Voters Guide: Paul Shea for Ward 3 Alderman

Name: Paul Shea   

Age: 29

How long have you resided in Nashua? 

Five years.

Your background /education: 

Graduated from Bishop Guertin in 2002, and received a Bachelor’s in Science in Nursing from Rivier College (now University) in 2007. 

Experience/Occupation: 

Presently an independent contractor in the field of nursing, providing assessment services. Previously served a combined nine years as a nursing assistant/RN in an inpatient setting, two years as an in home support service provider, five years as a line cook during high school and college. 

Founding member and President of the Board of Gate City Community Gardens and certified UNH Master Gardener volunteer, organizer of Fancy Friday downtown formal wear fundraisers 2010-present, organizing member of the Nashua Block Party Committee with a recent event at Atherton Park, organizing volunteer for the annual Big Day of Serving, and Advance Staff work in NH, OH and MA in 2007-2008 Presidential election cycle.

Prior elected offices: 

This is my first time running for public office.

Personal info and interests outside of politics: 

Home owner in French Hill with my wife Julie. We were married in October 2012. We have three cats, and no children just yet. I am interested in gardening, cooking, art, working on our home in French Hill, following the NRPC long term planning efforts, attending regular Visualize Nashua meetings, volunteering for organizations like the Police Athletic League, Nashua Soup Kitchen and Shelter, Positive Street Art, Big Day of Serving, and the Division of Public Health Healthy Eating and Living group (HEAL). I am proud to be an Eagle Scout. 

In your opinion, what are key issues affecting your Ward? 

Key issues that affect our ward at this time are: traffic that is traveling through and not to the ward, code enforcement, criminal activity, maintenance of pocket parks and sidewalks, quality of public education – particularly at the elementary level, and the lack of clearing of snow from sidewalks that are part of the safe routes to schools plan. In the years ahead, the ward will face some changes as the Bridge Street development project begins, and I have been keeping up to date as things progress and have spoken from the perspective of a homeowner in Ward 3 regularly at Visualize Nashua meetings – and will continue to do so.

Why are you running? 

My wife and I own a home in French Hill, and we plan on living in Nashua for many years to come. We hope to have and raise children here. It is the future of Ward 3 and Nashua that motivates me most. Bearing that in mind, it will be my goal as Alderman to work to support and improve the quality of life in our community – particularly here in Ward 3. Furthermore, I am ready and available now to hear and be responsive to the needs and concerns of constituents. 

This will be one of my top priorities, and it is what Ward 3 deserves. 

I will continue in the footsteps of sitting Alderman Diane Sheehan in that regard, both in and out of City Hall. Furthermore, one of the main reasons that I moved to French Hill was because of the great asset that we have in our Downtown. I will work to support a Downtown Nashua that is a safe, vibrant, and bustling place. My love for our Downtown, and a desire to see it thrive is also one of the things that has motivated me to run for Ward 3 Alderman. 

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

I will not compare myself to any other candidate, but I am happy to share what I feel makes me uniquely qualified to best represent the interests of Ward 3. I have an established track record of working to improve the quality of life in Ward 3, and the city of Nashua through various efforts that I mentioned above. I have a deep sense of commitment to the city of Nashua, which I have been building upon since I started attending high school here in 1998. 

I further resolved to fulfill that commitment when I decided to purchase a home here in 2009. My working style is that of a collaborative problem solver, and I feel that it is in all of our best interests to approach situations from an objective viewpoint and build on the knowledge and skills of all involved to achieve the best possible outcomes. I have already worked toward improving upon the openness of our civic dialogue and will continue to do so, both within Ward 3, and generally in the city of Nashua. I regularly attend public meetings held by municipal boards, as well as those organized by the Nashua Regional Planning Commission, Visualize Nashua, and more – to both contribute and learn so that I might have a positive impact on our community. I will continue to conduct myself in this way, and hope to have an even greater positive impact on our community as Ward 3 Alderman. These are the reasons that I believe that I am the best candidate for Ward 3 Alderman, and why I am asking for Ward 3 voters to elect me as their Alderman on November 5th.