Nancy Murphy, Merrimack Town Council Candidate

Merrimack NH

13 April, 2021

7:26 AM

Description

Nancy A. (Olson) Murphy Age (as of Election Day) 62 Position Sought Merrimack Town Council Party Affiliation This is a non-partisan position Family -Married for 42 years to John (my high school sweetheart!)-We have six children (Katelyn, Heather, Lindsey, Ryan, Mackenzie andZach), and six grandchildren.-Throughout our marriage, my husband and I have also been foster parentsto a number of children, three of whom we've adopted, and many of whomremain extended family members. Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? -My daughter Mackenzie serves on the School Budget Committee and is acandidate for the Ethics Committee. Education -BS Nursing/ RN; Boston University, School of Nursing Occupation *Environmental and public health citizen advocate/ Serving in many volunteer education and policy initiative related capacities(local/state/national levels) since the 2016 discovery of the toxic per- andpolyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination of Merrimack's drinkingwater (air and soil); "Water Warrior."-Merrimack Citizens for Clean Water (MCFCW), Founding member-NH Safe Water Alliance (NHSWA), Board of Directors -National PFAS "Costs of Inaction" Study, NH Pilot Project Team with Northeastern University and the Global PFAS Science Panel, Coordinator.*Nurse/ -Former NH DHHS, Division for Children, Youth and Families (DCYF),"Foster Care Health Program" Nurse Coordinator (Manchester, Nashua,Concord and Salem District Offices); Responsible for the oversight andmanagement of health care for all children in out of home (foster) care dueto child abuse and neglect.-Prior to that worked as an RN primarily in pediatrics (various pediatric sub-specialties including developmental, neurology, mental health, rehabilitation, etc.) Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office Office:-NH State Representative, Hillsborough 21, Town of Merrimack;Criminal Justice & Public Safety Committee, 2018-2020; (The only oneof all eight Merrimack State Rep's to have had 100% attendancerecord for the entire two year term.)Appointments:-NH House of Representatives, HB737, "Commission to investigate andanalyze the environmental and public health impacts relating toreleases of perfluorinated chemicals in the air, soil, and groundwater inMerrimack, Bedford and Litchfield." In addition to serving on thiscommission, I wrote (prime-sponsored) and passed the bill thatcreated it. (Appointed by NH Senate President; 2019-Present)-NH Senate, SB85, "Commission to study environmentally-triggeredchronic illness." In addition to serving on this commission, I cosponsored the bill that created it. (Appointed by NH Speaker of theHouse; 2019-Present)-NH House of Representatives, HB705, "Study Committee on theNeeds of Victims of Crime and the Enforcement of Crime Victims'Rights." (Appointed by NH Speaker of the House; 2020) Campaign website See FB page Why are you seeking elective office? Merrimack has provided a wonderful home for three generations of myfamily. My husband and I have been Merrimack residents for 35 years.We've raised our children here, and our children have raised their childrenhere- attending Merrimack public schools, playing on school and MYA sportsteams, joining the school ski club, taking dance classes, participating inchildren's events at the library, enjoying summers at Naticook day camp, and swimming at Wasserman Park. My family and friends are here. My lifeand home, are here. Like my parents, my husband and I will retire here. Iam invested in our town.Recognizing that my family and I have benefited from the investment oftime, effort, energy and expertise of those who came before us (which hasmade Merrimack what it is today); I feel it is both my responsibility and aprivilege to be able to give back. I hope to be elected so that I may serveour community as a member of our town government.It is the role of the Town Council to define and establish policies forMerrimack town government, and oversee that the Town Managerimplements that policy. I seek election to the Merrimack Town Council,confident that as a long-term resident, with a proven track record of publicservice, volunteerism, and unwavering community commitment andinvestment to addressing the needs of our town; I have shown I have thedesire, skills, loyalty and experience to be a solid, and valuable contributorto the Town Council. I can be relied upon to represent Merrimack resident'sinterests.I remain dedicated to doing my part to make Merrimack a place wherepeople can afford to live, where the quality of life for all residents is valuedand protected; and where citizens can rely upon elected officials to representthe needs of the community on important issues.I ask that you please consider supporting my election on April 13th! Thank you! The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it. Like local governing bodies in many other NH communities who have showna commitment to fiscal responsibility, the Merrimack Town Council will befacing a number of shared challenges, along with some that may be morespecific to our community.The most pressing issue will be to determine how to best ensure that thecommunity we love and call home will be the kind of place where