Green leaves the PDA

Dick Green abruptly resigned from his post as executive director of the Pease Development Authority last week, citing “philosophical differences” with the board of directors. Deputy director Dave Mullen will take over in Green’s absence until the board selects a permanent replacement.

The PDA announced Green’s resignation in a press release on the morning of July 3. “Since the beginning of the year, it has become increasingly clear to me and to our board that, while Pease’s future remains bright, we have philosophical differences as to which paths should be pursued to best secure Pease’s future success,” Green said in the release.

Asked to elaborate on Green’s differences with the board, Mullen declined to comment last week, saying it was a personnel matter he could not discuss.

In the press release, board chairman Art Nickless said there was no lasting animosity between Green and the board. He praised Green for his work over the last two years, which was made more difficult by the sudden closing of Skybus Airlines this spring.

“Dick’s departure from the PDA is unfortunate. He brought a tremendous amount of enthusiasm and new ideas to the executive director’s position. Whatever differences the board may have had with him, it is undeniable that the PDA made great strides under his leadership,” Nickless said.

Green became the PDA’s executive director in August 2006, when he replaced former director George Bald. Mullen has been deputy director for about six years, and he has twice previously served as interim director. Mullen echoed Nickless’ thoughts about Green’s work for the PDA. “He initiated a lot of good things,” Mullen said.

As interim director, Mullen said he would continue pursuing the board’s objectives with regard to Pease International Tradeport. “We have a number of things ongoing here that we’re going to have to deal with,” Mullen said. Among the biggest challenges will be taking over management of Skyhaven Airport in Rochester, paying off $10 million in debt to the state and completing a terminal expansion at Pease International Airport in Portsmouth.

Mullen said Green’s departure would not throw a wrench in the PDA’s plans. “Even though Dick is gone, many of the employees here at the PDA have had a long tenure,” Mullen said.

Before taking the helm of the PDA, Green served as a state senator from 1973 to 1974 and from 2003 to 2006. He was mayor of Rochester from 1980 to 1989 and was director of the N.H. Department of Resources and Economic Development from 1990 to 1994.

“This experience has been both challenging and gratifying,” Green said in the press release. “The Pease International Tradeport is a tremendous success story and it will continue to be an economic engine that helps drive the New Hampshire economy.” —MK

police cracking down on drunken behavior

Anyone planning evenings of drunken debauchery in downtown Portsmouth this summer had better think twice. The Portsmouth Police Department announced last week that it would be putting more plain-clothed detectives on the streets to crack down on alcohol-related crimes.

With more than 130 bars, restaurants and stores that sell alcohol, Portsmouth has the highest per capita number of alcohol outlets in the state. According to police, alcohol-related complaints dramatically increase in the summer, especially downtown on weekend nights.

Police said they have adopted a “zero tolerance” policy for alcohol-related offenses, including disorderly conduct, public urination, open containers and drunken driving. In addition to increasing their presence in the downtown area, police have already conducted at least one sobriety checkpoint this summer and have said there will be others. They said their reallocation of resources to combat alcohol-related crimes is part of an effort to keep residents and visitors safe.

Anyone who witnesses alcohol-related offenses is asked to contact the Portsmouth Police Department. Reports can be made anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 603-431-1199 or at www.seacoastcrimestoppers.org.