Portsmouth mayoral candidates field questions

PORTSMOUTH

If Bernard Griffin Sr. doesn't get the nod to be the city's next mayor, he at least brought some levity to the City Council's selection process Monday night.

The former vice mayor, who left office in 2004, is one of four people who will be considered when the council votes tonight on a temporary replacement for James Holley.

In a public interview, Councilman Bill Moody Jr. asked Griffin to describe the ideal mayor. An audience of about 75 awaited the answer.

Griffin hesitated, then responded with a smile. His answer drew laughter,

"I could be boastful and say Bernard Griffin Sr.".

The decision rests with the six council members, two of whom are seeking the appointment: Vice Mayor Charles B. Whitehurst Sr. and Councilwoman Elizabeth Psimas.

The public interview session went fast. The four council members not seeking the appointment sat in seats facing the audience, a chair and a table with a microphone. One by one, Psimas, Whitehurst and Griffin entered the chambers to answer the same eight questions, including,

Why are you interested in the post?

Describe your volunteer work.

How has your experience prepared you to be mayor?

What would you like to accomplish?

Griffin was done in 14 minutes, Psimas in eight and Whitehurst in seven.

Psimas said anybody can lead a meeting or cut a ribbon, but Portsmouth needs a mayor who will be respected at the regional table. She said she hopes to get the appointment and then run for the position when it comes up for a special election on Nov. 2.

"It's fine to talk about healing, but we can't afford to have a placeholder that allows us to lose traction," Psimas said.

Like Psimas, Whitehurst would lose his current seat if he were appointed mayor, making it likely that he would also run for mayor in November in order to stay on the council.

He mentioned his service in the Marines and described himself as a leader who tries to carefully prepare for a decision, "and then step across the line boldly."

"Difficult, I can do immediately," he said. "Impossible takes a little longer."

Griffin said the city seemed to be divided in the aftermath of the July 13 recall of Holley. He said his experience as a former School Board member and council member can help reunite residents. He added that he was interested only in the interim appointment.

"I don't think my wife would permit me to go beyond a three-month period," he said, drawing chuckles.

The City Council privately culled a large list of potential appointees down to four finalists. The fourth, Bishop Curtis E. Edmonds Sr., could not make the interviews Monday because of a previously scheduled trip.

The council members met for about 45 minutes in closed session after the interviews and plan to vote at the end of tonight's council meeting, which begins at 7 p.m.

Dave Forster, (757) 446-2627, dave.forster@pilotonline.com