Esther Kennedy, Portsmouth City Council Candidate

Esther Kennedy

Age (as of Election Day)

58

Position sought (including district number if applicable)

Portsmouth City Council

Party Affiliation

Independent

Family

I have a Niece that lives with me. However, she is a currently serving as a Captain in the US Army.

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, Professor of Graduate Studies Plymouth State University, Owner of Esther’s Marina LLC. Portsmouth Harbor Market LLC, and Teaching Today for Tomorrow LLC

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Previous Portsmouth City Council

Campaign website

estherkennedy.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

I’m running because I currently have a Niece that is a Captain in the US Army that calls Portsmouth home. I would like to keep Portsmouth a place that she and others can come home too and afford to live in.
In order to achieve this goal: We must stop having large budgets in our city. We must take care of our infrastructure. We cannot keep catering to developers that disrespect our history, estuaries and master plan.
I will listen to the residents and make sure your voices are heard. I ask you for your vote so we can work on having a Portsmouth a place that our next generation can come home to!

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

The biggest problem facing Portsmouth is: What do we want to be when we grow up? Portsmouth needs to take a pause and think. We are at a turning point with development, and we need to decide what is best for our future. We currently have infrastructure issues with our wastewater, drinking water, and storm water. People are concerned with the amount of over-building in our neighborhoods. Citizens have expressed their concerns with the lack of support for preservation of historical areas by the city and developers. It is clear that people want to live and work in their city. However, in the last two years the budget has been raised by $14.2 million dollars and a committed fund Balance of 3.8 million for a total of 18 million. We were also updated on 10/16/23 that 27.1 of the 36 positions added to the budget this past two years have been filed.
Like many of you I find these actions unsustainable.

My solution: a revision of the Master Plan by the citizens for the citizens. We need to have residents decide what makes Portsmouth great and how we want to look at infrastructure, zoning, and budgeting to meet residents’ vision of tomorrow.

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

I’m one of two candidates running that works in the public sector. As a public-school administrator, I understand the challenges of our youth and families today. I hear from families on a regular bases that they are seeing their food, clothing and utility expenses on the rise. I also have spent my adult life supporting people with disabilities. As a member of the Governor’s Advisory Committee on the Education of Children with Disabilities. I understand not only local issues but state wide concerns when it comes to supporting All our children. Lastly, I’m the only candidate that manages a multimillion-dollar budget that is supported by the tax payor. I have a first hand understanding that as an administrator during these times I have to create budgets that are fiscal sustainable for the people.

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

I do not support the council’s spending level of $18 million in two years and the 36 positions that they have been added to the budget. I must question what this council has allowed the developers to do to with our historical buildings and walls. I do not support the way the council voted a year later to allow a developer to create less affordable housing then the planning board negotiated with the developer. We should all be upset at the disregard this council has for our City’s Master Plan. Lastly, I do not support the many non-public meetings. It is time for the council to do business in front of the public.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

As a candidate the residents should define your platform.
While on the campaign trail:
It is very clear that the residents are concerned about Budget and more accurately their Taxes and Assessments.
The residents have shared they would like to keep the character of Portsmouth historical and neighborhood centered.
People are concern with our growth and the pressure on our infrastructure. Citizens would like to make sure whatever we do, is sustainable for future generations.
People want to continue to have strong and supported schools.
Small business owner, want to make sure that all businesses are treated equally in our city. Some believe there is a need for a small business organization supported by the city.
Given this is what I have heard on the campaign trail. This will be the start of my Platform!

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

I have been involved in local committees in Portsmouth, as a past city councilor and a small business owner of Portsmouth Harbor Market and Esther’s Marina. I have served on the Port Authority, Pierce Island Committee, Sustainability Committee, Historical Commission, Cemeteries Committee, Skate Board Park Committee, Friends of the South End and most Portsmouth Listens activities.

I also have participated and many statewide committees; The Governor’s Committee for Marine Fisheries as a citizen and business owner. I have sat on many state education committees and currently sit on the Governors Committee for Educating Students with Disabilities.

My peers and community members have bestowed honors on me; as State of NH Student Service Director of the Year and Graduate Professor of the Year for Plymouth State University.

Given my contributions to our City and State I feel that I’m very qualified for the Position of City Councilor.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Be true to yourself and stand up for what you believe in!
Given my thirty plus years of working with students with disabilities in private and public education. I have always asked my students to advocate for their rights and stand up for what they believe in. I would like to hope I do the same thing.

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

I would like the voters to know that I’m here to listen to them and give them an opportunity to express their concerns and issues. I’m a firm believer that if there is a problem in your neighborhood the council needs to come to you. I will and have organized many neighborhood meetings in your neighborhoods.
Lastly, I’m committed to moving forward in the creation of a new Master Plan. During these discussions we must have citizen input and ideas for what we want Portsmouth to be when it grows up!