David Adams
Age: 57, yrs. in Portsmouth: 35
Occupation: Adams & Roy Inc. (president)
Public Experience: vice chair of Historic District Comm.; Mayor’s Blue Ribbon Comm. to Save the Old Statehouse

-As the cost of living in Portsmouth rises, what can be done to provide affordable housing for working families and people with moderate incomes?

Offering developers incentives of reduced requirements of density seems to be the means of creating affordable housing. I am skeptical about how much density the taxpayers of the city are interested in.

-What would you do to manage growth in the city’s Northern Tier?

I will encourage continued review of the newly enacted Building Height Ordinance and encourage the use of incentives to provide for a mixed-use, human-scaled, pedestrian-friendly area.

-What kind of new businesses would you like to see opening in Portsmouth?

I would love to see a pharmacy and a hardware store in the downtown again. More generally, I believe in the importance of locally owned small businesses.

-What would you do to promote sustainable practices and green building in the city?

Lead by example. I will encourage the city departments to specifically target steady, incremental shifts to more sustainable practices. Steady, successful change will send a positive message to the community.

-What was the last cultural or artistic event you attended in Portsmouth?

Seacoast Repertory Theatre, “The Diary of Anne Frank.”

-It was largely the artistic community that made Portsmouth a popular destination, but now most artists will tell you that they cannot afford to live or work here. Have we killed the goose that laid the golden egg?