ICYMI: Jay Kahn announced last week he is running for Mayor of Keene. If you missed the event, you can read his speech below.
Since the 2022 general elections a variety of people planted in my thoughts that I should run for mayor in 2023. So I began that journey months ago, seeking from people in Keene what are the important qualities you’d like in a mayor. Independence is one, a person who will work with everyone without partisan or personal interest. A mayor should be someone who has earned the trust of their community, one who serves with humility, respects others and will compromise to achieve important outcomes. I proved my abilities working at KSC for 28 years, leading the college’s fiscal management, planning for its future, and leading through transition. Over my six years in the state senate, I had a high trajectory of learning and accomplishments. In addition, I’ve learned a great deal about our community by serving on and leading non-profit boards. I’d like to believe that my success in public life is a result of my education and experience in public policy analysis. I’m trained in seeking new information and also in decision-making using economic mini-max principles: what’s the minimal outcome of a decision and the maximum outcome of a decision recognizing you never have perfect information, and you often need to act based on the information you do have.
So now that we have a room full of friends and supporters and let’s make this official: I, Jay Kahn, am formally announcing that I will file my candidacy papers next week to be the City of Keene’s next mayor and I intend to work very hard to earn your support, your vote and your confidence.
And let me introduce the Kahn for Mayor team:
Talee Messinger – communications manager
JoAnn Fenton and Jennifer Friedman – volunteer coordinators
Carl Stewart – sign distribution
Ben Friedman and Solomon Silberstein – interns
Cheryl Kahn – fiscal agent
First, I want to thank you for keeping my candidacy a big secret.
Second, Given the confluence of events in my life this week, I am reminded of the words of Muriel Humphrey on the eve of his announcement for president, “Hubert, a speech doesn’t have to be eternal to be immortal.”
Often on job interviews you get asked what book is on your nightstand. After I finished Daniel Sylva’s latest book I searched through some books gifted to me during my last term in the state senate. I came upon the book Results by former MA Governor Charlie Baker and Steve Kadish, who served as Baker’s chief of staff. It was gifted to me by a college classmate of Mr. Kadish, Tom Julius. Tom leads the Monadnock Interfaith Project.
As I opened the book I noticed a letter that was enclosed inside from Tom Julius. It reads
“This book, Results, was co-authored by an old close friend of mine, Steve Kadish, and Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker. I am sending it to several people I know whose efforts in the public sphere I respect. I know that you are not seeking re-election for state senator but there is a lot here that reminds me of the good work you have done to reach across political divides, listen to people’s experiences, and make more good things happen.
I am delighted to share their book with you and hope it will remind you of the time well spent serving the public well in the past, and perhaps in the future. Enjoy! “
Very prescient my friend, Tom Julius.
The book Results reflects on some widely accepted management principles and how they apply in the public sector: study the evidence; determine what outcomes need to be improved; how are those outcome improvements to be accomplished; and how will you assess if the desired outcomes have been achieved.
It’s this methodical approach I will apply to high priorities which I currently see as five for Keene’s next mayor:
Public safety, housing, workforce, infrastructure and community engagement.
Public Safety - The first responsibility of local government is the safety of its residents. Police and fire and public works are the city’s first responders. Adequate and well-trained personnel are essential. This isn’t just streets, hazards, fires and crime. Safe drinking water and trash disposal without ground infiltration of health threatening substances is a baseline public safety also provided by municipal services. We need to be transparent about the costs, benefits and improvements needed in these services
The first responder network extends beyond municipal staff. First responders include health and mental health workers. It includes local educational institutions that prepare these essential workers. Supportive housing providers also play a role as part of the recovery network. Putting these pieces together provides a broad system of care essential for the health and safety of our residents and we need to sustain the services we have and fill in the gaps. The city is not the sole provider of these services. The city needs to be a good partner in this network of providers and a good advocate for filling the gaps in the community’s system of care.
Housing – The City’s Housing Needs Assessment reported this past spring that the City needs 1400 new housing units. Additionally, the city lost population over the past decade, not so substantial and maybe attributable to the College enrollment loss, but significant in comparison to the overall increase in NH. That increase will take a variety of strategies involving housing people in Keene and surrounding towns. Those strategies include being a good partner with developers and surrounding towns. Adding occupancy to existing properties and building housing on underutilized properties need to be part of the solution. Creating more housing opportunities in and near downtown will add to the City’s vibrance.
Workforce - The Chamber’s theme of “within thriving distance” is designed to attract people to the Monadnock region. The City needs to become part of that effort as well. The Chamber’s strategy includes attracting more students to area colleges, making sure high school and college students have internships locally and encouraging young people to make their lives here. For that to happen the city needs the technology infrastructure for people to be connected globally, 24/7. The City needs to be that welcoming place that attracts people to the heart of the Monadnock region, Keene, NH.
Infrastructure - The heart of Keene is downtown. Its vibrance draws the community together daily as well as for festivals. A walkable, safe and livable downtown requires commercial and retail stores and services. The City needs an infrastructure that accommodates more housing downtown and needs to be prepared to partner with developers to create multi-use parking-storefront-apartment development in the city’s center.
Community Engagement – Keene residents want a city government that works to unify our city. Keene is a city where all are welcome, indeed encouraged to participate in making the city a good place to live; the hallmark of Keene’s rural, independent character is its engaged citizenry. The pride of place exhibited in Keene reflects its historic place as the hub of the Monadnock Region. In today’s technologically oriented world, we need to create human interactions that foster a sense of community belonging, as well as media portals to keep people informed. The City needs to work in partnership with businesses, nonprofit organizations, schools and colleges to meet these community expectations.
Five goals, broadening our public safety network; increasing available and affordable housing; expanding our workforce; modernizing our infrastructure; and leveraging community engagement.
Whether I have an opponent or not, doesn’t matter as to how I intend to run for mayor. I recognize that working in the public sector is a team sport. Borrowing from the African proverb, If you want to run fast, run alone, if you want to run far, run together. It is important to engage Keene voters in this election.
I ask you to join my campaign for mayor of Keene: to work with a new city council made up of current and new councilors; to forge a pathway into the next decade, the 2030’s a pathway for hope and progress; a pathway for a safe community for all who live and work here; a welcoming community that supports job creators and job seekers; a community that supports personal lifestyle and recreational choices; a thriving community that works well with its neighbors and provides an example for other communities to follow; a community that strikes a balance between preserving it's historic identity and small-town feel, while embracing change, new ideas, and promoting inclusivity and diversity.
Public safety, more affordable and accessible housing, expanding workforce, improving infrastructure and enhancing community engagement
We will begin distributing signs later this week. If you haven’t yet asked for one please make sure you let Ben of Sol know you want one delivered. We will begin canvassing Keene households before Labor Day. Again, let Ben or Sol know you want to devote some time as a canvassing volunteer. And let me or Cheryl know if you are interested in hosting a house party for friends and neighbors.
I am very grateful for your attendance tonight. Please before you leave tonight let’s take a lot of selfies that you can then post on your social media later tonight that express your excitement for the Jay Kahn for Mayor campaign. Thank you.