02/18/2026
My (long form) answers to tonight's Candidate Forum questions:
1. Would you tell us about any particular talents, abilities, and experiences you might possess, and what community volunteer positions and community organizations that you be have been part of that would make you an effective councilor?
Let's start with the classics:
- BS in Computer Science from USNA
- MS in Systems Architecting and Engineering from USC
- PhD in Systems Engineering from UAH
Public service resume:
- Naval Officer
- Amherst (NH) Firefighter
- Aberdeen (MD) Board of Appeals
- Aberdeen (MD) Planning Commission
- Aberdeen (MD) City Council
Other relevant experience:
- Community organizer - My wife and I run a large (450+) board game group on the seacoast
- PTA President (at Halls Cross Roads Elementary in Aberdeen MD)
- Financial Officer of a small business - My wife and I operate a real estate investment small business
- Been an engineer for over 20 years, which comes with an analytical approach that informs evidence-based decision-making
- Father of 5 and loving husband for almost 20y - despite being an engineer, I'm not a robot and understand that the world is brimming with nuance and situational conditions (see, someone can stand me!)
Oddly specific experience:
- been on the council when a city changes between private and public trash collection
- been on the council of a city that has a massive cooperative environment (Aberdeen has an Army base, Durham has UNH) - I've brokered deals, worked to ensure both sides have needs met, etc.
Hopefully somewhere in there I impress you a little bit. I want to offer my experiences to the town to better understand how we can operate within our means and properly plan for the future. I know that I am well prepared for this role - I'm eager to have the opportunity!
2. Many Durham residents are concerned about the rising real estate taxes here in the Town. Would you discuss what you believe are the causes and how you think that the Town of Durham can address the tax issues? If part of your answer is encouraging more non-residential development, what areas of Town should be looked at and how should that be accomplished?
The challenge with real estate taxes is that they rise while the mortgage (if you have one) stays the same. In other words, the budgeting of a business or home is based on the taxes from a previous year or even decade. People cannot afford massive real estate tax hikes and the have no recourse to fight them. The value of real estate is going up as it combats the inflation that has plagued our country for decades. That drives property taxes well beyond what people want to spend.
Development of any kind would help. More residential provides additional tax base that would presumably use established services (trash, water, sewer, etc.) and provide a "profit" to the town. Non-residential development can also help as they pay taxes but usually get significantly less in services (as a general statement). I am thankful that Rob Sullivan took some time out of his day to show me around and point out some of the underway projects and places of opportunity within Durham.
The town can WANT certain places developed, but the market will actually decide where things develop. It will come down to zoning, market demands, business interest, and of course a bit of luck. In the mean time, forcing development using lopsided incentives (such as a PILOT or the like) can look like more progress than reality will reveal. Stay the course. Be open to development and evaluate what the market brings you.
3. Should Durham reduce or eliminate Town services in order to reduce taxes, keep services about the same, or are there services that should be added that could require a tax increase? If you believe that services need to be reduced, please be specific about which services should be reduced or eliminated and why.
Respectfully, this is a loaded question. I am not inclined to sit in my house, having reviewed one budget, and pretend I have a bunch of silver bullets to fix our spending. I confess.
What I do have is an understanding of budgets and planning that creates a path towards operating within our means. I've said that twice, so I should clarify. We should operate within the budget that our constituents ALLOW us to have. The town taxes too much. The budget is quite sizeable and should be sustainable for the expected services of a common town (trash, sewer, water, police, fire, etc.). I think Durham has gone beyond that and the people want their taxes reduced.
The biggest part of any budget for a town is the staff. I have no interest in reducing staff just to reduce it. I want the discussion on the table and in earnest. Salaries are part of it but insurance, retirement, etc. are the sneaky strings that come with every position. Another point here is that the salaries should be based on the position and not the person in the position. 30y experience as a town planner and 10y does not warrant a salary discrepancy. The job is the job and it pays what it pays. Those who want the job for the pay and qualify, should do so! Again, over-simplified example.
I know that selecting ANY of the lines from our budget will narrow the focus to that line and then turn into a minutia filled debate. I will offer one anyway since I am not trying to duck the questions at hand. At first glance, I find it interesting that the library has a budget of over 667k and less than 75k turns into a portion of the collection or services for the community. I would like to understand that better. No judgement, just curiousity.
4. How do you view the Town’s relationship with the University of New Hampshire regarding shared utilities and services? What effect do you think that UNH’s plans for the Edge at West End might impact Durham if it is successful?
I view it as cautiously symbiotic. While we have a cooperative and seemingly good relationship, the town and university are separate entities. It makes sense to bundle utilities and make agreements that benefit both parties fairly. This was one of my first inquiries when I started learning more from Rob and Brendan. This dynamic seems to be working well, and I am interested to get under the hood on it some more.
The impact of UNH's plans for the Edge at West End is a solid example of how we are still separate entities. This development is not GUARANTEED to financial help Durham directly. Obviously, new opportunities, new jobs, new capabilities, etc. will be a draw and therefore go towards indirect support for Durham such as interest in local residential, perhaps tech companies buying into the new capabilities (more jobs), etc. In short, I think there is a nice chance that Durham benefits from UNH's development.
5. Closing statements.
I'm running because I know that my experience can be useful to Durham. I'm running because the taxes have grown consistently since I moved here not too long ago and I am not pleased with the value I am getting. I'm here for the long haul. My family and I are integrated into the community. I'm eager to have a positive impact in the community from the position of the council.
Vote for me!
Send a message to learn more
