Don Berrios
For an At-Large seat: Donald N. Berrios
Age: 51
Occupation: Owner, Toys from the Attic
Years living in Somersworth: Lifelong resident
Prior public service experience: Alternate member, planning board
The last two years have seen the completion of the large downtown road, sidewalk, and infrastructure project, as well as the passage of an ordinance that requires landlords to clean up their property. In the next two years, what do you think is the most important think the council can do to build and support vitality in downtown?
The downtown project was never 100 percent completed and the communication of the project to residents was poor at best. … I believe in the next two years, our city should be pushing to lure quality businesses with good paying jobs to our city. Where there are good jobs you find a better community. I would love to see more restaurants and retail businesses in our downtown area. And looking at one-way traffic here is worth revisiting. I have many more ideas, but this is just a few.
What should the city’s priorities be for future capital improvement projects in the community?
We have many wonderful buildings in this community that would benefit by capital improvements, and working together with the owners to find affordable ways for improvements that meets city standards.
Would you be willing to support a tax cap override while developing city budgets? Why or why not?
As far as I know this has already been done. And you can’t have a tax cap forever, so one day it will happen again. I would look at every possible way to avoid it, without loss in other areas.
How can officials best address the opioid addiction epidemic that’s effecting the city and the region?
Education for youth. Try to prevent a problem before it happens. Drugs will never go away. You have to find ways to minimize the use.
What is the most recent cultural event you attended in Somersworth?
Since I believe Somersworth only has one event, I would have to say none. I worked that day. I am Chilean, so everyday is an event for me, ha-ha. I think our city should have more events that celebrate all races and walks of life. Life is good, so an event, like the original International Children’s Festival, would be fantastic.
What are the most important issues facing the city that no one is talking about right now?
I really feel the city does a poor job communicating to the residents. Making all informed will help improve communication between city and residents and help to encourage more community involvement by residents, because it always seems to be the same people trying to get things done.