Niel Young

To the editor,

I want to thank those responsible for the work on the traffic island known as (“Pinky”) Sullivan Square in the south end of Laconia. A couple of our local folks were seen working on this project. The design and flowers are appreciated.

As to non profit groups, it is with displeasure to think that the City Council would be considering passing their duties (selection) on to the United Way with respect to the choice of groups who will receive our tax dollars.

For those who do not use the United Way as a recipient of their monies and those of us who would not give to some of the folks listed in the annual city budget were they to knock on our door, my suggestion is for the folks elected to the City Council to do their job — do not pass the responsibility of making decisions to a non-elected entity.

Two groups that did and would continue to receive my vote as a councilor would be Community Health & Hospice and the N.H. Humane Society. Both organizations are for the “greater good” of Laconians. Other than that, others should find other avenues of collecting money for their cause.

For those who might like to have a term or two as the mayor or city councilor, August 3 through the 12th is the time to file for this year’s election. Yes, it is true that one might wait until the primary to do a write-in to get your name on the ballot. It would be nice to see some contests. I recall the late Ward 1 Councilor Harold Achber telling me that without a contest he could not evaluate his performance. That was Harold!

Being a city councilor is a rewarding and eye-opening experience. Stick to your campaign promises and principles. And always remember yours and my hometown is now in a transition period of what we used to be — a booming industrial city to those who have taken a forced cut in pay because their job of many years (some decades) has gone away.

The people, not one councilor’s or school board member’s dreams, is what makes this city my home.

Niel Young

Laconia