Rye Select Board candidate Tom King
Name: Tom King
Education: Bachelor of science degree in computer science, U.S. Air Force Academy; master's of science degree in operations research, Air Force Institute of Technology
Occupation: Twice-retired Air Force officer and airline captain
Political or civic experience highlights: Rye Select Board, current chair; committees include Budget, Capital Improvement Plan, Historic District, Rye Town Center, Beach, Rye 400, Regional Association Review and TAP Grant
What are your top three priorities if elected?: My top three priorities are water, budgets and roads. Water includes drinking water and protection of our watersheds and beaches. I will continue to work with the Rye Water District to explore new water sources and partner on treatment options. I have pushed the continued clean-up of Parson’s Creek and taken steps to enforce existing septic requirements to prevent avoidable coliform contamination of the creek and nearby beach. Next is keeping a keen eye on our budget. We emerged from the pandemic with a renewed focus on resiliency in our infrastructure, personnel, and equipment. Our first-class public safety operation was evident during recent storms. I’m committed to fiscal restraint, so our municipal tax rate remains low, currently fifth lowest in the state! Our roads are a problem — we have increased the paving budget significantly but cannot pave more without increased personnel. This year, we have budgeted for a machine to patch potholes permanently — I hope the budget passes!
What is the biggest challenge the town is facing and how would you address it?: Our biggest challenge is the protection of our water supply. Although only about 70% of our residents are in the Rye Water District (RWD), access to safe clean drinking water is vital to our health and potentially affects property values. We have two challenges here: quality and quantity. It’s important to know that our drinking water currently meets all drinking water standards. Until recently we were one of only a few towns in the entire state that didn’t require chlorination. One “boil water” order ended that. RWD is still carefully adjusting chlorine levels. New EPA standards are imminent and may require further water treatment. The other issue is our supply of water. Normally, we can supply both fire protection and domestic water. In summer, however, irrigation demands can cause water supply and pressure to drop, such that fighting a major fire could require cutting off domestic water during the event (recall New Castle?). It’s important to note the RWD is a separate municipal body, and the town has no authority over its funding or operations. Knowing the benefits it provides to our residents, however, I have supported the RWD in locating new well sites on town-owned conservation land and we are partnering with them to explore options for water treatment. An additional consideration is availability of water regarding development. Currently, a proposed new housing development on Route 1 is on hold for that reason. I will continue to partner with RWD to safeguard our water!
What else should voters know about you?: I grew up in a military family. We settled in Oregon where I had a typical small-town upbringing-camping, hunting and fishing. I became an Eagle Scout, lettered in athletics, and graduated as an Oregon Scholar. I attended the U.S. Air Force Academy, completed pilot training and was assigned to Germany. There I met my future wife, Sally, whose father was a doctor stationed at the same base. The highlight of my service was my assignment as a Military Attache at the U.S. embassy in Turkey. After a 22-year career I retired and became an airline pilot giving us the flexibility to settle near family in Rye. This allowed me to serve on the Historic District Commission, helping to preserve our historic town center. Currently, I volunteer with Rye Senior Serve, assisting on the bus and driving seniors to appointments. For many years we have been involved in animal rescue, working with no-kill shelters, and have fostered hundreds of animals. We have two rescue cats and enjoy the beach and town trails with our two rescue dogs. My years of flying and leading women and men taught me how to lead, when to listen, and how to solve problems. I believe leadership is persuading people to move together toward a common goal. Experience, leadership and perspective are what I bring to this position. Our town is on a good path. I am honored to serve on the Select Board and I am proud of the contributions I have made. I hope to continue this important work and ask for your vote on March 12.
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Rye Select Board candidate Tom King
