Mayor Kahn presented a proclamation at Keene Housing to declare April 9th, 2025, as “Linda Mangones Day” to celebrate her remarkable career of dedicated service, which has profoundly shaped and enriched our community. Linda Mangones has dedicated nearly 50 years to the advancement of community development through her tireless work with the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, beginning in 1975. She has served the communities of Berlin, Claremont, and Keene, securing over $30 million in grant funding across 78 successful applications, significantly impacting housing, public facilities, and economic development, including key MEDC projects, such as the Monadnock Food Co-op expansion, the Keene Family YMCA relocation, the recruitment of Samson Manufacturing, and the Fairfield Inn & Suites renovation, demonstrating her a vital role in regional economic growth. Her commitment to expanding workforce housing opportunities extended beyond her professional role at Keene Housing, as she played a pivotal part in the establishment and growth of Cheshire Housing Trust, including serving as its part-time Executive Director from 2006-2022. Linda’s volunteer efforts, including securing a LCHIP grant for the United Church of Christ steeple rehabilitation, and her early involvement in establishing emergency housing in Keene, demonstrate her dedication to historic preservation and community well-being. Linda has also dedicated decades to our local elections serving as the Ward One Moderator from 1986-2019 and currently supports the polls as Ward One Selectman. She has participated in the last 10 Presidential Elections and is amongst the longest serving election officials in the State. Her exceptional contributions were recognized by the Keene Sentinel as one of the region’s Extraordinary Women of 2014, highlighting her unwavering commitment to improving the lives of others. Her efforts have directly resulted in the creation and improvement of housing, public facilities, and economic development opportunities.
