Ward 5 council election has newcomer Robinson challenging incumbent Bogert

LACONIA — In the upcoming Municipal Election on Tuesday, Nov. 4, the Ward 5 seat on the city council is sought by incumbent Steven Bogert and newcomer Douglas Robinson.

Steven Bogert

Bogert, 71, has lived in Laconia for 23 years. He’s retired, with previous careers in technology manufacturing management, later working in contractor supply at Lowe’s in Gilford, and presently serves Belknap County as a state representative. He was appointed in 2023, to fill the seat held by the late Bob Hamel, and later elected. This is his first full term, and he’s going for a second. 

Over the years, Bogert has involved himself in numerous community boards and organizations: the Laconia Chiefs youth football and cheer organization, Lakes Region Public Access, and New Horizons Musical Organization of the Lakes Region, to name a few. He’s running to continue fighting for Ward 5, he said.

“I enjoy doing it, I think I’ve been a big help in Ward 5, working to solve some of the local issues we’ve had,” he said Tuesday. Some of the big ones include parking — it’s a densely populated ward — improving roads, and prohibiting illegal camping.

“Actually, we’ve been pretty successful.”

For Bogert, remaining accessible to Ward 5 residents is the most important part of the job. 

“If someone calls, that means they need help,” he said. “This is a face-to-face kind of business, you have to not be afraid to go out and talk with people. That’s what I’m here for.”

Principal among challenges facing the city over the next several is the State School property development, which will force the council to address an anticipated 2,000-plus new units of housing. 

“We’re going to have to look at our infrastructure — water and sewer — along with any traffic modifications,” Bogert said. “That’s the first thing.” The city will likely need a new building for the department of public works in coming years, plus a new community center. 

Under the confines of the tax cap, the city will need to be creative in addressing such issues, while promoting the development of a fruitful base of employment — jobs that afford residents the ability to purchase homes of their own. 

The city’s done a good job keeping the tax rate down, and, by his estimation, they’ve been frugal with bonding, too. A recent bond for the purchase of a new ladder truck for the fire department stands out as a large expense, but necessary. 

“I think, if it's done wisely, that’s the better approach of things,” he said, noting bonding, in some cases, can reduce the immediate burden on taxpayers.

He said he’ll continue to support the efforts of law enforcement to maintain quality of life in the city, noting they’ve worked hand-in-hand to bust drug houses in Ward 5 and clamp down on illegal camping. They succeeded in turning a parcel on Lafayette Street into a conservation area, which could open up an opportunity for a nature area or park — Ward 5 doesn’t have one — down the line.

“If you want someone who’s going to stand up for you in a real world situation, then I’m your guy.”

Douglas Robinson

Robinson, 56, was born and raised in Laconia, and purchased a home in the city in 1995. He’s currently a project manager and maintenance manager for a firm which delivers home health care to people with physical and mental disabilities.

“I was the grandson of a police officer here in Laconia,” Robinson said. His grandparents were hard-working, salt-of-the-Earth people, which he said informs his outlook today.  

Robinson is concerned about the tax burden on residents, and said leaders should be intentional about where development — and what kind — should take place. Referring to large mansions built on the lakes, which he said are not necessarily negative, he noted those can inflate surrounding property values. 

“That’s just artificial,” Robinson said. “Taxes are not affordable.” 

For his part, Robinson said he's concerned about the city overextending itself on bonded spending, which he said will place pressure on the community’s children down the line. 

“We can’t continue to sustain this.”

He’s also concerned about homelessness, though he said it’s not a simple, one-size-fits all fix. 

He’s involved in discussion regarding the topic, and said people experience homelessness for many reasons, and would likely support enforcement policies similar to those in place in other New Hampshire communities, like Manchester.

“The root cause is different for every subcategory that you’re trying to help,” he said. “Empathy doesn’t mean no consequences. 

“Affordable housing is one of the biggest concerns that I hear, people can’t afford to live,” he said, noting leaders need to consider ways to make it easier to build attainable housing.

One way could be to limit red tape at the planning and zoning levels, he said. He referred to recent zoning changes which help property owners add extra units to their houses. 

“I think that’s a good start,” Robinson said. “I sometimes have a problem with using such a broad brush.”

“Those are the things I would look at” to make it easier on homeowners, he said. 

Robinson said he’d be a diligent fighter for Ward 5 and for the residents of Laconia, working with councilors and city leaders to compromise on solutions that make real impacts. 

“At the end of the day, this is not about Doug,” he said. “This position is about serving Laconia, about serving the citizens.”

Honesty and transparency are two aspects voters can expect from him if elected, he said. 

“That’s how I was brought up,” he said. “I’m running as their next door neighbor, I’m a family-first guy. I’m here to fight for them, not for myself.”