Marcia Hayward: Applauding Hoffman for sticking up for vulnerable residents

To The Daily Sun,

I want to applaud City Councilor Eric Hoffman for standing up for Laconia taxpayers and residents by introducing a resolution opposing the reckless freezing of federal grant programs. This resolution should have unanimous support but sadly it did not.

At the March 24 City Council meeting, we learned that 28 Laconia residents, many of them seniors and disabled, could lose their housing due to a shortsighted state and federal budget decisions. Without this support, they will not be able to age in place with dignity, instead they will be forced into Belknap County Nursing Home, which is already understaffed and struggling. Worse yet, the move will cost taxpayers three times as much. This is not just cruel; it is fiscally irresponsible.

Yet, in a shocking statement, Councilor Steven Bogert dismissed these critical programs as “make-me-feel-good” initiatives. He went so far as to compare our community’s most vulnerable to “addicts” and suggested they need to “feel some hurt” when funding is cut. Let us be clear, these are our federal tax dollars coming back to support Laconia. They help keep people housed, healthy and independent. Denying these funds only weakens our city. Steven Bogert’s comments were the epitome of arrogance and condescension.

Councilor Hoffman was right, this is not about feeling good, it is about protecting our residents and standing up for Laconia’s future. It is a shame that more of our City Council could not find the courage to do the same.

Marcia Hayward

Laconia