Four residents campaigned for the seat most recently held by Mark Osborne, who did not seek reelection after his first term. Former Councilor and Republican state representative David Milz received 835 votes, Planning Board alternate and Energy and Environmental Advisory vice-chair Marc Flattes had 335, business consultant and veteran Leonard Perkins received 207, and businessman James Morgan was the winner with 979 votes.
Reached by phone last week, Morgan said the main asset he brings to the Council is his business sense and experience. He formed his first company at 19 and is the owner of an electronics firm in Manchester.
He was inspired to run, he said, because of last year’s budget issues. “I saw a need for sensible budgeting, a new approach, and a review of how we treat employees,” he said.
But Morgan does not think Derry is broken or needs fixing. “It’s a difference in management style,” he said. “We have some of the best department heads in the state, and we need to give them more power to do their jobs, and do less micromanaging.”
Morgan ran on a platform of increasing the tax base by increasing business development. He would like to be Council liaison to the Economic Development Committee, Property Management Committee, or both.
