Doug Robinson: Laconia deserves leadership committed to transparency

To The Daily Sun,

At the Laconia City Council meeting on Monday, Mayor Mike Bordes opened with a direct and transparent statement addressing concerns about RSA 91‑A and the requirement that all city business be conducted in public, not through private conversations or back channel decision-making. His remarks were widely understood as a response to recent allegations that decisions within the Appointments Subcommittee were altered outside of a public meeting, involving Councilors Bob Soucy and Jon Hildreth.

During public comment, roughly 20 residents spoke, many expressing disappointment and frustration with how the appointment process was handled. Several citizens asked for the removal of Soucy and Hildreth from the Appointments Subcommittee, citing concerns about transparency, fairness, and adherence to the public meeting requirements of RSA 91‑A. The strong turnout and consistent message made it clear that residents expect better from those entrusted with public responsibility.

Despite the controversy and the appearance that the process had been compromised, both councilors chose not to recuse themselves from voting on candidates for highly sought after board positions. For many residents, their decision to participate in the vote after questions had been raised about private deliberation appeared dismissive of public concern and inconsistent with the standards of openness and impartiality expected of public officials. Public trust depends on elected leaders demonstrating integrity not only in their actions, but also in their willingness to avoid even the appearance of impropriety.

Based on these events and the concerns raised by residents, both councilors should resign from their city council positions. Their actions have drawn significant negative attention to the City of Laconia and have raised serious questions about whether the appointment process was conducted in a manner consistent with the expectations of the public and the requirements of New Hampshire law. Laconia deserves leadership committed to transparency, accountability.

Doug Robinson

Laconia