The bustling tourism destination is not without its own economic pressures.

Portsmouth has long established itself as New Hampshire’s cultural capital and a popular regional destination for shopping, dining and entertainment. As the city continues to grow and become more affluent, residents and officials are dealing with the resulting impact on parking, housing, infrastructure, services and more.

Recently, popular mayor Tom Ferrini surprised the community with his announcement that he will not seek reelection in November, leaving open his options for a higher political office in the future. That leaves a vacant seat at the head of the table in City Hall, and all 10 candidates for Portsmouth City Council have a chance to claim it when the municipal elections role around on Tuesday, Nov. 8.

Portsmouth has a fairly unusual system for determining the hierarchy of its elected officials. Whichever council candidate garners the most votes is declared mayor, and whoever takes the second most is assistant mayor. The next seven highest vote getters fill the remaining at-large seats on the nine-member council.

Other than Ferrini, Jerry Hejtmanek is the only current councilor not running for reelection. But a few new faces are vying for a seat.

The winners will be responsible for monitoring growth in the Northern Tier, where, in addition to the existing Sheraton Harborside Hotel, Hilton Garden Inn and Marriott Residence Inn, several more hotels and other major developments are pending, including continued work on the Portwalk project.

They will also be responsible for addressing parking issues. The city’s “pay and display” parking meters have drawn mixed reviews, and a new parking garage has been proposed for the downtown Vaughan Mall area.

Meanwhile, councilors have struggled to reach a contract agreement with the Patrolmen’s Union, and Fire Station 3 is in danger of closing. Cost shifting at the state level has forced the city to make tough budget decisions, leading some residents to wonder about the potential impact on public safety and other services.

While Portsmouth remains a bastion of the arts, the rising cost of housing has steadily led to a wealthier demographic, while younger citizens and those with lower incomes, have found it increasingly prohibitive to live here. Some worry that Portsmouth is losing the creative community that made it such a cultural haven to begin with and is pushing out the workers that drive its success.

Nevertheless, new stores and restaurants continue to open in the Port City, bolstering its reputation as a regional gem for shopping and dining. The American Planning Association recently cited Market Street and Market Square as one of the 10 Great Streets for 2011 under its Great Places in America program. And Portsmouth has weathered the economic recession much better than most cities.

Work is underway on major renovations to Portsmouth Middle School. But work has yet to begin on a replacement bridge from downtown Portsmouth to Kittery—after years of warnings, Memorial Bridge closed permanently to motor vehicles this summer.

The Friends of the South End neighborhood association will host a City Council candidate forum at Portsmouth Public Library on Tuesday, Oct. 25, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Local attorney Dave Anderson will moderate.

Check back with The Wire in the issue of Nov. 2 to find a roundup of polling hours and locations for the municipal elections on Nov. 8, or visit www.cityofportsmouth.com.

Councilor Robert Lister, 62

occupation: former superintendent of schools
years living in Portsmouth: 24
public service experience: educator for 33 years, served on Portsmouth Library Trustees, volunteered with numerous organizations and events

What is the most positive development to take place in Portsmouth over the last two years, and what is the most negative change? Positive changes include the ability to maintain a high level of services to residents, continue to have Portsmouth be a destination for tourism and continue to address issues concerned with the infrastructure of the city. Less positive changes include the balance between the focus on growth (building projects) and the need for economic development. There needs to be a comprehensive plan with residents well informed.

If elected, what would be your top priority for the city over the next two years? Working to maintain an affordable tax rate for residents and protecting the neighborhoods.

With Fire Station 3 in danger of closing and other budget cuts taking effect, how can the city maintain adequate safety services? Public safety is very important, which calls for collaboration of the City Council and Fire Department leadership. Through the next budget process, resources available and the needs in the community will be determined.

There are major development projects planned for 30 Maplewood Ave., Portwalk and the Westin Hotel. How much Northern Tier development is too much? There should be a comprehensive, well-communicated plan for development in the Northern Tier. Parking, traffic and the effect on the neighborhoods and the environment are concerns for moving forward with economic development and the agreement that the city can support these major projects.

Would you support a downtown parking garage in the Vaughan Mall area? I am reserving an opinion on another parking garage until the questions I have asked are answered from the anticipated study. These include: How do we support businesses during 18 months of construction? What are the anticipated revenue and the effect on the tax rate? What is the design for historic Portsmouth? Are there any environmental issues?

