Mayor Mike Bordes: Clarifying ‘Denim-gate’ one last time because of the facts

To The Daily Sun,

Denim‑gate has dragged on far too long, so let me clarify this one last time.

The letter writer claims a letter was sent to me. To where, and to whom? Neither I nor anyone in my office ever received any such communication. My name should not have appeared on any program or materials without confirmation I was attending or speaking. Under NH RSA, no one should be listed as a participant or speaker at a public or political event without their consent. Tradition is not confirmation. You cannot assume attendance. If a letter was truly sent and not received and a response never given, that alone proves the point.

I went through every email and every piece of mail. I can state without any doubt: nothing was ever received that I saw or was made aware of.

I received an invitation three days before the event to attend, not to speak. The same invitation went to all city councilors. I attended out of respect. When I arrived, I was speaking with firefighters when I was called over, asked to wait on the side, and then without any prior notice called up to speak. That was the first moment I knew I was being asked to say anything.

If this had been a confirmed speaking engagement, I would not have brought my dog, and I would have had prepared remarks. The facts are straightforward.

Both my maternal and paternal grandfathers served in combat for this country. I have deep respect for every veteran and always will. The letter writer is correct about one thing: facts matter. These are the facts.

We turned an unexpected moment into a positive by raising money that directly benefits veterans. Laconia has enough pressing issues to address without rehashing this over and over.

Mayor Mike Bordes

Laconia