Dick Thackston

Dick Thackston was born in Morristown, New Jersey. Thackston's career experience includes working as a realtor. He earned a bachelor's degree from George Mason University in 1982.[1]

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Dick Thackston, 30+ Year resident of Troy, NH. Served on Monadnock Regional School Board from 1996 - 2013, served as Troy, NH Town Moderator 2014 - 2018, Troy, NH Selectman 2018 - Present, Chairman Monadnock Regional School Board 2010 - 2013, Chairman SAU#'s 38 & 93 multiple terms between 1993 & 2013, Chairman Troy, NH Board of Selectman 2018 - 2023, State Representative Cheshire 12 2022 - Present. I raised my family in the community and chose to do so as I believe it is the best place in the world to live. I know Troy & Fitzwilliam to be supportive and helpful communities but I also know that they are communities that respect individual privacy and the rights of individuals. I attended both the George Washington University School of Government & Business Administration in Washington, D.C. and George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. I have a degree in Economics from George Mason University. I have completed numerous post graduate courses in Management, Economics and Personnel.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Housing availability is a challenge in NH at this time however, ripping apart local control of Planning and Zoning is not the solution. I believe that market forces should be primarily be allowed to solve housing challenges. The true about housing in our community is that until a more equitable way of funding schools is established adding housing units to any town in our region is likely to remain a problem. The worst possible solution is confiscation of private property, the second worst solution would be top down Zoning from the State both of which were proposed in legislation in this last term.Broad based taxes are not a solution for New Hampshire. They have been a problem every where they have been used to alleviate real estate Property Taxes and have never lived up to the promise of lowering Property Taxes anywhere. The simple facts are New Hampshire has more times than not managed a budget surplus and used it to increase spending without serious consideration to reducing the educational expense for individual School Districts.I believe in the importance of individual rights; I believe in the Rule of Law and the importance of Due Process for all citizens; I believe that Parents and Families are primarily responsible for the raising and education of children. I know that the teachers in our school districts are competent and committed individuals who have, in many cases, held our Schools together while politics and nonsense has attempted to undermine our educational system. A friend of mine who was a long time educator is our School District once said to me "I can fix in six hours a day what the parents screw up in the other eighteen; teachers are here to help and support but they are no substitute for engaged Parents and Families."

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Taxation, Education, Rule of Law and Due Process, Parental Rights and Individual Liberty and Responsibility.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Insofar as people I have met in my lifetime I would have to say late father-in-law. I would say he was steadfast in the face of adversity and did not panic under fire, to say the least.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

The Constitution of the United States and all Amendments; The Declaration of Independence; Shelby Foote's three Volume History of the Civil War; Will & Ariel Durant's Volume three of the History of Civilization "Cesar & Christ"; Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address; Lincoln's Gettysburg Address; Theodore Roosevelt's "Man in the Arena" speech.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Showing up; listening to opposing view points and trying to find balance and truth; listening to opinions and input from constituents and the communities I represent; always consider the possibility that you do not know as much as you thought about a subject and that you could be wrong.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Open mindedness, clarity of thought, genuine respect for the muddy processes of democracy.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Do not make change for change's sake, do not fix things that are not broken, stay calm in the face of overwhelming pressure to do what you know to be wrong, consider the possibility that New Hampshire was pretty good when you woke up this morning and do not take any actions that would make it less so by nightfall.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Mentally & physically healthy community.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

I think I remember watching President Eisenhower's farewell speech on TV sitting in my father's lap. I definitely remember President Kennedy's inauguration speech sitting in my father's lap I would have been about five in both cases.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Well, I had a Lemon-aid Stand in front of my Grandparents house at 260 Short Hills Avenue, Springfield, NJ when I was about 10. I did that off and on again doing a pretty good business in the summer when people where walking home from the Lackawanna Station in Short Hills but my first real job was setting up banquet tables at the Holiday Inn in Parsippany NJ when I was 15. I had the job about six months.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Edward Gibbons "Decline & Fall of the Roman Empire". You just can't make-up stuff like that, WOW!

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Really can't say for sure but probably Ironman.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Brining in the Sheaves

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Weight

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

New Hampshire is rather unique in that we have a "split" Executive Branch. In New Hampshire the Governor has to meet with the Governor's Counsel on most major issues. I think we have a very good arrangement.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Housing, School Funding & Taxation and they are all mixed together.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

Yes. I think it's remarkable what members do not know who have never served on a School Board or as a Selectman. I have found an astonishing lack of understanding about the impact of certain ideas and proposals from such members.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Yes. I believe the best decisions are made with the broadest consensus; of the eight Bills I co sponsored this Session all eight had bi-partisan support. There is a disturbing tendency in modern politics to want to play a game of "Gotcha" which is by no means in anyone's best interest and creates a negative vibe that infects the entire process. I voted with my party @ 80% of the time I voted with the other party @ 20% of the time.

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Everett McKinley Dirksen

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

Nope, not even maybe.

Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

None that wouldn't be to personal for the individuals involved to share.

Tell us your favorite joke.

When I was a young man I had three goals: to be the world's greatest pianist, to be the world's greatest economist and to be the world's greatest lover. Unfortunately, I never learned to play the piano.

Should the legislature oversee or grant the use of emergency powers?

Absolutely, emergency powers should be for limited duration and limited purpose and require authorization of the General Court and Governor's Counsel.

What is the first bill you would introduce if elected?

I would reintroduce HB 1460-FN

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

I have not sought endorsements from individuals or organizations.

What committees interest you?

Commerce, Education, Finance

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

I think it is critical to the proper function of a democratic republic. I co-sponsored HB 1125; HB 1460-FN & HB 1666-FN all three bill received bi-partisan support. HB 1125 & HB 1666-FN passed both houses and have been signed into law by the Governor.

Would a state ballot initiative process be good or bad for your state?

Bad

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am committed to serving our two towns. I have lived in the District for over 30 Years. I have been a Taxpayer in both Troy & Fitzwilliam all that time. As a Selectman and Long Term School Board member I understand the towns challenges in funding day to day operations and schools without sending Soul Crushing Property Taxes Bills. I have worked diligently to solve problems and resolve challenges on the School Board and in Troy Town Government in an open and straightforward way.

I consider myself “Quietly Conservative” but what does that mean? To me it has two parts: practical goals and aspirational principals.

The practical goals are pretty easy to understand: No broad based Income Tax; No broad based Sales Tax; The imbalance within the State of distribution of State funds must be fixed; Individuals have primary responsibility for themselves and their families; Parents and families are primarily responsible for the raising and education of children; Everyone must be willing to listen and compromise.

Every decision and vote I make is guided by my aspirational principals which are best and simply stated in FDR's four freedoms: Freedom of Speech; Freedom of Religion; Freedom from want; Freedom from Fear. As Americans I believe we can expect nothing less of ourselves or our elected representatives.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

123

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

4

Dick Thackston did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2020 Candidate Connection survey.