To the Voters of Londonderry
I am a candidate for the Londonderry Town Council. My wife, Toni, and I have made Londonderry our home for over 26 years. We have three sons, Bo, Tom and Jake, who have graduated from Londonderry High School.
I have had the pleasure of serving on the Boards of Londonderry Sports Associations such as Londonderry Panthers, Londonderry Youth Lacrosse and LAFA. I am currently serving on the Londonderry Heritage Commission.
During these tough economic times, it is my desire to be fiscally responsible by maintaining a lean budget without compromising the quality of services for the taxpayers of Londonderry.
Londonderry is at a critical turning point in its growth. I believe the best way to increase our tax base is through growth in business. We need to work with our Economic Development and Building Departments in order to evaluate the building application and permitting process. We also need to seek other ways to market our Town as a prosperous business location.
One of the biggest challenges that we face effecting Londonderry’s future is the Woodmont Commons Development. Other challenges include the Pettengill Road development, Exit 5 and the Route 28 corridor.
I am also concerned that our Senior Citizens have affordable housing.
One of my greatest strengths is that I have had over 30 years of experience working with architects, builders and contractors both in the public and private sectors. I have built my business reputation on a strong foundation of values and principles of good faith and fair dealings. Honesty and integrity are the cornerstones on which I manage and conduct my life and business.
I respectfully ask for your support and vote on Tuesday, March 13th.
Sincerely,
Jim Butler
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Jim, I want to personally thank you for your willingness to step up and run for Town Council. I wish you the best of luck in the upcoming election.
Best regards,
Paul DiMarco
Londonderry Town Council, 2008-2011
Jim,
Good Luck. I support your run for Town Council.
Jim, you have my support. If I can help in anyway, give me a call. I firmly believe Londonderry is at a crossroads in its’ growth and we need men like you to make the best of this opportunity. I have watched your success with our sports programs and I urge all voters to support your bid for the Town Council.
Jim, I want to thank you as well for stepping up to the plate.
Mr. Butler: since I know nothing about you beyond what you just wrote, this would appear to be an obvious forum to ask questions.
The town council budget for this year cuts the library budget to such a degree that cuts in hours and staff layoffs appear to be inevitable. Do you support how the town council has treated the library this budget season?
If you didn’t see Mr Butler live on TV on Saturday for the candidate’s debate, watch the reruns when they come out. We haven’t had a candidate like this in years. He was terrific. I can’t wait to vote for him and have his brand of leadership running the town.
I’ll try and catch a re-run, but if Jim is tracking these reponses, I would like to know if he feels the tax payers should build Pettingill, or should it be the land owners, and if built, what would be the effect on the value of other commercial properties throughout town, incliding Woodmont.
When you watch the re-run you’ll see that he does not support taxpayer funded Pettingill.
I see Mr. Butler supports the Fire Dept adding new firefighters. I was just wondering does he have a family member working for the fire department?
Again, watch the re-run. He disclosed that he has a son that is a firefighter. He is completely transparent and open.
Robin,
For many of us-including myself and family, yesterday’s forum was the first time we have both seen and heard from/of Jim. With that being said and without knowing anything about him, his very FIRST statement before he even explained why he was running for town council, was an open and full disclosure to the fact that his son is a firefighter for our town and has been for quite some time.
Is Mr. Butler going to step down from anything to do with the Fire department? I would hope he would step down with any involvement with contracts or anything to do with the fire department. Perhaps he shouldn’t get involved in any town employee issues as well, not all town departments get along and at times compete for contracts. Nothing against either his son or him but if you have lived in this town long enough you have seen so much favoritism just wondering if the good old boy system will ever end. People with rank in the fire department have hired family members over other qualified candidates. The town retains retired people at outrageous salaries. Just a few things to mention. Voters educated yourself on the candidates.
Perhaps all the councilors should step down whenever they vote on taxes since they’re all taxpayers and directly benefit… Hmmmm…
Maybe they should step down when they vote on the rodes since they all drive on them.
Should they also step down when more open space is provided to hunters if they hunt?
Should they step down on issues regarding the cable studio if they ever intend to use the cable studio?
Any councilor that has a library card should probably step down when voting on Library issues.
Should I go on????
Jim Butler is an honet man of strong character. That is evident. That should be enough.
Robin,
I would guess from you posting that you are someone that seems to be watching and involved.
Mr. Butler has disclosed everything you are complaining about. Something very refreshing for a change.
If you want to do some research, I don’t think he has any control over personnel hiring on the town. My understand is that it states in the town charter that this is the responsibility of the town manger. Not the council.
People will always believe that it was a wink and a nod that got the job. Funny though, his son already works for the Fire Department and he has never been a councilor. Truthfully what is the point of your rant.
The sad part in all of this is good people will never run in this community because for far to long little groups of people have formed alliances to have their political “approved” win.
Your post is a perfect example of that.
You are correct Steve. We should vote for somone of strong character that we can rely on to step down when appropriate on a particular issue should it arise. From what I’ve seen, I am confident Jim Butler is a strong man of honest values. I will be proud that have him represent the town and its taxpayers.
