As local elections in the town of Plymouth approach (March 11th from 8:00 a.m.. to 7:00 p.m. at Plymouth Elementary), I had the opportunity to sit down with Chris Mongeon, one of the candidates for Plymouth Selectman. Mr. Mongeon is a resident of Plymouth and the General Manager of Dining Services for Sodexho Campus Services here at Plymouth State College. Clock: Why are you running for selectman?Chris Mongeon: I’ve moved around a lot in my career, but Plymouth feels more like home than any place that I’ve lived since I was a kid. The community has made me feel very welcome and I want to return the favor by giving my time and using my business skills to help make Plymouth a better place to live.Clock: Where did you live as a kid?Mongeon: North Tonawanda…it’s in New York. A suburb of Buffalo. Clock: Buffalo! So you must be a Bill’s fan.Mongeon: Yes I am. But, hopefully the voters won’t hold that against me and stick with the issues at hand.Clock: So let’s talk issues. What do you think of the potential war with Iraq?Mongeon: Wow! That’s a pretty global issue for a town selectman.Clock: I guess your right. What’s your opinion on PSC resident students paying a larger fee for “town services” such as those purposed in House Bill?Mongeon: I believe that everyone should pay a fair and reasonable price for services, but at this time, I do not necessarily feel that House Bill 610 is fair and reasonable.Clock: Why Not?Mongeon: I don’t agree with the methodology for one. I think the per capita quotient is a little skewed and I’m not sure I agree with the overall formula.Clock: That response makes sense, but what would you say to people who are inclined to think that this makes you sound Pro-College?Mongeon: Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I will always be on the side of what is fair compensation for the Town of Plymouth. It’s just good business and common sense to reach a reasonable conclusion. Rational thought and not emotion must be used to determine the proper solution.Clock: Aren’t you afraid that that decision will make you unpopular with Plymouth Taxpayers?Mongeon: I hope not. I think that those residents who approach this issue with an open mind will see the big picture and understand that Plymouth, as a whole, is not going to get more per student, in service reimbursements, than Keene State gives Keene or UNH gives Durham.Clock: Why not?Mongeon: Then where would it stop? If the state approves Plymouth’s request, will Concord then charge service fees to the DMV, State Legislative Offices and the State House. Or what about federal buildings? Will the US government pay for services that the post office requires? Will Plymouth then require the tax-exempt churches to pay for their parishioners who attend services from out of town and are not taxpayers? I can’t even imagine.Clock: So you don’t think House Bill 610 will pass legislation.Mongeon: No. I don’t.Clock: What about the Russell Street gate?Mongeon: I think when the construction at Boyd is over the noise problem on the path will be as well. In the meantime, with 8-9 weeks left, I think opening it for convenience during the day and closing it to improve town/ campus relationship at night is the fair solution. Clock: But what if it’s really not a problem at night?Mongeon: At this point it doesn’t even matter. Whether it is noisy or not, the perception is that it IS, and perception is reality. This solution would take very little investment and both sides could walk away happy.Clock: I’m going to throw some statements your way. Just give me the
first thought that pops in your head.Mongeon: OK.Clock: Plymouth property tax rates.Mongeon: Too high! There’s no reason to be the fifth highest in the state.Clock: The downtown bridge.Mongeon: Not going with the covered bridge option was the right choice for the price. That would have been an unnecessary tax burden for Plymouth and Holderness.Clock: Retail expansion on Tenney Mountain Highway.Mongeon: Yes. The taxpayers need relief, but within reason. Putting a downtown merchant out of business or destroying the environment will help no one in Plymouth.Clock: OK. The environment.Mongeon: Well, I have moose plates on my car. But seriously, the beauty of Plymouth is one of the things that attracted me, and many others, here in the first place. Destroying that would be a shame.Clock: Parking.Mongeon: The town has a parking committee and I understand that positive strides are being made to improve the parking issues in town.Clock: Lower tax rates for senior citizens.Mongeon: For it, if the rates are equivalent to other towns our size in New Hampshire.Clock: Redoing Town Square.Mongeon: The new plans look nice, but I will abstain from giving my opinion until I see what it might cost the town.Clock: Most reasonable idea to help taxpayers.Mongeon: Increasing the tax base should be a priority. Currently we have 2000 housing units and that’s great, but 4000 housing units could really put a dent in the tax burden. Sure, costs will up, but the amount that each family pays would go down. Reasonable growth is the answer again.Clock: Most far fetched idea.Mongeon: An Indian casino on Tenney Highway that would generate enough revenue for all Plymouth residents to live tax-free. Clock: That last one sounds great, while we are dreaming can you lower the gambling age to 18?Mongeon: Let me take that under advisement and I’ll get back to you!Clock: Wow, the cold-shoulder. You’ve been pretty open until now.Mongeon: Thanks. I try to be. If I am not sure of an issue, I’ll tell you don’t know. My incumbent has the advantage of having been a part of the system for this past term. But, I am a quick study, a hard worker and I guarantee that I will give this position everything I have if I chosen to represent the residents Plymouth. Clock: One of our opponents says he won’t take the salary if he wins.Mongeon: Good for him.Clock: I meant do you intend to keep
the money.Mongeon: When I put my name on the ballot, I didn’t even know that it was a paying position. If anyone in public service tells you that they are in it for the money, they are lying. I know that if you do it right, it is hard work, involves long hours and it is impossible to get everyone to agree on every issue. I believe the pay is $2, 500, which averages out to about $6.80 a day, so I guess I’ll have to keep my day job. I’m sure I’ll take it, but if I get my kids tuition paid off, I’ll most likely donate it to charity.Clock: You mention your kids, where do they go to school?Mongeon: My oldest daughter is at Colby College, my son is at UNH and my youngest daughter is at Plymouth Elementary.Clock: Do their schools (Colby and UNH) have the same issues that PSC has with the residents of Plymouth.Mongeon: I’m sure they do to some extent. It would be naïve of me to think otherwise, but I do not feel that the majority of Plymouth residents have an issue with he college. They compliment each other in many ways and most residents knew what they were getting into when they chose Plymouth as their home. The college has been here for what, 132 years? I doubt many of our current residents were here first.Clock: You say PSC and the town compliment each other. How?Mongeon: First, you have to value education. You can’t expect students to get educated in another state and come back to New Hampshire to make their contribution to society and the work force. With over 225 communities in the New Hampshire we are one of three that work with the University system to educate tomorrow’s leaders. That, in and of its itself, is pretty cool. Then yes, there’s the culture, the community service and the effect on the local economy. How much does PSC fuel the local economy? How much does PSC fuel the local economy? Statistics vary, but if Tenney Highway takes off as a retail area, it’s the proximity of the college to Main Street that will help support the downtown merchants. Without the college population, other towns the same size have half the banks, no hospital, half the restaurants, etc…I look at the students as our “tourist trade” the way the ski areas, lakes and mountains look at tourist dollars from southern New England.Clock: What would be your number one goal if elected?