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Community urges Portsmouth to reinstate New Generation marching band; council asks staff to work with group
Summary
Leaders and supporters of New Generation — a 30+ year youth marching program serving about 125 young people — urged council to reinstate facility access and requested an immediate, temporary conditional agreement while compliance items are finalized; City Manager said staff will work to expedite resolution.
Dozens of Portsmouth residents and leaders urged the City Council July 14 to reinstate access for the New Generation Community Band, a long‑running youth program that organizers say serves roughly 125 young people.
Sergio O'Neil, speaking on behalf of New Generation, described an "impasse" with the Parks and Recreation department over memorandums of understanding, facility use agreements, and insurance requirements. O'Neil asked the council to reinstate the group's use agreement while outstanding compliance issues are resolved, warning that removing the program's practice space could have a dramatic negative effect across the city.
Several community speakers, including Christopher Hines (New Generation leadership), civil‑rights activist Andrew Shannon, and other parents and youth, described the program's 30‑plus year history of youth development, regional performances (including Washington, D.C.), and scholarship pathways. Youth members and allied nonprofit leaders emphasized the program's role in promoting discipline, teamwork and opportunity for at‑risk young people.
Council members expressed support and asked city staff to continue immediate dialogue with New Generation leadership. City Manager Steven Carter said he had signed a letter that included an offer to expedite the process and that staff were prepared to work with the organization when it is ready to move forward. Several council members suggested the city and the group should negotiate corrective, measurable steps — for example, supervision, scheduling, storage access, and communication protocols — to allow rehearsals to resume while remaining compliance items are finalized.
No formal council vote was recorded on reinstatement; council directed staff to continue discussions and provide a report back to the body.
