Restoring Accountability to Portsmouth’s City Government

Over the past four years, I’ve watched a troubling trend take hold in Portsmouth’s city government — one that should concern every resident who values transparency and honest representation.

This current City Council has held around 70 non-public meetings during their term. Seventy. And most of them are non-descriptive, offering no meaningful information to the public about what was discussed or why the meeting was even called.

When I served on the City Council, we didn’t come anywhere close to that number — not even half. And there’s a good reason why: non-public sessions are supposed to be the exception, not the norm. They’re meant for limited, specific situations such as personnel matters or legal discussions. They are not meant to become a routine part of how city business is conducted.

So the question becomes: why so many meetings?

Why so much secrecy?

And what exactly is this Council hiding from the people of Portsmouth?

Our residents deserve better than closed doors and vague explanations. Every decision made in that chamber affects our neighborhoods, our taxes, our local businesses, and our quality of life. When government operates in the dark, trust is lost — and once that trust is gone, it’s hard to get it back.

Accountability starts with transparency. If elected, I will push for clear standards that limit the use of non-public sessions and require that every meeting — whether public or private — be documented with a clear purpose and explanation. Residents should always know what their elected officials are doing and why they’re doing it.

I’m not running to play politics. I’m running because I believe Portsmouth deserves honest, open leadership — leadership that isn’t afraid to answer questions, face criticism, or explain decisions.

Government should never forget who it serves. It’s your city, your money, and your right to know what’s happening.

It’s time to bring accountability back to City Hall.

— Rick Becksted