Roy Adds Dates to the Smarter, Safer, Stronger Manchester Tour

 Candidate for Mayor Mark Roy announces future dates for the Smarter, Safer, Stronger Tour of Manchester. 

 The tour was originally created after Candidate Ted Gatsas refused Roy's 12 Ward Debate Challenge.  Roy took that as an opportunity to hold his own events in every Ward as part of the Smarter, Safer, Stronger Tour.  In addition to other events Roy is participating in throughout the city on a regular basis, he is highlighting these events as a chance for voters to communicate with him. 

 Unlike Gatsas's copycat Ward events, Roy's events are all in public venues.  The goal is to welcome citizens into an open environment where they will feel comfortable speaking with Roy about their concerns and questions for Manchester. 

 The events below are also part of an effort to highlight many of the positive things that are already happening in the city such as the Nutt's Pond Clean Up, one of many this season, and Food For Children's Distribution Day. 

Future Dates for the Smarter, Safer, Stronger Tour Announced:

• Attending Central at Memorial High School Football Game with Alderwoman Betsi DeVries, in Ward 8 on Friday, October 23^rd, from 7 p.m.

• Volunteering with Food For Children with Kate Vaughn, Ward 5 School Board Candidate, on Saturday, October 24^th, from 9 a.m.

• Trick or Treating with his children and The True Family through the Rosecliff & Megan Meadows Neighborhoods starting at 38 Cobblestone Lane in Ward 6 on Sunday, October 25^th, at 1:00 p.m.

For more information on the campaign, please visit Mark Roy for Mayor Campaign Headquarters at 379B Elm St. or our website: www.markroyformayor.com '
Phone 668-1505

September 30th, 2009

REPUBLICANS CONTINUE TO HIDE CAMPAIGN CASH
Manchester Republicans Flouting the Law

  City Republicans continue to flout financial disclosure laws, as the Manchester Republican Committee and thirteen of its candidates ignored the September 25 deadline to report campaign receipts and expenditures.  This follows the failure of the committee and seven of its candidates to file a report on the September 4 deadline.

  Manchester Democrats Chair Chris Pappas called on Republican Chair Will Infantine to follow the law and disclose the contributors backing the Republicans.

  “It has been nearly a year since city Republicans have said exactly who is writing them checks and where that money is going.  Two deadlines have come and gone and we know nothing about their finances.  Is Will Infantine hiding something or is this simply gross negligence on his part?  Either way, the voters of Manchester deserve an answer and deserve a financial disclosure report from the Republican Party and its candidates."

  “I am calling on Will Infantine to comply with the law and immediately file a statement with the City Clerk, and encourage his delinquent candidates to do the same.”

  The following letter was sent September 29 from Manchester Democrats Chair Chris Pappas to Manchester Republicans Chair Will Infantine:

  Dear Chairman Infantine:

  I am writing to bring an important matter to your attention during this busy election season.  The Manchester Republican Committee and several of its endorsed candidates have failed to disclose their
campaign receipts and expenditures as required by the City Clerk.
  As chair of the Manchester Republicans, you must be aware that your committee has already missed two deadlines in the month of September and still hasn’t offered the public any indication of who is funding the Manchester Republicans and where that money is being spent.
  In addition, many of your candidates have run afoul of the law.  Seven Republican-backed candidates missed the first filing deadline on September 4 and thirteen missed the most recent deadline of September 25.  Included on this list are such names as Ward 2 Aldermanic candidate Bob O’Sullivan and Ward 10 Aldermanic candidate Phil Greazzo, both candidates who appear to be raising and spending quite a bit of money.  But unless they follow the law and file a report, we really have no way of knowing!
  Honest and transparent campaigning is an essential part of the democratic process.  I realize you are preoccupied with a tight race for alderman in your ward, but residents of Manchester deserve to know
who is backing candidates and party committees.    I’m asking you to get the Republican committee and your candidates in compliance with the law so that the 2009 city elections go forward in a fair and equitable manner.
  Thanks for your prompt attention to this matter.
  Sincerely,
  Chris Pappas
  Chair, Manchester Democratic Committee



