League of Women Voter's Candidate Forum Recap

📝 Manchester Aldermanic Candidate Forum – Summary

On March 24th, Manchester’s aldermanic candidates participated in a public forum hosted by the League of Women Voters.

Each candidate provided an opening statement, answered a series of questions on city governance, and gave a closing statement. The forum format did not include candidate-to-candidate debate; all responses were directed to moderator questions.

Below is a candidate-by-candidate summary grouped by ward.

🔗 Full forum video: https://www.facebook.com/manchestermo/videos/3861337110839809

🏡 Ward 1

Bill Parmentier

Opening

• Referenced handyman and acting background

• Spoke about helping individuals with home-related needs

Responses

• Priorities – Referenced safety, infrastructure, and general improvements

• Leadership – Spoke about leading by example

• Trust – Referenced follow-through

• Rebuilding Trust – Referenced making amends and community judgment

• Financial Responsibility – Referenced checks and balances

• Community Involvement – Referenced helping others through work

• Development – Referenced downtown improvement

• Code Enforcement – Referenced personal experience, staffing concerns, and ordinance practicality

• Decision-Making – Referenced working together

• Future – Spoke generally about improving the community

Closing

• Referenced helping others and contributing to the community

  
  

Jessica Green

Opening

• Referenced long-term community involvement and volunteer work

• Emphasized transparency and thoughtful decision-making

Responses

• Priorities – Referenced governance, infrastructure, and safety

• Leadership – Emphasized preparation and evaluating decisions before voting

• Trust – Referenced consistency and continued involvement

• Rebuilding Trust – Referenced following established processes

• Financial Responsibility – Clarified oversight role of aldermen

• Community Involvement – Referenced work with schools, parks, and local programs

• Development – Emphasized maintaining Manchester’s character

• Code Enforcement – Referenced staffing loss, hiring priority, and reallocating budget to support enforcement

• Decision-Making – Emphasized respectful dialogue and asking questions

• Future – Referenced building on existing strengths

Closing

• Referenced preparedness and continued service

  
  

🏡 Ward 2

Marilyn Ottenad

Opening

• Referenced long-term residency and involvement in development discussions

Responses

• Priorities – Referenced infrastructure and planning

• Leadership – Referenced experience and involvement

• Trust – Referenced reliability

• Rebuilding Trust – Referenced that trust may not always be restored

• Financial Responsibility – Referenced oversight

• Community Involvement – Referenced continued participation

• Development – Referenced balancing growth and character

• Code Enforcement – Referenced staffing limitations and reporting process

• Decision-Making – Referenced working with residents

• Future – Referenced continued involvement

Closing

• Referenced continued service

  
  

Phillip Bruno II

Opening

• Referenced residency and interest in serving

Responses

• Priorities – Referenced neighborhood concerns

• Leadership – Referenced working with others

• Trust – Referenced communication

• Rebuilding Trust – Referenced identifying and correcting issues

• Financial Responsibility – Referenced accountability

• Community Involvement – Referenced HOA participation

• Development – Referenced maintaining community

• Code Enforcement – Shared personal experience with enforcement

• Decision-Making – Referenced collaboration

• Future – Referenced continued involvement

Closing

• Referenced staying engaged

  
  

🏡 Ward 3

Deanna Taylor

Opening

• Referenced communication, inclusiveness, and community connection

Responses

• Priorities – Referenced communication and resident impact

• Leadership – Emphasized listening and accessibility

• Trust – Referenced transparency

• Rebuilding Trust – Referenced accountability over time

• Financial Responsibility – Referenced oversight

• Community Involvement – Referenced engagement

• Development – Referenced thoughtful growth

• Code Enforcement – Focused on whether ordinances are reasonable for residents

• Decision-Making – Referenced collaboration

• Future – Referenced strengthening the community

Closing

• Referenced continued communication

  
  

Peter Benzer

Opening

• Referenced long-term residency and professional background

Responses

• Priorities – Referenced financial responsibility

• Leadership – Referenced experience

• Trust – Referenced integrity

• Rebuilding Trust – Referenced seriousness of lost trust

• Financial Responsibility – Referenced budgeting and oversight

• Community Involvement – Referenced past involvement

• Development – Referenced redevelopment

• Code Enforcement – Referenced process and alderman’s role as liaison

• Decision-Making – Referenced structured approach

• Future – Referenced stability

Closing

• Referenced experience and continued involvement

  
  

Nate Chacon

Opening

• Referenced background in economic development and government

Responses

• Priorities – Referenced business development

• Leadership – Referenced professional experience

• Trust – Referenced transparency

• Rebuilding Trust – Referenced identifying and correcting breakdowns

• Financial Responsibility – Referenced oversight

• Community Involvement – Referenced engagement

• Development – Referenced growth and tax base

• Code Enforcement – Referenced escalating fines and penalties

• Decision-Making – Referenced experience in government roles

• Future – Referenced continued growth

Closing

• Referenced development and economic focus

  
  

Paul Lovering

Opening

• Stated he was encouraged to run

• Referenced “peace, prosperity, and pride”

Responses

• Priorities – Referenced general community improvement

• Leadership – Referenced general values

• Trust – Referenced importance of trust

• Rebuilding Trust – Referenced time required

• Financial Responsibility – Asked for clarification; gave general response

• Community Involvement – Referenced willingness to help

• Development – Referenced business and growth

• Code Enforcement – Referenced more enforcement personnel and stronger penalties

• Decision-Making – Referenced working together

• Future – Repeated peace, prosperity, and pride

Closing

• Reiterated “peace, prosperity, and pride”

  
  

🔚 Closing Note

This summary reflects the general content of each candidate’s responses. Residents are encouraged to view the full forum for complete context.