citizens willchoose, and can afford to live, work, raise families, and retire.Recognizing the local community challenges related to the economic impactsof the global pandemic; that state budget cuts will downshift costs to towns;that our capital projects fund may not be available to buy down the tax rate;that community growth and development continues while we mayexperience shortfalls in revenues/taxes; and that there remains a need toprotect citizens and hold polluters accountable relative to the PFAS contamination of Merrimack's air, water, and soil… the town will need todetermine how best to protect property taxpayers, and meet the needs ofthe community- potentially, with fewer resources.To keep the tax rate stable, there will be difficult budget decisions to make,likely prioritizing 'needs' above 'wants'. The budget must provide for the deliveryof necessary services and the infrastructure required for proper functioningof a growing town. Town departments providing those services must haveaccess to the tools (including adequate funding), necessary to do so.Merrimack Town Government will need to continue to be economically andprudently operated; maintain investment in critical areas; new efficienciesand synergies developed to control spending growth through times ofeconomic uncertainty; and solutions tailored to the needs of the communityand its citizens. Town departments must work together to create, build, andsustain a strong local school system, economic opportunity, a strong localeconomy, affordable housing, low crime rate, and a healthy naturalenvironment. What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post? During my term as a NH State Representative, I have a proven record ofaction and showing up to address issues important to Merrimack. Thisincludes working to successfully:- End the tolls at Exit 11, and-Pass a balanced budget that fully funded public schools and returned moneyto Merrimack schools to keep property taxes down.I've sponsored/cosponsored legislation (34 bills re: a variety of issues, inaddition to the 2 commissions and 3 PFAS bills referenced below) that havedirectly benefited Merrimack and its citizens.My 5 years of focused advocacy experience on the environmental and publichealth challenges facing our community d/t PFAS contamination led me to seek the legislative changes our community experience made clear, we needed.I have a record of effective leadership in the NH House on PFAS issues spearheading many initiatives and laws to hold environmental polluters accountable and gain the public health and environmental protections Merrimack (and all of NH) both needs and deserves. In addition to creating the two environmental and public health relatedcommissions noted prior, I cosponsored 3 PFAS related bills (HB1603;SB287; and SB623) that are very important to PFAS contaminatedcommunities like ours. These 3 bills were incorporated into HB1264 asamended, and passed as omnibus PFAS legislation in 2020. The bill'slanguage:-Set NH's current enforceable PFAS (Per and PolyfluoroalkylSubstances) drinking water standards- MCL's (Maximum ContaminantLevels) that significantly reduce the level of 4 PFAS allowable for publicwater; and expanded the statute governing ambient groundwater qualitystandards to include state maximum contaminant levels established in law;-Established the per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) fund; establisheda low-interest loan program for certain water and waste water systemsaffected by PFAS contamination; allowed DES to borrow money; and-Requires that NH insurance companies provide coverage for PFAS bloodtesting.Despite opposition from lobbyists and those who do not yet recognize thehealth harms associated with long-term, ongoing PFAS exposure; I'vechampioned the environmental and public health protections Merrimackneeds from environmental toxins (like PFAS), as well as the need for polluteraccountability, at all levels of government. As there are, and will continue tobe ongoing challenges related to this issue that will involve (DES, SaintGobain, DHHS, etc.) and impact Merrimack, I believe my background andexperience in this area would be particularly beneficial to the Town Council.If elected, I'll bring the same dedication to my work on the Town Council, asI did in the NH House and as an environmental and public health citizenadvocate. If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency) Incumbent Councilor Peter Albert, who has been a phenomenal asset to theTC and has served our community well in many capacities, is not seeking reelection. Thank you, Pete! How do you think local officials performed in responding to the coronavirus? What if anything would you have done differently? The COVID-19 pandemic placed burdensome and unanticipated challengeson local officials. Recognizing that the health and safety of Merrimackresidents was of the utmost importance, they took steps to respond to the pandemic and address a multitude of potential impacts to public health, aswell as social, economic, budgetary, personnel, and other impacts. Up-to-date pandemic-related information was provided and residents were instructed to follow the guidance of the Governor, CDC and DHHS.When COVID-19 reached NH in March 2020, I saw an opportunity to helpwithin our community. Through