Rivard eyes bringing Democratic leadership to Belknap County

GILFORD — Lisa Rivard doesn’t feel represented in Gilford under current leadership in the Statehouse. The Democrat is trying to change that, with a run for state representative.

Rivard is running to serve Gilford, Gilmanton and Laconia Ward 2 in the uncontested Primary Election on Tuesday, Sept. 8. The four Democrats on the ballot will face the top four Republicans, with four seats up for vote on Tuesday, Nov. 3, in the General Election.

Who is Lisa Rivard?

Rivard has lived in New Hampshire since she was 10 years old. She graduated from Gilford High School, and later attended Lakes Region Community College to study computers and accounting.

Rivard was a payroll accountant for years, but after back surgery was told by her doctor long hours in an office chair just wouldn’t work for her.

“The doctor advised disability or retirement, neither of which really worked,” Rivard said.

Rivard went back to school, and entertained the idea of becoming a certified public accountant, but she really wanted to study psychology. Rivard has a master’s degree in forensic psychology, and also studied criminal justice. She is now working to obtain a PhD in stigma and systemic discrimination.

Why run for office?

While Rivard’s political history is minimal, she said her education and the drive to represent constituents puts her in a good spot to lead in Concord, and the county delegation.

As a resident of Gilford, seeing the debacle that took place at Gunstock Mountain Resort in the summer of 2022, when the mountain’s staff walked out in protest of the way government leaders were handling business, Rivard found the situation “scary” and “alarming.” She said it was like her backyard was being taken out from under her.

“I don’t feel represented in Gilford,” Rivard said.

Rivard pointed to voting records, saying some representatives have shown up for less than three-quarters of the votes, and she doesn’t think that is nearly enough.

“I don’t know of any job where you show up 69% of the time and call it a day, and consider that sufficient,” Rivard said.

Rivard said her advanced education in these areas helps her understand the police and sheriff’s departments perspective, and also provides an overview of large, complex problems involving taxes, housing, and schools. Rivard thinks these are multilayered subjects.

“There’s not just a single, piece-meal solution,” Rivard said.

Rivard is listening to the wisdom of her grandfather, who told her she “could complain, or do something about it.”

“I’ll take the skills I have, listen to constituents, and help them.”

Cost of living

Rivard's son is a college student, and like many his age, thinks the cost of buying a house looks next to impossible any time soon. With the average cost of a starter home around $560,000, and prices for just about anything else also much higher, the possibility of owning a home looks bleak.

“He has concerns about never moving out and buying a home,” Rivard said. “I wish I could say that is unrealistic, but it’s not.”

Rivard and her son have been crunching the numbers, and even as a college student with a full-time job, he is looking at “retirement age” for when he can hopefully save up and buy property.

“It’s not only a sad state, but it’s unsustainable,” Rivard said. “We need a young workforce, and the housing to keep them here.”

Local control

Rivard thinks communities need to be empowered to come up with solutions, and Concord shouldn’t be handing down additional restrictions, or tell municipalities how to function.

Referring to her hometown, she said if Gilford wants a change in their zoning, it should be up to their residents. This also goes for schools with proposed caps on spending.

“These are local issues, with local determinations,” Rivard said. “It is important for people to make the decisions, and not outside entities.”

She stressed “local control, not no control.” Rivard said Concord and Manchester are great cities, but they’re run much differently than Gilford, Gilmanton, and Laconia. Even those communities are vastly different, with varying concerns.

Taxes

Rivard has heard all kinds of solutions, but none seem completely viable when it comes to taxes. She said some people are completely against any raise in tax, or adding another tax, and she doesn’t see how it could work. Some have pointed to sliding brackets.

Rivard said to work toward a solution, government leaders need to hear from all angles and formulate a proper idea.

“The important thing is everyone gets heard, and we take all opinions, and give some weight to them so everyone has a voice.”

Property tax concerns come from downshifting, she said, with communities becoming responsible for costs people believe belong to Concord. She said the phrase “downshifting” alone is a bit vague, noting it is a reallocation of fiscal responsibility.

