Council postpones discussion of events committee following criticism over appointments

LACONIA — Following Julia Nye’s appointment as Ward 5 councilor, residents have been critical of the interview process, held at the council meeting Aug. 17.

Gregg Hough, resident of Ward 2, spoke at the council meeting Aug. 24, about councilors' questioning of the four candidates. Hough said the questions lacked substance.

“There was little discussion about homelessness and the encampments despite what Lafayette Street residents endured for years,” Hough said. “There were no meaningful discussions about proposals of the so-called God Pods, because even though the homeless policy was a major issue in the 2025 elections, there was also little effort to determine whether the successful candidate shared any of the prior priorities represented by former elected Ward 5 Councilman Steve Bogert.”

“I was so impressed with the interviews. There were three candidates that I am familiar with by name, and just by knowing them from also volunteering with this community for my whole life,” said Rep. Sheri Minor (R-Laconia), who lives in Ward 4. “They were all amazing, young, fresh minds that would fill in beautifully here with some new perspectives. And boy was I disappointed. Nothing against you, councilor.”

Hough questioned residents having to rely on the council to appoint a new member, when councilors are not transparent with the public about their decisions.

“If so little discussion occurred publicly, is the vetting process sorely lacking or was it done behind closed doors? I am not accusing anybody of violating 91-A without evidence,” Hough said. “When the process appears predetermined, citizens have every right to ask whether discussions occurred outside a properly noticed public meeting. That is why transparency matters.”

Minor pointed to Nye’s conversations prior to her public interview on Aug. 17.

“She said she called all of the councilmen ahead of time. I mean, that just makes you wonder in itself also. It just was weird,” Minor said. “I'm very disheartened by the way it went down, and the way it looked, and just the looks on all your faces when it went down was very telling.”

Sue Higgins, of Ward 2, was particularly critical of the Appointment Subcommittee's interview process, saying their questions varied in substance depending on the candidate, according to a recording of the committee’s July 20 meeting.

Archie Keltz, who was not selected to serve on the Human Relations Committee, also addressed the council Aug. 24.

Keltz said at the July 27 meeting, Councilor Jon Hildreth (Ward 1) said he did not vote for him because Keltz had strongly opposed the existence of the Human Relations Committee, and thought that conflicted with his application.

“Here are my words from last year and I quote, 'It does not appear that the current Human Relations Committee has the impetus to protect Laconians and our interest in 2025 or our quality of life,'” Keltz said. “Therefore this appears to require a few new sets of eyes looking at our situation. We cannot allow what is happening currently to become a permanent composition even for three years. We need fresh perspectives appointed by the new city council and mayor.”

Keltz said despite what he wrote in his application and the interview process, the council was swayed by Hildreth’s comments, which were based on a “false premise.”

“Controversial speech should be natural to a governmental body and a sign that they are discussing an issue of public concern. Controversial speech can be respectful. My only objection was that the previous HRC had lost the common sense on those issues, not that the Human Relations Committee must cease to exist,” Keltz said at the meeting Aug. 24. “Taken together, the opinions I expressed last year and the actions taken recently are completely in line with a good faith motivation to improve things for Laconians, and a realist's view of politics in 2026.”

Keltz said his criticism of the committee was around Right-to-Know law violations by councilors, and the public belief the council acted “politically one-sided.”

Keltz also expressed concerns over recent decisions by council regarding recommendations from the Appointments Subcommittee, and accusing applicants of bias.

There are currently four open seats on the Human Relations Committee.

Keltz concluded his remarks to the council with, “Personnel is politics, and I hope that the city council fills the committee with curious and interested people willing to have substantive discussions across the aisle.”

Residents also addressed the recent public records and meeting law training held by the New Hampshire Municipal Association for councilors and members of city commissions on Aug. 10. Speakers pointed to the absence of Hildreth and Councilor Robert Soucy (Ward 2), who were criticized for violating public records law following a city planning board appointment in March.

“I wasn't aware that there were some members that did not attend that training. I feel like that's a shame. You should all have tended to that, where it was such a large question to all of you. I hope that you take it seriously and do go,” Minor said.

Doreen Richards, of Ward 1, who attended the training, said, “It went really well, and I thought it was well attended. And I'm just asking for those that weren't able to attend from the council, to try to encourage you to to set up something with the NHMA to go through a training like that, because it's definitely something that you want to be a part of.”

“I also strongly urge the city council to follow through with the 91A training for [Councilors] Soucy and Hildreth. Given the repeated questions regarding the Right-to-Know compliance, additional training should not be optional or treated casually,” said Matt Hough, of Ward 2.

After others criticized Hildreth's and Soucy's absence from the training, Soucy spoke up.

“I was not at the 91-A training. It was not by choice. It was a medical emergency, and I was unable to be there physically. I did attend the council meeting for later that evening. So, I apologize to anybody who thinks that I skipped it on purpose.”

“I'd also like to concur with that, that the criticism was unfounded, as I, too, was in the hospital in rough shape. And I certainly would not take it upon myself to choose to not be in the 91-A training,” Hildreth said.

Councilor Mark Haynes (Ward 4) asked about recent postings for applications for the new Community Events Committee.

“Just a point of inquiry. Is it customary to seek applications before we even have a discussion? I mean, if you read this and you read it in the press, by Sept. 14, they're taking applications,” Haynes said.

Mayor Mike Bordes tabled the discussion of the Community Events Committee to Monday, Sept. 28.

The city council meets next at 7 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 14, at City Hall downtown.