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PORTSMOUTH HERALD WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2013 A5

PORTSMOUTH CITY COUNCIL RACE

Candidates at a glance
The 23 residents running for the Portsmouth City Council answered a series of questions provided by the Portsmouth Herald for prole stories. As an additional help to readers, their answers (some reduced to t this space) will be detailed in this format this week. For their complete answers, visit www.seacoastonline.com.

Jim Splaine
Address: 201 Oriental Gardens Age: 66
We need to bring all interests to the discussion of parking and area-wide transportation options as a major and immediate priority for the new council. We should look at possibilities of a garage in the Market Street Extension and Deer Street areas, or a rebuild for more e cient use of the High-Hanover garage. Getting the McIntyre building is part of a solution, as is satellite parking, expanding shuttle and trolley service, and working with our neighbors for 22nd-century solutions in considering how to better connect the 250,000 people who live within 15 miles of Portsmouth. Form-based zoning is part of the answer addressing size and scale, or as Ive called it, the fullness of downtown development. We also have to create a greater sense of smart growth and consider design, use, maintaining our historic fabric and avor, and requiring on-site parking for development in all parts of our community. Its counterproductive to allow corporate box buildings that could be built in Anywhere U.S.A. to be our skyline. Our services are decent, though underutilized. We need emphasis on promotion, and incentives to use it, making it more convenient in hours of operation as well as frequency and location of pickup and drop-o . Lets explore 22nd-century transportation visions, and decide what we can do now, inventing ways for residents of our entire area to get around easier. I consider budgetary planning to be investment for our future, and in ourselves. Twentyve years ago, I wrote a 30-page document titled The Year-Round Budgeting Plan, proposing using the concepts of best practices, continuous improvement and open communication to enhance the budgeting process, and exploring ways to share common expenses with our neighboring communities to improve what we, and they, do. Having carefully followed the discussion in the N.H. Legislature earlier this year on this issue, my initial response is that I would not expand the hours. We have many residents who live downtown, and by extending to 2 a.m., the noise and tra c would be extended even later as people then go to other establishments, or hit the roads to go home. There would also likely be an increase in police costs.

Steve Taylor
Address: 69 Richards Ave. Age: 57
I would listen to any solutions that make sense; however, paralysis by analysis is not a solution. Something needs to be done and soon. I would support a garage at the Worth lot. Controlled development an architect could integrate a design into that space that would look very nice. From what I have heard from businesses and residents, their concerns are the longevity of the construction and possible loss of business and inconvenience. I deal with contractors every day and know a project of this nature would take a minimal amount of time to complete. Yes, I do. As I understand it, it is the best way to maintain a consistent look for future development and keep the unique features of varying areas and neighborhoods throughout the city while still providing land-use restrictions.

Jack Thorsen
Address: 120 Richards Ave. Age: 57
Our downtown businesses and residents need a supply of reliable spaces near their o ces, stores and homes. A shortage of spaces is only one factor, however. Location is critical, as is the citys parking fee strategy and transportation policy. A consideration of all of the above is needed. The location of a new parking garage, if needed, must be considered within the context of good municipal design a balance of property use and tra c ow. A garage on Court Street, or the Market Street approach to the city is good design. A garage on the Worth lot is not. I support form-based zoning. Form-based zoning protects our downtowns vibrant and historical value, while allowing property owners exibility on how their property is used. The goal is better quality of life for residents and visitors, and an increase in property values for property owners.

2013 ELECTIONS

PORTSMOUTH

What is your solution to the current parking shortage in downtown?

COUNCIL QUESTIONS
Editors note: This is the third edition of Council Questions, a feature in our coverage of the 2013 Portsmouth municipal election. We send timely news questions to all 23 candidates and give them 48 hours to respond before publishing their answers in a single story on Seacoastonline.com. Question 3: Are you in favor of increasing the number of taxi medallions by three or eliminating the limit on medallions altogether? Please explain.

Do you support the concepts of form-based zoning as a way to encourage responsible development?

Do you feel the city has enough public transportation?