If elected, what would you do to foster the arts in Portsmouth? I have always supported the arts as a member of boards, as a grant writer for arts non-profits and attending, contributing and participating in the visual and performing arts throughout the community. I promote the arts as a multigenerational opportunity for residents and visitors to the city. As an educator, I have always promoted and celebrated the accomplishments of our youth equally in academics, the arts and athletics.

Assistant Mayor Nancy Novelline Clayburgh, 60

years living in Portsmouth: 25
public service experience: City Council (2007-present) and School Board (1999-2007; vice chair 2003-2007), and work with numerous organizations throughout the Seacoast

What is the most positive development to take place in Portsmouth over the last two years, and what is the most negative change? The most positive is the growth and popularity of our city throughout New England and the U.S. Our wonderful mix of history, quaintness and attractiveness is drawing people to visit, partake in our many restaurants and shops, stay in our hotels, and attend our cultural events. It brings money into our city and that benefits residents. The most negative change is related to this. We must ensure that changes are made tastefully, fit with our Master Plan, and are pleasing to residents and tourists. This is a challenging feat.

If elected, what would be your top priority for the city over the next two years? My priority would be to keep the tax rate as low as possible. As I talk to residents, the number one topic seems to be our taxes. Our residents want to continue to live in Portsmouth, and the council must work hard to ensure this can happen. We must ask departments to be creative and think “outside the box” to manage their budgets so that residents can afford to live in one of the best cities in the U.S.

With Fire Station 3 in danger of closing and other budget cuts taking effect, how can the city maintain adequate safety services? I believe the departments manage their budgets well. However, the money needs to be managed differently to ensure that we continue to have more-than-adequate safety services without a tax increase. As councilors, many of us had suggestions regarding the funding of Fire Station 3. Ultimately, it is the fire chief and the Commission who make the decisions. We put our faith in them to develop budgets that are efficient, cost-effective, and sensitive to the taxpayer.

There are major development projects planned for 30 Maplewood Ave., Portwalk and the Westin Hotel. How much Northern Tier development is too much? I believe development of the Northern Tier is important to the future of our city. I think a conference center (with a capacity of not more than 1,000 people) is needed to bring in small groups and conventions. Business people would visit us, spend money, and bring their families back on vacation. We must have faith in our Planning Board, Historic District Commission, Board of Adjustment, etc., to ensure this development makes sense, is tasteful, and adheres to the history and quaintness of Portsmouth.

Would you support a downtown parking garage in the Vaughan Mall area? I am leaning toward supporting a parking garage at the Worth Lot. However, before a final decision is made, the results of the parking study that is currently underway must be evaluated.

If elected, what would you do to foster the arts in Portsmouth? We have a very strong arts community in Portsmouth that brings us incredible joy and entertainment. I would be very supportive of maintaining this and developing it further. Fortunately, there are often alternative methods of funding for such endeavors. Having successful arts opportunities in your community draws visitors, and they will spend money in our city. Not only do we have an art environment that we are very proud of, but it produces revenue.

Councilor Kenneth Smith, 46

occupation: owner of Maine-ly New Hampshire
years living in Portsmouth: 25
public service experience: 14 years on Planning Board, 6 years on City Council

What is the most positive development to take place in Portsmouth over the last two years, and what is the most negative change? Positive: Our diverse economic base has allowed us to weather this economic downturn better than most communities. The finances of this city continue to be strong. Negative: The loss of possible large employers that were considering relocation to Portsmouth. We should continue to encourage companies to locate here and further the development of air service to Pease Tradeport. Also, the EPA issues leaving us with unresolved estimates of the overall cost to add secondary treatment to the sewerage treatment plant.

If elected, what would be your top priority for the city over the next two years? Resolving the union contracts. The fixed costs are the largest portion of the annual budget. The City Councils needs to have a more active role in settling the contracts and assuring that they meet the needs of both the taxpayers and city workers.

With Fire Station 3 in danger of closing and other budget cuts taking effect, how can the city maintain adequate safety services? The fire station should be fully funded. Public safety and first responders are a key part of municipal services. The city has money in the undesignated fund balance to support this. As a policy, the city keeps 8 to 10 percent of the total budget set aside to keep our bond rating low. We currently have more than 10 percent, with more added each year. By tapping these funds, we can keep Fire Station 3 without increasing taxes.

