O P I N I O N
THE SOAPBOX
Stand up. Speak up. It’s your turn.
I have lived in Manchester for nearly two decades. I went to high school and college here and, with the exception of a few years in the capital area, have proudly called this city home since 2006. My connection to Ward 3 began early in my career, when I helped manage a startup business based in the Amoskeag Business Incubator. I remain with that company today and am part of the leadership team that grew it into a successful enterprise, recently acquired by a Fortune 500 firm.
That experience taught me a lot about this city: what it takes to move something forward, how to stay focused on results, and why local leadership matters. That is why I am proud to support Dana Dexter for Alderman in Ward 3.
Dana brings that same mindset to everything he does. He is a law enforcement sergeant with a background in digital crime investigations, including work combatting internet crimes against children. That work is difficult, but it speaks to Dana’s sense of duty and moral clarity. He is a graduate of Norwich University and a former member of its Corps of Cadets, a leadership program grounded in service, discipline, and the values of courage, honesty, temperance, and wisdom. Those values continue to guide how Dana shows up for his work, for his neighbors, and for this city. He has also served as a teacher and mentor through the American Legion Boys State and Girls State programs, helping students better understand civic responsibility and public service. He is an Eagle Scout, and the values of preparedness, fairness, and service are evident in the way he shows up for others.
Dana is not interested in theatrics. He is not seeking office to promote a party or posture for attention. He is focused on doing the work and doing it well.
Ward 3, like much of Manchester, faces real and visible challenges. Many of our sidewalks and roadways are in serious disrepair. Absentee landlords have allowed properties to deteriorate, creating safety concerns and diminishing the character of entire blocks. Public spaces, including garages and parks, are impacted by open drug use. Families are feeling the pressure of rising costs, while residents expect fiscal discipline and a clear return on their tax dollars. Our schools are under strain, and parents and educators alike are seeking stability, investment, and a renewed sense of direction. The work to address homelessness remains unfinished, and we need leadership that pairs compassion with accountability. And yes, we must move past the political posturing that has plagued City Hall for years and done little to solve the issues in front of us.
Ward 3 is a uniquely important part of Manchester. It is the city’s most diverse ward and a neighborhood where cultures, businesses, and generations come together every day. It includes some of our most iconic streets, major employers, and housing developments that are shaping the city’s future. It also contributes significantly to Manchester’s tax base, and what happens here has ripple effects citywide. Strong, responsive leadership in Ward 3 is not just a local need, it is a citywide responsibility.
Manchester has never been ordinary. We are a historic mill city that continues to reinvent itself. With the right leadership focused on real progress, I believe our best days are ahead.
Dana is calm, prepared, and deeply respectful of others. He listens before he speaks, does his homework, and shows up ready to work. These are qualities we do not see often enough in politics. They are exactly what we need on the Board of Aldermen.
I believe in practical, community-first leadership that is grounded in service, not showmanship. That is what Dana brings to this race, and that is what Manchester deserves. I will be doing everything I can to help share Dana’s message and ensure voters understand what is at stake in this race. I encourage my neighbors in Ward 3 to join me in supporting him.
Peter Richard is a civic and business leader, an Executive MBA student at Georgetown University, and a recipient of statewide recognition for business excellence and public service. A Ward 3 resident, he has held senior roles in New Hampshire’s manufacturing and nonprofit sectors, is a founding member of the Downtown Manchester Neighbors’ Network, and is a graduate of Leadership Greater Manchester and Leadership New Hampshire.
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