Right now, it appears the city has adequate public transportation. COAST implemented a substantial expansion of commuter-oriented services last year and it apparently paid o , as it recorded more than 95,000 riders in July and August alone with more commuters taking advantage of the bus. I would also support more taxi medallions. I run a business, so a good mix of opinions and viewpoints of how we spend our money is necessary. This is where I bring signicant experience. My two top priorities are education and public safety. Portsmouth schools are above average, placing 25th out of 84 last year in the state in the NECAP rankings for math and reading. Public safety is always a challenge as the demographic of the city expands. Giving support here is in everyones best interest. No. On a public safety level, I do not see any good coming from keeping bars open until 2 a.m. Even now, with the bars closing at 1 a.m., there are people in my neighborhood noisily going home until 2 or 3 a.m. consistently on Friday and Saturday nights. Spending our tax dollars for the inevitable increase in police coverage for this action is not acceptable.

Bus services are underutilized. So, there is ample opportunity to transform drivers into riders and walkers. As satellite parking opens up, there will be a need for more shuttles or expanded bus routing. Taxi permits should be increased.

Give us your philosophy on the budget and what your priorities are when it comes to funding education and public safety.

There are two philosophies for nancial planning: fat budgets and lean budgets. I prefer the latter as it favors residents savings over city department co ers, forcing spending scrutiny. Education and safety funding, like all services, need to do a better job nding ways to make city services better, yet more cost-e ective.

MEET THE CANDIDATES AT FORUMS

Chamber events to be held at Herald o ces
PORTSMOUTH The Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce is holding a series of candidate forums the rest of the week designed to give voters a chance to get up close and personal with residents running for City Council. The Bank of America Breakfast Forums are from 7:30 to 9 a.m. today through Friday, Oct. 16-18. The events, produced by the chambers Government Affairs Committee, will take place at Seacoast Media Group headquarters at 111 New Hampshire Ave., where the Portsmouth Herald is published. The format calls for each candidate to be seated at a table with up to 11 chamber members and guests for 10-12 minutes to answer questions. At the end of the time period, candidates will move to the next table. Members and guests will meet every candidate. Candidates are scheduled to participate on specic days. Today, Oct. 16: Ken Smith, Brad Lown, Gibson Mike Kennedy, Steven Taylor, Josh Denton, Tristan Law and Joe Caldarola. Thursday, Oct. 17: Jack Thorsen, Eric Spear, William F. Rick Becksted, Shelley Saunders, Devin Murphy, Mark Brighton and Zelita Morgan. Friday, Oct. 18: M. Christine Dwyer, Bob Lister, Esther Kennedy, Arthur Clough, Robert Shouse, Jim Splaine and Stefany Shaheen. The forum is open to chamber members and the public and includes a continental breakfast. Space is limited, so people are encouraged to register in advance at www.portsmouth chamber.org.

Do you support extending last call for bars in Portsmouth until 2 a.m.?

Though today my answer is no, I must talk more with owners, with our police and re department chiefs, and with residents in the area before forming a solid opinion. We must evaluate the extra cost of providing safety services. If the room and meals tax owed into the city instead of to the state, one could argue that the cost might be covered. This is not the case, however. Public safety, and the potential for increased violence must be addressed. The Paul A. Doble Army Reserve Center. Though not downtown, as many seniors would prefer, it is a well-designed facility for the purpose, has plenty of parking and outdoor areas, is not too far from downtown, and has access to bus service. The building is single story, has a big kitchen, several individual classrooms, and a large auditorium. Only a small amount of renovation would be needed to t up the facility to code standards, saving the cost of building a new structure. Overtime should always be kept to a minimum, without hindering the ability of a department to react to situations where life or safety are at stake. There is an optimal point where overtime balances out the cost of hiring an additional person. I nd rates between 5 percent and 15 percent to be acceptable. Some departments, however, have a history of racking up huge overtime as high as 60 percent or more for some employees. This practice is wasteful and should stop. The biggest opportunity is to look at health insurance. Contracts should not call out specic carriers, but instead outline the coverage. That way, the department can shop around for the best value. There are several oddities in contracts that should be addressed. For example, the contract for police patrolmen calls for equal coverage of specic geographic areas. Areas with low crime have the same coverage as areas with higher crime rates. This is not e cient use of police resources. Residents are already highly engaged. We have charettes, Portsmouth Listens sessions, public comment at City Council meetings, but do we fail to have e ective dialogue? Many in our community feel that what they say or ask falls on deaf ears. Mechanisms for continuous dialogue are needed, perhaps an online public chat while in session?

