Special Board of Aldermen 06-07-2021 Page 15
Ms. Madhure_ Hi my name is Samuthi Madhure and I’ve been a resident of Nashua since 1991. | want to thank
the current Police Department for a job phenomenally well done in keeping Nashua safe. | echo several
comments that were made before me that there is lack of diversity and there is an element of cronyism in how
the current Commissioners are being appointed. | disagree with folks who are saying that if it’s not broken don’t
fix it. We are not trying to fix anything here, we are trying to improve. Local involvement and involvement of
the citizens is always better than no involvement of the citizens. It is good to have people who have their eyes
and ears out in the community. Also | disagree with the comment that was made earlier that the expansion of
this Commission will make it go from one political appointment to another political appointment. As |
understand the new proposed Commission will be more extensively vetted and will be nominated by a group of
people who are from different political backgrounds hopefully versus as nominated currently by the Governor.
| also take objection to the comment that was made that this is going to make it more political; if anything | think
it will make it less political because of the expansion of the Commission. Hopefully we will have more people
from different political backgrounds as well. So | do support the expansion of this Commission and | am in
support of it being locally appointed versus appointed by the Governor as it stands as of now.
Deepa Mangalat Hi, this is Deepa Mangalat, | wanted to give my testimony in favor. | seem to have trouble
with my ... hello?
Chairman Caron
Yes, we didn’t see you, please give your name and address and you are going to speak in favor of this?
Ms. Mangalat — Yes | won’t take up much time. It is Deepa Mangalat, 18 Wild Rose Drive, Nashua, New
Hampshire 03063. | listened to everybody speak, some who spoke just before me. | don’t need to say anything
more than what she has said. | have been a resident for (inaudible) plus years here in Nashua and for me, the
main thing is | think Nashua, the citizens of Nashua should be the ones making the decision on this, that’s
foremost. Diversity is extremely important. | Chair the City of Nashua’s Cultural Connections Committee and
for me diversity and inclusion are extremely important. | think very highly of the Nashua Police Department. |
know several people, they do attend meetings regularly and this has nothing to do with that. For me the
citizens have to decide. So that’s important. Thank you.
Chairman Caron
Anyone else in favor that wants to speak that hasn’t spoken? OK so we will move on to Testimony in
Opposition. We are looking at a phone number. Who is this?
TESTIMONY IN OPPOSITION
Tracy Pappas This is Tracy Pappas and | am at12 Swart Terrace in Nashua.
Chairman Caron
And Tracy are you speaking favor of this Resolution or in Opposition?
Ms. Pappas In Opposition. Can | go ahead.
Chairman Caron
OK. Yes you may.
Ms. Pappas Ok thanks a lot. | would say if this was an issue of local control, we would really leave it up to
the residents of Nashua and have them vote someone in. | Know prior to myself being on the Board of
Public Works, | think there was only one woman on there before. And since then more women have been
attracted to go ahead and run for office. So | think having someone appointed by the Mayor and by the