September 17th, 2009

Mayoral Nominee Mark Roy Issues12 Ward Debate Challenge
 Manchester mayoral candidate Mark Roy today issued a debate challenge to his general election opponent, Senator Ted Gatsas.  In a letter, Roy invited Senator Gatsas to join in a series of 12 debates, one in each of the city's wards, before the November election. 
"This race should be open and accessible to all of Manchester's voters, not just the wealthy out of town contributors who are writing $5,000 and $10,000 checks to Senator Gatsas," said Roy.
 "Each of our wards has distinct needs and issues, whether it is traffic on Gold Street or increased class sizes, drugs in our neighborhoods, insuring rapid fire protection in northwest Manchester or providing adequate parking for downtown businesses. Senator Gatsas may want to focus on big money supporters from Merrimack and Nashua, but I am going to spend the next seven weeks talking to the people of Manchester. Hopefully, he will take time out from collecting those out of town, special interest checks long enough to join me.”
  According to a Sept. 8, 2009 Union Leader article, many of Gatsas’ biggest contributors do not live in Manchester, such as Fred Tausch, a Merrimack investor who has given $10,000, and Brian Moses of Nashua, who is responsible for another $20,000.
Mark Roy’s letter suggests a series of twelve 90 minute debates, starting the week of September 27th and concluding in the last week of October.  A copy of the letter is attached. Congratulations on your success in Tuesday's primary. I hope that this election will give each of us the chance to present our positive vision for the future of this city to all of Manchester's citizens. In that spirit, I am writing to propose that we provide voters around the city with the opportunity to hear directly from us about our platforms and ideas. By scheduling a 90 minute debate in each of the 12 wards, all of Manchester's voters will have the opportunity to ask us how our plans for our city’s future will address the specific needs of their neighborhoods and the overall needs of the city as a whole.  We could use several different formats, including both traditional debates and free wheeling town halls, and conduct an election campaign like Manchester has never seen before! Working together, you and I can put together a schedule of events starting the last week of September and running through the end of October, to be held all around the city.
To put this together, we will need to work quickly, so I would appreciate it if you could respond by Monday.
You and I have been given a great privilege by the voters; let's thank them by making this election the most open and accessible in our city's history. I hope you will accept this invitation, and look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
 
Mark E. Roy
markroyformayor.com

MANCHESTER DEMOCRATS RESPONSE TO TED GATSAS’ DEBATE DUCK

Is Ted Gatsas Afraid to Debate Mark Roy? 

Manchester Democratic Chair Chris Pappas released the following statement today in response to Ted Gatsas’ refusal to a series of joint appearances with Mark Roy throughout the city's 12 wards. 

“Why is Senator Gatsas saying no to Mark Roy's invitation to bring this election directly to the people of Manchester?  This election is about the needs of voters in every ward across the city, it’s not a business transaction or a contest to see who can rake in the most checks. 

“Is Ted Gatsas afraid to debate Mark Roy? Is it because he doesn’t want to explain to the voters why, under the Gatsas budgets, we are paying higher and higher taxes while getting less and less in services?  Ted Gatsas needs to explain why he is opposed to an open and accessible election that gives everyone in Manchester the chance to hear from both candidates.”

Email: manchesterdems@gmail.com.

September 16th, 2009
MANCHESTER DEMOCRATIC PARTY CHAIR STATEMENT ON PRIMARY ELECTION RESULTS

 Chris Pappas, chair of the Manchester City Democrats, released the following statement regarding this evening's municipal primary results:

 "I congratulate our three Democratic candidates for mayor on a hard fought campaign. Tonight, our party is proud to unite behind Mark Roy. We look forward to a vigorous campaign to make him the next Mayor of Manchester.

