DERRY — Four candidates for Town Council talked about the downtown, economic development and how to make Derry a better place to live and work at a forum Sunday hosted by local cable Channel 17 at its studio.
The candidates fielded questions from a panel of local reporters. David Nelson served as moderator of the annual "Political Connections" forum.
Council candidates participating included John O'Connor and Phyllis Katsakiores, both seeking the lone Councilor-at-Large seat. AnotherCouncilor-at-Large hopeful, David Thompson, did not attend the forum.
Also appearing were Michael Fairbanks and Richard Tripp, who are squaring off forthe District 1 Council seat.
Council candidates also spoke about why they want the job and how the council should get along.
O'Connor said he's running because of his love of the community and desire to help Derry grow.
He said economic development is key. "The downtown is worth saving," he said. "How do you tell people we're going to give up on the downtown area?"
He also predicted the TIF district along Manchester Road will be a big success for the town.
Tripp said he also values the development along Tsienneto Road, where new medical facilities have gone up, and said it is a good sign that Derry is making progress.
"That has helped tremendously in the town of Derry," he said.
Fairbanks said he wants to be a town councilor to help keep the group accountable, honest, and mindful of Derry residents' best interests.
"A lot of the appropriate-ness of our decisions has to be looked at," he said.
Katsakiores has spent decades as a state representative and is a former town councilor. She said she wants another chance to serve on the council to help the town prosper and get along.
"Derry will only succeed if we work together," she said. "This is the greatest town, just look around."
While they did not participate in the forum, candidates seeking other town positions taped statements to be broadcast on the cable channel.
In addition to town councilors, voters will elect two School Board members, a supervisor of the checklist, town and school moderators, a trustee of the trust fund and trustees for both the Taylor Library and Derry Public Library.
Contested races include one spot as supervisor of the checklist, with longtime incumbent Roland Routhier up against Mary Till for the job.
Town Moderator Margaret Ives is being challenged by Kevin Coyle, while School Moderator Roger Konstant is opposed by Tom Cardon.
Polls open at 7 a.m. March 13.
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