Esther Kennedy, Portsmouth City Council Candidate

Esther Kennedy

Age (as of Election Day)

56

Position Sought

Portsmouth City Council

Party Affiliation

Independent

Family

I'm a single person

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

Educational Certification in Administration, Learning Disabilities, Emotional Disabilities, and General special Education, Notre Dame College, Manchester, N.H. Baccalaureate of Science and Education in the field of Social Studies/History, Mansfield University Mansfield, P.A., Master in Science, Antioch Graduate School, Keene, N.H.

Occupation

Director of Student Services Gilford School District (23 years) Professor of Graduate Studies Plymouth State University(14years), Owner of Esther’s Marina LLC (20 years) and Teaching Today for Tomorrow LLC (8 years)

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Portsmouth City Council

Campaign website

estherkennedy.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

Wow this has been an unprecedented two years on the city council, and yes it was crazy. However, I’m asking for another two years on council for the following reasons:
Budget Drinking water lines Audit Committee
Sound barriers Community Campus Revisit Gateways
McIntyre Pease Cemetery Committee
Skatepark Zoning Board Appointments
Islington Street Affordable Housing More Public Comment
There are many more reasons, but these are some of the items this council has started and we need to continue to work on.
Through a Pandemic this current council has spent many hours in supporting the citizens and honor their wishes on many projects. We have listened to our neighborhood communities and completed many walks. However, we know our work is not done. I ask you to give us an opportunity to continue to move these projects forward and vote for Esther Kennedy on November 2nd .

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

The most pressing issues facing the city of Portsmouth is uncontrolled growth. As a city, we need to revisit the master plan and zoning rules. The residents need to come together to decide what makes our city a place they like to live. The new council needs to put into action zoning changes at the start of their term.

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

I bring experience to the council and knowledge about the city. I have lived in Portsmouth for over 30 years, and have sat on the council for the past two years. I have always been a councilor that has worked for the people. I will continue to research and become knowledgeable of the issues that residents bring forward.

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

How do you think local officials performed in responding to the coronavirus? What if anything would you have done differently?

The one thing we have learned, you cannot plan today for tomorrow when it comes to Covid-19. This council has done a great job in dealing with the Covid-19 crisis. We had five meetings as a council when the pandemic hit and the city closed down. The council along with management has kept the city going during these unprecedented times.
The one thing we could have done differently is had more communication from the start of the outbreak with our residents!

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

A platform should be defined by the concerns the residents bring forward. The citizens have asked me to work on the following issues:
Budget, drinking water lines, sound barriers, Community Campus, Revisit Gateways
McIntyre, Cemetery Committee, Skatepark, Zoning, Board Appointments. affordable housing, Islington Street, Peverly Hill Road, and more Public Comment.

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

I believe that given the time I have spent on the council I have proven I can handle the job. I have been very fortunate that I have sat as a member of the Portsmouth city council for a total of ten years. During this time I have been a part of many committees from HDC, Port of NH, Pierce Island, Skateboard Park to name a few. I have also participated on many state-wide committees, The Governor’s Commission for Marina fisheries, Governor’s Task force on Autism, the Advisory Committee to the Governor on Special Education in the state of NH. NHTI board of education, and many other professional organizations.
My accomplishments these last two years have been, keeping taxes low, a skateboard park, bike lanes on Middle St. bringing back the cemetery committee, support of an audit committee and helping our city through a pandemic.
However, my biggest accomplishment is the fact I have always listened to the people and made sure they have an opportunity to speak. I have based my decisions on what the people want and need for Portsmouth.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

"Enjoy today because we do not know what tomorrow will bring!"

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

I will continue to work hard for the residents of Portsmouth. My positions come from the citizens of Portsmouth's request. As a small business owner, educator and neighbor I will use my resources and knowledge to meet your needs. Vote Esther Kennedy November 2nd!