Curtis Register - Town Councilor (3-year term)

Name:  Curtis Register

Address:  6 Rocky Lane

Occupation:  Stay-at-home-parent; former Major, Engineering Officer, USMC

Education:  B.A. in Psychology with distinction and a minor and Philosophy, Virginia Military Institute

Length of Time a Durham Resident:  2.5 years

Previous service on Town committees:  Since moving here from my home state of North Carolina, I have jumped into volunteering in our community.  I have registered voters in the last two Durham elections and have volunteered at the Waysmeet food pantry. I am engaged with the 603 Forward organization and active at the state level with issues affecting Durham’s residents. This includes canvassing and speaking at the State House in support of voting rights, speaking engagements with Planned Parenthood, and working with the Equality Health Clinic advocating for women and their partners who are seeking healthcare.  In my many roles as a Marine, I was successful by establishing a culture of mutual trust and listening to my subordinates inputs before deciding action.  As a member of the Town Council, I will use those same skills to make deliberate and thoughtful choices with the impacts to the residents of Durham foremost on my mind.

Explain your interest in being elected to the Town Council:  I believe in service to others, to my community, state, and country. I’ve seen much of our country and several countries of the world, and Durham stands out as a special place.  As a 35-year-old dad and husband, I care deeply for the many issues that have impacts on our community.  I want to work to protect our community’s culture while helping to move forward changes that encourage a prospering community for our residents now and in the future.

I will bring recent experiences and differing perspectives to the Council, many shaped by  challenges such as securing housing in the Seacoast. My wife, Samantha (a sales representative for a Boston-based healthcare company), and I rented in Durham before finding a home. I understand that housing is a complex issue due to many factors, including the community’s environmental values, the Oyster River School District, and UNH.

I have experience as a high-level liaison to people from different countries and cultures. This experience will be valuable in a community that values and respects diversity.

As an officer in the Marine Corps, I managed up to 130 people and served in command and on operations and logistics planning teams dealing with housing, infrastructure, construction, and transportation, including a 2013 humanitarian assistance/disaster relief mission to the Philippines in response to Typhoon Yolanda.

I believe my fact-based problem-solving, keen listening, decisive thought process, and planning skills will translate effectively to the Town Council. 

I value authenticity, consensus, empathy, and common sense. I am committed to studying Durham’s challenges and will listen carefully to folks for their input. I look forward to serving the community as a Councilor.

If you see me on a walk in College Woods or eating at Freedom Cafe, I would love for you to say hello!