West Side story: Alderman pays it forward to the community that made him stronger

MANCHESTER, NH – Bill Barry has been in the thick of local politics for many years, but this week has been momentous for him. He’s experiencing his first Democratic Convention, ever. And he’s not just there as a political tourist; he’s a delegate representing New Hampshire, an unexpected turn of events for a guy who’s come to expect good things in life.

“I guess you could say it’s unique, how I came to be going to the convention,” said Barry a few days before his departure for Chicago, over a four-stack of Francoeur’s French toast – one of his West Side favorite eateries.

This year’s primary was anything but typical – first with the Democratic National Committee not recognizing New Hampshire’s first-in-the-nation status, and then with Biden forgoing the NH ballot, even though he won as a write-in candidate. But through it all, Barry feels fortunate to have ended up being elected to be a delegate to the convention.

A lifelong Democrat and current Ward 10 Alderman, Barry says he’s excited about Kamala Harris as the party’s candidate.

“The energy is unbelievable – her energy is catching on, and not just for me,” Barry said. “I love Joe Biden, I really do, for everything he’s done not only as President but when he was senator. It takes a lot – it’s a lot of work when you get involved in politics. One of the things I like about any politician is if they’re interested in helping people. That’s why I got involved.”

Everyone’s got a story, and Barry’s began in the Elmwood projects – one of six kids raised by a single mom.

There were many local leaders at the time who looked out for Barry’s family, including former Democratic Party Chair Chris Spirou. Their caring and kindness eventually helped his family to get out of the projects and encouraged Barry and his siblings to get involved in athletics.

Barry eventually figured out that no matter how hard his mother worked she never could have afforded the costs associated with sports for her six kids. It clicked for him that what makes a community stronger is fortifying those who need strength.

He started to give back.

“When I got to be about 20, Danny O’Neil asked me to coach Pony League baseball with him,” Barry said, which led him to coach basketball and football, too. “I made it a point to coach every single league that I ever played in.”

Photos/Bill Barry

He recalls a time a little later on while coaching Central Little League with Pat O’Neil that he was able to help the kids in a way that felt familiar.

“The whole team was made up of kids from all different countries and none of them had gloves or cleats, so I went down to Indian Head Sports and got them what they needed – because the same thing happened to me in my life, when people helped us out,” Barry said.

He credits organizations like Big Brothers/Big Sisters, The Salvation Army, The Boys Club – now the The Boys & Girls Club – during his childhood for bridging the gaps; the same organizations that continue to make a difference in the lives of local families.

Barry says he believes in fate and figures it was no coincidence that he found his way into a career in law enforcement. He was working as a bartender at the age of 25 when his godfather asked his mother if he was looking for a job.

“He was a lieutenant at the sheriff’s office and I ended up getting a job as a dispatcher – that was in August of 1985 and the rest is history,” said Barry, who went on to attend the police training academy in Concord and eventually began working for the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s office.

“I thought I was pretty successful in law enforcement and worked on a lot of tough cases and one of the things I did, when we got warrants, if ever there was any crime against the elderly or children, that would go to the top of our list and we’d go out and look for these people and get them off the streets,” Barry said.

He appreciates that his family was fortunate to have support from the community, which helped shape his life of service to others.

And that brings the conversation back to his current status, as a delegate at this year’s historic convention. Wednesday night’s speech by Tim Walz, who is the party’s nominee for vice president, moved Barry.

“I really liked his speech – he talked about being a football coach, which I could relate to, and Tim Walz his analogy about Project 2025. He said if the opposing team draws up a playbook, their intention is to use it,” Barry said. “He was really impressive and there have been some superb speakers so far.”

Barry says it’s been energizing to be mixing and mingling with fellow democrats, but is ready to return Friday to get back to work in the community that gave him the courage to be his best self.