The Host: Rich Girard
Richard H. Girard is a well known and highly respected public figure and opinion maker in southern New Hampshire. A native of Manchester, NH, Rich has devoted the past two decades of his life to serving and educating the community about the critical issues in local politics and government.
Rich’s diverse background includes running for and holding public office, providing leadership and management for other candidates’ political campaigns, extensive experience in the public and not-for-profit sectors, being sought as a political commentator by media outlets across the region, and having started and run three businesses, including this one.
He is well-known for his ability to communicate with the public through multiple outlets. His highly-anticipated and popular columns regularly appeared in The Manchester Express and The Hippo Press, informing public opinion to great acclaim…at least from most! He appeared regularly on The Charlie Sherman Show, commenting mostly on local topics, and hosts Girard at-Large, a widely watched weekly public affairs show on Manchester Public Television.
In 1997, Rich was the first person elected to the newly-created position of Alderman at-Large in the city of Manchester. In this role, he was instrumental in developing innovative and forward-thinking strategies to reform city government, reduce spending and taxes, and foster economic development. Previous to that, Rich was an assistant to long-term Manchester Mayor Raymond J. Wieczorek, where he oversaw the daily operations of his office and the city, overhauled a $165 million operating budget, and restructured city efforts to track legislation in the New Hampshire General Court.
In 2001, Rich challenged Mayor Robert A. Baines’ (D) first re-election bid, developing an unprecedented grassroots effort that not only reinforced his campaign, but bolstered the campaigns of several other candidates simultaneously seeking positions to other local offices. Rich was elected to the city’s Charter Commission in November 2012 to review and revise Manchester’s constitution.
In private business, Rich started Girard Marketing, LLC, a successful marketing consulting and services brokerage firm. Since 2002, he started working with a national financial services firm to capably assist families and businesses with their insurance, investment, debt and other financial services needs. He has been a Regional Vice-President with the company since August, 2004.
Rich has worked tirelessly as a community ambassador lending his voice to numerous social, not-for-profit, athletic and ethnic heritage organizations, serving as a trustee, board member, or committee member, and spearheading multiple community events.
Rich was graduated from Manchester’s West High School in 1987 and was graduated Magna Cum Laud, from Boston College in 1991 with a degree in Political Science. He was also graduated from the St. Paul’s School Advanced Studies Program where he studied Law & Government in 1986.
Though business and politics are Rich’s passion, these pale in comparison to his most deeply rewarding and meaningful roles to date; that of devoted husband to Jennifer, proud father to Dominic, Colette, Madeleine, Emeric and Amelie and communicant at Ste. Marie’s Parish on Manchester’s West Side.
The people have spoken. Not to be satisfied with the results is not to be satisfied with democracy. Are there candidates I wish did not win, of course? Because of that, I am disappointed in some of the results. But, I respect democracy and the process enough to be satisfied with its results.
Hi, comment seems rather confrontational. What does not being satisfied with the election results have to do with being satisfied with Democracy ?
You can have one without the other – like here in the united states – which is – last time I checked a representative republic – not a democracy.
Pretty sure India is the only real Democracy in the world. Which has resulted in a truly oppressive ‘caste’ system over there.
Didn’t mean to sound confrontational. Reading your comment caused me to understand your point of view. You read into the question that we are being asked if we are satisfied with the results. I read the question literally.
Also, the caste system of India was in place long before Democracy, and democracy if helping to erode it.
No Worries…
As for India – I believe a ‘majority vote’ rule is still in effect. With no Bill of Rights the government/people can pass anything and make it ‘legal’ – as long as 50.1% of the voters agree.
In the USA our Representative Republic – with our Bill of Rights and Constitution – do not allow that to happen – or at the very least make extreme laws and regulations very hard to pass.
But these days so many people are ‘unsatisfied’ with the Constitution and Bill of Rights, though sadly, many have never read either.
PS
I assume you have read both at some point in your life … seeing as you care enough to post a comment.
xxoxooox
Doesn’t a partisan election make things more transparent since the Democrats seems to rally behind their DEMOCRAT cadidate anyway and visa versa? Isn’t that what we need more of in politics? Local, State and Federal.
Return of the Dems… get ready for a great big property tax hike. Unless, of course, Mayor Gatsas stands up against the Tax and Spenders. He needs to hold the line on tax increases. The people of Manchester pay too much now!