Ward 6 candidate
Rick Callaghan
Age: 53,  Dover res. 33 yrs.
Occupation: retired N.H. law enforcement, retired business and human resource director, rental property owner
Public Experience: Dover ZBA (chair), Dover Building Code Board of Appeals (chair), N.H. Safety Council (president), NH Fire Protection Society (president)

Age: 53

Occupation: Retired NH Law Enforcement, NH Department of Corrections 1999, Retired Business and Human Resource Director 2006, Rental Property Owner 30 plus years.

How long have you lived in Dover: 33 years, 32 years at current residence

Have you served on any boards, councils or committees?  Yes.

Elected duties include Dover Zoning Board of Adjustment and the Dover Building Code Board of Appeals since 1986, and has been chairman for both just over 4 years, Past President of the New Hampshire Safety Council, Past President of the New Hampshire Fire Protection Society, Past President of the New Hampshire Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators, and Past Financial Secretary of the Dover Knights of Columbus, Council #807  Non-Elected organizations include past member of the National Fire Protection Association and various subcommittees and past member of the American Correctional Association.

As Dover becomes a more desirable place to live, how can the city keep it an affordable place for low-income residents?  

I don’t think we should focus on lon-income residents, we need to focus on all residents, property taxes affect both.  We need to keep property tax hikes at the lowest possible.  The way to do that is pass the proposed tax cap and then control our spending to what is absolutely necessary or that is an investment that has profitable returns in the future.  Dover has been spending money on a potential dream with poorly calculated futures; this needs to stop.

What have you accomplished for Dover that you are most proud of and what would you like to accomplish if you are elected?

For Dover in particular, I feel my tenure on the ZBA has been extremely advantageous to the city.  My board takes the time to hear all concerns, assist the applicant and the abutters, and goes to painstaking efforts to ensure an amicable result is achieved.  I have received compliments from many people who are impressed with the ZBA; winners and losers.  This is good public relations and a just end to dealing with government.  I am very proud of that and my fellow ZBA members. I hope to influence removing the contentious environment within the city council, eliminate unnecessary and wasteful spending, and revitalize taxpayer confidence in government by mentoring city employees to appreciate themselves, the volunteers, and the taxpayers.

What is an important environmental issue facing Dover?

The most prominent current problem is Willand Pond.  NH Department of Enviromnmental services has shut it down and residents shouldn’t even touch the water.  The council made it a # three priority, that is a mistake.  The Toland Landfill site is the oldest and current hazard yet to be reckoned with and progress is slow, we need more focus on it. The Waterfront project poses a future immeasurable risk to Dover.  We should probably start saving for that; it can become extremely costly.

What is the most recent cultural or artistic event that you have attended in Dover?  Apple Harvest Day.  Since it included many vendors that represented different cultures and crafts, I suggest that would qualify.  The number of people who enjoyed this event were estimated at 20,000. Yeah Dover!!

What type of new businesses would you like to see come to Dover?   This is a difficult question, so I will answer it a way you might not expect.  I would like new businesses that are willing to give something extra to be able to move to, or establish in Dover.  Dover should not have and to pay money to get them here unless there is a guaranteed profitable future.  With that said, it would be nice if we had a conference center that could host 400-600 people.  With all the new hotels, this could induce spending in all our quaint little shops.

Do you support a tax cap for Dover? 

Yes. Sadly, the City Council should have taken this path without regulatory influence.  Someday this may go away, but today it is very necessary

Dover has a growing art community. What can the city do to support arts and artists? 

Dover does a lot over the summer months with the outdoor festivals, however We could use a playhouse of sorts the we can host music, plays, and other events during the inclement weather periods. I would appreciate that.