Since Portsmouth’s voters approved switching from a City Manager to Mayoral form of government in the late 1980s, it seems nothing in our city government works. We have, since then, recalled two mayors and have witnessed gridlock, questionable financial decisions and now a city deficit approaching $1.3 million.
Returning to a City Manager form of government will allow us to hire a qualified individual to bring professional administrative skills to our city government. Times have changed. In the old days, barbers served as dentists and surveyors, due to their education, served as lawyers and judges. Our society now requires specialized education, skills and certification for everything from dentistry, lawyers, public accountants, cosmetology and many other occupations. It is time Portsmouth enters the 21st Century and requires professionalism in our city government.
Please join us in supporting and voting, on the second page, far right corner of your ballot, for the Charter Amendment to return Portsmouth to a City Manager form of government. Just as many local employers grow and thrive on professionalism, let us begin the process of providing professionalism to the governance of our City of Portsmouth.
Please vote yes for the City Manager Charter Amendment.
Citizens for Better Government Management
Jeff Albrecht, Steve Cassidy, Kevin E. Johnson, Hon. Kevin W. Johnson
Vasco W. Luchi, Gail T. Miller, Hon. Ann S. Sydnor, Connie Stoner
The problem with Portsmouth is, people who are not qualifed to run a city (business) with a multi million dollar budget are doing it. That goes for the Mayors Office and City Council.
If they were qualified, they would be out recruiting new industry within the City Limits, as Industry pays taxes, and taxes pay bills. Instead of asking the few working people in this town to pass an income tax levy.
A City Manager would be educated in running a city, paying bills and recruitment.
What experience or education did / does former Mayor Bower, Kalb, and present Mayor Malone have in recruiting a Ford Motor Company plant, General Electric, Macys Dept. Store Fulfillment Center, General Motors to this town ?
This current Mayor cant even see to it that wholes are patched in streets or double yellow lines are painted, and he helped put this city in debt as a councilman. So this guy can bring industry to the city ?