Portsmouth 2023 City Council candidate Rich Blalock
Name: Rich Blalock
Education: Children’s Garden, Dondero, Portsmouth Middle School, Portsmouth High School and Bates College.
Occupation: Co-owner of Old Ferry Landing Restaurant, painter for JG Painting.
Political or civic experience highlights: 2 Years on City Council, HDC, SWAG & Land use committee, 6 years on City Recreation Board, 3 years on Skate Park Committee & Site Selection committee, 2 years coaching Portsmouth Youth Football, 6 years coaching Portsmouth High School football, 3 years coaching Portsmouth Little League, 4 years serving on Portsmouth Youth Football Board.
Are you working with any consultants, groups, or a slate of candidates? If yes, please disclose who you’re working with.: No PAC, just Blalocks.
What is the biggest problem Portsmouth is facing and how you would solve it?: While on the current council, I have been very much an advocate in pursuing any opportunities for affordable housing. It has been one of the top three issues in Portsmouth for many decades. As a member of the Land Use Committee we reviewed zoning laws and implemented changes at the Council level to encourage affordable housing. Post COVID, many jobs became remote which allowed people to move away from metropolitan areas and move to desirable places like Portsmouth. This created a supply and demand issue and drove real estate prices higher. We need to network with other similar communities and share best practices or lessons learned.
I believe the process first starts with listening! It is important to get the facts or opinions before I make decisions or my own conclusions. It is critical that we listen to residents and neighbors first, then pull in the city specialists to collaborate towards affordable solutions. This involves neighbors as well as the police, fire and school departments. Maintaining the quality of life and services in our city is important to keeping it safe for all.
Should the city work to create below market rate housing, and where is the best site?: As a member of the current council, we have done extensive research on potential sites for affordable housing to be built. The options are limited and there are many variables involved in this process including issues from existing residents near these sites. We are going to continue to listen to neighbors and hopefully someone will eventually be able to call Sherburne School home, only If the process involves both the community and the city. Compromises will have to be made in a process involving the mayor’s sub-committee (which should include Sherburne and Pannaway residents). As part of the current council we also addressed rezoning opportunities/changes that made it more attractive for developers to build affordable housing. We need to continue to work on additional initiatives simultaneously.
Should the council continue to try to acquire the Thomas J. McIntyre federal building property?: There was a time this acquisition may have worked but given the current government structure it would be almost impossible for continuity in a project this size that would span over multiple years. In addition, the council sets policy and is not in the real estate development business. I believe the current council worked in good faith and managed the hand we were dealt. At this point, it is in the federal government’s hands, like it always has been. If they gift us the building then, that’s wonderful and let’s create affordable housing. The building is still in Portsmouth so any future developer will need to work with HDC and land use boards.
Do you support the council’s spending level on the last two budgets? If not, what’s an appropriate level?: Yes, as a member of the Council, I voted to approve both past two budgets. There are many hours and work sessions that go into reviewing these budgets in great detail. As a community recovering from COVID, there were many needs and changes that needed to be addressed to retain valuable resources and services. Costs of goods and services across all businesses increased substantially. The fire and police unions’ requests were very much needed to stay competitive and address retention. The increases in state and federal budgets and chained-weighted CPI show that our city budgets could have gone much higher, but the council worked hard to keep the increases reasonable, below 4.5%.
Should Market Square be open to pedestrian and bike travel only?: I would like to see the city gradually move in that direction. The redesign of Market Square is currently in the capital improvement plan which will position the city to pursue any opportunities for future changes. I think any change needs an analysis on traffic implications, emergency access, parking, state requirements, impacts to businesses etc. As a community, I think we want a downtown that is friendlier to pedestrians, bicycles and ADA accessible. Maybe the trolley would return. As long as we discuss options, implications, and listen to the people, then I would support a gradual move to that vision.
How do you feel about the safety and aesthetics of outdoor dining in the city?: Its popularity has required the council to establish requirements based on the EDC recommendations which will make it safer and limit dining on a busy roadway. I think outdoor dining has been positive for most but like anything new, we can improve on how it is implemented. As part of the current council, we sent the EDC recommendations to the legal department and hope to create an ordinance this fall that is both fair and safe. I believe outdoor dining is an economic driver and brings tourism into the city. It brings a celebratory ambience to the community that people enjoy.
What’s a bigger priority, building a new police station or an indoor sports arena?: A new police station and creating a healthy work space for our police department must be a priority. I have toured the current basement of the old hospital in which our police department is currently located and it needs to be addressed. This will understandably come at a high cost to the taxpayer but can only be put off for so long. I am a champion for the youth in our city as they are our future. One of my passions is to teach younger generations life skills using sports. A sports complex or indoor sports arena would come at no cost to taxpayers. A parcel of land large enough has yet to be selected in the greater school district but, the two firms involved have been discussed and qualified after the RFQ process.
Should the council address the pace and type of development in the city? If yes, how?: Over the last two years, I have had the opportunity to serve on both the HDC and the Land Use committee. I believe I have been a valuable member with these committees and seen firsthand how effective they can be with both developers and individuals in controlling development. They have also been successful in encouraging more affordable housing. The council should continue to rely on the HDC and various land use boards. They have been effective in preserving the history and zoning requirements in the city.
Does the city need to regulate overnight parking on city streets and lots by RVs and campers?: I do not think this is a wide spread problem but more isolated to specific incidents. One of our finest firefighters stays overnight in his van in between his shifts because he does not want to waste money and fossil fuels on commuting. This is really an issue the police would address. The police department has stated they have had no issues with RVs and campers or their occupants. I do not think this should be allowed on Pierce Island as I could see that becoming a problem.
Is overserving at city bars and restaurants a public safety issue?: Serving alcohol should always be done responsibly. The specific establishment has laws and responsibilities they need to adhere to or they can lose their license and perhaps their business. I have bartended in Portsmouth since I was 18 and have experienced many situations. I trust the police and NH Liquor Commission to do their job and keep our community safe and ensure any establishment serving alcohol is doing it responsibly and training their staff appropriately.
Has Portsmouth changed for the better or worse during the past decade?: That can depend on what seat you are sitting in but, overall I feel Portsmouth is better and has blossomed into a thriving community. It has become nationally known as a destination to visit for the arts, diversity, history, culture and food.
Portsmouth continues to be the safe and beautiful city we all fell in love with and decided to call home. I believe it continues to grow in a positive direction at a pace respectful to our history and culture. I initiated the re-creation of a successful student government day to engage our youth so we can plant the seeds for the future. As we continue to outperform surrounding communities, we do become a more desirable place to live. This makes it less economical for some to reside her. We need to continue to be fiscally responsible and control our taxes. However, the rising real estate prices are a direct outcome of Portsmouth becoming the attraction it is today. It is difficult to watch when I see people who grew up here or work here struggle to afford to live in Portsmouth. As a council, we need to do all we can to help alleviate any economic burden, such as maximizing tax credits for seniors and veterans; which the current council worked to accomplish.
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Portsmouth 2023 City Council candidate Rich Blalock