Rivard said there can be disagreements on costs, and who is responsible for what, and getting people on board for conversations isn’t easy.

“There’s a lot of disconnect from what the state believes it is responsible for paying, and what towns are feeling they are responsible for paying,” she said.

Rivard thinks most people see equitable solutions in the same ways, saying providing proper education is something most can agree on.

“But I do think there are some people who think that it isn’t their responsibility,” Rivard said. “My personal opinion is that better education is better for society. People who go into life more prepared are typically less of a drain on the system.”

Rivard doesn't support an income tax, but she doesn’t want to say “never.”

“I would like to keep it a very last resort,” Rivard said. “New Hampshire has done very well without one.”

This also goes for a broad-based sales tax. Rivard said the state has made it this far without one, and instead other solutions should be investigated to help the economic situation and pay for the rising costs of things like education and infrastructure.

In the end, Rivard said money in the public’s pocket is good, because it goes back into the economy by supporting local businesses.

Tuition reimbursement

Rivard said college is becoming increasingly expensive, where many can’t even afford traditional, four-year schools as an option. Without a strong education system, there could be big trouble. She said whether it is through trades or academics, education needs to be bolstered.

“We need to look at reduced tuition, or reimbursement programs with jobs, to get students with less to ease the burden,” Rivard said.

Rivard said this could be applicable in a number of fields, from medical to trades. She said these are all “very big, complex problems” that involve looking at a lot of moving parts.

“Everything needs to be researched,” Rivard said. “There are no solid answers until we have looked at all sides.”

Cannabis reform

New Hampshire is the only state in New England where recreational cannabis is still illegal, although prescription use was signed into law in 2013.

Candidates on both sides of the aisle bring up cannabis reform. Rivard notes money is being lost, not just from people leaving the state to make purchases at dispensaries, but their spending on gas and food, as well.

She said the small amount the state could get through taxes from dispensary sales is just a small piece of the puzzle.

Healthcare

Rivard doesn’t think the privatization of healthcare has benefited New Hampshire, and the local area, well at all. She said the closing of the labor and delivery unit at Concord Hospital-Laconia is concerning, and mothers shouldn’t have to travel long distances to have a child.

Rivard is also concerned about the focus of healthcare, saying providers have moved away from pain management and more toward things like weight loss, due to the bottom dollar.

“A healthy community should be more important than just the costs.”

She said there should be a focus on preventative health to keep people healthy, leading to fewer emergency costs. With the rising cost of insurance, and the unaffordable nature of healthcare without it, there is a major concern.

“There is evidence in Europe to support how broad healthcare support keeps the society healthier,” she said.

LGBTQ+ rights

Rivard is treasurer of the New Hampshire Stonewall Caucus, an advocacy group fighting for the rights of the LGBTQ+ community. She supports the cause. 

The New Hampshire chapter is just getting up and running, and Rivard said the plan is to support legislators in the LGBTQ+ community.

Currently, the caucus has bylaws, but not funding. There was previous caucus, now-defunct, so that has added to a mess of paperwork. The new group had their first meeting in June.

She said their focus is beating bad bills and testifying to help support the community’s rights.

How Rivard will lead

“If I could be idealistic, I would love to see multiple parties be able to put their best candidates on a mutual committee,” Rivard said. “I don’t like the pendulum effect of party to party.”

Rivard doesn’t really think two parties encompass all the views, and having to choose a lesser of two evils isn’t great. Even running as a Democrat, she can’t say she agrees 100% with all policies.

“I would like to see groups come to a mutual agreement,” Rivard said. “It is idealistic, but when people get upset, they want to vote on extreme change.”

Rivard said she will work across the aisle if needed, but some principles she will stick with.

“If I can’t support my constituents or my conscience, I can’t vote on it,” Rivard said.

Rivard thinks everyone has basically the same needs and concerns — not just candidates, but all people. The only thing that differs is the path it takes to get there. She said she could sit at home and complain, or get in there and get to work.

“I don’t believe I have all the solutions, but I believe they are out there in people and their suggestions.”