To the editor:

Two recent letters in the Portsmouth Times by residents James Banks and Town Council candidate Leonard Katzman vilify the performance of the 2010-2012 Portsmouth (Republican-led) Town Council. 

These two gentlemen may be unaware of that council’s accomplishments. I proudly served with that Republican majority of Keith Hamilton, Liz Pedro, Paul Kesson and Judi Staven. Together we pulled Portsmouth government, then mired in 1960s small-town era of rampant cronyism, public corruption, poor management and disregard for the Town Charter, into the 21st Century. I would like to see a comparable record of a Democratic council. 

Among other things, we: 

• stopped habitual overspending of department budgets and mid-year town budget increases.

• rebuilt the fund balance to a never-before-seen $4,866,838. 

• initiated replacement of line firefighter dispatchers with less-costly civilians.

• initiated reforms to eliminate insolvency threat of $52 million unfunded pension liability.

• committed to protect the Glen for future generations.

• established municipal/school departments initiative to consolidate non-educational services.

• replaced Democrats’ environmental legal counsel to challenge RIDEM sewer demand.

• conducted a professional search and hired an experienced, highly regarded new town administrator.

• engaged Portsmouth’s first labor attorney to consult/represent the administration and taxpayers on collective bargaining issues/agreements.

• initiated operational audits of all town departments.

• accommodated annual road maintenance in the operating budget.

• conducted first-ever, yet charter-required, town administrator performance review.

• established first five-year Capital Improvement Plan and annual budgeting for town infrastructure projects.

• conducted first residential mosquito control spray in 25 years.

• implemented town-wide emergency, resident communications system.

• lowered tax levy increases from 3.74 percent to 3.2 percent, then 2.3 percent, despite economy-driven decline in town and state revenues.

This is the performance of a Republican-led Portsmouth Town Council. Our work is unfinished. Voters who appreciate the 2010-2012 council record should vote for Republican Town Council candidates Paul Kesson, Liz Pedro, Keith Hamilton, Larry Fitzmorris, Tom Vadney and Debra Cardoza.

Joe Robicheau

499 Wapping Road

Portsmouth