman would have to create a charter amendment to make it easier to override. Gary was asking for support. One way is to talk to your alderman.
Keith talked about some of his upcoming focus, including fundraising, grow the committee, education on issues that Dems care about, training and education for candidates. Sue Vail referenced, free staters, racial justice efforts, why unions are important. Keith also mentioned clip boarding, phone banking for special events, especially new and active members. We could also use post cards and may want to look into mail permit.
Sue Newman mentioned that the Bylaws need an update.
Sue Vail also said that her and Nikki Arguin had the Sylvia Gale Honorary Bench on their radar.
Asma Ackbar and Nikki Arguin both talked about utilization of social media, more Facebook, more engagement, more posting, using Instagram, Tik Tok, Twitter, YouTube, etc…Laura Telerski mentioned that the public Facebook group should be entertaining and have events, whereas the private group should be more about issues.
Gary Hoffman talked about strategy for the next election. We have to get the voter out and win all close elections. He asked Derek Thibeault to keep a spreadsheet of all the positions and who is running. The filing period for the municipal elections is 8/24-9/3. Ward elections need 15 certified signatures, At-Large needs 50. John Lisle mentioned that this next election is nonpartisan and if 2 Dems run against each other we cannot support either. Gary offered to help with signatures. We discussed the possibility of having a BBQ in July to help get signatures. John also mentioned the possibility of hiring an election worker. Nikki said Slate may have potential help for the committee but these two things are different. Joanne St John mentioned that Act Blue shows all the donations to her past campaigns and we should use those donors to target for fundraising. Regan Lamphier talked about sign visibility campaigns and that we should do more targeted ones.
Asma asked about a potential for having documents on a shared Google Dr. Sue Vail was going to work with her. There was some concern about having this info in a place that could get hacked as there is some private and confidential information.
Jeanne to work on Set the Record Straight a newspaper article/blog.
Asma offered to do any training on any of the software, Google docs, etc.
We agreed that the email for the committee members should be updated on the NDCC website.
Sue Vail mentioned people outside of the city will try to mess with the election.
John again mentioned to be careful of partisanship.
Cindy Rosenwald brought up connecting higher taxes with keeping city services.
Lou Juris brought up the recent School Board meeting where there were several people who disrupted the meeting including a candidate for the BOE. Instead of being partisan it was mentioned to say things like giving the Mayor are support. Regan Lamphier announced her plan to run for school board and she would except any and all help.
Lou asked for more meetings. The board will look into it after next week’s special meeting of the executive board.
Next general meeting will be July 5th at 7:00pm on Zoom.
Keith motioned to adjourn at 8:39, John seconded it.
Nashua Democratic City (NDCC) Minutes
Monday, May 3, 2021
7:00-8:30 p.m. (Zoom)
Our NDCC May General Meeting was called to order by Chairman Dave Tencza, 7:04 p.m.
Dave told us that while meeting notices will go out for our June Meeting, the zoom link sent out for tonight’s meeting is a ‘recurring link’ that can also be used to access the June meeting.
Slate Goodwin was with us from NHDP, explaining more about how next week’s May 12th NDCC Election Meeting will be conducted. Information has been sent out about this meeting, and people have to REGISTER ahead of time. For Dems wanting to participate in the Election Meeting, it’s important to be registered for the meeting NO LATER THAN 6 pm. on May 12th. (This allows NHDP the time needed to both verify and get the Meeting link emailed out to the Democrats who want to attend.)
While the self-nomination process is now closed, there still will be an opportunity for nominations ‘from the floor’ the night of the election, and our NDCC now will have 5 At-Large Executive positions (instead of 4). Our NDCC Executive Board will be elected, as well as the Ward positions. If there are more candidates than positions available, brief speeches can be given by the candidates. The Election Meeting will begin at 7 p.m. on May 12th, and is open to ALL Registered Nashua Democrats.
