Through the drizzle on Saturday, Nov. 15, you may have been able to catch a glimpse of the rainbows clustered on the corner of Portsmouth’s Market Square. Clad in neon ponchos and striped umbrellas and holding brightly hand-painted signs, more than 40 Seacoast citizens joined in a nation-wide protest against the passing of California’s Proposition 8, a ballot initiative that elimated the right of same-sex couples to marry.

Beginning at 1 p.m., individuals took turns addressing the crowd, sharing personal stories and giving praise to fellow protesters for their support. There were no bullhorns or loudspeakers, and from a distance, the gathering looked more like a community celebration than a protest against injustice. Children played in the rain, couples nestled under umbrellas and dogs with rainbow bandanas happily trotted between the legs of supporters.

Although some expressed frustration over the outcome of the vote on Nov. 4, many were optimistic about the future. Joseph Marquette, of Yellow House Farm in Barrington, feels confident that “this is not who we are as a country,” and that change is coming.
Local protest organizer Kiarna Boyd said she hoped the protest would give a face to inequality in the local community. “This is not a remote issue,” Boyd declared. “This is your neighbors, your teachers, your doctors—people you encounter in everyday life.”

While the passage of Proposition 8 holds no legal bearing on same-sex couples in New Hampshire, protester Stephen Johnson said he was there to show support for loved ones in California. Johnson, with his wife Amy and their 8-year-old son Dante, drove from Methuen, Mass., to join in the event.

Despite the setback in California, the outpouring of community support shown across the country leaves Julie Cook, of Portsmouth, with a calm sense of hope. “After the election, I feel very optimistic that we are entering a new era,” she said.

For more information, go to www.jointheimpact.com.

new fire station open in Dover

Dover residents living in the city’s north end can sleep a little easier knowing that a new fire station will offer quicker response times in emergency situations. In fact, the Liberty North End Fire Station will make the entire community safer, according to Fire Chief Perry Plummer.

“Obviously, it provides better response times to the north end community,” Plummer said, noting that firefighters and emergency medical personnel will be housed at the new facility. “In addition to that, it gives a greater level of protection throughout the whole community.”

The new station, which opened this month on Sixth Street, includes three bays housing a fire engine, ladder truck and backup ambulance. That means emergency vehicles located at the city’s other two fire stations can remain in their own districts if an emergency occurs in the north end. “The bottom line is that it’s reduced response time throughout the city,” Plummer said.

The 14,500-square-foot station will serve as the Dover Fire Department’s new headquarters, replacing administrative offices in the Central Fire Station on Broadway Street. The South End Fire Station is located on Durham Road, near the Dover Middle School.

The new facility also houses offices for the city’s inspection services, such as plumbing, electrical, building and fire inspectors. It will serve as the city’s emergency operations center in the case of a disaster like a major storm with flooding. It also has living space for firefighters. 

The total cost of the project was $2.95 million, which is exactly what the city budgeted. Plummer said he was pleased that the building was completed on time and within the budget. The station is located on three acres of land donated by Liberty Mutual.

Talk of a north end fire station has circulated through the city for close to 30 years. Plummer said he recently came across a newspaper clipping from 1979 with a headline reading, “Dover North End Fire Station Coming Soon.” He has heard casual talk about a new station throughout his 23 years with the department, but the conversations only became more serious within the last decade. “It’s been a long time coming and it’s very satisfying to have the project done,” Plummer said.

Members of the public can take a tour of the Liberty North End Fire Station during an open house on Thursday, Nov. 20, from 5 to 8 p.m.