There are major development projects planned for 30 Maplewood Ave., Portwalk and the Westin Hotel. How much Northern Tier development is too much? Every 10 years, Portsmouth rewrites the Master Plan. We have just completed the most recent rewrite. This time, redevelopment of the Northern Tier was a high priority in the Master Plan. These new developments expand the tax base for the city. However, thanks to dedicated work by the planning boards and historic district commissions, all new development must maintain the feel of the city, meaning the new buildings need to blend in with the current.

Would you support a downtown parking garage in the Vaughan Mall area? Yes. The parking situation in Portsmouth is a major problem. The city is about to lose the Deer Street/Hanover Street parking lot in front of the Portwalk hotel. We are currently at 80-85 percent full with our current parking supply and the loss of that lot will drive those numbers up. Studies have shown the additional spaces are needed as development continues to grow our downtown.

If elected, what would you do to foster the arts in Portsmouth? I have always personally been a supporter of the arts. We have always allowed artists to display their work in our store windows. It was the artists that brought the color to this city and they should be encouraged to continue projects like Overnight Art, etc.

Jack Thorsen, 56

occupation: past president and current vice president of Portsmouth Public Media
years living in Portsmouth: 7
public service experience: work with several nonprofits and analysis of the Portsmouth city budget (www.budgetblogs.com)

What is the most positive development to take place in Portsmouth over the last two years, and what is the most negative change? This is a biased answer, but I think the most positive development is the formation of Portsmouth Public Media and its flagship television PPMtv. PPMtv enables our community to express itself! The most negative change is the faltering economy that has put a great strain on residents and the city, alike. The new city council will have to balance the interests of both to achieve a high quality of service without breaking people’s pocket books.

If elected, what would be your top priority for the city over the next two years? Besides the general need to keep budgets in check, I would immediately call on the city council to rescind Sunday parking fees. We need at least one day to enjoy the city without having to pay for it. Portsmouth needs its day of rest!

With Fire Station 3 in danger of closing and other budget cuts taking effect, how can the city maintain adequate safety services? I’ve not seen that closing Fire Station 3 will affect services, but it will help the budget and take the pressure off of other services and the school budget. Balance is called for in all these decisions.

There are major development projects planned for 30 Maplewood Ave., Portwalk and the Westin Hotel. How much Northern Tier development is too much? It is my opinion that we are overdeveloping.  I’m also very disappointed that we will lose more of the river view. I find it strange that we approved a condo next to Prescott Park and the bridge when we don’t even know what the future of the bridge will be!

Would you support a downtown parking garage in the Vaughan Mall area? I believe the area is too small to support a parking garage. There are better locations for this.

If elected, what would you do to foster the arts in Portsmouth? My main focus, as mentioned before, is to build PPMtv, which will give a medium for local artistic talent to showcase their work. The City Council should also give ear to the needs of artists in the area.

Glenn Heilevang Gardner, 36

occupation: marketing executive, M/S Mount Washington
years living in Portsmouth: 4
public service experience: none

What is the most positive development to take place in Portsmouth over the last two years, and what is the most negative change? There are a few positive developments over the past few years I am happy to see, including the saving of the indoor pool through a public/private partnership, the resolution of the middle school issue, and the continued growth of the film, dining, music, and arts scene that makes Portsmouth so unique. I believe the most negative development in Portsmouth is the closing of the Memorial Bridge.

If elected, what would be your top priority for the city over the next two years? My top priority would be maintaining the unique characteristics and services of our city (such as the Wentworth Connections senior bus services, indoor pool, and high standards in public education) while championing fiscal responsibility and limiting the individual property tax burden. I would look to accomplish this through sharing the economic weight of such programs through public/private partnerships and encouraging sustainable private sector growth and development in our local businesses and downtown.

With Fire Station 3 in danger of closing and other budget cuts taking effect, how can the city maintain adequate safety services? Maintaining adequate safety services is a primary responsibility of our city. As we look for efficiencies and cost savings in the budget, we would be remiss in allowing austerity measures to impact our EMS, fire, and police capabilities. We can be frugal without being draconian.

