Special Board of Aldermen 06-07-2021 Page 14
Board of Aldermen. Board members, please stand up for the Nashua resident and do not let the Mayor make
the City of Nashua the Kingdom of Donchess. Thank you.
Eric Wilson Thank you my name is Eric Wilson, 60 Indian Rock Road, Nashua, New Hampshire. One of the
WebEx or callers earlier talked that this Nashua Police Commission control came 100 well 200 — 1891 and it
was probably an appropriate thing at that time. Fast forward 100 years later in the early 1990’s | took the seat
of the Ward 4 Alderman because the former Alderman had been, along with two other City Aldermen, been
indicted Federally and my memory is all three of them served time in Federal Prison. So as far as local control,
the suggestion that local contro! 100 plus years ago, | mean the Governor control over the Board of the Police
Commission was appropriate 100 plus years ago was appropriate then, it is appropriate 100 years later and it is
appropriate now.
With respect to local control, some of the arguments coming up about local control, you have local control. All
three members of the Police Commission are Nashua residents. There is some suggestion about diversity and
the lack of diversity since Judge Flynn sat on the Police Commission in the late ‘80’s into the early ‘90’s and |
recall Margaret Flynn. As far as diversity we have had two female Governors that | am counting really quickly in
my head and no one brought it to Governor Shaheen or Governor Hassan to appoint or suggest to appoint
more diverse members of the Board. So the issue is with the Governor. As far as the budget, the budget is
controlled by the Board of Aldermen and the Mayor and that’s really what it comes down to the Board of
Aldermen, the Police Commission suggests the budget and the Board of Aldermen control it.
Going back into the 1990’s when there were some significant issues with the Board of Aldermen and controlling
City contracts and budgets that wound up in the indictments, my memory is very clear that certain political
pressure was attempted to be placed on the Police Department that the Police Department did not have to and
would not succumb to because of their independent authority and their independent ability to investigate and
foresee a criminal prosecution against in essence their bosses. In addition to that, given my position, my
career position, | have been well aware...
Alderman O’Brien
30 seconds.
Mr. Wilson Thank you, | have been well aware of additional issues related not only to Aldermanic issues
involving the Police Department but as well as Mayoral issues involving the Police Department in the years
back. The ability for the Nashua Police Department to have a Commission appointed by the Governor and
approved by the Governor’s Executive Counsel, is perhaps one of the most advantageous things that the City
of Nashua and its residents could have and | speak highly against this Resolution and | hope that the Board of
Aldermen see everything that’s been talked to about tonight and reject it. Thank you.
TESTIMONY IN FAVOR
Sumathi C. Madhure Hi. | am giving testimony in favor of the Commission. Should | speak now or wait until all
the ones opposing it are done?
Chairman Caron
OK so you are going to speak in favor of changing?
Ms. Madhure Correct.
Chairman Caron
Ok so you have to wait, OK? Thank you. This is the last call for testimony in opposition of this Resolution. OK
seeing none, we will call testimony in favor. So Sumathi Madhure you can speak.
