My name is Samantha Clattenburg. I would like to explain quickly why I decided to run for city council, at large no less. For the last 20 years, I have been a career waitress and manager, 18 of which were at Friendly’s. I currently work at The Newell Post. I’ve kept my life very simple on purpose as a single mother of two, and now that my children are grown, I feel that it is time to step out of the side lines and into the line of fire so to speak, in offering full devotion to representing the City of Concord and Penacook constituents, many of whom have purposefully stayed on the sidelines as well. I completely understand why so many people keep to themselves concerning city matters. Many people just wait to read their purple bag fate in the newspaper, because their lives are too busy to get involved and try to effect change. I am at a point in my life when I don’t have that excuse anymore. I’m not too busy. These last few weeks have been an extremely educational experience, and I have thoroughly appreciated listening to ideas and concerns of both Concord and Penacook residents.
In matters that concern Penacook, I will say quickly that I feel The Concord Monitor took and unusual stance in the Monday October 28th Editorial, essentially accusing the Penacook candidate advocates of crying wolf, pertaining to Penacook’s needs playing second fiddle to Concord, because Concord indeed had multiple projects listed for Penacook, Sewell’s Falls Bridge being one of them. However, I would remind anyone, that it was only when the Sewell’s Falls Bridge made the fracture critical list in the media, that state dignitaries gave the matter the attention that it deserved. The Concord Monitor is located right over that bridge. I am perplexed. There is a list of other reminders in the article that Concord is not derelict in their duty to Penacook, however I would be surprised if all of those projects added together, totaled the impending winning bid for the Complete Streets Main Street Project.
In the last six weeks, I have asked residents of Penacook in which direction would they like to see their community thrive. One answer was on the tip of almost every tongue, and you know what it is. A grocery store. So the question then becomes, what roll can Concord play in advocating for a grocery store to prospective developers? We could offer a tax abatement for the first year of business, just a thought. Penacook should not be at the mercy of whatever developer decides to come to town, thereby dictating the future landscape of the community. The point has been made multiple times that the free market should decide who develops, and where, and that Concord should not play realtor concerning some of these properties. I could make the argument that as we negotiate bids, that is essentially what we are doing with the Complete Streets Main Street Project, trying to appeal to a new clientele by way of beautification and infrastructure, and no one is crying “free market”. If the free market is the end all say all, then there is no need for the project. It seems to me that if Penacook serves as a school district to multiple towns, those residents would have a more convenient location to grocery shop when they drop off or pick up their teenagers from school, not to mention that Penacook is closer than Tilton or Warner, for Boscawen and Salisbury residents anyway.
But, I am not going to harp on the obvious. I have heard some fabulous ideas to utilize the Tannery and Rivco sites, which I now understand that a grocery store and indoor shopping facility is the main focus, however one idea that stuck out was a multigenerational recreational facility, maybe one with a swimming pool. The kids need something to do, and the closest option otherwise is the YMCA in Concord, if I am not overlooking somewhere else. I also had a friend mention to me that The Contoocook River Park would be an excellent place for a small museum for the history of Penacook. So, I took a walk down there the other day to see the landscape, and I thought of the way the trails in the White Mountains have placards that tell a story of that area. I thought “wouldn’t it be great if there were placards along the Contoocook River Park trails that tell individual stories of Penacook, as told by senior members of the community as a way to commemorate their memory of the Village?” Maybe instead of a museum, there could be a small gift shop to generate some return of investment. Maybe some local craftsmen and women could sell some of their creations. Maybe a Penacook crooked river silver collectable spoon, or hand-made coffee mugs? It’s just a thought. This would also generate more customers in the small business aspect of the community, because people tend eat and shop where they visit. Penacook should be on a tourist’s itinerary, as it was the original Concord, actually.
I was talking to a resident in my door knocking campaign endeavors, and amidst our joking he mentioned an exit 16 ½. I laughed at him, I thought he was kidding, and his smile turned to stone, as he said “I’m serious”. AWKWARD!! So, I looked at a map of the exit 16 and 17 logistics, and it occurred to me that Penacook has one road to Concord, towards the hospital. Route 3. Some Council members and the mayor have gone on record to say that Langley Parkway Phase Three, a route that would start behind the hospital and essentially end near the intersection of Penacook and Rumford Streets, is not on the docket for priorities in the near future. Therefore, I am going to hold them at their words. I have proposed in more than one venue, to look into a different, and yes more costly route, that would not only provide Penacook, Boscawen and East Concord, access to Concord Hospital that was not previously not considered, but would also aid in the development of Penacook and provide easier access to both the men’s and impending women’s correctional facilities, by rerouting the Langley Parkway extension to exit 16. If the original plan as it stands is not a priority, then there is no harm in looking into an alternative, as the original plan abuts multiple properties and will create heavier traffic in highly utilized roads for joggers and cyclists.
I want to be clear that none of the ideas I have put before you were mine originally. I listened to people. That is crux of the job I am applying for. Listener At Large, and I simply ask you to let me be your voice amongst the other voices that might inadvertently stifle the growth of Penacook.
Thank you sincerely
