Experienced – Committed – Capable
I’m running for a third term and I hope I can earn your vote. In my second term
- With our Energy Advisory Committee, launched Portsmouth Community Power saving residents moneyu every month on their electric bills while providing more green options.
- Led our council to establish spending guidelines well below inflation to protect our taxpayers.
- Initiated Flashvote electronic polling so the council can listen to residents of all ages, incomes and interests in setting priorities, especially those too busy to attend meetings.
- With our Audit Committee, hired the city’s first new independent auditor in 28 years.
- Collaborated with Governance Committee members to strengthen our ethics ordinance after chairing a 2020 ethics investigation.
- Served on Legislative Affairs, Audit, Energy Advisory and Governance committees and council representative to the new police station working group.
In my first term,
- I brought together police, school, fire and city departments in a first-ever budget work session to reduce costs during COVID while protecting services.
- Improved tax exemptions for seniors and the disabled
- Supported our schools in two budgets and delivered a key vote for new athletic fields for our kids
- Helped lead a public input process for McIntyre that came up with a community vision for the site and involved 3,800 residents in surveys, group dialogues and public design reviews
- Fought privatization at Pease that would harm city taxpayers
- Reduced unfair insurance burdens on outdoor dining for our restaurants
- Created and chaired our Energy Advisory Committee to pursue a Community Power program
- Served as Pease liaison and Rockingham County Planning Commission representative
I see so many opportunities to make our city better. We need
- Housing for all income levels
- Stable and predictable budgets that don’t overburden residents
- A fresh look at our zoning with extensive citizen engagement to maintain and enhance the character of Portsmouth in the 2025 Master Plan
- Well funded schools
- More innovative ways to get citizen engagement prior to council decisions
- A greener Portsmouth for our children
Getting things done in government takes time and persistence. It’s been rewarding to see residents’ utilities bill drop thanks to Portsmouth Community Power, or to see a friend benefit from enhanced senior tax exemptions to stay in Portsmouth.
There is more to do.
I hope I can once again earn your vote this November.
Email: johnktabor@gmail.com
