Bruce Cheney: In their own words

Let me start by thanking The Laconia Daily Sun for affording us this opportunity.

I have a lengthy proven record of leadership in the U.S. Marine Corps, as a 20 year police chief, as 24 year director of Emergency Communications building the statewide 911 system on time, under budget and the most technologically advanced system in the United States. I built the country's first statewide emergency medical dispatch system and I was the director of Emergency Management. I was Homeland Security advisor to two governors. I hold a federal top secret clearance. I offer proven leadership, transparency and the ability to get things done.

First I wish to clear up the "Hosmer 2.0" suggestions, I advised Mayor Andrew Hosmer that I intended to run against him long before he announced he was leaving. I believed I was going to run against Mayor Hosmer because of our differences. Although our relationship was gentlemanly, he and I differed on a number of issues like his attempt to sell the city owned property at the junction of Old North Main and North Main. The suggestion that I was a rubber stamp for Mayor Hosmer can not withstand a review of the actual facts.

Mr. Mike Bordes starts one of his lengthy posts by saying the “Laconia mayor’s race is nonpartisan, let’s talk about what that really means.” There is not another single word about “nonpartisan.” Also of note, his announcement was made at the partisan annual Republican barbecue at the county chair's home in Gilford.

I have not and do not seek endorsements from anyone, what I do seek is answers to his concerns. To date nothing has been offered by my opponent. I have eight years of voting for the budget within our tax cap, I have answered every constituent's request for assistance, I am fully aware of the homeless encampments Mr. Bordes and Mr. Gregg Hough have provided us pictures of. What I am not aware of is any concrete proposals to "fix" these problems within the tax cap. It is a statewide and nationwide problem with no easy fix. Work on yes. Easily fix, not so much.

After eight years on the council, like all of the other members, I have struggled with trying to approve a budget that addresses issues while concerned about the tax burden on us all. I have not seen Mr. Bordes at the council's podium identifying any of the problems he has expressed. He has not once been to a city council meeting to offer solutions to the issues he's concerned about. What I have seen is a $370,000 increase in the school's budget due to cuts in the state budget Mr. Bordes voted for. I have also seen an almost doubling of the city's part of the county's appropriation over the last several years he voted for while we maintained our tax cap.

The City of Laconia has the second lowest tax rate of the 13 cities in New Hampshire. Only Portsmouth is lower. The City of Laconia tax rate is $0.68 higher then the average of the 10 towns and one city in Belknap County despite having numerous county facilities and nonprofits that require city services without paying taxes, surrounding towns have few if any of these costs. The budget process includes numerous public hearings with presentations from every department and agency requesting funds. Notifications to the public includes postings in three public locations, notice in The Laconia Daily Sun and notification on the city website.

One of Mr. Bordes' stated concerns is an old report about the fire department's equipment and manpower needs that he will address because "he is a man of the working class." He failed to mention that this council, the "good old boys," authorized four additional positions in 2022, authorized the replacement of two ambulances, one engine and one ladder truck. Added a new community paramedic program that provides a higher level of medical services to all of our citizens and finally, we authorized a second set of protective gear for each firefighter. Just one demonstration that we don't neglect our personnel, all within the tax cap.

Of the 192 council meetings held during my tenure I missed two meetings. I abstained from one vote (it was regarding my street).

This past session of the NH House, according to Citizens Count, Mr. Bordes "Participated in official roll call votes only 65%" of the time.

I hope the above gives you enough information to justify voting for me on Nov. 4.