Charlie St. Clair named first Laconia Citizen of the Year

LACONIA — Charlie St. Clair is the city’s first Citizen of the Year. 

During the city council meeting Monday night, Mayor Andrew Hosmer — on behalf of the council — named St. Clair the city’s inaugural recipient of the award. 

St. Clair serves Laconia as a Democrat in the Statehouse, owns and operates the Laconia Antique Center downtown, is a 10-year member of the city’s Planning Board and, perhaps most famously, is the executive director of the Laconia Motorcycle Week Association.

“There are hundreds of other people that should’ve qualified for that,” St. Clair said Wednesday morning. “I’m very humbled by this, truly.”

“Whereas the strength of Laconia lies in the dedication, generosity and leadership of its people, it is fitting that we honor those individuals whose lives reflect the very best of our community spirit,” Hosmer said Monday night. “The Citizen of the Year award — this is the first time we’ve given it out — has been created to recognize an individual who goes above and beyond in service, kindness and commitment to making Laconia a better place.

“We are honored that the first recipient of this award is my friend, Charlie St. Clair,” Hosmer said.

St. Clair spent a lifetime giving back to Laconia, Hosmer said, noting his years serving as head of Laconia Motorcycle Week and through his service as a state representative.

“Charlie is admired not only for his leadership and accomplishments,” Hosmer said, “but also for his humor, his warmth and willingness to help others, qualities that have earned him the respect and friendship of countless residents.”

St. Clair was born and raised in Laconia and graduated from Laconia High School, a member of the class of 1969. He attended junior college in Boston, and continued at University of Colorado-Boulder, majoring in history with a minor in education.

He went on to teach at elementary and high schools, both in Colorado and Boston. After attending law school in Massachusetts, St. Clair lived in Boston for 15 more years, driving a taxicab and owning a video business in Brookline. He returned to Laconia in 1992, to work for the Laconia Motorcycle Week Association and opened a restaurant, The Colorado Club, which he operated for a few years before turning his attention full-time to Motorcycle Week.

St. Clair co-authored The Images of America book "Laconia Motorcycle Week," and was inducted into the Sturgis Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2008, and awarded Recreational Road Riding Organizer of the Year in 2013. He earned the lifetime achievement award in tourism from the Lakes Region Tourism Association in 2018, Hosmer said. 

“Charlie acts as a year-round ambassador for the City of Laconia and the State of New Hampshire, because, whether he is working or not, he’s always encouraging people to visit our beautiful City on the Lakes,” Hosmer said. “Charlie’s legacy is one of service, pride and devotion to Laconia, setting an inspiring example of what it means to be a true citizen of our community.”

“I’m a Laconia guy, I’ve always felt that way and it’s pretty easy to be a cheerleader for this area,” St. Clair said Wednesday. “Every year the summer was special around here, and I still feel that way.”

Between the mountains, lakes and proximity to Boston and New York City, “it’s an easy sell,” he said. Spending much of his time traveling around the country, St. Clair said people far and wide know about Laconia. 

“I’m proud of that, I’m proud of our city, I’m proud of our government here,” he said. 

On his final day in office, Hosmer said he’s enthusiastic about the future of the City of Laconia. Hosmer resigned during Monday night's meeting, to take the city manager position in Lebanon.

“I share that optimism,” St. Clair said. “As long as people don’t lose sight of the goals, the good goals — it can’t all be about the dollar.

“I am very sad to see Andrew go,” he said. “I think he’s been a very great mayor.”