Mike Verhoeks

To the editor,

My wife, Elizabeth, and I jointly own and operate two businesses (Laconia Pottery & Stamping Memories) located at 45 Court Street in Laconia. This address has also been our residence for the last 10 years. Today, I am announcing my intention to run for the office of City Councilor for Ward 4.

My decision to run was not arrived at easily because I consider the incumbent in Ward 4, Jim Cowan, to be a good man and a personal friend.

Our political philosophies, however, appear to be quite different and I feel that it is important that the residents of Ward 4 at least be given the option of having a more conservative voice representing them on the City Council.

I am both a fiscal and social Conservative. I believe that budgets should be balanced by controlling expenditures, rather than by raising taxes, whenever possible. I believe in a limited government that efficiently and responsibly fulfills its specific charter while avoiding the temptation to expand its influence into areas of social engineering or redistribution of wealth.

I believe the experience of the last 40 years has shown that merely throwing more money at our education system does not demonstrably improve it. I have yet to be convinced that a spacious campus and state-of-the-art lighting correlates in any meaningful way with true academic accomplishment. I question the motives and true agenda of a school board that says our high school is beyond repair only to later reverse itself to say that it could be refurbished but only if it became a middle school.

I believe that the notion of a tax cap is at least worth investigating if for no other reason than it will help to increase public awareness and contribute to a dialogue regarding the continuing and growing problem of Laconia’s onerous tax burden. I believe that we must make sure that lifetime residents of this community can afford to spend their remaining years in their homes.

I believe that people can disagree yet still remain civil towards each other. I sense that residents of this city have been embarrassed and disgusted by the behavior they have witnessed at past Council sessions. I pledge that, if elected, I will represent Ward 4 residents in a dignified and ethical manner.

I believe that the God of our forefathers is still available to those who diligently seek Him and that He is the source of all knowledge and wisdom. The value system by which I try to live my life and interact with others is based on Biblical precepts. I do not agree with those who claim that an individual should abandoned his own deeply held personal beliefs when engaged in the public arena. To the contrary, setting aside one’s own personal code of ethics and morals when making important decisions affecting the welfare of many, seems counterintuitive, senseless and misguided. Therefore, I do not intend to abandon my religious convictions in order to hold a public office. Rather, I will depend on them to help to guide my judgment when difficult issues arise.

I believe that I can represent the citizens of Ward 4 honestly and objectively. I have no political ax to grind and I do not represent any special interest group. I have a real desire to serve as a watchdog for Ward 4 residents to see that our tax dollars are not squandered or used for purposes other than those for which they were intended. I would be honored and thankful for your support and I pledge that, if elected, I will do my utmost to reward your trust in me.

Mike Verhoeks

Laconia