There are major development projects planned for 30 Maplewood Ave., Portwalk and the Westin Hotel. How much Northern Tier development is too much? I believe sustainable development is the key to a successful and prosperous Portsmouth. We are blessed to have such a charming community that attracts tourism and business interests and is one of the reasons why Portsmouth has fared better than other New Hampshire municipalities in the current economic climate. According to the most recent CAFR (Comprehensive Annual Financial Report) published by the city, almost half of the new jobs created in 2010 were hospitality related.

Would you support a downtown parking garage in the Vaughan Mall area? If independent studies showed a need and demand for such a structure I would support it. I would also take the opportunity to see what options are available for a more permanent downtown parking solution for residents at a reduced cost.

If elected, what would you do to foster the arts in Portsmouth? The arts in Portsmouth are best served by continuing a vibrant community that attracts and engages locals and visitors alike. I joined the board of the soon-to-be-launched public access station (PPMtv) in order to ensure local artists, theater groups, musicians and filmmakers, as well as small businesses, have a new way to highlight their goods and talents.

Councilor Eric Spear, 42

occupation: computer programmer
years living in Portsmouth: 14
public service experience: two terms on City Council; various boards including the Historic District Commission and Planning Board; also served on Traffic and Safety and the Peirce Island Committee.

What is the most positive development to take place in Portsmouth over the last two years, and what is the most negative change? Most positive: Breaking ground on the middle school reflects a commitment by the city for public education. I’m very excited to be a part of that effort. I’ll be even more excited when it is done in September 2013. Most negative: We continue to struggle economically. The budget cutbacks from the state have made it difficult to deliver our services without prohibitive tax increases.

If elected, what would be your top priority for the city over the next two years? My priority is to control spending, thereby keeping taxes in check. I believe the council must continue to insist that we provide the high quality of government that our citizens have come to expect and appreciate, but it must be done with taxes that we can afford.

With Fire Station 3 in danger of closing and other budget cuts taking effect, how can the city maintain adequate safety services? It is important to remember that the elected Fire Commission is responsible for any station closure. I believe that the council has provided enough money for fire protection and ambulance service, and it is up to the Commission to spend that money using their best judgment. That being said, the real struggle with the Fire Department is personnel costs, and so we must realign those costs with people’s ability to pay.

There are major development projects planned for 30 Maplewood Ave., Portwalk and the Westin Hotel. How much Northern Tier development is too much? With the big changes in the Northern Tier, Portsmouth will have more tourists, more traffic, and more business. For successful integration into the city, the developments must follow ideals we laid out in the Master Plan. Pedestrian accessibility, bikability, sustainable building practices, water access, and pocket parks are all ways to keep a small-town feel even in the face of tremendous growth and change.

Would you support a downtown parking garage in the Vaughan Mall area? I will say that as a matter of policy, public garages are far better for the city than having developers build their own parking spaces. Public garages have a higher utility rate (more cars in each space per day) and provide revenue to the city. The challenge with the Worth lot is that the space is constrained. The Council is working with a consultant to help us understand our options.

If elected, what would you do to foster the arts in Portsmouth? I think that public support of the arts comes back to us both monetarily and in intangible ways, and I see it remaining as an important part of our portfolio of local government activities.

Councilor Esther Kennedy, 46

occupation: directorof student services; also, owner of Esther’s Marina
years living in Portsmouth: 24
public service experience: two terms on City Council; Governor’s Committee for Marine Fisheries; Port Advisory Committee; Portsmouth Listens Master Plan; Sustainability Fair Committee, etc.

What is the most positive development to take place in Portsmouth over the last two years, and what is the most negative change? The most positive change is the way community members are coming forward and supporting their community. We only have to look to those individuals who chose to save the pool. The most negative development is that we do not have a finalized plan for the sewage treatment plant that will also support our bay’s ecosystem.

If elected, what would be your top priority for the city over the next two years? The top priority is not one of choice but one of necessity. Our top priority as a council must be the budget. With the current economic trends not showing great improvement, we as a community will have to ask some hard questions in order to make sure that we maintain the diversity that we enjoy in our neighborhoods.

