Krahulec kicks off campaign

Change — change at the Weirs, change in the city and, above all change on the City Council, was the theme at the Weirs Beach Lobster Pound last evening when Judy Krahulec, president of the Weirs Action Committee, kicked off her campaign to unseat Paul Bordeau in Ward 1.

Although the crowd of about fifty was drawn from all parts of the ward, a cadre of business owners from the Weirs set the mood, which was reminiscent of the Charleston cotillion on learning the Republican Party had nominated Lincoln.

"They treat us like we're orphans down here," said P.K. Zyla, urging his fellow business owners "to get out and vote, get your employees out to vote, your friends and your neighbors out to vote. And don't forget, the voting place has changed," he said, referring to the search for a polling station to replace the Belknap County Nursing Home, which is undergoing repair. "Again?" several people asked.

Ward 1 voters will cast ballots at the Cormier Building on Lexington Drive.

"We're very much underrepresented," said Krahulec, "not only by our city councilor but by the whole city. We don't want to be forgotten, to be ignored," she told her supporters. "It's nothing new," said Michael Young of the Lakeview Hotel. "I've been here 24 years and it's always been this way."

Some see Krahulec's candidacy as a step towards the transformation of the Weirs. "It's honky tonk," said Gerry Fagen of Lakeport Landing Marina, pointing toward Lakeside Avenue. "It's got to change. There's more to this city than downtown Laconia," he said, "if this lake weren't here, this city wouldn't be here. It's time we began investing in the whole city." Greg Miner of GMI Asphalt Corporation of Gilford, who has lived in the Weirs all his life, said "Laconia should take a lesson from Meredith. I would like to see the Weirs become what Meredith has become."

Krahulec said her campaign has gotten off to a fast start. "Replacing me on the ZBA (Zoning Board of Adjustment) got things rolling," she said. This week she was endorsed by the Laconia Fire Fighters Association. "They don't just say she's short and cute so we'll endorse her," she said. "They sit with note pads and pens and ask lots questions." Krahulec knows that she must poll strongly beyond the Weirs to succeed. She said she was encouraged to see supporters "from all parts of the ward."

There were plenty of bumper stickers, lawn signs and T-shirts for the faithful, all featuring orange. And Harvey Chernin, co-owner of the Weirs Beach Lobster Pound, even had a rare bright orange lobster, alive and kicking, to match.

"Whatever the outcome of this election, whether she wins or loses, either way, it will send a message," said one man who wished not to be identified.