Ward 2 Concord City Councilor Won't Seek Re-Election In November

CONCORD, NH — The residents of Ward 2 will have a new voice on the Concord City Council later this year. Allan Herschlag, who has served in the seat for nearly six years, has decided not to seek re-election. In a letter to supporters Thursday, Herschlag said when he first was elected in 2013, he was only planning on serving two terms.

Two years ago, he made the decision to serve one more term. And now, it was time for someone else to give it a shot even though he was "humbled" by the trust voters placed in him calling it "a privilege" to serve.

"There have been and are many worthwhile projects that can be easily justified to spend money on – until it is remembered whose money is being spent," he said. "My campaign slogan, that I will never forget that it is your money I am spending, has guided me in my votes. It has reminded me to prioritize how I spent your money for city wide services and projects."

Herschlag, who is often described as "a voice of reason" and sometimes, "sanity," on the council by supporters and the public at-large, due to his often lone votes against proposals and projects, was elected easily to the seat six years after Jennifer Kretovic was redistricted out of the Ward by the 2010 Census. He lost the 2011 race against Kretovic for the open seat by a mere 11 votes. Kretovic was elected in Ward 3, her new district at the time. Herschlag also previously ran in 2001 for an at-large seat, placing third.

During the last six years, he said, the council had become more responsive to residents, noting that for many years before he was a councilor, he often filed requests for information but the city "was not always providing access to information that the public had a right to" or that should be in the public domain.

While there were improvements with information, "the council can do a better job of informing and soliciting comments on city contracts with our employees" and "we can do a better job of informing you of the positions the city takes on state legislative matters," he added.

Herschlag said council rules, ordinances, and conflicts of interest are another area where things have improved but are sometimes "not being adhered to."

Concerns about tax increment financing (TIF) districts and 79E subsidies – "where the new assessed taxes on a project can be deferred for a number of years" – were needed, in some cases, but not in others. Too often, he said, including in places like Penacook, a portion of which he represents, "we see more of the costs being shifted to homeowners because the commercial portion of the tax base continues to shrink."

Herschlag praised first responders for their work keeping the city safe while adding that they needed to be provided with the tools needed to succeed. He also encouraged others become involved because the city, he said, was at a crossroads, and 15 percent voter turnout during municipal elections was unacceptable.

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While the city works to rebrand itself, he added, it was important for the community to not destroy its history or character – things that have made it a successful place for more than 250 years.

"Let’s not forget who we are," he added. "Let’s not forget where we came from and how we got here. Let’s build on the strong foundation that has been here even before we got here and let’s leave an even stronger foundation for those that haven’t yet gotten here."

Herschlag also thanked his wife, Cathy, for her 40 years of support.

"Cathy and I aren’t going anywhere," he said. "Well, we might move downtown or to an old people's place in the future. But we are staying in Concord. I moved to New Hampshire in 1973 and with the exception of a few short years, have lived in Concord. It really is a great place. And with you making your voices heard it can be and will be even better in the future."

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