With Fire Station 3 in danger of closing and other budget cuts taking effect, how can the city maintain adequate safety services? The city must maintain adequate safety. We have to look at the big picture. At first I was suggesting that we think about closing it at night. However, it was brought to my attention what the closing could mean to Portsmouth residents and the cost of their homeowners insurance. The closing could mean moving from a score of 4 to 5. This could have a costly impact on our insurance ratings.

There are major development projects planned for 30 Maplewood Ave., Portwalk and the Westin Hotel. How much Northern Tier development is too much? I’m very concerned about development in the Northern Tier. Commercial property assessments have decreased in value and the state is giving us less funds, yet our safety services costs have increased and our infrastructure (wastewater treatment plant) does not need any more flushes in its current state. It used to be that when you drove into the city on Maplewood Ave. you could see the beauty of North Church. Now, you see a skyline of brick. I feel we have already gone too far with development in the Northern Tier.

Would you support a downtown parking garage in the Vaughan Mall area? I have been very vocal about the fact that we do not need a parking garage in the Vaughan Mall area.

If elected, what would you do to foster the arts in Portsmouth? I have become very concerned that we seem to be promoting all artists except Portsmouth residents, including many talented and award-winning artists who have not been included in our city’s art activities, such as summer street art, statues that city entities have purchased, and a recent piece purchased for City Hall to commemorate 9/11. It is time to support our residential artists. We must look at the talent in our community and buy local!

Councilor Christine Dwyer, 64

occupation: co-owner of RMC Research Corporation
years living in Portsmouth: 26
public service experience: three terms on City Council; former member of Planning Board; former co-chair of Joint Building Committee for Middle School; former chair of Blue Ribbon Housing Committee, Art-Speak, and NH State Council on the Arts

What is the most positive development to take place in Portsmouth over the last two years, and what is the most negative change? The most positive is the timing of moving forward with the rehabilitation of our historic middle school when state reimbursement was still available and construction costs favorable. The most negative is the delay in replacing the Memorial Bridge caused by the state of Maine’s reluctance to commit funds; that delay prolongs the time of bridge closure and negatively affects businesses in both states.

If elected, what would be your top priority for the city over the next two years? To ensure that the city continues to grow its economic base, which includes: 1) continuing with the major infrastructure improvements that are underway and in the planning stages; 2) adding workforce housing; and 3) stabilizing city services, including public safety and education.

With Fire Station 3 in danger of closing and other budget cuts taking effect, how can the city maintain adequate safety services? The citizens and businesses of Portsmouth want to maintain a high level of fire and police protection and I believe the Council has heard that message. In regards to Fire Station 3, it would be especially short-sighted to ignore the concerns of the economic engine of our community—the Pease Tradeport.

There are major development projects planned for 30 Maplewood Ave., Portwalk and the Westin Hotel. How much Northern Tier development is too much? The Northern Tier has been awaiting redevelopment for over 40 years, so it isn’t surprising that the amount of change feels overwhelming to Portsmouth citizens. The issue is not how much development but the planned uses, e.g., number of jobs, adequate parking, and aesthetics.

Would you support a downtown parking garage in the Vaughan Mall area? Yes, if we can come up with an appropriate design (avoiding the canyon effect) that includes enough spaces to ensure that annual costs of payback will be covered by usage.

If elected, what would you do to foster the arts in Portsmouth? Keep reminding decision makers that arts, history, and culture are the foundation of the Portsmouth advantage and require investments to continue to thrive. Bring national and regional attention to the unique confluence of arts activity that many here take for granted.

Brad Lown, 53

occupation: attorney—general civil law practice
years living in Portsmouth: 25
public service experience: former member of Building Code Board of Appeals, School Board, Planning Board and City Council; past president of Portsmouth Historical Society; youth sports coach, etc.

What is the most positive development to take place in Portsmouth over the last two years, and what is the most negative change? Portsmouth has weathered the recession relatively well. Many other areas of the country experienced high unemployment and plummeting property values to a much greater degree. Even within the state, Portsmouth has fared well. The reason is that Portsmouth has many valuable assets—proximity to the ocean, a rich history, a vibrant arts and music community, and a well-run city. Many taxpayers, however, are suffering financially in various ways, and their plight has to be acknowledged and considered. The most negative change is the deterioration of civility in budget and union contract negotiations.

