Voters Guide: Ward 2 Alderman Richard Dowd

Name: Richard Dowd

Age: 67

How long have you resided in Nashua? My entire life – 67 years

Your background /education: 

A lifelong resident of Nashua and went through the Nashua School system. Graduate of Nashua High Class of 1964. Graduate of St. Anselm College 1968.

A Commissioned Naval Officer in the United States Navy. Qualified in Nuclear Submarines. Qualified Officer of the Deck (OOD) on surface ships.

Divorced. Father of three daughters, Amy Hill, Emily Dowd, and Kathy Carey. Two grand-daughters: Rebecca Carey (4) and Samantha Hill (3.)

My family of both sides have been lifelong residents of Nashua.

My father was Atty. Karl Dowd, a Lawyer and Banker in Nashua for many years. My brother was the Pastor of St. Christopher’s Parish for many years.

Experience/Occupation:

System’s Engineering Functional Manager in Product Support at BAE Systems, Nashua, New Hampshire. I have been with Sanders, Lockheed and BAE Systems for thirty years. A Professional Logistician.

Prior to working at BAE Systems, I was a Program Manager at Dynamics Research Corporation, Wilmington, Mass.

Prior to that I was an engineer at VITRO Labs, Washington, DC.

Prior elected offices:

Thirty years experience in Nashua Political offices.

• Former Chairman of the Nashua Airport Authority.  Was on the Airport Authority for 15 years and was also the Treasurer.

• Former Chairman of the Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA) in Nashua.

• Elected member of the Board of Education in Nashua. Served as President and held office for 10 years.

• Elected to the Nashua Board of Aldermen as the Ward Two Alderman in 2011.  Seeking re-election to that position.

• Current Chairman of the Nashua Joint Special School Building Committee (JSSBC)

• Current Vice Chairman of the Infrastructure Committee
• Current Member of the School Construction Committee
• Current Member of the Budget Committee
• Member of the City-wide Re-cycling Committee 

Personal info and interests outside of politics:

Member of the Board of Directors of the Villages at Kessler Farms Condominium Association.

I’m an avid golfer.

Fan of the New England Patriots (season ticket dolder); Fan of the Red Sox; Fan of the Bruins; Fan of the Celtics

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

I have been deeply involved with many constituents during my first two years as Alderman and will continue to be involved to help in any way that I can. I try very hard to get back to all constituents who call with an issue and work toward resolutions.  I have been involved in new safety signage, street paving and storm water drainage issues in Ward Two to meet constituents concerns.

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

Recent crime activities near the ward and in the city.  

With the Board of Aldermen: I have worked with the Police Commissioners and the Police Chief to seek ways to help eliminate this criminal activity. We have a very good Police Department in Nashua and they are working very hard to solve these crimes and eliminate the criminal element that is causing these issues.

One of the other key issues is speeding.  I have worked with the Board of Public Works to erect signage to slow traffic down and with the Police Department on enforcement. 

Street paving is another issue.  I worked with the Mayor and the Board of Public Works to get some of our worst streets paved and have set up priorities to address others as we can afford to do the work. 

Another key issue is maintaining the quality of life for our residents while controlling spending to live within our means.  We must look at all of the long-term impacts of spending as well as the short-term spending.  I have spent over 30 years evaluating engineering design decisions and their lifelong impacts on total cost.

Why are you running?

I have served in various capacities in City government for 30 years and I enjoy trying to make Nashua an better place to live and raise children.  I feel I have done just that in my many decisions over the years and wish to continue to provide whatever expertise I have to that end. I would like to finish the school building projects that I have sponsored the legislation for as Chairman of the JSSBC.  These projects are designed to replace aging boilers and ventilation systems in our schools to improve air quality, provide more cost-efficient heat and cooling and  to make our schools safer for our children, our teachers and other staff. 

Nashua deserves Aldermen that do their homework and have the background and experience to make informed decisions on the complex issues that come before us.  As an engineer whose job it has been for over 30 years to look at the long term impacts of design decisions and as a person with diverse City background experience, I feel I am uniquely qualified to represent the taxpayers of Ward Two and the voters in the City of Nashua.

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

I feel I have a more diverse and unique set of qualifications over my opponent.  I feel I have proven myself in the past two years and hope to continue to support my constituents as best I can. I have the advanced education, the business experience, and the lifelong Nashua commitment to serve as the Ward 2 Alderman.

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

I would ask all voters to please take the few minutes it takes on Election Day to cast your ballot. Please get out and cast your vote for those who you think will best represent your interests here in Nashua.  I hope you feel that I will provide that level of service for you here in Ward 2.  Thank you in advance for your support!