To the editor:

I am personally offended by the disparaging letters from Democratic candidates Leonard Katzman and John McDaid regarding the PCC candidate forum. 

As a member of the Portsmouth Citizen’s Committee (PCC) for over 10 years, I witnessed nothing but open, honest government and transparency from Larry Fitzmorris, Debra Faber Cardoza and Paul Kesson. The PCC is a non-partisan group whose members include Democrats, Independents and Republicans, whose effort try to make it easier for residents to find out what’s going on in town and to find out about all candidates. These PCC members take time away from their lives, family and friends to support good government in Portsmouth and across the state. 

In 2001, a small group of PCC members took it upon themselves to improve public awareness of the town’s political processes and actions. Let me explain what’s involved. These residents, at a minimum four times a month, record town council, school board meetings, an occasional zoning board and now comprehensive community planning board meetings. So at 6 p.m., when most of us are living our lives, eating dinner, watching the news, these residents are preparing to spend three, four, five hours attending various town meetings. For those who haven’t experienced it yet, town council meetings usually end at 10 or 11 p.m., sometimes even midnight! 

In 2014, the Portsmouth Town Council understood the value of recording these meetings and recognized their efforts by presenting the annual “Portsmouth Award” to the PCC film crew: Larry FItzmorris, Debra Faber Cardoza, Peter Roberts, Hadley Rood and myself. The award stated “members of the PCC, a local grassroots political action organization, took it upon themselves to improve public awareness … and help make our local government operations more accessible to all interested citizens.” 

These Democrat candidates should be ashamed of their criticism directed at residents who volunteer their time supporting open, transparent government in Portsmouth!

Charlie Cook

72 Stagecoach Drive

Portsmouth