Board of Aldermen — 9/12/17 Page 7
for criminal activity. We've got to ensure that everyone feels safe and it’s very true about that. You ask
anyone down at the Pheasant Lane. That’s our biggest crime area because it is concentration of people and
it’s just a problem that’s going to...let’s find out what it’s going to cost to put cops on the street, to put them in
the parking lots, and to ensure that our people are safe because that’s what they do in those other facilities.
Okay.
Thirdly, | do want to stress that whoever runs this and however that’s so constituted, that’s not necessarily an
arts person. That’s a business person because you’re running a business that a person really has to know
how to put it altogether. Lastly, | will say | had heard that there was an opportunity for additional revenue by
serving alcohol. I’m not opposed to that but there are risks and liabilities for the city regarding that. So that
has to be a determination regarding policies and procedures. Although | am very much in favor of it, | will say
that these are the things that have got to be dealt with. This a business the same as Pennichuck, the same as
any other asset that we have. Finally, we’ve got other nonperforming assets in the city. We've got the place
down there on Court Street. We've got the big place over on Elm Street. Let’s make these assets produce.
How about the Hunt Library? These things don’t produce. Okay. So now we're going to enter into something
else. So this is why I’m coming forward and saying hey look | agree with this. I’m the founder of two arts
organizations. In my own business, | start new businesses and | do repositioning of nonperforming ones. Jim
30 years ago appointed me to the Commission to look at bringing a performing arts center here to Nashua a
long time ago. | get it. | really do but | just can’t impress enough that if you’re going to move in this direction,
treat it like a business, treat it for what it is otherwise it won't’ perform. Similar to what other assets have.
Thank you very much.
Theresa Moler, 88 Cannongate III Road
I’m at 88 Canongate IIl Road. I’m a resident of Nashua. | happen to be a professional puppeteer and a visual
artist. I’m in favor of the performing arts center and for many reasons but I'll just lay out a couple of reasons
I’m in favor of it. First of all it would be a good venue for me to perform in. Although | do a lot of outdoor
venues, | would love to perform in this theater, this performing arts center. Secondly I’m a member of a couple
artist associations. | want to make a suggestion that we include some time in this performing arts center
history — lots of arts associations in Nashua and stuff and maybe around the State too. It would give other art
associations a chance. | am in favor of the performing arts center. | could go on and on but I’m not going to. |
just want to speak my favor ability for this thing.
John Roche, 12 Meadowview Circle
John Roche — 12 Meadowview Circle. That’s in Ward 9. I’m a retired teacher. Very, very briefly, | just want
you to know that | whole heartedly support this project. To back that up tonight, | make a $100 pledge towards
the endowment fund. | ask for you folks to support the project with your vote tonight. Thank you very much.
Tracy Hatch, Greater Nashua Chamber of Commerce and Resident at 37 Chester Street
Mayor Donchess, Alderman McCarthy, members of the Board of Aldermen — thank you first of all for giving us
all the opportunity to speak this evening. For the record, I’m Tracy Hatch, President and CEO of the Greater
Nashua Chamber of Commerce located at 142 Main Street, and a resident of Nashua residing in Ward 3 at 37
Chester Street. I’m here tonight to express the strong support of the Chamber’s Board of Directors and our
600 plus members as well as my own personal and passionate support for R-17-116 relative to bonding for a
performing arts center in Nashua.
First my thanks to the members of the Board for taking the time to speak with me over the past few weeks
about this important opportunity particularly my own Ward 3 Alderman Schoneman for his thoughtful questions
in our discussion last night. Our Board of Directors took strong position on the arts when we adopted our
strategic plan in 2016 stating that we will actively promote, support it, and thriving arts and cultural environment
in Nashua and that we would specifically work with city officials and other key community leaders to bring a
performing arts center to Nashua. Our Board reiterated its support for the pack when City Economic
Development Director Tim Cummings provided an update at our June Board of Director's meeting. | most
