O P I N I O N
THE SOAPBOX
Stand up. Speak up. It’s your turn
My name is Lawrence Bryant, and I’m running to serve as Ward 11’s Alderman. Yes, I’m running for an office—but more importantly, I’m running for an opportunity.
I’m a recent transplant from California’s San Francisco Bay Area, moving to Manchester in August 2024 for a job transfer. I work in Salem, but I chose Manchester as my home—for the energy of city life, for its rich history, for the beauty that I enjoy as a cyclist, and for its culture.
I chose Manchester despite the “warnings” I heard before moving. You see, I grew up in Camden, New Jersey during the 1980s, at the height of the crack epidemic—when drug addiction was treated as a moral failing rather than a health issue, when people fled because they saw no reason to stay, and when our city regularly appeared on the FBI’s “most dangerous” list.
I’ve seen this movie before. And I know that behind the headlines, there are always opportunities.
That’s why I’m running—to contribute to making Manchester an even better place for all of us to live. My priorities include:
- Improving streets and sidewalks for safety and economic growth
- Expanding community connections at the neighborhood level
- Supporting public safety personnel to keep our city safe
- Investing in our public schools to give students the strongest possible foundation
We have much work to do in our city, and I am up for the challenge. Having served my country in the United States Army, including deploying to Afghanistan after 9/11, I know what it means to work together with people to get a job done under tough conditions. The fact that no one can do everything is no excuse to do nothing. I believe in listening to our community—including those with different views—and working together to find solutions that serve the common good.
I would be honored to earn your support and the opportunity to work alongside you to create the best possible future for Manchester—today and for generations to come.
Beg to differ? Agree to disagree? Comment below using our DISQUS app. Got issues of your own? Send to publisher@inklink.news, subject line: The Soapbox, or you can DIY it here.