Portsmouth Town Council gives candidate a leg up on upcoming election!

It was reported recently that Portsmouth Town Council appointed candidate Juan Carlos Payero to the Portsmouth Town Council to fill a recently vacated position on the Council. This was done despite the fact that nine people applied for this position of which 4 were citizens who were would not be on the ballot in November. What would motivate them to select one of the 5 applicants who were running?

Councilman Hamilton noted that selecting Mr. Payero has left an unnecessary vacancy on the School Committee. I agree! The effect is that the School Committee is now left without the vice chair! Was that really the wisest choice for Portsmouth?

I am disappointed by this decision as it appears that the council is trying to hand pick the next council member and to take the power from the voters in November. This is not how a democracy is supposed to work. Has the Council just created an unequal playing field for this upcoming election?

Maria Rodriguez