Board of Aldermen — 9/12/17 Page 17
and address. In Ward 9, there are a total of 17 signers. In Ward 8, there are a total of 14 signers. In Ward 7,
there are a total of 12 signers. In Ward 6 there are a total of 12 signers. In Ward 5, there are a total of 15
signers. In Ward 4, there are a total of 28 signers. In Ward 3, there are a total of 40 signers. In Ward 2, there
are a total of 23 signers and in Ward 1 a total of 25 signers. So we are hopeful that this demonstration of
support will earn the affirmative vote of aldermen who are working to evaluate constituent feedback prior to
making a final decision on the measure. Open this to constituent feedback and a commitment to truly
represent our government and our elected officials our qualities of leadership that are worthy of a great level of
trust from voters. If you’re on the fence on the existentially important investment for our community, | hope that
this effort has earned your support for bringing a modern performing arts center to 201 Main Street. Through
your support for the initiative, you’ll continue to earn the trust of Nashuans who you have been elected to
represent.
You’ve also received a digital copy of these petitions. It is my belief and the belief of Great American
Downtown and | would argue the folks that are in this room that there is a massive groundswell of support for
this project. | hope that you take that into consideration. It is a good and it is a worthy project. It is an
investment and it stands to make all the difference in our downtown community. Thank you so much and
thank you for your time.
Marje Hogan, 67 Cannongate
I’ve been involved in this community since 1993. | was drawn here by the community arts community which is
incredible. When my late husband and | married, we were looking for a place to buy a house and there was no
more perfect place than Nashua. We moved here in 2003 and this is my home. I’d like to ask everyone what’s
the number one industry in New Hampshire? Can anyone answer that question? Where is our piece of the
pie? | have been advocating for the arts since | was involved in City Arts Nashua from its inception in 2004.
We had to go to the State Arts Council and ask them what they funding. What percentage of their money was
going to Nashua and it was nothing.
We are the second largest city in this State and most of the State thinks we’re part of Massachusetts. We are
content to have people come up from Billerica and buy their groceries at Market Basket on Saturdays and
that’s all we need as far as tourism goes. What are we going to do to stand up for ourselves and do something
to draw people from outside of Nashua to do stuff? The people who live here already invest in this community
and they do so much. This is an amazing place. We need to give them an opportunity to get here and spend
their money here because it’s worth it. Thank you.
Kellie Carin, 37B Boyd Road, Hudson.
Hi. I’m Kelly Caron and | live in Hudson, New Hampshire. Does that mean | have to sit down? Good. So I’ve
lived in this area for 35 years. | was originally for born in Cedar Rapids, lowa. You know why | don’t go back
there? There is nothing to do. Kelly Carlin, 37B Boyd Road, Hudson, NH. So! would like to first thank the
Mayor for his very supportive comments in support of this project, the Currier Gallery of Art, the Chamber of
Commerce. | enjoy movies on Main Street, dinner on Main Street, dancing on Main Street and | know | have
them to thank. I’ve seen the emergence of downtown also and you have some spectacular business and
restaurant owners that are responsible for that. | followed Michael from Levi Lowell’s in Merrimack when he
opened Michael Timothy’s on Main Street. My favorite restaurant by far. Surf, Stella Blue, Philip Scontsas
who also spoke earlier this evening. Lovely business on Main Street. He’s been there a long time. Love that
place. They’ve done their part and they’ve contributed to this community.
The arts community also does their part every day and I’m a little angry about when somebody says they ought
to step up. They step up every single day. There’s a core group that runs the Greeley Park Art Show of about
7 to 10 people. That’s it. | personally ran the kids art show for over 10 years while my daughter grew up
around this area because that gave her an outlet for her art. | spent hundreds of my own dollars on prizes for
the kids because while artists have a lot of talent, and energy, and enthusiasm, they’re often quite short on
money. So they have to step up in other ways and they do every day. I’d like to see us support this project
because as somebody said when the river rises, we all rise. Your businesses owners have given you a great