Slate also told us that attending the Meeting is necessary in order to vote, but that you don’t have to be present to get elected. There are NO Proxy votes, and people will be available to assist anyone having ‘technical difficulties’. After the initial voting, the various wards will break into their own caucus groups, to elect Ward Officers. The NDCC 4 Officers and the 5 At-Large Delegates, and the current Democrats who are State Reps., will be Delegates to the State Convention, which is where the Party’s Platform and Rules get voted on.
Jan gave a brief overview of the State and Senate Budget Hearing scheduled for tomorrow (5/4/21), and encouraged people to register their opinions. Dave mentioned that the City Budget Committee will be getting Mayor Donchess’ Budget in about two weeks. Most city departments have been asked to level fund this year, we don’t want to see City Services reduced, serious concerns remain about continued downshifting of costs by the State, and over-all, our citizens don’t want to see big property tax increases.
Suzanne commented in general about the amount of ‘extremism’ going on in the State and how important it is for people to become familiar with NH Free-Staters, and the Free State Project. Candidate recruitment for our upcoming Nashua municipal elections continues.
Manny! OUR (until recently!) Vice Chair, Manny Espitia has been voted to become Chair of the NH Young Dems! Manny accepted our congratulations, is honored by his new position, and said he still will remain an Active Nashua Democrat! Thank YOU, Manny!!
Motion was made by Jan, seconded by Suzanne – to adjourn at 8:30 p.m. Vote was Unanimous.
Respectfully submitted by,
Sue Newman, NDCC Secretary
Nashua Democratic City (NDCC) Minutes
Monday, April 5th, 2021
7:00 – 8:41 p.m. (Zoom)
Our NDCC April meeting was called to order by Chairman Dave Tencza, at 7:05 p.m.
The First Monday’s of the Month will continue for our NDCC Meetings for the next couple months, at least. The next NDCC General Meetings will be May 3 and June 7th, and our NDCC Elections will be on May 12th.
Several of our Nashua State Representatives and Democratic members on the Nashua BOE were in attendance. Slate Goodwin, from NHDP, attended, reminding us all about the upcoming Merrimack Special Election, which will be held on April 13th. Wendy Thomas (“Water Warrior” and former State Rep.) is seeking election to go back to the Statehouse. Slate gave us the link to sign up for “volunteer opportunities” with Wendy’s campaign.
Dave brought us up to date on what will be going on over the next few months with our City Committee. He said that Slate will also be at our May 3rd zoom meeting, to let us know how our NDCC elections will be handled. Dave said that an NDCC Nominating Committee will be gathering names of people interested in running for NDCC positions, and said that Floor Nominations also will be accepted. Four NDCC Officers, 4 At-Large positions, and 9 Ward Chair positions will be elected at our May 12 meeting. Also, each Nashua Ward will have 4 elected officers, and everyone in Ward Positions is a Delegate to the State Convention. Goals for the next NDCC Board include strengthening our Committee, making sure we stay in good financial shape, and preparing for the Nashua City Elections. ALL NDCC members are encouraged to help recruit good candidates to run for City positions!
Nashua BOE members at the meeting discussed current goings on with their Board. It’s been a very tough year for the Nashua School District and Board of Education members. A professional Superintendent search is underway and concerns associated with fully opening our schools have remained a main topic of discussion for our school community and the BOE members.
With Republicans in charge of State Government now, our Democratic State Reps have also been facing significant challenges. At the City level, the financial impact of the State’s ‘down shifting’ of costs remains concerning. On a positive note, the Capital Corridor (commuter rail plan) made it to Amtrak’s proposed plans, while the rail cost/feasibility study continues.
Motion was made and seconded (Dave and John) for adjournment, and our Meeting adjourned at 8:41 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by,
Sue Newman, NDCC Secretary
Nashua Democratic City Committee (NDCC) Minutes
Monday, March 1, 2021
7:00 – 8:58 p.m.
ZOOM Meeting
Chairman Dave Tencza called our Zoom meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
Current NHDP Chairman, Ray Buckley, was our scheduled guest this evening. Ray is running for re-election to Chair of the State Democratic Party. Regarding the Presidential Election, Ray spoke about NH generally ‘becoming Bluer’ (we kept our Democratic Congressional Delegation and have President Biden) but acknowledged that at the State level, we Democrats have work to do. Ray spoke about his vision for NH Democrats going forward, and took some questions from those present.
Nashua’s Senator Bette Lasky is also on the NH State Committee ballot, running for re-election for the 2nd Vice Chair position. Bette’s comments included the need to focus on the Towns in Hillsborough County, in elections going forward. Bette was thanked for ALL the years of service she has given on behalf of Nashua and how supportive she has been of our local Nashua Democratic Committee.
In Jan’s absence, Laura gave a ‘report from the Statehouse’. Legislative committees are ‘hybrid’, and Session Days have been held ‘off site’ – due to Covid. A legal filing asking for remote Session Day capabilities (for members who cannot physically attend), failed. The ‘good news’, though, is that many feel that due to technology, the ‘legislative process’ is much more transparent now. It’s easy to go on-line to register support or opposition to bills being heard, as well as be able to virtually attend various committee hearings.
Dave gave a brief update of what’s is going on in the City, commenting that this year’s City budget is expected to be challenging. It likely will be May before all City financial decisions are made, and there is hope that some Federal money might be forthcoming, to help.
Gloria spoke about the School Dept. briefly, and that a Search Consultant firm is being hired to help facilitate the search for a new School Superintendent for Nashua.
Nashua Democratic City Committee: April has typically been when our NDCC elections take place. This year, though, our NDCC elections will take place in MAY, and the State Democratic Party conducts these elections. ALL NDCC Officers, Executive Board, and Ward Chair positions are open! Ray and John both asked some questions about the upcoming NDCC elections: how will a Nominating Committee and voting work, how will ‘breaking into caucuses’ work when we’re ‘zooming’, etc.
John reminded everyone to be thinking about our City municipal elections, and that it would be useful for our NDCC to know in May, which candidates are interested in running.
Manny made a motion to Adjourn, seconded by John, and at 8:58 p.m. – our March NDCC Meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted by,
Sue Newman, NDCC Secretary
Nashua Democratic City Committee (NDCC) Minutes
Monday, February 1, 2021
7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
ZOOM Meeting
Chairman Dave Tencza called our remote meeting to order at 7 p.m.
Mayor Jim Donchess gave an update on how things were going overall for the City, and how things Public Health/Covid – related, were going. He reported Nashua’s positivity rate is now about 7.9%, reduced from the previously reported 11%. He reminded us that due to the even more contagious Covid variants that have emerged, we still need to remain vigilant and get signed up for vaccinations. Mayor Donchess also commented about the continued ‘downshifting’ by the State, especially in the area of pension costs, and how it affects Nashua’s property taxpayers.
Dave spoke about the upcoming NHDP Elections. Two people (Emmett Soldati and Ray Buckley) are both running for NH Democratic Party Chair this year.
Dave introduced Emmett Soldati, a Sommersworth activist and entrepreneur, who was on the Zoom meeting with us. Emmett proposes a Local First Plan, a strategic 10 year plan, and an NHDP staff that would include a salaried Finance Director and Youth Organizer for the State. He believes that younger Democrats need to be encouraged to get involved and ‘find a home’ with the NH Democratic Party. He spoke about establishing a 21st Century toolkit for all cities and towns, how important our “First in the Nation” Primary is, and how important it will be to build a NH donor base. In brief Q&A, Emmett spoke, about the need to have a strategic plan, and the importance of the State Party staying involved with all the local Democratic committees. His website is: Emmettsoldati.com and email is: emmettsoldati@gmail.com.
We also heard a presentation from Zandra Rice Hawkins, Executive Director of Granite State Progress – a” Progressive Research and Communications hub”. Zandra spoke in chilling detail, about extreme right-wing groups in NH, and that, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center, 10 ‘hate groups’ operate here. Their website: granitestateprogress.org .
Dave spoke briefly about the upcoming State Party elections. Voting for State Committee positions will be done remotely, from Feb. 11-March 13. Nashua’s Bette Lasky is running for re-election for the Second vice Chair position. State Senator Cindy Rosenwald and Rep. Jan Schmidt spoke briefly about what’s going on at the Statehouse. Both said that there were some good bills, as well as lots of BAD ones this Session.
Dave wrapped up our meeting and said that our next NDCC Meeting will be held on March 1st, and that Ray Buckley, who’s running for re-election for NHDP Chair, will be our guest speaker. Julia Jefferson, with the NH Defender Program, will also be a guest, speaking about criminal justice reform. In April, our NDCC has elections, and all positions are available. Watch for details.
It was good for all of us who could attend this meeting to ‘see’ each other again! Saying that it’s been a ‘difficult year’ for everyone – is an understatement. But, we Nashua Democrats are still here – and we’re looking forward to better days ahead – for ALL of us!
Dave adjourned our meeting at 9 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by,
Sue Newman, NDCC Secretary
June newsletters:
http://nashuadems.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Senate-Dems-Newsletter-Issue-23-6.25.21.pdf
http://nashuadems.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Senate-Dems-Newsletter-Issue-22-6.11.21.pdf
http://nashuadems.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Senate-Dems-Newsletter-Issue-21-6.4.21.pdf
May newsletters:
http://nashuadems.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Senate-Dems-Newsletter-Issue-20-5.28.21.pdf
April newsletters:
http://nashuadems.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Senate-Dems-Newsletter-Issue-16-4.30.21.pdf
http://nashuadems.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Senate-Dems-Newsletter-Issue-15-4.23.21.pdf
http://nashuadems.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Senate-Dems-Newsletter-Issue-14-4.16.21.pdf
http://nashuadems.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Senate-Dems-Newsletter-Issue-13-4.9.21.pdf
http://nashuadems.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Senate-Dems-Newsletter-Issue-12-4.2.21-1.pdf
March newsletters:
http://nashuadems.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Senate-Dems-Newsletter-Issue-11-3.26.21.pdf
http://nashuadems.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Senate-Dems-Newsletter-Issue-10-3.19.21.pdf
http://nashuadems.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Senate-Dems-Newsletter-Issue-9-3.12.21.pdf
Congratulations to the Democratic winners!
PRESIDENT-ELECT JOE BIDEN
VICE-PRESIDENT-ELECT KAMALA HARRIS
US SENATOR JEANNE SHAHEEN
US REPRESENTATIVE – DISTRICT 1 – CHRIS PAPPAS
US REPRESENTATIVE – DISTRICT 2 – ANNIE KUSTER
NH SENATOR – DISTRICT 13 – CINDY ROSENWALD
NH STATE REPRESENTATIVES
| Ward 1: Bruce Cohen Jan Schmidt | Ward 2: Paul R Bergeron Ray Newman Sue Newman | Ward 3: Trish Klee Suzanne Vail Sherry Dutzy |
| Ward 4: David Cote Stacie-Marie Laughton Manny Espitia | Ward 5: Allison Nutting-Wong Dan Toomey Michael Pedersen | Ward 6: Efstathia Booras Fran Nutter-Upham Mark King |
| Ward 7: Melbourne Moran Jr. Catherine Sofikitis Deb Stevens | Ward 8: Laura Telerski Skip Cleaver Latha Mangipudi | Ward 9: Michael O’Brien Marty Jack Linda Harriott-Gathright |
County Offices:
REGISTER OF DEEDS – MARY ANN CROWELL
