Occupation: Business Owner
Your Education/Background: I have a bachelor’s degree. I’ve worked in healthcare for 25 years serving Manchester’s elderly, disabled, and children.
How Long Have You Lived in Manchester? I’ve lived in Manchester for 47 years. I grew up in the inner city, attended Manchester public schools, and am the child of educators.
Hobbies/Fun Fact about you/other biographical info: I love to travel and have been fortunate to explore many parts of the world. Experiencing new cultures, especially through their food, is one of my greatest joys. When I’m home, I enjoy reading, gardening, visiting local breweries, and watching live music. I’m the proud mom of four amazing kids and a grandmother of three, soon to be four. Being a grandmother is the best job in the world
If elected, what steps would you endorse to address the issue of homelessness in the city?
Addressing homelessness is a complex issue. Many people are homeless because of mental health challenges or substance use disorders. They need support and access to treatment if they are ever going to get off the streets. Those who genuinely want to turn their lives around should be given the tools and opportunities to do so. At the same time, homelessness can also be a public safety issue. While I believe those experiencing homelessness should be helped off the streets, being homeless does not give anyone the right to negatively impact the safety or quality of life of others. Lawlessness of any kind should not be tolerated.
If elected, what steps would you endorse to address the issue of housing costs?
Rising housing costs are putting real pressure on families and individuals across Manchester. We need to find balanced, practical solutions that make housing more affordable without placing additional burdens on taxpayers or allowing the state to take control away from city zoning and planning boards. Absentee landlords are also a growing problem in our city. When properties are neglected, it affects neighborhood safety, drives down surrounding home values, and undermines community pride. I plan to work on both the city and state level to ensure absentee landlords are held accountable for maintaining their properties. Strong neighborhoods start with well-cared-for homes and residents who take pride in where they live.
If elected, what steps would you endorse to address the issue of attracting and retaining quality city employees?
Manchester must remain competitive in attracting and retaining qualified and dedicated city employees. While pay should be competitive with surrounding municipalities, it is equally important to foster a positive and supportive work environment where employees feel valued and respected. Providing opportunities for professional growth, leadership development, and accountability helps build pride and consistency within city departments. Retaining a strong and experienced police force is especially critical, as more candidates are choosing higher-paying municipalities, leaving the Manchester Police Department chronically short-staffed. By focusing on fair compensation, safe working conditions, and a culture that recognizes hard work and dedication, we can strengthen the quality of services that residents depend on every day.
What is your perspective on the city’s roads, transit system and parking? If you believe improvement is needed, how would you accomplish that?
From what I understand, more money has been invested in Manchester’s roads in the past year than in previous years, but there is still a lot of work to do. Our infrastructure should never be neglected. Roads that present safety challenges should be prioritized for repair and improvement. Parking in the city continues to be a challenge. With more apartment developments underway and new laws requiring fewer parking spaces per residence, the problem is only going to grow. I was recently part of a conversation about the idea of resident parking permits. While I’m not sure that’s the right solution, we need to start looking for creative, out-of-the-box approaches to make parking more manageable for residents and businesses alike
What is your opinion on the city’s parks, library and entertainment offerings/public events? If improvement is needed, what should be done?
Manchester offers many great events, though they can sometimes be hard to find. Improving how we share information would help more residents get involved. I’m a strong supporter of downtown events that build community pride and bring customers to our local businesses. We also have many beautiful parks that deserve our attention. We need to do a better job keeping them safe and clean for our kids by not tolerating drinking or drug use by anyone in our public spaces. A vibrant downtown and well-cared-for parks are at the heart of a strong community.
What is your opinion on the city’s policies regarding property taxes and other fees (i.e. – pet licenses, parking meters, etc.)
Many families are struggling, and their money simply isn’t going as far as it used to. People cannot afford higher taxes and fees. We must be excellent stewards of taxpayer money and make sure every dollar is spent wisely. It is the responsibility of elected officials to be both responsible and smart with spending. We need to fund essential services like schools, police, fire, parks, and infrastructure, but we must do so with care and accountability. When taxpayers are hurting, it is not the time for wasteful or unnecessary spending.
What are your thoughts on the city’s business climate and how would you attract more businesses to come to Manchester or convince more people to start businesses in Manchester?
Attracting more businesses to Manchester is key to strengthening our local economy and easing the tax burden on residents. We should continue working to make Manchester a place where small businesses can grow and larger employers want to invest. To do that, our crime rates must be low, our streets and schools clean and safe, and our education test scores impressive. We also need to cut unnecessary red tape, keep taxes and fees reasonable, and maintain a city that is welcoming and business-friendly
What is your opinion of the state of education in Manchester and what should the relationship be between the Board of School Committee and Board of Mayor and Aldermen?
The School Board and the Board of Mayor and Aldermen should be working together to solve problems and support our children. That doesn’t mean giving the School Board everything it asks for, nor does it mean opposing them at every turn. Unfortunately, there has been a growing sense of one board working against the other. Honesty, transparency, respect, and accountability are essential. Both boards share responsibility for the success of our schools and the well-being of our community. Working together with accountability to taxpayers and families is the only way to move Manchester forward.
Anything else you’d like to add not mentioned here and what is the best way voters can reach you if they have more questions?
My goal is to give Ward 5 the strong voice it has long been missing. Constituent service and public safety are areas where I excel, and I remain deeply committed to addressing the concerns of our residents. Many in our ward have shared how neglected they’ve felt for far too long, and I strive every day to be a responsive and community-focused leader. You can reach me through my website at KathleenPaquetteNH.com, by email at KathleenPaquetteNH@gmail.com, or on Facebook at @KathleenPaquetteNHStateRepresentative.