Raising concerns about both the process and potential controversy, Mayor Rick Becksted ruled Monday that a City Council vote on permanently recognizing Indigenous Peoples Day in place of Columbus Day would have to wait three weeks. Passionate high school advocates turned out to support the item, which they first brought to the council’s attention last fall, to have Portsmouth permanently celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day rather than honoring Columbus Day. 

Mayor Rick Becksted ruled because the item brought forth by Councilor Cliff Lazenby was only listed on Monday evening’s agenda as a public hearing and did not come with a motion, the wider public was not properly informed.