 "Even after setting a record for money spent in a mayoral primary, the people of Manchester have rejected Ted Gatsas' candidacy. After years of higher taxes, increased crime, and failing schools, the people of Manchester cannot afford two more years of the Guinta-Gatsas era.

 "Ted Gatsas represents more of the same for Manchester. With a majority voting for change, it is clear that his campaign is in serious trouble. The people of our great city demanded new leadership
in City Hall, and Mark Roy is ready to answer their call.

 "In these difficult times, we need a mayor who will work tirelessly to meet the challenges facing Manchester's working families. Unlike Ted Gatsas, Mark Roy will always put people before
politics."

July 24, 2009

City Democrats Open Campaign HQ,

Hire Staff for Fall Campaign

The Manchester City Democrats have opened their election headquarters and hired an experienced field hand to coordinate the committee's campaign activities for the fall municipal elections.  The headquarters, located at 379 Elm Street, will centralize efforts to elect Democrats to city offices.

John Barriere, who most recently worked for the New Hampshire Democratic Party's 2008 Coordinated Campaign, will serve as campaign coordinator for the Manchester Democrats.  John is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire where he served as President of UNH Students for Obama during the New Hampshire Primary.

"Manchester Democrats are ready to run strong campaigns this fall and I'm thrilled that John will have a central role in our efforts to maintain our majorities and take back the mayor's office," said Chris Pappas, chair of the Manchester City Democrats.  "His organizing and field experience will be a tremendous asset to our candidates.  I've never felt better about our chances to elect Democrats and make a positive impact on Manchester's future."

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Filing Period Now Open for City Positions

Another exciting election is around the corner and Democrats are fielding a great slate of candidates ready to lead Manchester in the right direction!

The filing period to seek election to city office is now open, and candidates can make it official by heading to the City Clerk's office before Friday, July 24.  Anyone Democrats interested in running for any office including alderman, school board, moderator, clerk, and selectman should call 669-1050 or e-mail manchesterdems@gmail.com. 

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Flag Day Event to Be Held June 28th, Will Honor Alderman Mike Lopez

The Manchester City Democrats will hold the annual Flag Day event on Sunday, June 28th from 4-6 pm at the home of Tom and Stephanie Donovan.  The event, which is a longstanding tradition of the city party, will honor Alderman Mike Lopez with the Flag Day Award for his dedication to the City of Manchester and the Democratic Party.

Also at the event, two awards will be given to Manchester Democrats who have made a significant contribution to their state, city and party.  The winners of the C. Arthur & Lillian Soucy Award and Henry & Mary Sullivan Award will be announced during the speaking program.

Tickets are $20 per person for the event, and sponsorships are available for $500, $250, and $100.  Hors d'oeuvres, finger sandwiches, and cocktails will be served.  Anyone interested in a ticket or sponsorship should contact manchesterdems@gmail.com or call 669-1050.  Contributions are accepted online through Actblue.

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June 3, 2009

Komi, Roy Join Race for Mayor

Just weeks after Mayor Frank Guinta decided Manchester wasn't for him and announced he'd rather be in Washington, two Democrats have stated their intentions to run to succeed him.

Richard Komi, a first-term state representative from Ward 5, and Mark Roy, a three-term alderman from Ward 1, have both announced their plans to seek the open post.  Several other prominent Democrats--including former state senator Bobby Stephen--are still weighing bids, giving voters a great choice in the September and November municipal balloting.

Republican state senator Ted Gatsas has already made a formal announcement about a bid.  Gatsas has given Republicans heartburn in his last two races for state Senate, with weak showings in Wards 1, 2, and 12 against Democrat Bob Backus in 2006 and 2008.

"Democrats don't believe that party bosses should select our candidates," Manchester Democrats Chair Chris Pappas said.  "There are many compelling leaders in our party who want to serve our city as mayor.  The political process will be strengthened by each of them having a chance to share their vision for Manchester."

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