Home » News » Politics
March 12. 2013 10:04PM
MANCHESTER - The alderman for east Manchester's Ward 6 said he could nominate as early as today a replacement for Donna Soucy, the Ward 6 school board member who resigned Monday.
Alderman Garth Corriveau said he will try to accelerate the confirmation process and have aldermen vote on his nominee by next Tuesday. That's because of crucial budget deliberations and the upcoming hiring of a school superintendent.
"I want the people of Ward 6 to have a voice and vote on selection of a new superintendent," Corriveau said.
Soucy submitted her resignation to Mayor Ted Gatsas on Monday, effective Tuesday.
She was elected last year as state senator for the eastern and southern wards of Manchester and Litchfield. She said Tuesday that demands of work, the school board and the state Senate were significant.
"I want to focus all my efforts on the state level," said Soucy. A Democrat, she had been on the Board of School Committee for 7 1/2 years.
Her announcement prompted criticism from Gail Barry, the Republican who lost to Soucy in the general election. She said Soucy should have thought of the work load before running for the Senate.
"If you take on one job and you take the oath of office, you should serve out that term before you take another job," said Barry, who gave up a New Hampshire House seat to run for the Senate. Barry said she has not decided whether to run for the Senate next year.
Soucy said she was well aware of the demands of both jobs when she ran for office. She noted that many people have held elected state and city positions, including Ted Gatsas when he was an alderman.
"Everybody has to make their own decision of what they're going to do, and I've made mine," she said.
Under the city charter, aldermen select a replacement for a school board member. Standard practice is to have the alderman from the ward with the vacant school committee member bring forth a name.
Corriveau said Soucy shared her plans with him about a week ago. He said he's lined up a highly qualified candidate, and his nomination could come today. Corriveau said both he and Soucy had a strong working relationship with the candidate he has in mind.
"I'm not seeking a placefiller," Corriveau said. "I'm seeking someone to run (in November)."
Corriveau said standard practice is for a nominee to lay over for two weeks, but he will ask aldermen to suspend the rules and vote on the nomination next Tuesday.
mhayward@unionleader.com
Donna Soucy, now in NH Senate, decides Manchester post too much
Alderman Garth Corriveau said he will try to accelerate the confirmation process and have aldermen vote on his nominee by next Tuesday. That's because of crucial budget deliberations and the upcoming hiring of a school superintendent.
"I want the people of Ward 6 to have a voice and vote on selection of a new superintendent," Corriveau said.
Soucy submitted her resignation to Mayor Ted Gatsas on Monday, effective Tuesday.
She was elected last year as state senator for the eastern and southern wards of Manchester and Litchfield. She said Tuesday that demands of work, the school board and the state Senate were significant.
"I want to focus all my efforts on the state level," said Soucy. A Democrat, she had been on the Board of School Committee for 7 1/2 years.
Her announcement prompted criticism from Gail Barry, the Republican who lost to Soucy in the general election. She said Soucy should have thought of the work load before running for the Senate.
"If you take on one job and you take the oath of office, you should serve out that term before you take another job," said Barry, who gave up a New Hampshire House seat to run for the Senate. Barry said she has not decided whether to run for the Senate next year.
Soucy said she was well aware of the demands of both jobs when she ran for office. She noted that many people have held elected state and city positions, including Ted Gatsas when he was an alderman.
"Everybody has to make their own decision of what they're going to do, and I've made mine," she said.
Under the city charter, aldermen select a replacement for a school board member. Standard practice is to have the alderman from the ward with the vacant school committee member bring forth a name.
Corriveau said Soucy shared her plans with him about a week ago. He said he's lined up a highly qualified candidate, and his nomination could come today. Corriveau said both he and Soucy had a strong working relationship with the candidate he has in mind.
"I'm not seeking a placefiller," Corriveau said. "I'm seeking someone to run (in November)."
Corriveau said standard practice is for a nominee to lay over for two weeks, but he will ask aldermen to suspend the rules and vote on the nomination next Tuesday.
mhayward@unionleader.com
» SHARE EVENTS FOR PUBLICATION, IT'S FREE!
Upcoming Events
- Should Manchester's mayor receive a 59% pay raise?
- Yes
- 23%
- No
- 77%
- Total Votes: 292