Information About Donna Bogan

• Former Rochester, NH City Council Member (Ward 6)

View the Candidate's Responses in the 2023 Foster's Candidate Survey by Clicking Here!

Foster's 2019 Candidate's Questionnaire¹

(Editor's Note: This questionnaire is from when Donna Bogan was running for City Council in 2019. Donna is currently running (uncontested) for Wards 5 & 6 Police Commissioner. Information here is to learn more about the individual themselves)

1. Why are you running?

I am seeking my third term for Ward 6, Seat A because there is still so much work to be done to help Rochester continue in the right direction. The budget process is also of great interest to me. Even though there is a tax cap, taxpayer dollars still need to be appropriated in areas that will keep Rochester safe and maintain stable growth.

2. If you are an incumbent candidate, what do you feel are your biggest accomplishments in office?

The biggest accomplishments for me as one voting member is the development of The Ridge, City Hall Annex and the Creteau Technology Center. Most recent is my involvement in the downtown revitalization and helping ensure that developers who come to our city have a long-term vested interest in the downtown.

3. Do you feel the tax cap is still working for the city and school district, and how would you help manage the tax rate?

Initially I did not want to override the tax cap last year, however, it was necessary to keep teaching positions in our district. There are pros and cons to the tax cap (too long for me to answer here). It has been in place for many years and needs reevaluation. That said, the taxpayers are the ones who need to vote for any changes in whether the tax cap stays or goes.

4. Please provide at least one concrete idea for how you can play a role in furthering downtown Rochester’s improvement and revitalization.

Many groups play a role in improving the downtown. The best role I can play is to support the wonderful groups that recently started, such as Rise Up, including their initiating a safety committee, as well as Main Street and the Economic Development Department Safety is at the forefront. If people don’t feel safe walking the downtown, they will not patron the local establishments. I also support working with developers to obtain workforce housing and small business along Main Street.

5. How can the city do more to address the opioid crisis and the people impacted by it?

Rochester is already doing a lot in this area as we continue to work with the state and federal agencies in obtaining funding for shelters and rehabilitation facilities. Our small government doesn’t have the resources to properly educate and provide mental health care that is desperately needed to change this trajectory.

6. As housing authorities throughout the region report lengthy waitlists and area shelters grapple with insufficient space to meet demand, how can the city further the affordability and availability of housing?

Rochester needs workforce housing so that people who fill the jobs in the city will live in the city. This will increase the tax roll, which will give additional funds to provide for shelters. I would also like to see a shelter that provides mental health care, rehab and recovery services. In turn, residents give back by properly maintaining and caring for the facility and participate in community service projects.

7. Do you support Keno and sports betting in the city? What kind of impact do you think it will have if either or both of these ballot questions are approved by voters?

I support both, but ultimately it is up to the voters. Both need to be on the ballot. The financial gain would help in providing and maintaining services. Honestly, I would like to say it may lower taxes, but I don’t believe the revenue would be that great at first.

8. Do you believe the city’s government is open and accessible to the public, and what specific steps would you take to make it more open and accessible?

Definitely. Meetings are open to the public and many are also televised. The rochesternh.net website also contains minutes and streaming of meetings. Department heads and councilors are also available via phone and email.

9. What other key issue(s) does the city face, and what specifically would you do to address it/them if elected?

Much focus is on the downtown, but we also need to keep looking at our roads, sidewalks and general infrastructure. As we continue to grow, our needs for wider roads, traffic lights and Police and Fire personnel and equipment also grow. A balance is needed so Rochester doesn’t grow so fast and becomes unable to properly handle the needs of the residents, businesses and visitors. 

Resources to Learn More About Donna Bogan

Foster's Candidates Questionnaire (2019)

Candidate's LinkedIn Profile