Nashua Alderman Candidate Forum for Wards 6, 8, and 9 – October 9, 2025
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Nashua Alderman Candidate Forum for Wards 6, 8, and 9 – October 9, 2025
This forum was the second in a series hosted by Nashua Inklink News at the Nashua Public Library on October 9, 2025. Moderator Roni Camille led the discussion with candidates for alderman in Ward 6 (Vinja Pilata Smith and incumbent Chris Thibodeau), Ward 8 (Dave McLaughlin and incumbent Derek Tebow), and Ward 9 (incumbent Linda Harriott-Gathright and incumbent John Sullivan, who arrived late). The forum covered topics including social districts, taxes, housing, homelessness, civility, budget, mental health services, and economic development. Audience-submitted questions were also addressed.
Social District on the Ballot
Candidates responded to the November ballot question on whether to allow social districts (outdoor alcohol consumption). Vinja Pilata Smith (Ward 6) expressed concerns about regulation, policing, and cleanup, emphasizing the need for more consideration. Chris Thibodeau (Ward 6) supported the ballot measure to allow further detailed review by the Board of Aldermen. Dave McLaughlin (Ward 8) opposed the concept, citing potential strains on police resources. Derek Tebow (Ward 8), who voted against the measure as alderman, stated he would still vote no, though the question would return to the board if voters approved it. Linda Harriott-Gathright (Ward 9) supported the ballot measure, trusting that the board would involve police and fire departments in crafting safe regulations. John Sullivan (Ward 9) initially supported putting it on the ballot but, after consulting with police, now personally opposes it and will vote no.
Tax Rate and Fiscal Responsibility
All candidates addressed the high tax rate ($15.90 per $1,000) and ways to maintain services while managing taxes. Smith emphasized reviewing expenditures, better informing residents about rebates for seniors, and seeking other funding sources. Thibodeau noted that budget control is key. McLaughlin argued for slowing spending growth and returning to the original spending cap to constrain increases. Tebow defended the budget as tight, pointing to state mandates and rising costs; he also stated that the vacancy rate is nearly 99%, reflecting high demand for housing, and that the tax rate itself is not historically high, but rising assessments are driving tax bills. He challenged others to specify cuts. Harriott-Gathright focused on state-level downshifting and securing funds owed to Nashua. Sullivan highlighted that his own taxes rose 58.9% since 2012 and called for growing revenue, obsessing over costs, and strategic capital allocation. Candidates also debated a split tax rate between residential and commercial properties. Smith and Thibodeau were open to considering higher commercial taxes. McLaughlin suggested targeting large corporations but exempting small businesses. Tebow preferred spurring economic development to shift the burden. Harriott-Gathright supported looking into it. Sullivan stressed that transparent budgeting is needed.
Pressing Ward Issues
Each candidate identified key local concerns. Smith (Ward 6): housing and taxes. Thibodeau (Ward 6): speeding and traffic safety, citing constituent emails. McLaughlin (Ward 8): concerns about a new housing development on Flatleaf property and taxes. Tebow (Ward 8): speeding on main roads. Harriott-Gathright (Ward 9): traffic and housing turnover. Sullivan (Ward 9): taxes, infrastructure (sidewalks), and equitable allocation of resources across wards.
Homelessness
When asked about strategies, Smith discussed mental health needs and collaborative efforts. Thibodeau highlighted mental health resources and community health workers. McLaughlin advocated for returning to the spending cap and leveraging federal housing voucher programs. Tebow emphasized mental health care and rehab services, and noted the warming station opening December 1. Harriott-Gathright called for companies building in Nashua to include low-income units. Sullivan urged state and private-sector partnerships, citing Manchester's consortium as a model.
Civility in Board Meetings
Candidates offered views on improving civility. Smith stressed a code of conduct, dialogue, and respect. Thibodeau acknowledged passion but emphasized listening. McLaughlin advocated for agreeing to disagree agreeably. Tebow admitted to passionate exchanges but strives to improve. Harriott-Gathright called for respectful discourse. Sullivan urged leaders to stay measured and set an example, noting that politics should not divide neighbors.
Budget Cuts
Asked whether the city budget is too high and where to cut, Smith advocated reviewing essentials and cutting waste. Thibodeau said he would consider cutting staff in departments if necessary. McLaughlin called for slowing spending growth and returning to the spending cap. Tebow defended the budget as tight and warned against cutting education. Harriott-Gathright supported union contracts and securing state funding. Sullivan called for transparent budgeting, noting that salaries and benefits should not be excluded from the growth percentage.
