O P I N I O N
To the Editor:
I want to begin by congratulating my opponent, Alderman Jim Burkush, on his re-election victory in Ward 9. I also want to congratulate Mayor Ruais on his re-election and all the candidates across Manchester who won their races. For those who did not win, I want to acknowledge your hard work, dedication, and the commitment you showed to this city. Every campaign, win or lose, helps strengthen our community and our democracy.
Although I did not win, I am proud of what we accomplished. As a first-time candidate running against a lifelong resident, former fire chief for the city, and sitting incumbent, earning 35 percent of the vote means a great deal to me. It shows that our message of accountability, transparency, and responsible leadership resonated with many residents who are ready for a more collaborative city government.
This election also highlighted how few people actually participate in local elections. Low voter turnout remains one of the biggest challenges our city faces. Decisions that affect our neighborhoods, taxes, and schools are being made by a small fraction of voters. I encourage everyone to take time to learn about what is happening in City Hall, not through word of mouth or social media, but by reading the meeting minutes, watching the meetings, or attending them in person. It is equally important to speak up, ask questions, and engage directly with your elected officials. Democracy works best when residents are informed, involved, and unafraid to hold their leaders accountable.
This experience taught me a lot about what it means to truly serve a community. It reinforced my belief in how much residents care about our city, the amount of that goes into earning even a single vote, and how important honest communication and teamwork are to making real progress. I also built relationships with people I never would have met otherwise, and I am grateful for every conversation and every lesson along the way.
I want to thank everyone who supported me throughout this journey. To my wife Cheryl, my son Cole, my friends, and all those who knocked on doors, held signs, or offered words of encouragement, I am deeply grateful. This experience was made meaningful because of your belief in what we were trying to do.
While this campaign has ended, my commitment to our city has not. I will continue to stay engaged, speak out about the direction of our city, and push for better accountability, collaboration, and transparency in Manchester.
Thank you again for your support and your faith in me. I remain, as always, Guided by Values. Focused on Outcomes.
— Troy Micklon