Jennifer Kretovic, Concord City Council Ward 3 Candidate

Jennifer Kretovic

Age (as of Election Day)

59

Position sought (including district number if applicable)

City Council - Ward 3

Party Affiliation

Democrat

Family

My husband is Bill and we are the same age. My two sons, daughter in-law and granddaughter make up the remainder of my immediate family and I wish to keep their names private for protection of my granddaughter's information from public view. All other relatives live out-of-state.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) from Society for Human Resource Management
Human Resource Management Certification from Villanova University
Bachelors of Art from SUNY Geneseo
Associates Fine Art degree from Monroe Community College

Occupation

Human Resource Technology Consultant - 7 years (Human Resource Management / Payroll for 11 years)

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

City Council - Ward 3

Campaign website

I don't have one

Why are you seeking elective office?

SUCCESS IS THE SUM OF SMALL EFFORTS:

1. Holding the line of Property Taxes and expanding the tax base. My focus is to build on our momentum and continuous improvement for the betterment of Concord. There are so many exciting things happening with tax base expansion we need to keep this going. Our strategic efforts over the last 10-years to not create long-term and future capital expenses with Water/Sewer/Road Maintenance Projects is leading us to infill development that aligns with our Smart Growth Initiatives. It is lean, green and clean community planning.

2. Working to attract more quality housing opportunities. Word on the street is that the Steeplegate Mall may be redeveloped. The rumors include it will add another 650 units (of unknown home type) to our housing stock. With this, we might make a dent in our housing shortage. I would love to see the Steeplegate Mall add a variety of housing options, that allow for diverse economic levels to co-exist. This overall type of redevelopment anywhere is our city is smart community development. A combination of retail, residential, and office space allows for stability in case one market sector declines. By following these best practices, investors can minimize risks and set themselves up for success with their mixed-use property investments. For you, it means strong options for a stable job and a stable place to live.

Property tax rates are tied to property tax revenue and we must expand the tax base. For housing, there are more than 1,000 units over the next three years being added to our housing stock and it is still not enough. AND, if we are truly going to commit to environmental change and sustainability initiatives, we are going to have to expand commercial and housing options on space that exists in and near our current neighborhoods. We can and should protect our open space. Urban sprawl will make us creep ever more closely to the Manchester and Nashua type of expansive cities. I don’t support urban sprawl because it will forever change the Concord landscape.

3. Public Safety - Homelessness continues to grow here, and homeless camps are popping up everywhere. This has a negative impact to our police and fire, who are perpetually addressing crimes and fires in these encampments. Collectively, we need to start pushing for help from the state and county.

The Housing First initiative, that many of our social service non-profits are utilizing, is the only current program with high success rates. This type of program works best for those who want to be helped. Those who identify themselves as survivalists and living “off-the-grid” do not necessarily want our help. It’s a problem that needs big interventions.

Beyond a shortage of patrol officers and many experiencing work fatigue, our police department needs our support to retain current officers, and fill our vacant positions. Add to this, members of our fire department are experiencing trauma fatigue. We are on a precipice, working diligently with our leadership teams to meet these challenges and support the people at the front line of public safety.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Of the three items listed above - Public Safety is likely the most important because it is where the greatest community risk resides today. Turnover, retirements, and a shrinking employee pool is proving taxing to the City of Concord as an employer. Homeless encampments, the crimes and fires that happen in these encampments must be addressed more directly and effectively. As a City Councilor, working with our non-profit agencies, and our Police and Fire Leadership, we need collective solutions. I will continue to work with these agencies, but again, it is an issue of momentum. The conversation cannot pause because of an election or change in leadership.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I am fortunate to be running unopposed this election cycle. Crazy but true.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

My overlying message is: the City of Concord cannot remain stagnant. Yes - we all fear change, but we must remain adaptive.

Ward 3 continues to grow our BIPOC community with nearly 24% of our census block identifying as non-white. We will continue to embrace the variety of cultures that enhance our vibrant city. A continuous review of our city policies and practices must take place, to assure New Americans know they belong here in our city. Belonging, and knowing you are welcome here, matters. We are learning more about our diverse communities from our children, who are attending school with students that speak some 33-different languages as their primary language. We need to listen.

Momentum - cannot say it enough! Our effort over the last 4-years is truly making positive impact to adding to the tax base. With Grappone Mazda, Pitco Frialator, the Steeplegate Mall redevelopment, about 10- housing projects with more to come - we must keep the momentum going to grow the tax base.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

My big 3 for Ward 3:
In this current 2-year Council cycle:
1. I’ve helped remove three drug houses hiding in our neighborhoods. (One is now located in Ward 5)
2. Approved the purchase of two ATVs to clean up the hypodermic needles on the Morono Trail.
3. Right now, I am actively working on addressing a possible illegal dumping site near a tributary to our Merrimack River.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

“When you talk, you are only repeating what you already know. But if you listen, you may learn something new.”
― The Dalai Lama

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

Concord works best when we work in collaboration. Building community and working to build consensus matters.