Council honors Woodland Heights teacher with community service award

LACONIA — Councilors Bruce Cheney (Ward 1) and Tony Felch (Ward 6), and Mayor Charlie St. Clair, attended their final meeting on Monday night. They each thanked fellow councilors for their time serving together and offered words of encouragement to remaining councilors, city leaders and the public.

St. Clair was appointed mayor of Laconia in September, following the resignation of former Mayor Andrew Hosmer, who now serves the City of Lebanon as city manager. Cheney and Felch are to be replaced by Councilors-elect Jon Hildreth (Ward 1) and Mike Conant (Ward 6), who won their respective seats in the November General Election. Cheney did not run for reelection for his seat but instead for mayor, and lost to Mayor-elect Mike Bordes.

“I thank the residents of Ward 1 for their allowing me the privilege of serving as their ward councilor for the past eight years,” Cheney said. “I’d also like to thank the members of this and previous councils I’ve served with for their nonpartisan willingness to work through issues to arrive at what we believe is the best for our constituents. Over eight years, I’ve never once seen a councilor vote on anything for personal gain, out of animus or to allow a petty criticism to make their decision on any matter.

“Finally, I’d like to thank our city manager, Kirk Beattie, for everything he has done to assure this council did things right. I’ve told the story many times of how I hesitated to vote for Fire Chief Beattie as our new city manager, probably because, as a former police chief, I wasn’t sure a fireman could do much of anything beyond make great spaghetti dinners,” Cheney said. “It was the single-biggest mistake of our professional career. And I should add, I’ve since learned that our firefighters are a hardworking, first-class group of men and women."

Cheney said Beattie is one of the best city managers in New Hampshire.

“The people of Laconia are lucky and should rest easier knowing [Beattie] has their back,” Cheney said.

Ward 5 Councilor Steven Bogert told Cheney he’s honored to have served with him.

“You took me under your wing, you taught me things about the city, about Laconia in particular, that other people have not taken the time to do,” said Bogert, who also represents the city at the Statehouse as a Republican. “I deeply appreciate it.”

And Bogert told Felch he served the city well.

“We don’t always see eye to eye, but you know what, you have served the city with your best, most honorable intentions, and that is all one can ask for. When there was a parade it needed, who was there? Tony. Children’s Auction? Tony,” Bogert said. “Anything that had to do with the social aspects of our city? Tony. And he gave freely of his time in spite of all the rhetoric and stuff like that. He, too, has been an extremely honorable person in trying to fulfill the needs for this city, and I’m honored to have served with you.”

Felch told councilors serving the city has been an honor.

“Every one of you has been great to work with. The city manager, couldn’t ask for a better city manager. Glenn, Katie, the entire staff in the city — public works, parks and rec, fire department, police department, City Hall,” Felch said, referring to Finance Director Glenn Smith and City Clerk Katie Gargano. “We’ve got a great, great city here, and a lot of great people who work here.”

“This is a great city,” Felch said. “Thank you, everybody.”

Inauguration is set for 6 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 5, at the Belknap Mill downtown.

And St. Clair presented the Debra Bieniarz Memorial Award to Woodland Heights Elementary School teacher Jennifer Connelly.

“The award honors a member of the community who has livened and enriched the lives of young people,” said St. Clair, who also represents Laconia as a Democrat in the Statehouse. “This year, the committee has chosen to honor a very special person for her undeniable devotion and commitment to the children of Laconia, to our entire community.”

Council chambers were packed with citizens who attended the awards presentation, and Connelly received a standing ovation.

“This year’s winner can be described as an unsung hero. As a first grade teacher at Woodland Heights Elementary School, she has devoted her heart and energy to guiding Laconia’s youngest learners,” St. Clair said. “She fills her classroom with warmth and encouragement, making sure each and every one of her students feels safe, valued and empowered to grow.”