If elected, what would be your top priority for the city over the next two years? The most important function of the Council is to raise revenue from taxpayers and spend it wisely and efficiently for the public good. I will keep an open mind and will listen to the citizens to determine what is fair for all the citizens at any given time, with respect to any service provided by the city. This may sound like a meaningless platitude, but it is in fact the essence of what good city councilors should do.

With Fire Station 3 in danger of closing and other budget cuts taking effect, how can the city maintain adequate safety services? Portsmouth taxpayers and citizens have the right to expect that police and fire personnel will respond quickly to their needs. The budgets of those departments must ensure a prompt and effective response. Determining the reasonableness of those budgets is a process that must consider the recommendations of the police and fire departments and commissions as well as outside studies and comparisons to other municipalities.

There are major development projects planned for 30 Maplewood Ave., Portwalk and the Westin Hotel. How much Northern Tier development is too much? It is heartening to see the extent of the private investment in Portsmouth. The influx of capital is a sign of the confidence of investors and developers in the future of the city. The Planning Department, the Planning  Board, the Historic District Commission and the Zoning Board are responsible for overseeing the development and compliance with the zoning ordinance. Whether the existing and proposed development is “too much” is a subjective opinion that is largely irrelevant under the ordinance and subdivision regulations.

Would you support a downtown parking garage in the Vaughan Mall area? If the existing parking garage on Hanover/High streets is frequently not full to capacity, that would be an indication that another parking garage within 200 yards is probably not needed at this time. I would need to review the evidence before making a decision. As a general matter, the city should do what it can to encourage walking and biking, with less emphasis on parking availability in close proximity to the downtown.

If elected, what would you do to foster the arts in Portsmouth? The vibrancy of the arts and music community in Portsmouth is something that sets this city apart from most other New Hampshire cities and towns and is a precious asset. The Council should do whatever it can to encourage arts and music to flourish here.

Councilor Anthony Coviello, 36

occupation: consulting structural engineer
years living in Portsmouth: 12
public service experience: Planning Board, Recreation Board, Historic District Commission, Building Code Board of Appeals, Joint School Advisory Committee

What is the most positive development to take place in Portsmouth over the last two years, and what is the most negative change? I think the most positive thing has been the improvement of our schools, in both student performance and facilities (new middle school). Under the leadership of our School Board and superintendant, I have noticed a continued improvement in a variety of outcome measures. We have more work to do, but the progress is encouraging. The most negative development is the cutback from the state, in regard to retirement funds, rooms and meals tax revenue, and social services. We’ve been forced to pick up the slack and it’s been hard on our budgets.

If elected, what would be your top priority for the city over the next two years? My top priority is to develop a sustainable budget model based upon outcome measures, where we don’t have to choose between cutting services or dramatically increasing taxes. With limited dollars, we need to make sure that every dollar is producing the largest positive outcome.

With Fire Station 3 in danger of closing and other budget cuts taking effect, how can the city maintain adequate safety services? Health insurance and retirement costs are driving the costs up at a rapid rate while taxpayers’ income has been relatively flat. We need new labor contracts that are fair but responsive to the economic environment we are in. We can’t give some people raises and lay off others to pay for those raises. That’s unsustainable. We also need to open talks with our surrounding communities regarding regionalization of services.

There are major development projects planned for 30 Maplewood Ave., Portwalk and the Westin Hotel. How much Northern Tier development is too much? There’s no doubt there is a pressure to develop in Portsmouth. Rather than say no to any further development, I think we should leverage this pressure by demanding better buildings from developers. We should demand that their buildings fit into our community in terms of our architectural significance, walk-ability, bike-ability sustainability, and scale. I think we should study the impact of hotel construction in the downtown to determine if it’s something we want to limit or continue.

Would you support a downtown parking garage in the Vaughan Mall area? If the garage is paid for by downtown parking users and not taxpayers; if it can be constructed so as to not canyon-ize the Vaughan Mall; if it doesn’t create a traffic problem on the side streets; and if it can be built with the appropriate architectural aesthetic; then yes.

If elected, what would you do to foster the arts in Portsmouth? I would seek to continue the already art-centric and art-friendly environment in Portsmouth. We have annual art installations, private installations, film festivals, outdoor and indoor theater productions, and the list goes on. Clearly it is successful for the city and the City Council should continue to support these events.