Council Disagrees with Mayor on Appointment Process
Reporter: Dave Andreesen
Date: August 21, 2012
 
Portsmouth Mayor Eric Spear once again disagreed with City Councilors over the process for appointments to city committees. Spear has continually made these appointments on his own authority, which has many on the council angered that he’s doesn’t take their recommendations into consideration. The latest feud occurred at the last Council meeting where Councilor Ken Smith presented a nomination for the Traffic and Safety Committee, and although Spear agreed the candidate was qualified, shot the suggestion down immediately because it would have made an all-male committee. Smith fired back that the committee is already short members, and that the Mayor doesn’t respect the council’s recommendations.