Councilors discuss perception of city, pride, and economic development in goal-setting session

LACONIA — Councilors gathered Wednesday afternoon for a wide-ranging goal-setting session, discussing broad topics like homelessness and housing, and refined points like the aesthetics of downtown, too. 

Their discussion will be used to create a report, available in the coming weeks. 

Though homelessness and the public perception of downtown was discussed frequently during the meeting, Ward 2 Councilor Bob Soucy is displeased the topic is reported in The Laconia Daily Sun. 

“When I pick up the paper ... and you see all these big headlines that are wrapped around, as you said, the homelessness or this and that,” Soucy said. “I want the headlines to change.”

“Social districts, Laconia’s packed and thriving,” Mayor Mike Bordes said. 

“We’re doing this kind of stuff and, [reporter], not against you, because I know you might not have full control over that, but I want to get that off the front page, and get on the front page how proud we are,” Soucy said.

Marketing the city to visitors in and out of New Hampshire, potentially creating a “visit Laconia” website or otherwise advertising, should become one of the city’s priorities, councilors agreed. Ward 6 Councilor Mike Conant noted the city’s ability to create social districts is advantageous. 

“That goes to the development of downtown, which has been mentioned, and it also goes where I think we could take advantage of what Councilor Haynes said, and advertise that Laconia is creating these social districts and attract folks that typically wouldn’t come here,” Conant said, referring to Ward 4 Councilor Mark Haynes.

“I think we need to take advantage of what’s in front of us, get that solved. And start with downtown and get it right. Once we have it right, we can advertise the heck out of it and attract some new people to our city.” 

Taking pride in the city, marketing it to broader audiences as a great place to live, and improving public perception of the city’s downtown was a recurring theme through the goal-setting meeting.

“I think if we all could get the citizens involved in pride of Laconia, and clean up the neighborhoods, I just think that would be a step in the right direction to make us more attractive,” Conant said. 

City department heads were in attendance on Wednesday afternoon.

“This also gives the opportunity for department heads, as they get ready to prepare their budget presentations for you, to bring these up,” City Manager Kirk Beattie said. “Each time that this happens, that’s exactly what they look to, they look at some of the things you said. ‘Oh, I can actually address something on this,’ or, ‘I can do something about that,’ and put that into their presentations, which tends to work out.”

Returning to a topic he’s discussed numerous times, both during his campaign and now as mayor, Bordes said he notices empty storefronts in downtown, and hopes to prioritize economic development, bringing high-paying careers to the city. Creating favorable conditions for businesses to move to the city should be a top priority, he said. 

“What can we do to lure more business into that area?” Bordes asked.