Mike Bordes: Backroom decision-making does real, long-term damage

To The Daily Sun,

What has been discussed with Doreen Richards is not only deeply disappointing it is completely unacceptable.

A unanimous recommendation from the Appointments Subcommittee was reportedly reversed without public discussion, without transparency, and without informing all members of the committee. That alone is troubling. But the fact that this reversal appears to have taken place behind closed doors, outside the public process our city is required to follow, raises even more serious concerns. Laconia residents deserve to know exactly how and why this decision was made, and who believed it was appropriate to bypass the very procedures meant to protect fairness and integrity.

This kind of backroom decision making does real damage. It undermines trust in our government, it disrespects the applicants who step forward in good faith, and it sends the message that established procedures, public votes, and written communications can simply be discarded when convenient. That is not ethical governance. It is not transparent governance. And it is absolutely not the standard Laconia should ever tolerate.

As mayor, I assign members to committees and I can remove members. That authority exists for a reason, and I take it seriously. I will be having a direct and candid conversation with Councilor Jon Hildreth about this conduct, including why he took it upon himself to alter a unanimous recommendation without transparency, without consultation, and without respecting the process that both applicants and residents rely on. This cannot become an acceptable pattern in our city.

This is not about personalities or past positions. It is about fairness, integrity, and the expectation that decisions affecting our boards and commissions are made openly, honestly, and with full accountability. Laconia deserves a government that honors its commitments, respects its own procedures, and upholds the public’s right to a transparent and trustworthy process.

Rep. Mike Bordes

Laconia