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Good Day Belknap District 1
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2026 NH House Candidate Surveys
Citizens For Belknap 2026 Candidate Questionnaire
And Coming Soon....
A Rebuttal to Citizens For Belknap's "Learn More" about Tom
1. How long have you lived in Belknap County? If you moved to the county, why did you choose to do so? If you have always lived in Belknap County, why have you stayed? If you’ve been a resident for one year or less, what prompted you to run so soon?
11 years. We moved in 2015 to downsize our living and yard spaces.
Center Harbor had a foreclosure available in our size and price range.
We stay because of the neighbors and reasonable tax rate and wish to keep it so. I was a resident for five years when the Republicans asked me, as a former Democrat of 46 years, to run in 2020.
2. Why are you running, and what is the most important legislative issue you hope to tackle the next legislative term?
I am the incumbent for Belknap District 1 f and humbly asking the citizens for their support again to maintain the past six years, 2020-2026, which provided Center Harbor and New Hampton with access to a non-aligned Representative who multiple times requests voter’s input on legislation and to listen to their concerns on issues.
Most importantly is the continuation of our district’s residents to have a voice on legislation by asking me to continue my pledge to represent the district and its residents.
I have no political or personal agendas nor special legislation.
3. What do you see are the biggest needs or issues in Belknap County, and what would you do to fill that need?
The district voters have overwhelmingly made it known that taxes are too great and not used efficiently along with high costs of fuel and consumer goods.
On their concerns, I explain that the cost increases affect the town taxes also, that their tax concerns are addressed at town and school budget and voting meetings. I am able to help by continuing voting against questionable increases in spending.
I will continue to respond to any corrections or additions via correspondence or at my website where a copy of this survey will be accessible.
4. What distinguishes you from the other candidates running in your district?
I do not see another candidate representing the majority of our district’s citizens and able to vote against their party’s ideological agendas.
My pledge to represent our district voters’ instructions resulted in that I have voted 7-10% against my party’s Roll Call recommendations and 10-17% on voice votes because of our district’s conservation concerns and other instructions.
As a registered Democrat for 44 yrs, during 2012-2014 I ran to represent Grafton residents and from 2020-2026 New Hampton and Center Harbor as a Republican and also in 2026 for a short time as an Undeclared Representative (why? call me) to best represent New Hampton and Center Harbor residents, including the 38% undeclared voters and not a NH political party’s or my own agendas.
5. A recent independent report found deficiencies in the current Belknap County jail. Would you support construction of a building that meets modern standards? Or should the existing jail be renovated?
I would need to review the reports and suggestions comparing the renovations, a new jail. or with decommissioning Belknap jail and contracting with abutting counties’ jails present available spaces for Belknap’s approximately 81 inmates.
6. Do you agree that traditional public schools are essential to attracting business and retaining employees in Belknap county? Should our students’ education be funded at ‘adequate education’ levels as defined by the NH Supreme Court’s in the ConVal decision? Why or why not?
Public schools with low or falling proficiency rates, a decreasing student population in conjunction with increased administration spending and staffing to that of teachers and students is not attractive to parents or businesses.
The state has been increasing funding to education far above inflation and is presently getting close to the ConVal cost per student.
Constitutionally, appropriations originate in the NH House. Courts have upheld that Art. 83 of the state to fund education but they do not have the constitutional authority to determine the expenditures and their appropriations. In 1968 the voters amended NH Constitution Article 6 to remove the individual right to an education with it being an item cherished by the state which diminished the state’s obligation to provide public education.
7. The Belknap County Nursing Home continues to operate under capacity, yet it has a waiting list of Belknap clients. What will you do as a member of the Delegation, to assist the County Commission to maximize our nursing care facility?
The 60-64% occupancy may mostly be due to staffing issues with not enough job seekers in conjunction with staff leaving shortly after hire. The waiting list is a moving number though last I knew it was around 30 applicants. The Delegation has no actual control on the Commission and Nursing Home operation,running, planning of the nursing home other than reviewing and appropriation of funds. I am available to be included in any discussion of how to reallocate county funds so that the Delegation has an input on making decisions prior to receiving the final county budget with mandated expenses which the Commission negotiated.
8. The county nursing home and the Belknap Mountain Recreation Area, including Gunstock Mountain Resort, are revenue streams owned by Belknap County. As a County Delegation member, do you support leasing out the property to a private company, or selling those operations?
I am unaware of any interest or knowledge of removing these from County ownership or control. There have been false accusations of the sort years ago to create a biased political narrative.
I am opposed to any changes in the present operations of either resource.
