Councilors squabble over committee appointments

LACONIA — Committee appointments were the topic of much debate at Monday’s council meeting, including which criteria are used to evaluate qualifications, as well as the enforcement of deadlines.

Sue Higgins, of Ward 2, criticized the Appointments Committee, after seeing a recording of candidate interviews at their July 20 meeting.

“Councilor [Mark] Haynes' questions appear to vary significantly, candidate to candidate,” Higgins said. “Some applicants were asked deeply substantive questions about their qualifications, their ideas, while others faced questions that touched on their prior public statements or political posture. In at least one case, a candidate's willingness to publicly criticize a city committee was raised as a reason to vote against appointing them.”

This was a reference to discussion around Archie Keltz's appointment to the Human Relations Committee.

Higgins suggested councilors ask applicants the same set of “core questions” about their qualifications and how they would approach the role. She also suggested a resident who has spoken out about a city committee should not be disqualified for doing so.

“If you want engaged residents to keep participating at these meetings, the path from involved citizens to becoming committee members has to remain open, regardless of which side of the aisle you stand on,” Higgins said.

“I know the comments were there before, when an applicant has repeatedly and strongly opposed the existence of a committee. And when that failed several times, to turn around and apply for that commission. Well, let’s just say, it could be questionable what the intentions are,” Councilor Jon Hildreth (Ward 1) said.

“I think before you penalize someone for using their First Amendment [right] and not allowing them to participate in government, it seems to me that you would move to embrace the discussion, and the ability to have that discussion. And then we’ll have a better community. If you don’t, you’re saying we’re closed to anybody that has a different opinion,” Councilor Steven Bogert (Ward 5) said.

“I’d like to clarify, I am not going to prevent anyone from being on a committee. I just don’t have to support them,” Hildreth said.

“Archie is also of Jewish faith, so I think he’s a perfect candidate,” Mayor Mike Bordes said.

Many residents and a couple councilors were not pleased with Bordes' statement. Ultimately, the council did not move to appoint Keltz to the Humans Relation Committee, 2-4.

Bordes took to Facebook Tuesday morning, stating it was a "disappointing and frankly disheartening decision.”

“Archie is young, articulate, thoughtful and of Jewish faith. In a committee created to embrace diversity, that should matter. A Human Relations Committee should represent faith communities, younger residents, and people whose perspectives are too often pushed to the margins. Archie embodies all three. His background isn’t an accessory; it is part of the strength he brings,” Bordes posted.

Archie’s father, Ira Keltz, former president of the Temple B’nai Israel, responded to Bordes’ post.

“I'm very proud of my son Archie Keltz for submitting his application for consideration by the Laconia NH City Council to serve as a member of the Human Relations Committee,” Keltz wrote. “Anytime a resident volunteers to participate in city government, instead of just complaining about the status quo, it's a positive step. I'm sure there will be other opportunities for Archie to make an impact in Laconia in the future. Thank you Mr Mayor for speaking out on his behalf.”

Other applicants were successfully appointed to their respective committees Monday night. A motion to appoint David Wunsch to the Water Commission as a regular member for a three-year term was approved 4-3, with Bordes breaking a tie. A motion to appoint Stacy Soucy as a member of the Colonial Theatre Advisory Board for a two-year term was approved 3-2, with Councilor Bob Soucy (Ward 2) abstaining. A motion to appoint Taylor Hough as a member of the Colonial Theatre Advisory Board for a two-year term brought a 4-3 vote, with Bordes’ breaking another tie. Mitch Hamel was appointed to the Parks and Recreation Commission as a regular member for a three-year term, with a unanimous vote. Jane Whitehead was appointed as a regular member of the Heritage Commission for a three-year term.

Doreen Richards, of Ward 1, questioned the enforcement of deadlines for applications for the Colonial Theatre Advisory Board. The Appointments Committee kept applications to a strict July 10 deadline.

“I question the urgency of why we had to appoint two people that day, or make a recommendation, when the committee hasn’t even met yet,” said Councilor Mark Haynes (Ward 4). “When a citizen takes the time to fill out an application, I think the council should honor at least the fact they took the time to do that.”

“I’d like to add to that again, with a lack of urgency, we may have a candidate that we’re overlooking now who is by leaps and bounds the most qualified to be on this committee,” Hildreth said.

“A deadline is a deadline. We shouldn’t have rules and then arbitrarily not follow rules upon you’re not liking the outcome of the rules. As in previous meetings the council needs to, if they don’t like the rules they’re living with, they need to change the rules,” Bogert said.

“It's a process every resident who applied on time relies on. Two additional applications arriving after the deadline. I don't have an objection to those individuals,” Richards said. “Personally, I just hope they reapply next time when a seat opens. But a deadline that is enforced only when convenient is not a deadline.”

Council was scheduled to discuss the purpose and mission of the new Community Events Committee and gather names for appointments. With Bogert retiring and a vacancy in Ward 5, the discussion was tabled until the Monday, Aug. 24 meeting.