The Sound’s 2015 Somersworth City Council Voter’s Guide: Dana Hilliard

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Dana Hilliard

Dana Hilliard

For Mayor: Dana S. Hilliard (Incumbent)
Age: 43
Occupation: Principal, Somersworth Middle School
Years living in Somersworth: Lifelong resident
Prior public service experience: City councilor (Ward 4 and At-Large), N.H. state representative for 10 years, mayor.

The last two years have seen the completion of the large downtown road, sidewalk, and infrastructure project, as well as the passage of an ordinance that requires landlords to clean up their property. In the next two years, what do you think is the most important thing the council can do to build and support vitality in downtown?
The city council and mayor must continue to be active in ensuring that the Vision 2020 plan continues to be executed. As a community, we must also be aggressive in marketing Somersworth and convincing business and investors to locate within our community. Over the last two years, Somersworth has shifted in paradigm and has awakened to a clearer vision, purpose, and direction of where it is now headed. The full community must continue to be dedicated to the adopted collective vision and educate business and investors as to why Somersworth is the community to locate into.

What should the city’s priorities be for future capital improvement projects in the community?
Continual investment into long term planning and capital improvement will equate to our community modeling its motto of “Proud Past, Bright Future.” Over the course of the next two years, Somersworth must stay the course of investing in infrastructure improvements. We must also ensure that our fire safety officials are equipped with 21st century equipment and a 21st century facility. Somersworth must also make a final decision and commitment to the revitalization of the former Hilltop Elementary School. The investment must center on a use, which would serve a variety of needs within our Hilltop city.

Would you be willing to support a tax cap override while developing city budgets? Why or why not?
As mayor, I will continue to explore and be open to all options when it comes to developing and finalizing the Somersworth budget. Our community must continue to structure budgets which (move) Somersworth forward while addressing the high property tax burden placed upon residents. I will support a tax cap override if that presented budget cripples our ability to provide top-quality education (or) threatens the safety of residents or our community’s ability to continue to advance.

How can official’s best address the opioid addiction epidemic that’s effecting the city and the region?
I am proud that I was the first mayor in the Seacoast region to declare that the opioid epidemic was a crisis threatening the well-being of our community’s future. I responded to the crisis by first admitting that we have a problem and by then appointing the Mayor’s Drug Task Force. Over the course of the last year, the task force has studied the opioid problem and presented a report on what they believe would be long-term sustainable solutions.

Over the next two years, the report will become Somersworth’s master plan for addressing the crisis. Our community can now focus on carrying out the recommendations and begin making an impact, which will have a positive effect upon those affected with addiction and our communities’ futures.

What is the most recent cultural event you attended in Somersworth?
As mayor, my schedule is contently packed with events throughout our community. The policy I adhere to within the mayor’s office is this: if it is important to residents and our community that I am there, then I am there.

What are the most important issues facing the city that no one is talking about right now?
Over the last two years, Somersworth has evolved and experienced major transformation. One of the most significant transformations that has occurred is the community’s ability to now speak openly about all issues and not simply ignore or put off uncomfortable or difficult conversations and decisions for future generations or legislative bodies. Therefore, the most important issue facing our community is our ability to continue to build upon the open, honest, effective dialog and methods of governing we have built over the last two years.