Mike MacFadzen: Voting in local elections is more important than ever this year

To The Daily Sun,

With the General Election less than three weeks away, I would like to remind everyone the importance of the off-year local elections. We always seem to place less importance on the local elections than we do on the state and federal elections. The fact is the local election has the most impact on our daily lives. The state and federal elections are also important, but we feel the impact of them minimally for most of us. The local elections affect us on a daily basis from our school budgets, property taxes, and local regulations that affect everything from local business to building permits. It is easy to put off going to the polls in the off year, but voter turnout and having a voice heard is critical.

This is especially true this year. We have a choice to make this year about the direction that we want the City of Laconia to move. I am running to fill the Ward 1 seat that is being vacated with Councilor Bruce Cheney running for mayor. We have several pressing issues facing us from the homeless issue, to increased property tax payments, housing, crime and an ever rising school budget to name a few.

I do not believe that raising taxes just to throw more money at these issues is the answer or being committed to a more government masterplan is the answer. I believe that a smaller, efficient, and more effective government that holds departments accountable for the expenditure of our tax dollars is the way we move Laconia forward. This will build a future for our children and grandchildren. Please consider me for a vote for Laconia Ward 1. If readers would like to contact me to discuss these issues, and others, my email is mikemacfadzen@outlook.com.

Mike MacFadzen

Laconia