Mayor Mike Bordes: Character indictment over mayor's attire misses the point

To The Daily Sun,

I find it rather interesting and concerning that with all the issues facing our city, the No. 1 concern on a letter writer’s mind was my attire at an event I attended.

I attended the Memorial Day ceremony as a guest. I was not invited to speak, I was not scheduled to speak, and I was not informed ahead of time that I would be asked to speak. My purpose there was exactly what it appeared to be: to stand with the community and pay my respects. I was called over without notice to offer a few words, and I did so. That is the full context the letter writer chose to ignore.

Yes, my dog was with me. He isn’t a prop, a distraction, or a novelty. He does therapy work at the New Hampshire Veterans Home and is well known to many of the veterans who benefit from him. Calling a therapy dog “disrespectful” at a veterans event says far more about the writer’s lack of knowledge and understanding than it does about my conduct.

As for attire: jeans and a collared shirt are entirely appropriate for attending an outdoor public ceremony when one is not on the program and not scheduled to speak. Had I been invited as a speaker, I would have dressed accordingly. I showed up to honor the day, support the event, and stand with the community. Respect is shown by being present not by being offended by a picture in The Laconia Daily Sun.

Trying to turn an unscheduled two minute remark into a character indictment is manufactured outrage built on incorrect assumptions. I attended in good faith, dressed appropriately for the role I was there to fulfill, and accompanied by Huckleberry, a dog who actively serves the very population being honored.

Mayor Mike Bordes

Laconia