Voters Guide: At-Large Alderman Mark Cookson for Re-Election

Name: Mark S. Cookson, Currently serving as At-Large Alderman

Age: 44 – married with a beautiful 5-year-old daughter, Alexandra

Resident of the Great City of Nashua for 16 years

Education: PhD, Instructional Design (ABD); Masters of Science Instructional Design; Bachelors of Science Mathematics Education

Prior Elected Offices:

• Elected two consecutive terms as Ward 1 Alderman

• Alderman-at-Large  - Elected for current term

Personal interests:

• Rotary Club of Nashua West

Should you be elected, how will you connect with your constituents to learn more about issues they care most about?

I take tremendous pride in the constituent services I am able to provide to the City at large.  We will continue our connection with constituents via:

1. www.AldermanCookson.com

2. “The Nashua Hour” with Alderman Mark Cookson on WSMN 1590 AM

3. Twitter @AldermanCookson

4. Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AldermanCookson

For more than eight years, our website, www.AldermanCookson.com, has been updated weekly allowing constituents of the City at large to stay up to date with my positions on City issues and it promotes easy opportunity for feedback and comments, the most current news articles, and a schedule of all Public City and School Meetings.

Facebook and Twitter (@AldermanCookson) provide a medium for constituents, me, and other City Officials to share information — both City and Ward updates; but more importantly, it allows my constituents an opportunity to express their concerns and opinions in a comfortable and neighborly forum.

“The Nashua Hour”with Alderman Mark Cookson on WSMN 1590 AM (@TheNashuaHour) is a weekly radio talk show which allows anyone in the City to call, email or tweet the show and ask any questions they may have with regard to Nashua; or the actions of City Hall and the Board of Aldermen on a variety of topics.

This communication strategy allows me to best stay attuned to the many concerns and issues present and what is on the minds of our citizens on a daily, weekly, monthly,  and quarterly basis.

Why are you running?

To continue to provide a voice for the taxpayers of our great City of Nashua.  I have always believed that constituents deserve to be heard and represented.  My agenda has always been for the people.  I take this responsibility very seriously and take great efforts to ensure the fairness of legislation and accountability among other elected officials.  My efforts are consistent, proven by my history on the Board and validated by the voting citizens over the past elections.

Why should voters choose you over your opponents (what uniquely qualifies you to represent the public)?

Experience… experience in listening, experience in asking the right questions to collect the facts, experience in applying analytical and critical thinking to reach a resolution which represents the wishes of constituents and is fiscally responsible.  As an elected official, I feel a personal responsibility to constituents and I practice transparency as represented by my leadership and voting record during my tenure in office.

Leadership and legislative experience provides an edge in understanding and how best to move forward.  Moving forward, working together with board members, the Mayor and constituents:  reaching consensus, understanding, and accounting for every dollar of City spending as if it were my own.

Appointed to the Budget Review Committee and Chair of the Infrastructure Committee for the Board of Alderman by the Board of Aldermen is also a consistent reflection of their confidence in me and my leadership abilities to remain responsible, working together, and the ability to gain positive consensus with differing views.

Feel free to include a summary statement or platform below if there are any other particular points that you would like to relay to voters.

Persons become involved in politics for several different reasons … I became involved eight years ago because I did not believe I was being represented, and my concerns weren’t being addressed by my elected Aldermen.

So I’ve come up with a list of qualities which I consider important for your elected officials to possess … qualities which I believe I have and continue to exemplify in my daily life; as well as in my capacity as one of your Alderman-at-Large:

1. You have two ears and one mouth – listen twice as much as you speak!

2. Don’t speak just to hear yourself!

3. It is not titles that honor men, but men that honor titles.  Remain humble!

4. You can't please all of the people all of the time.  Know upfront you can't please all of the people all of the time but you can hope to earn their respect…appreciate differences, stand on a strong foundation, and make educated decisions rather than emotional ones.

5. Make a positive difference.  Public service is about making a difference … I am involved today and tomorrow to make a difference … it may sound simple but it is one of the most difficult tasks I have ever attempted, and one of the most rewarding I have ever experienced.

We will continue to have to make difficult decisions – whether it is a Fiscal Year Budget; or whether it be a controversial piece of legislation; or its the lack of leadership and transparency on the Board of Aldermen; or, most important, reducing the burden of property and other taxes on residents.  But know, as a son, husband, father, and as a Rotarian, I will always be looking out for the best interest of you; protecting your freedoms; applying sound judgment and knowing that I cannot accomplish any of this alone -- will work with the Mayor, members of the Board of Aldermen, or any other board or committee to do what’s best for our City.