Mental Health Services
On whether Nashua does enough to ensure mental health services are available during police calls, Smith supported crisis intervention teams pairing police with counselors. Thibodeau said the city has some resources but could always do more. McLaughlin was unaware of the program but supported the idea. Tebow noted budget constraints limit the number of community health workers. Harriott-Gathright praised current collaboration but needs more funding. Sullivan emphasized the need to do more and noted the link to homelessness and family support.
Economic Development
Candidates discussed how to spur economic development. Smith: attract businesses that create jobs without environmental harm. Thibodeau: use the economic development director as an ambassador. McLaughlin: empower local business owners as ambassadors. Tebow: focus on recoding zoning for mixed-use and small/medium businesses, which would keep money local. Harriott-Gathright: address housing affordability first. Sullivan: focus on small and medium-sized locally owned businesses.
Closing Statements
Each candidate gave a one-minute closing. Vinja Pilata Smith emphasized fiscal responsibility and accountability. Chris Thibodeau highlighted his advocacy for constituents and desire for a robust, resilient Nashua. Dave McLaughlin stressed customer service and making city government work for taxpayers. Derek Tebow expressed his love for Nashua and commitment to servant leadership. Linda Harriott-Gathright highlighted her 45 years of service and passion for representing constituents. John Sullivan apologized for arriving late and reaffirmed his dedication to the ward.
Key Outcomes
No formal votes were taken at this forum, but candidates stated clear positions on the social district ballot question, tax rate approaches, and other issues. The next candidate forum is scheduled for October 22, 2025, for Board of Education candidates, and October 30, 2025, for Alderman at-large candidates.
Meeting Transcript
Oh my god, my god. Good evening, everybody, and welcome to the Nashua Public Library and the second of our series of candidate forums. Um I'm Carol Robidou, I'm publisher of Nashua Inklink News. Um I want to just say a few words to start off. I want to thank uh the Nashua Public Library for hosting this and especially to library director Jen McCormick, who is the hero of this uh series of events. It was Jen who really was uh the Spark plug that made all this happen, and she is unfortunately unable to be here tonight, but we're sending her um our best wishes. Um I want to thank Nashua Public Television for being here for recording and also streaming live tonight. So if you're watching from home, thank you. Um I want to thank our readers at Nashua Inklink.news. We've been around now for about a year and a half, and we're really excited to participate in civic life here in Nashua. And this is a very big important part of it for us is making sure that City Hall has coverage and that the public has a way of getting information and answers. Um tonight uh we're gonna have a series of questions. We have our moderator for the evening is Roni Camille, and he is a proud Nashuan, and he also serves on the National Cable Television Advisory Board. He's going to take over and we're gonna try to keep this moving and get you out of here at a a decent hour. But um, we thank you all for coming. We have taken some questions from the audience, so if as time allows, we will go through those questions as well. Thank you. All right, Carol, thank you so much. Good evening, everybody. Welcome to another round of uh candidate forums, and we will hopefully have a lovely civil conversation. Just as a reminder, this is a forum, not a debate. Um and so we're gonna go from to my right, and uh we've got uh ward six, eight, and nine. Um it's a two-minute opportunity to introduce or introduce reintroduce yourself to the community. Also, I'm curious about this. When you're not working or campaigning, what is one favorite thing you like to do in Nashua? Ms. Smith. Um so I'm Vinja Pilata Smith, and I am running for Alderman for Ward 6. Um let's see, so many great things to do in Nashua. But um one I do now, uh I spent a lot of time at the Nashua Center for the Arts, and I get the discount tickets, which are awesome. Um and I love to take my mom there, but because we're there that's that's an excuse for a night island of town for dinner. So any popping into any of the restaurants on Main Street and having some food and maybe an adult beverage. Um and then there's a new coffee place called The Spot, and I I highly recommend their beverages too. So but it's just great. So I I love you know to find those nooks and crannies in Nashua and enjoy them. Mr. Tibetou. Uh Chris Thibodeau, current ward six alderman. Um in my free time, I love playing in my garden. I like yard work. Um I like a couple of the shops on Main Street. I just discovered the uh the lock room was was down there. I had frequented when they were in their other locations, so it's interesting to you know find those kind of places. And um when I really want to just get out, I I like going to um uh mines falls park. Um when I can get down there, my dog loves it down there, so that's McLaughlin. Thank you. I'm Dave McLaughlin, ward 8 and a former alderman of that ward. Uh in my off time, I enjoy weightlifting. I enjoy bird watching. I have a small garden.
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