contacts within the Merrimack SeniorCitizens group here, I made myself available to local senior citizens and wasable to pick up groceries, medication, etc. for those who were homeboundand in need of assistance.Having no sewing ability-but wanting to help, I cut out hundreds of masksfor the Merrimack Mask Making effort and distributed others, (made for ourcommunity by a former NH DHHS, DCYF colleague), to local senior citizens.In March 2020, when Town Councilor Peter Albert reached out for assistanceto address challenges re: accessing criminal records background checks thatwere making it difficult for various charitable organizations (like Meals onWheels) to deliver services at the beginning of the pandemic, I was able tohelp resolve this issue at the state level so that citizen's needs could be met.That same month, my daughter, Mackenzie and I worked together to createthe "Community Snacks for Those Who Have Our Backs" effort (see FBpage) to make the lives of our frontline healthcare workers a little bit easierwhile they worked so hard to save ours. Community partners, NashuaCommunity College, the Lions Club, Girl Scout Troop 13912, MovementChurch and many community members and groups were extraordinarilygenerous, and donated thousands of snacks for our frontline workers whichwe delivered to all four area hospitals. The recipients were very grateful. Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform. I believe information re: these issues are included elsewhere within thiscandidate profile. What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job? As mothers everywhere know, caring for the needs of our families andmeeting work and other expectations outside of our homes, provides us agreat deal of experience with having to meet multiple importantexpectations at the same time- all of which have to be done well. Parenting(and foster parenting), afforded me years of real world experience in:flexibility; time management; determining and prioritizing needs; budgeting;patience; problem-solving in the moment; multi-tasking; and getting the jobdone. As a nurse, I was responsible for: making objective assessments; critical,informed decision making (sometimes involving life or death); paying closeattention to detail; coordination and oversight of complex issues that impacthuman lives; and being able to look at the 'big' picture while at the sametime, recognizing the potential impact/unintended consequences of thosethings that may be less obvious.As a NH State Representative, I was the only one of all eight MerrimackState Rep's with a 100% attendance record for the entire two year term. Iearned a reputation in Concord as a well-respected, person of integrity, whowas willing to listen, always showed up, and collaborated and worked in abipartisan fashion to get the job done for Merrimack and NH. I was known asa "Water Warrior" and leader on the PFAS issue, as well as for my strongcommunity advocacy for Merrimack's other needs.While there, I sponsored/ cosponsored 39 bills to address: -Toll relief for Merrimack -Advocacy for and protection of vulnerable persons -Public health -Mental health services -Disability rights and support-Education and special education-Nutrition benefits for those eligible for food stamps -Environmental protection -Animal/Wildlife protections-Local control of issues that impact individual communities; and -Insurance coverage Should I be elected, the knowledge, skills, abilities and experience I haveacquired in many different roles over the years; have prepared me to servein the role as Town Councilor. The best advice ever shared with me was: A summary of quotes that have both inspired me and provided a frameworkwithin which to live my life…. "Live with integrity"; "Treat others as you wish to be treated"; "Be the change you wish to see in the world"; and, "Actions speak louder than words." What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions? -I am a long-term resident with a reputation as a respectful, open-mindedperson of integrity, and a record of proven commitment to our community.-My volunteer efforts and advocacy as both a citizen and a legislator haveaddressed community stewardship and needs, and contributed to improvingthe quality of life for Merrimack residents.-I have shown my willingness and ability to listen, keep an open mind,respect diverse opinions, find common ground, and make decisions thatreflect the needs, values, and best interests of our community.-I recognize that common sense, collaboration, and an understanding of theissues that impact our community, leads to town government that ensuresMerrimack will continue to be a great place to live.-As a Merrimack citizen and taxpayer, I am grateful for, and appreciative ofthe work of all current Town Council members. If elected, I look forward toworking with, and learning from a group that has worked so well together.I am sad to see Councilor Albert leave his role as a Town Councilor, but wishhim well as he moves on to another life chapter. He has been an invaluablemember of the TC and has served our community well. Thank you, Councilor Albert!I wish my fellow candidates the best on their campaigns.Thank you for taking the time to read my Candidate Profile.I hope you consider voting Nancy (Olson) Murphy for Town Council! Thank you!