CLAREMONT — Molly Tremblay is hoping to unseat incumbent Ward I City Councilor Andrew O’Hearne with a write-in campaign in Tuesday’s municipal election.
Tremblay, 24, is the daughter of Joel Tremblay, who served on the council and the police commission. He was the city’s chief building and health inspector when he died unexpectedly in May.
Tremblay said she wants to carry on her father’s legacy of promoting and supporting the city.
“He was my greatest inspiration on why I decided to run,” said Tremblay, who is an early childhood educator. “I see the struggles of families and citizens in Claremont and I want to make sure city services are meeting the needs of all the residents.”
Other goals Tremblay would have as a councilor include looking closely at the budget to find savings, prioritizing spending on city needs and focusing on increasing the tax base by showcasing the city’s advantages to new businesses.
“We have a great planning and development office and we can use that to our advantage,” Tremblay said.
She also wants to improve communication with residents, perhaps with a city newsletter or citywide texting system.
Regarding the turnover in the city manager’s position — four city managers in nine years — Tremblay thinks the council needs to review its hiring process.
Lastly, to increase revenue at the community center and reduce the annual taxpayer subsidy, Tremblay thinks the center needs to advertise more aggressively beyond the city to draw in residents in surrounding towns without a recreation center. She also thinks a “sliding fee scale” for families unable to afford the current fees would increase membership and raise more revenue.
O’Hearne did not respond to a request for an interview about his candidacy.
Voting in Ward I is Tuesday, Nov. 4 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Claremont Middle School at 107 South Street.
Patrick O’Grady can be reached at pogclmt@gmail.com.