Amherst, N.H. is an amazingly unique and beautiful town -it is home to the five of us and unlike any of the other places we've ever lived! My three children attend grade school in town and we love that we have this town to hike in, enjoy concert series in, send our children to camps in and even (from time to time) see fun senior cruises set sail from Baboosic lake! The Library offers an astounding array of classes that span the ages and the children's library rivals some of the larger towns I've visited libraries in! From the Lindabury Orchard festival to Halloween in the Village - fall is my most cherished season in town!
If elected, I will work hard to make sure that families who want to remain in Amherst can utilize all of the benefits our state does offer and will strive to get creative while still being mindful of budgetary spending.
My desire to serve Amherst residents focuses on guaranteeing that Amherst & New Hampshire remain available to EVERYONE and that I commit to listen for and support legislation that does the following:
1. Protects natural resources (not just for recreation), but also to maintain sustainable fishing and farming industries so that we can continue to feed our state and support much needed local farms in N.H. and protect our water sources. I will work to support New Hampshire becoming a leader in cutting-edge, environmental stewardship & business development. The two MUST go together in order to bring us into the next century strongly.
2. Supports legislation that champions our public schools so that they remain strong, balanced, places for our youth to become prepared for tomorrow. Higher Education needs to offer two options: industry/trade education & apprenticeships and college/university. Having well rounded, post-high school options available to students sets Amherst and New Hampshire up for a healthy, strong, balanced economy and communities!
In K -12, I'd like to see our school lunch programs become stronger partners with local farms in our communities, utilizing as much fresh produce and food as we can to feed our young students while they learn! Without adequately funded programs and services this, and other educational necessities are at risk. I will work diligently to make sure that students and staff have what they need to be the best that they can be!
Supporting our other public services (fire & police) will always remain a focus.
3. Expands on and appropriately fund Mental Health & Addiction Support Care, along with accessible health care for everyone. Those who need support must reliably receive it. Strong mental health support is a crucial component in assuring our communities thrive.
4. Champions innovative solutions to budgetary spending, through policy that meets the most pressing demands of our times.
I, like you, want to see Amherst and New Hampshire focus on solutions that have longevity and sustainability! I welcome your thoughts and am looking forward to cooperatively developing forward-thinking policy among my peers in Concord. I also have a goal of working extremely hard at listening, not only to constituent voters, but ALSO to those whom I may not always agree with in political ideology when I arrive in Concord! In the end, we all need to be "team New Hampshire!" The work in Concord will be tough, but I am committed to bringing integrity, ethics, and a common goal of seeing our state and town succeed through creativity, innovation, and yes even some compromise!
I look forward to listening to you and taking what you tell me to Concord so that I may reflect the light that shines so brightly in Amherst!