O P I N I O N
NOT THAT PROFOUND
By Nathan Graziano
I recently wrote a column emphasizing the importance of voting in local municipal elections, and now I’m trying to back up my bombast by becoming more involved myself.
I’ve never been in the habit of endorsing specific candidates, nor am I deluded into believing that my endorsement is going to carry any clout. However, as a resident of Ward 6 in Manchester, I strongly believe there is only one right choice for the Alderman position on Tuesday, Nov. 4.
While the municipal elections, in theory, are not supposed to align with specific party politics, we are all aware that—in reality—this is not the case.
And let’s face it: We are now living in the most politically divisive time in this country since the Civil War. We are polarized to the point where many people are putting their party affiliations ahead of the best interests of the community as a whole.
Quite honestly, I have a difficult time throwing my support behind any candidate who is ideologically onboard with President Trump’s hateful authoritarianism—a platform rooted in vengeance, prejudice, classism and tax cuts for billionaires, as well as abject cruelty and ridicule aimed at anyone who dissents with him.
I will not, however, use Trump’s political playbook here and belittle any opposition with childish nicknames and ad hominem attacks, nor will Maxine Mosley, the candidate I am endorsing for Alderman in Ward 6, who I had a chance to chat with recently.
“It truly does not matter to me what party people are aligned with,” said Mosley. “What really matters to me is that we all work toward a common goal, which is creating an environment in Manchester that is welcoming, affordable, and respectful.”
As a retired school counselor and a union member for more than 40 years, Mosley understands that education should be a top priority, and that in order to have successful schools, our leaders need to listen and collaborate.
“I certainly know how to listen and build consensus through collaboration,” she said. “I am very mindful to always be respectful and to truly hear what people are trying to convey. [The Board of Alderman] needs to work hand-in-hand with the school board and not be at odds with them. They are elected to the job of managing the schools. We need to let them do that with our support in order to achieve a quality education for all of our students.”
Mosley added that there needs to be an emphasis on affordable housing in the city, a sentiment that was echoed by Gene Martin, the Executive Director of the New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute, in his recent editorial “Granite State’s affordability crisis is real.”
“We are not just talking about getting folks off the street into housing,” said Mosley. “We are talking about housing that is affordable for low-income families, for our young people who want to live and work in Manchester, and also for our older community members who want to stay in their homes but are being priced out.”
However, more than anything, Mosley wants to see every eligible voter in the community come out on Tuesday. “If someone has not voted, or infrequently votes, I certainly encourage them to vote on Nov. 4 and make their voice heard for the person who they think will best represent them and their needs,” she said.
For me, it is a no-brainer for the Alderman in Ward 6, and that person is Maxine Mosley.
You can reach Nathan Graziano at ngrazio5@yahoo.com.