Jennifer Kretovic, City Councilor, Concord, New Hampshire

"I know why I'm here. It isn't for me. I expect to hear your voice. But the reality is that when it comes time to vote at the table, I'm going to vote for what is best for our community, not just what you wanted me to say.”-Jennifer Kretovic

"Engaged or Enraged?"

What Today’s Public Feedback Is Really Telling Us

It’s no secret that public meetings have changed. What once came through face-to-face dialogue now too often shows up as sharp online opposition—frequently anonymous, often personal, and increasingly disconnected from the full context of the work.

In this week’s episode of Community Catalysts, I speak with Jennifer Kretovic, City Councilor from Concord, NH, about what this shift feels like from the seat of local leadership. Jennifer brings more than two decades of experience to the conversation, including leading a major downtown revitalization that engaged over 70 community meetings—and more recently, navigating intense backlash over a proposal to replace the city’s aging municipal golf course clubhouse. The contrast between the two efforts—one before the pandemic, one after—says a lot about how public discourse is evolving.

She speaks candidly about the rise of “keyboard cowboys,” the erosion of civil dialogue, and what it takes to lead with purpose when the feedback turns personal. And she reminds us that Concord isn’t just any city—it’s where the U.S. Constitution was ratified, officially creating the United States of America in 1788. That legacy of civic engagement still matters, especially in a moment when public trust feels fragile.

If you’ve ever had to lead through noise, pushback, or polarization—and especially if you’ve asked yourself whether it’s still worth it—this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.