MANCHESTER, NH – In a simple ceremony Tuesday evening, Elizabeth Ann Moreau was sworn in as the new Ward 6 Alderman.
A small gathering of supporters, including Tammy Simmons, candidate for Alderman in Ward 10, and Ward 7 resident Lisa Gravel, huddled in the newly revamped NH Primary conference room on the third floor at City Hall, while Moreau repeated the oath of office, led by City Clerk Matthew Normand.
“I’m here to support Elizabeth because we need more people like her on the board,” said Gravel, who recently launched For a Better Manchester, a political action committee aimed at getting candidates elected “who will follow the City’s Charter and respect the Tax Cap.”
Moreau, a former Army Medic who works for the Department of Homeland Security, won the special election in Ward 6 – her first foray into local politics – which was held in conjunction with the primary election. As top vote-getter, she earned temporary status as the Ward 6 Alderman, which has been without representation since Nick Pappas resigned his seat back in March when he sold his home and moved out of the ward.
I’m a little jealous,” said School Board member Ross Terrio, as he exited a school committee meeting held just before the swearing in ceremony. “It took me three tries to get elected.”
Moreau, who is expecting a second child in late November, and her daughter, Evelyn, 7, both wore basic black and shoes with a little bling, for the occasion. Although Evelyn declined to watch her mom be sworn in, she did happily receive some aldermanic swag from Mayor Ted Gatsas, including a copy of the City Charter and a Ted Gatsas for Mayor notebook. She then proceeded to check out her mom’s new chair in the aldermanic chambers, and had a few pressing questions.
“Where’s her name tag?” she inquired, before taking the swivel chair for a spin.
Moreau will be on the ballot again in November when she will run against Peter Macone to determine who will represent Ward 6 as alderman for the next full term. She will serve on the Finance, Administration/Information Systems, Lands & Buildings and Joint School Buildings committees.
