Candidates for Rye Select Board, North Hampton planning and school boards announce runs

Tom King announces run for Rye Select Board

Feb. 7 − To the Editor:

I am seeking re-election to the Rye Select Board on March 12th. My first appointment to a Rye town commission was over two decades ago and I’ve been actively involved in town affairs ever since.

In my campaign three years ago, I emphasized protection of our natural resources, including drinking water, watersheds, and beaches. I have supported the Rye Water District in locating new well sites on town-owned conservation land and we are partnering with them as they explore options for water treatment. I have pushed the continued clean-up of Parson’s Creek to protect our watersheds and beaches from avoidable septic contamination. We vigorously and successfully opposed the proposed Pease Air Cargo Facility, which would have significantly increased noise pollution from flight activity over our town, especially at night.

During my tenure we have successfully guided our Town through the pandemic on the path to recovery. My primary goal has been, not to just rebuild, but to rebuild stronger. We prioritized public safety and public works staffing and equipment, renegotiated all three union contracts last year to attract and retain good people, approved equipment modernization plans to ensure our residents get a first-class safety response. To strengthen these departments, I advocated for increasing operational capabilities and succession planning with the hiring of Deputy Police and Fire Chiefs. Road crew staffing was also increased for more robust plowing, paving and storm response. At my urging the Select Board put forth a 2023 warrant article that successfully created an Emergency Management Capital Reserve Fund, which is now the primary resource for recovery from recent major storms.

But we need more than emergency services to make Rye a thriving community in which to live and raise children. In addition to excellent public schools and safety services, we have invested in programs for our residents. I led the effort to create a hybrid funding model to jump start recreation programs until self-funding can catch up. I am closely involved with the state-awarded TAP grant that will re-imagine our town center with sidewalks and bicycle lanes and connect the middle school, public buildings, the new library common and teen center.

As a fellow veteran, I organized last years’ Memorial Day ceremony honoring WWII and Korean War veterans. As both a retired US Air Force officer and airline captain, my approach has been to provide steady leadership, clear decision making, collaboration and respect for others- including those with differing viewpoints. Above all, I bring a balanced, thoughtful approach to problem solving.

Our town is on a good path to a better, more sustainable future and I am proud of the contributions I have made. I hope to continue this important work and ask for your support and your vote on March 12. Thank you.

Tom King

Rye

Jennifer Kotzen announces run for North Hampton Planning Board

Feb. 11 -- To the Editor:

My name is Jennifer Kotzen and I am writing to introduce myself as a candidate for North Hampton Planning Board in the March 12 town election. I would like to share a bit about my life experience and point of view so that you may know me better.

Originally from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, I earned a degree in geology from Brown University, which brought me to New England. After graduating I lived in Rhode Island and then Massachusetts before being drawn to the New Hampshire seacoast and settling finally in North Hampton. My husband Mike and I raised our children here, both of whom attended North Hampton School and Winnacunnet High School. Outdoor enthusiasts and environmental advocates, Mike and I both feel very fortunate to call North Hampton our home. We’ve lived here now for 19 years.

I have spent the bulk of my professional career in high-tech product management and product marketing roles, working for Sun Microsystems, Hewlett Packard, and most recently VMware. Now retired, I currently serve as an alternate member of the North Hampton Conservation Commission.

Over the years I have developed an increasing awareness and appreciation of how special our town is. I do not however take the loveliness of our community for granted. We are challenged today by very real development pressures, affordable housing concerns, coastal hazards, and business development needs. My family, like yours, depends on our planning board to address these challenges while maintaining focus on North Hampton’s long-term vision, which prioritizes residents’ quality of life and preservation of our rural seacoast character, heritage, and natural resources – priorities that I share.

I respect and support the hard work the planning board does on behalf of our community today to protect our wetlands, woodlands, and aquifers as well as the town’s rural aesthetic and charm. I would like to help continue this critical work as a North Hampton Planning Board member, and would be honored to receive your vote on March 12.

Jennifer Kotzen

North Hampton

Lisa Gagalis announces run for North Hampton School Board

Feb. 13 − To the Editor:

My name is Lisa Gagalis, and I am running for re-election to the North Hampton School Board on March 12th.

As a North Hampton native who attended North Hampton School (1996), Winnacunnet High School (2000), and the University of New Hampshire (2004), I know how exceptional our seacoast community is. Being raised in North Hampton taught me the importance of quality school systems, public service, and community engagement. It has been an honor to serve as your school board member these past two years, and I am asking for your vote to continue to serve for an additional three.

My roles as the vice chair and budget liaison have made me keenly aware of the issues our students, parents, teachers, and community members face. As a nurse, I understand the importance of implementing policies based on my experience as a healthcare provider. As a mother of three current North Hampton Jaguars, I appreciate the needs of our students and families in town. And as a daughter of two retirees living here, I understand the need to bring forward a fiscally responsible budget that all town members can support. I wear many hats in our community, and it has taught me that our ability to help others is only as strong as our ability to listen. Whether on the sidelines of my children's Seacoast United soccer games, walking my two dogs through town, or listening to the bandstand summer concert series, I am always ready to listen. Your voices are essential to continuing the legacy of our fantastic seacoast community and school.

Lisa Gagalis

North Hampton

Editor's notes: Candidates looking to announce their campaigns are invited to send a short write-up and photo to opinion@seacoastonline.com.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Candidates announce bids for office in Rye and North Hampton