He has earned my vote.
In years past there was a retired Sargent from the police department on the council and his son was on the fire department and there was no conflict then, why should there be any now? Just saying…… Jim Butler is fresh and lots of ideas for the town. He is respectful and a listener. He has my vote…….
I’ve known Jim for twenty years, twelve of those volunteering together coaching football, baseball, and lacrosse for the town of Londonderry. I have also skated with him for charitable causes, Jim is honest, ethical , and worthy of this position. Jim you can count on two votes from this household.
The recent televised Q&A with the candidates demonstrated that Jim Butler is the man to vote for in March. He appeared to be the experienced person with a firm grasp of the issues. Sadly the current Chairman showed his inexperience. We need a person with new ideas who will not accept the answer “well that is the way we have always done it” Vote for Jim he is the right choice for Londonderry
I for one, am not impressed with Jim Butler. I find it hard to believe that after writing this piece, he has not kept up with the comments. Maybe this isn’t the forum to ask a question, but I did, and that was who he felt should pay for building Pettengill road. I asked that on 2/19, yet have yet to see a response. This $12 million dollar road is an important issue, yet Jim chose to ignor the question.
Ken,
Are you kidding me? Why didn’t you ask Jim Butler in person when he took the time and was up walking our neighborhood?? Furthermore, Jim said publicly during the forum that the tax payers should not and if he has anything to do with it, will NOT pay for Pettengill Road. Your question was asked and addressed by Jim. Did you not watch the forum, Ken?
Ken would never let the facts get in the way of a good juicy post. Jim Butler gave a solid clear answer, but Ken would rather try to mislead the readers of this site that there is some controversy here. While highly critical and negative about Londonderry, Ken will never step up and volunteer his time on a board or commission like the other VERY busy people serving their community now. I am so pleased that we have people like Jim Butler willing to sacrifice what little time they have with their families to serve their community rather than just complaining from their couch/keyboard.
@Ken: Your act is getting old.
I didn’t ask Jim because the topic of that walk was Woodmont, and how the paper roads would effect our nice quiet neighbohood. I don’t remember Pettengill coming up other than how the PUD discussions kept refering to Pettengill, and no-one saw how an area like Woodmont may be involved.
But boy, I never thought asking a question of a candidate in this forum could get people like Alicia so mad. But I am yoo old and set in my waays to just change my act
Alichia, Please tell me exactly what I have ever posted or written that is negative about Londonderry? Like everyone in town, I have opinions and beliefs that I am will to share, and just because you may feel differently doesn’t mean I am being negative or trying to stir up controversy. At least I am willing to post my full name on this board, and not hide behind just a first name, or something like The Nevins.
And no, I will not run for any board or commission, even though some friends have suggested it. I do appreciate those who do take on that responsibility and support those I agree with by being one of the very few who vote in our town elections ( I actually miss town meeting )
As for Jim Butler, no I did not see the forum, but will be looking for it to be re-run, and hope to catch it. I just asked one question about the funding of Pettengill that I had hoped Jim would answer. I am sorry that hearing friends and neighbors talk about what a good guy Jim is just isn’t enough for me to vote for him. I need to, and will, learn more about how he and others feel about the isssues that I care about before I decide who to support. I love my dad, but wouldn’t vote for him for any office due to his political beliefs.
But as stated earlier, I was a bit surprised that Jim didn’t answer my question here, as all it would have taken was a short post telling me his position on Pettengill. That wasn’t a complaint, but a simple inquiry on where he stands.
Ken,
Rather than changeling him in a comments section that you yourself is questioning. “the Nevins”. Why don’t you pick up the phone and call the man and ask the question yourself.
Abe, phone call, e-mail, rerun of the forum I missed, or comment board, it shouldn’t matter. I just asked a simple question, received no answer, and look at all the comments it generated. If Jim is following this board, he could answer and end all this, counldn’t he?
Well, you don’t have to wait any longer. The site admin has loaded up the video for you to watch. You get your answer at the very beginning. A couple of mouse clicks away.
Well, Mr Mcloon, now that you have your answer via the posted video on this site, why have you gone silent? Is it because the problem that you were trying to fabricate went poof in your face? It won’t hurt to apologize. It’s good for the soul.
I haven’t had the time to view it yet, and shouldn’t even be responding now. very big meeting and presentation later today taking too much prep time. I’ll watch over the weekend.
Now that I have some time, I went looking for the video of the forum. Care to direct me where to locate it? Can’t seem to find the link. I am also sure you can direct me to the link that supports your comment: While highly critical and negative about Londonderry……..
I also saw the new article posted today about the forum, did not find the link to the video there either, nor any mention of Pettengill in this most recent article.
A few days ago, just search 2012 candidates forum, it is at the top of the list.
Here is the direct link. http://www.londonderrynh.net/2012/02/londonderry-town-council-candidate-forum-2012/48081
The school board forum will go up over the weekend.