LETTER: Len Gerzon Wants To Work From The Center

I write today to announce my candidacy for State Representative. I am seeking a seat in a newly created district (Hillsborough District 41) that covers the towns of Bedford and Amherst. I believe I am uniquely qualified to serve in this seat. As voters come to learn about my candidacy over the next two months, I trust that you will come to know me as a common-sense fiscal conservative who can both balance budgets without new taxes AND maintain state government services that contribute to economic growth and our quality of life.

My wife and I bought our first home in Bedford in 1987, then moved to our Amherst home in 1993.Within a month of moving to Bedford, when Nancy and I began working on the Bedford Heritage Trail Committee, we have actively served and engaged in community life. Over these 25 years I have served on and led numerous civic organizations including the Bedford Land Trust, the Bedford Zoning Board of Adjustment, the Amherst Conservation Commission, and the Peabody Mill Environmental Center.

Since 1985 I have led the property tax function for Public Service of New Hampshire, a subsidiary of Northeast Utilities (NU). My parent company, NU, is a Fortune 250 company and is the largest property taxpayer in New England. In this role I have become an expert on New Hampshire’s property tax. I was appointed by both Republican and Democratic governors to serve on the New Hampshire Assessing Standards Board, where I worked to improve NH tax policy and was the lead author of the state’sproperty tax policy manual. My expertise in this area led me to an appointment on Governor Lynch’stransition team, where I completed a zero-based budget analysis on the NH Departments of Education,Vocational Rehabilitation and Liquor Commission.

As a representative in Concord my primary aim is to be exactly that, a representative. I will bring the views of Bedford and Amherst residents forward as legislation is crafted. My main promise is that I will meet regularly with my constituents, making myself available with “office hours” at the local libraries. I will report regularly to town counsel members, selectmen and school boards. Representation is the starting point. Beyond that I have knowledge and skill that is needed in state government – expertise in budgeting, economic forecasting, and property tax policy. I have a history of working “across the aisle” and a willingness to do the hard work needed to support our communities.

More information about my candidacy is available at www.lengerzonfornh.com. It would be an honor and a privilege to serve you, and I ask for your vote on September 11 and November 6.

Len Gerzon