By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Portsmouth PulsePortsmouth Pulse
Notification Show More
Latest News
Portsmouth Domino’s Owners Win National Award for Excellence
Community Dining
City of Portsmouth to Host Public Tours of Peirce Island Wastewater Facility and Road Resiliency Project
City Government Community
Earth Eagle Brewings Reopens Downtown Portsmouth Beer Garden for Summer Season
Dining
Portsmouth Disproportionally Carrying Regional Housing Load
Affordable Housing City Council
Hiller: Agreement between Portsmouth Housing Authority and the Episcopal Church violates restriction.
Letters to the Editor Opinion Real Estate
Aa
  • News
    • Home
    • Portsmouth City Budget
    • Dining / Restaurants
    • Rising Sea Levels
    • Health & Wellness
    • News Archive
  • City Government
    City GovernmentShow More
    City of Portsmouth to Host Public Tours of Peirce Island Wastewater Facility and Road Resiliency Project
    May 30, 2025
    Portsmouth Disproportionally Carrying Regional Housing Load
    May 23, 2025
    Portsmouth FY 2026 Budget Highlights
    May 5, 2025
    Shameless City Council Corruption to Enrich Asst Mayor Timeline Update
    April 28, 2025
    Fence Built on City Land Raises Eyebrows—and Ethical Questions
    April 9, 2025
  • Letters & Editorials
    • Letters to the Editor
    • Submit a Letter to the Editor
  • Subscribe
  • Support Us
  • The Pulse
    • Announcing Portsmouth Pulse
    • About Us
    • Contact US
    • Why Portsmouth Pulse Allows Anonymous Articles and Editorials
Reading: Whelan: Portsmouth Lost Something on November 7
Share
Aa
Portsmouth PulsePortsmouth Pulse
  • Home
  • Portsmouth City Budget
  • Letters
  • Rising Sea Levels
  • Support Us
  • About Us
  • News Archive
  • Latest News
Search
  • News
    • Home
    • Portsmouth City Budget
    • Dining / Restaurants
    • Rising Sea Levels
    • Health & Wellness
    • News Archive
  • City Government
  • Letters & Editorials
    • Letters to the Editor
    • Submit a Letter to the Editor
  • Subscribe
  • Support Us
  • The Pulse
    • Announcing Portsmouth Pulse
    • About Us
    • Contact US
    • Why Portsmouth Pulse Allows Anonymous Articles and Editorials
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
Portsmouth Pulse > Blog > Letters to the Editor > McIntyre Building > Whelan: Portsmouth Lost Something on November 7
Letters to the EditorMcIntyre Building

Whelan: Portsmouth Lost Something on November 7

Editor
Last updated: 2023/11/22 at 7:55 AM
Editor Published November 21, 2023
Share
Letter to the Editor
SHARE

It was a bright cold day on November 7 in (Portsmouth, New Hampshire) and the clocks were striking thirteen.”

George Orwell, 1984

The recent city council election does not bode well for our fair city by the sea, which we all love and wish to protect its character and affordability. A new progressive liberal wave has descended upon our city which features a denial of fiscally sound government by a newly re-elected city council.

Gone is the rich tradition of non-partisan Portsmouth.

The next two years will be more focused on national social issues instead of the nuts and bolts of a well-managed New Hampshire local government. The residents may not realize it yet, but they lost on election day.

Elected city council candidates were supported and owe allegiance to statewide/national Political Action Committee’s or PACs: The Forward Foundation, Young Democrats, Run for Something, 603 Forward, and Progress Portsmouth which cannot figure out if it is a PAC or just a political organization collecting money for its founder. It is not a 501 (c)3.

Good local nonpartisan government, a rich tradition in New Hampshire, should feature low taxes and controlled spending while delivering world class services.

The new/old council and the City Manager are fresh off an $18.6 million budget increase over two years and 36 new employees, coupled with a 2.5-million-dollar payout to Redgate Kane while losing the McIntyre Property.

The election featured zero discussion on the spending and the policy decisions of this council.

The Council and City Manager are in denial and trying to rewrite reality for all of us.

It’s going to be a tough two years for the residents as the bills will be coming due for all this government hubris both past and upcoming. Clearly this council has yet to figure out “wants and needs” while sending the city of Portsmouth catapulting into a mountain of debt and resident tax pain.

The upcoming revaluation of residential and commercial real estate in the next year will be the ground zero full stop for this council.

The next election will feature a taxpayers’ revolt if history tells us anything in Portsmouth Politics.

 Not too long ago a downtown bank meter maid rose to be mayor because of out-of-control spending. Middle-class working residents and fixed income retirees risked the loss of their homes and lifestyles because of City taxes and spending, along with a looming statewide property tax.

Evelyn Sirrell a former mayor was the founder of The Portsmouth Taxpayers Association which wielded power for 10 years in Portsmouth. The electorate was motivated for change, it was all about nonpartisan good government a tradition in New Hampshire.

A casual observer on the outside would think that the city councilors that were reelected won a school-wide popularity contest.

It certainly was not because of their business acumen or what they accomplished in their two-year term. No diversity of thought or questioning of the city manager. No representation of the residents, just lots of 9-0 votes with little debate of the issues.

Yes, the clocks struck thirteen in Portsmouth on November 7. The PR wizard is alive and well in Portsmouth, nothing to see behind the curtain.

The next two years will be interesting times for Portsmouth residents. History does have a way of repeating itself.

Tomorrow was created yesterday…….And by the day before yesterday, too. TO IGNORE HISTORY IS TO IGNORE THE WOLF AT THE DOOR. “ 

John le Carré, A Most Wanted Man

Peter A. Whelan
Portsmouth New Hampshire

You Might Also Like

Hiller: Agreement between Portsmouth Housing Authority and the Episcopal Church violates restriction.

Portsmouth FY 2026 Budget Highlights

LTE: Portsmouth Housing Authority falls under RSA 72:23-k

Portsmouth needs a Department of Government Efficiency

TAGGED: Budget, Election
Editor November 21, 2023
Share this Article
Facebook Twitter Email Print

Follow US

Find US on Social Medias
Facebook Like
Twitter Follow
Popular News
City GovernmentCommunity

City of Portsmouth to Host Public Tours of Peirce Island Wastewater Facility and Road Resiliency Project

Editor Editor May 30, 2025
Portsmouth Disproportionally Carrying Regional Housing Load
Earth Eagle Brewings Reopens Downtown Portsmouth Beer Garden for Summer Season
Portsmouth Domino’s Owners Win National Award for Excellence
- Advertisement -
Ad imageAd image

Categories

  • City Government
  • Seacoast
  • Announcements

About US

We shine the light of truth on what's REALLY happening in the City of Portsmouth NH.
Quick Link
  • Home News
  • Contact
  • Submit a Letter to the Editor
  • Advertise

Email Updates

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

Subscribe

Portsmouth PulsePortsmouth Pulse

© Portsmouth Pulse. All Rights Reserved.

Removed from reading list

Undo
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?