The immediate question that arose when former Gov. Jeanne Shaheen announced last week that she would enter the Granite State’s U.S. Senate race was not whether she could defeat current Republican Sen. John Sununu, but who she would face in the Democratic primary.

During a press conference at Portsmouth Public Library on Saturday, Sept. 15, Portsmouth Mayor Steve Marchand announced that he would drop out of the race and put his support behind Shaheen. The former governor officially announced her candidacy in Madbury the following day.

“Jeanne Shaheen is our strongest candidate to defeat John Sununu in 2008,” Marchand said, reading from a prepared statement. “Her commitment to the same principles that I have fought for during this campaign will make her a tremendous senator for New Hampshire and the nation.”

Marchand did not register for reelection to the Portsmouth City Council, and he will step down from his mayoral position at the end of the year. His next professional move remains up in the air, but he said he intends to spend more time with his two young daughters and his wife, Sandy, who stood by his side in the library.

Two other Democratic candidates remained in the race as of early this week. Former astronaut Jay Buckey has said he will stay in the race no matter what. Activist Katrina Swett has not indicated whether she will drop out or not.

Marchand said he would not rule out a future bid at state or federal government, and he repeated the main objectives of his now-abandoned campaign.

“From ending the war in Iraq, to bringing affordable health care to all Americans, to being the global leader on 21st century energy policy, to restoring fiscal discipline, our message of fiscal and social responsibility is a real New Hampshire message,” he said.

A poll conducted by the UNH Survey Center in July predicted that Shaheen would defeat Sununu in 2008, but the incumbent edged out the three other Democratic hopefuls. Sununu has been a constant target of Democrats for his perceived support of President Bush and his stance on the Iraq war.

Shaheen, who was governor of New Hampshire from 1996 to 2002, narrowly lost to Sununu in a bid for the U.S. Senate in 2002. She has announced that she will resign from her current post as director of the Harvard Institute of Politics.

Islington eyed for improvements

City officials have been studying the possibility of improving Islington Street for years, but renewed emphasis on implementing those improvements could lead to significant changes on one of Portsmouth’s main corridors. The section under consideration stretches from Maplewood Avenue to the Route 1 bypass.

The city has contracted Richardson & Associates, a landscape architecture firm out of Saco, Maine, to synthesize studies, gather public input and come up with an Islington Street Corridor Improvement Action Plan and Arts District Plan. A series of stakeholder meetings will be held to gather public input, the first occurring on Thursday, Sept. 27, at the West End Studio Theater. Meetings will be divided into 90-minute sessions tailored to specific groups, like small business owners and cultural organizations.

“After the stakeholders meetings, the consultants will take that information and try to identify areas in the corridor where they’re starting to hear things gel,” said Nancy Carmer, program manager for the city’s Economic Development Commission. Through the study, Carmer hopes to determine which areas “emerge as places where we might be able to engineer changes.” 

However, developing Islington Street will not be without its challenges. “It’s completely built out. It’s not like we’re dealing with a visioning for a new road with lots of open property. It is what it is,” Carmer said. Further complicating matters, the section under considerations consists of six different zoning districts.

Some of the physical improvements under consideration include the addition of period street lamps, new signage, modified sidewalks and “bump outs” for benches. The city believes such improvements would “enhance the pedestrian experience and safety,” Carmer said. Modifications will also be made to improve safety for bicyclists.

“We are also hoping to look into some business façade improvement programs, models that have been employed around the country that provide some incentive for businesses to improve their facades,” Carmer said. Incentives could include the city hiring an architect to help businesses improve their building fronts, or offering low-interest loans to people interested in upgrading their facades.   

For updates on stakeholders meetings, visit www.cityofportsmouth.com/economic/index.htm.