Jon Hildreth: Running to represent Ward 1 citizens in non-partisan way

To The Daily Sun,

Next Tuesday, Laconia residents will be electing the next mayor and city council. I am pleased to be running to represent the citizens in Ward 1 on the council.

The city charter provides for non-partisan elections of mayor, city council and police commission. I am running as a citizen of Laconia. I will always work, first and foremost, as a representative of Laconia and its residents.

My opponent opens every written statement with his declaration of being a Republican. He has also declared that he is running to offer an alternative to a “left-leaning Democrat.”

How can readers expect Mike MacFadzen to act in a non-partisan manner on the council when he won't even run in the spirit of the city charter?

He said regarding social districts: “If that’s what the voters want, they will get it and that’s how it should be.” The voters also voted, decades ago, that the mayor and council be non-partisan. If that’s what they want, that’s how it should be.

I will always maintain a non-political stance and will strive to do what is best for Laconia.

The next few years will bring significant changes to the population and, therefore, the infrastructure for our city. I plan to use my position to continue supporting Chief Matt Canfield and Chief Tim Joubert as they have made incredible strides for their departments. I will work to ensure measured growth, address the issue of the homeless population, and continue the successes that all our city departments have achieved in the past few years.

I have chosen to live my life in our beautiful city and, if elected, will always be a champion for Laconia.

I ask for readers' vote on Tuesday, Nov. 4.

Thank you,

Jon Hildreth

Laconia