Where do you think the city should build a senior center and why?

Its too bad that we did not keep the Connie Bean Community Center. Having a senior center is a priority for the new council, and there are several possible locations certainly the former Doble Army Reserve Center on Cottage Street is on the list, depending on views of neighbors and tra c ow in the area.

The building on Cottage Street seems to be a good location. It appears to be located as an outreach to seniors covering varying geography of our city. However, Im not sure where they want to go or what other choices we or they may have. I am meeting with one of their representatives this week to learn more.

What is your overall position on overtime wages?

Having qualied people ll functions in times of emergency, or to get work done to meet deadlines or other requirements, is in the long-range a good investment. If our employee levels are properly set, competent personnel management can keep overtime to an asneeded basis. Government is di erent than business in that special needs of public safety have to be met, but a sharp eye on overtime, with scal responsibility, is required by the council. Instead of confronting unions or dealing with them as competitors, it is wise to view them as partners in our community. In any collective bargaining process, if we take that mindset, we can pay our employees fairly, keeping in mind the budget limitations of the taxpaying residents of our community.

You have to weigh what is in the best interest of the city, which in this case, is the employer. What makes the best economic sense. We may have alleged hefty overtime paid annually, but bringing on additional full-time employees to do that work may be much more costly with insurance and benets. Each situation and department needs to be evaluated on that basis and worked through to achieve balance.

With many union contracts expected to expire in 2014, what do you hope the city achieves through the collective bargaining process?

I deal with negotiations daily and its a process that evolves and needs to constantly be tweaked. It is a delicate balance to make all parties happy with the primary focus to keep our city services and budgets balanced. I welcome the opportunity to review and netune these contracts in the best interest of both parties.

In what ways can the city bolster public participation and input?

In 1990, I suggested the then-innovative council rule, still used, for a 3-minute public comment session. Thousands of residents have used it to speak at council meetings. Since then, I have proposed sessions before council meetings such as the Portsmouth Listens approach, and allowing for in-calls and online blogging to involve more residents to share ideas. Creating a riverwalk on public land, and negotiating access with private property owners where possible to make it happen. Ive proposed considering putting the Old State House, partly existing in storage waiting for a home, onto a corner of the McIntyre building lot; considering expanded use for our working port so that we maximize its value in business potential and employment.

I think the city does a good job with public participation. It appears each city meeting o ers a portion of the meeting devoted to a public forum and gives anyone an opportunity to speak their opinions and concerns on the particular subject. More people need to step up and take advantage of these opportunities to o er their concerns and opinions.

Portsmouth Listens forum set

Portsmouth Listens invites the public to its City Council Candidates Forum in the high school library from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17. The forum allows voters to sit across the table from candidates and ask their own questions. Based on the groups traditional dialogue format, this is accomplished by breaking up the candidates into random groups of two to three people. The candidate groups rotate between the small groups of voters and spend approximately 20 minutes with each group. There is no screening of questions, so citizens truly have a chance to chat with and get to know the candidates.

Identify an issue not mentioned above that you feel should be a priority in the coming years.

I think work-force housing and lower-income housing needs to be tackled. While businesses prosper here, their employees meet challenges to live locally due to a ordable housing constraints. We are a community of giving back and we are missing the mark with our work-force needs and our residents who need additional housing options. I am conference calling with people from Concord to learn more about the states recommendations.

We must preserve Portsmouths historic value. Once lost, it is gone forever. We lost the North End, and came close to losing the South End as well, if not for the hard work of a few who managed to put a stop to that disastrous urban renewal of a few decades ago. Lastly, Portsmouth can work with our state delegation to transfer the management of the airport and surrounding property from the Pease Development Authority back to the city, where it belongs.