By Robert de Ros
Once again, we’re reminded why it’s such a privilege to live in Portsmouth.
Something special happened this past week.
It’s not the fact that Councilor Bagley’s Portsmouth NH Facebook page almost crashed. It’s the “why” behind it.
The City of Portsmouth recently completed their construction work on Commercial Alley (a City-owned, brick-paved, pedestrian alley). The extensive work required all greenery removed from the planters along Commercial Alley.
The City removed the greenery.
All of it, but then refused to plant and rehabilitate the once vibrant and charming character of the alley, citing no money to do so.
At this point, the obvious comes to mind – just how bloated is this about-to-be-approved budget?
So, with no City support, the Portsmouth residents acted.
A group of residents got together to replant all the planters using their own time and money.
The group was mixed – not just merchants and not just restaurants. Just people who understood how special the greenery was both from an aesthetic and ecological standpoint.
Thousands of people intentionally visit that alley because it’s special. It’s pleasing. It’s magical.
The greenery also created a group of rain gardens. Remember? Portsmouth is supposedly an “Eco-municipality. “
Why was there such a breakdown?
We have a Trees and Greenery Committee. The Assistant Mayor sits on it. Where were they? AWOL
Brick is pervious but remember Storm Water Abatement? It’s getting serious and our tax dollars pay for it. The alley, with its brick and plantings, are all in accordance with the storm water abatement.
Shame on you, Assistant Mayor Kelley. Isn’t your Coffee Shop on the corner of Commercial Alley?
I suppose you were too busy to get involved or to be interested in Storm Water Abatement or the role the greenery might play in bringing vibrancy to your alley.
Others did get involved. They got their hands dirty.
The group of residents took vital time because they knew how important the greenery was to the alley and the City. Not you.
Then there’s the Mayor. He gets involved with, “too little too late”. Almost a bit of, Let them eat cake…
He wondered if the City could try and find a grant for the project – after it was finished and paid for by residents. A grant? There’s currently a surplus according to the Finance Dept.
But, with the budget being so bloated with all sorts of wants, needed or not, by Councilors, something simple and special like the re-greening of Commercial Alley appears to have been tossed in the trash like a bad free lunch.
It must not be in the budget or on City Council’s radar.
One Councilor, walking by, chose to not even acknowledge those addressing him or the hard teamwork of the very residents he works for.
You heard it and so did his personally-controlled Portsmouth NH Facebook page – it almost blew up and much wasn’t very complimentary of his actions or lack there of.
An Eco Responsible action that drew a caring group of individuals together. It seems they understood the importance of their project far more than the Elected City Councilors of Portsmouth NH.
Our Council could at least have the decency to say thank you at some point.
And then you might consider voting for a new City Council this fall.
