Doug Lambert: Big concerns for city council’s actions behind closed doors

To The Daily Sun,

Recent revelations about several members of the Laconia City Council engaging in public business behind closed doors raises several concerns.

The first is obvious. To participate in a properly noticed meeting where official decisions were made and then to change them in subsequent email discussions is a dereliction of duty and clear violation of NH’s Right-To-Know law (RSA 91-A). Councilors Bob Soucy and Jon Hildreth ought to know better. Perhaps they do and just don’t care. Observers of the political scene in Laconia have long alluded to the “good ole boys” network and the curtain has been pulled back for all to see it in action.

The second issue is more subtle. In his email to other councilors on the appointment subcommittee, Soucy writes that former Councilor Bruce Cheney “is firmly embarrassed and upset” over being appointed an alternate to the Planning Board rather than a full position. He proposes to change the decision made in the legal public meeting to accommodate Cheney’s wishes and assuage his feelings. Readers know what followed: The person originally appointed was called by Councilor Hildreth and told that her appointment was changed to that of an alternate in favor of Cheney. The lawbreaking began, along with governance by “feelings.” In this case, hurt ones. A guy defeated in this year’s election is “embarrassed and upset” because he didn’t get an appointment to the position he felt he was owed. This was enough to set off a chain of events causing elected officials to commit egregious violations of law to assuage someone’s hurt feelings. Feelings?

This is no way to run a city. Maybe if one is writing a love song. Or a song about goodbye, which is what should be said to Councilors Soucy and Hildreth. They should be removed from any important positions immediately.

Doug Lambert

Gilford