9. Opioids and other drugs continue to be a problem in our communities. What are your ideas to reduce the impact of these drugs in our community? What resources are you willing to commit?
I believe the law enforcement and health departments are doing their best and I would look at supporting their suggestions. At this moment I would have to first see what, how and why the expense and effort being presently spent is not working. Belknap 1 instructions have been not to throw money at problems to maintain failed systems.
10. Belknap County’s delegation of state representatives has the poorest rate of attendance in the state at 78% for the 2024-25 legislative session. It’s so bad that the 2nd lowest, Strafford County, is 89%. Do you commit to attending at least 80% of committee meetings, and 90% or more of Session vote days?
N.a. This question is not applicable to me. I have kept my election pledge for six years to represent the voter first and to attend every committee meeting and voting session. I believe my attendance rate is close to 99% for the six years of service.
11. The Belknap County Sheriff’s Department has entered into an agreement with U.S Immigration & Customs Enforcement 287(g) program agreement with Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE). Do you support this, and why?
I understand and have witnessed where some who actually make or want to make statute believe they can pick and choose which statutes they will uphold. My oath is to uphold the Constitution and the statutes to it. I understand that Sheriff Wright, as our constitutional sheriff, knows which Federal laws and agreements are constitutional and I have not heard of any constitutional or civil rights violated by any department in Belknap County.
To have our constitutional Sheriff’s deputies present to witness federal interactions, protects our residents constitutional rights. Unless I’m mistaken, a Sheriff’s deputy would step in and address any actual constitutional violations by our and other LEO officers. I would expect the sheriff dept. to collect any applicable federal reimbursement for the department’s expenses.
12. Affordable housing continues to be a problem, causing challenges for our county economy, including limiting the worker pool, attracting business, and attracting younger families. If elected, what will you do to increase the stock of affordable housing?
I would need to know the District 1 views are on corporate ownership of properties in residential zones and what restrictions might be needed on residential properties used or owned solely for commercial purposes. Mostly this is a market / supply issue that is being manipulated by businesses and corporations purchasing residential properties for short term rentals profits and for speculation of a property’s scarcity.
13. Without clean lakes and rivers, the Belknap County tourism economy would be in jeopardy. Should the county financially support pollution control and water quality monitoring programs? Why or why not?
No. Goes back to the number one issue of Belknap 1 tax increases. The county budget is high enough. This needs to be a state NHDES issue. Please inform anyone wanting to increase taxes by funding this to consult with and expand on the Belknap County Conservation District free will donations via NHGives to fund a program by environmental organizations.
14. Do you agree that the tax reduction for State revenue streams (Business Enterprise Tax, Rooms & Meals, Income & Dividends Tax, et. al), resulted in downshifted costs to Belknap county and local schools, and increased local property taxes? Why or why not?
No. Reports have shown that there has been fund increases to both towns and education. Property taxes increase because citizens at deliberative and voting meetings agree to those increases. The court’s ConVal decision of student cost amount are almost met.
An on-air interview of NH Sen. Dan Innis explained some of the funding misrepresentations.
NH Sen. Dam Innis...
15. Would you favor reforming the Delegation’s meeting format? Should the Delegation conduct monthly meetings? Would you increase public input opportunities? Continue with Roberts’ Rules?
Yes, I am in support of changing the Delegation’s public meeting format but to leave it to the Chairman.
No, there is no apparent need or work load for having monthly meetings . I have been available and had received questions and instructions concerning delegation meetings. Nor is the additional expense justified.
Yes, one way is for public input after accepting the minutes and agenda AND again prior to adjournment. These suggestions have been discussed. I still believe the Chairman should run and set the meeting agenda.
I am okay with the present use of the guidelines of Robert Rules.
I would like to have the Delegation involved in the Commission”s negotiation of contractual expenses. At present there is no restraint on contractual expenses since once negotiated the Delegation must accept them or cause litigation thus acceptance of those line items are more or less a fixed increase to county taxpayers with minimal oversight.
New England Citizens Right To Work
Sierra Club-NH
Humane World Action Fund
CitizensCount NH Rep Tom Ploszaj...
National Pro-Life Alliance
RebuildNH NH Rep Tom Ploszaj...
National Gun Owners of America NH Rep Tom Ploszaj...
New Hampshire Firearms Coalition NH Rep Tom Ploszaj...
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Liberty
Exercise of Constitutional rights
Church - Right to religious worship
A Church Locator ...\
Business - Right to operate
Petition - Right to peaceful petition for redress of grievance
Right to Life
Environment - Lake quality, Fauna, Flora
What issues are important to you and your family?
Completed surveys from previous years:
