Karen Burnett-Kurie

Karen Burnett-Kurie was born in Pensacola, Florida. She earned a bachelor's degree from the University of New Hampshire and a graduate degree from Antioch New England Graduate School. Her career experience includes working in education administration.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a results-oriented professional with extensive experience collaborating with multiple organizations/teams to effectively improve operational effectiveness through training, research and evaluation. My key strengths include: relationship management; financial review/budgeting; volunteer recruitment, training and management; organizational and program development and evaluation; and grant writing and oversight.

My undergraduate degree is in Education and my masters degree in Evironmental Science and Nonprofit Management.

I have worked for the following NH organizations/educational institutions: Sargent Camp, Boston University, Peterborough; Newfound Memorial High School, Bristol; the Regional Center for Educational Training, Hanover; the Montshire Museum of Science, Hanover; UNH Cooperative Extension, statewide; the University of New Hampshire in Durham; FIRST in Manchester; and the Lake Wentworth Foundation (aka Wentworth Watershed Association).

Examples of volunteer work include: United Way Review and Allocation Committee, 4-H, NH Environmental Educators, EPA Grant Review Committee, Odyssey of the Mind, the NH Boat Museum, as a lake steward in Wolfeboro, and for the Abenaki Tower and Trail Association in Tuftonboro.

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?

I will focus on important local issues identified by the majority of citizens in Wolfeboro and Tuftonboro. So far, they have expressed concerns about protecting Public Education ( e.g. the state meeting its constitutional obligation to fund traditional public schools before it funds extras); protecting womens' rights and privacy; and protecting water quality in our local lakes and drinking water sources.Related to water quality is protecting New Hampshire’s natural environment overall. Citizens living in Wolfeboro and Tuftonboro chose to live here because the Lakes Region is a very special place. They want this to continue and for our towns to be a wonderful place to raise a family. Our lakes, watersheds and mountains are key to our economy, the local job market and our health.My third critical local issue is addressing the needs of working class citizens who are the backbone of our workforce and our communties. This includes increasing affordable/work-force housing, bringing our minimum wage in line with the states around us, and addressing the shortage, accessibility and affordability of child care and health care.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Education, Environmental Quality and Equal Opportunity and Rights

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

A public official needs to listen and be committed to the common good, and be willing to make personal sacrifices for the benefit of others.

They also have share and be transparent with their constituents, seek out and be open to new information and solutions, have a strong desire to work on behalf of others, and respect the needs of the minority but focus on the priorities of the majority.

Other qualities encompass: problem solving, adaptability, cross-cultural awareness/sensitivity, diplomacy and self motivation.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I have acheived my major legacy -- raising two incredibly capable, responsible, productive, happy and healthy children who are giving back to their communities in innumerable ways.

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

The assasination of President Kennedy. My family was stationed at the Naval Academy and I was in elementary school. It was a devestating day for everyone.

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

My first job was as a Mother's Helper every day after school when I was a Junior in High School. I did it for the school year and over the summer.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

The Wolfeboro and Tuftonboro Democratic Committees and the Carroll County Democrats. I have just started seeking endorsements. No doubt there will be more to come.