Voters wishing to learn more about the candidates for Laconia mayor and city council can attend a candidate forum on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 7 pm at the Belknap Mill.  The city’s election will be held Tuesday, Nov. 4.

 

Two local organizations, Citizens for Belknap and the Unitarian Universalist Society of Laconia, are hosting the event,  which will be moderated by Michael J. Seymour, current executive vice president at Bank of New Hampshire, and former mayor of Laconia, 2009 - 2013.  

 

The forum will use a similar format to the League of Women Voters, where voters can pose questions to the candidates via an index card.  Only Laconia voters can submit questions, and time limits will be imposed on candidate answers.

 

“We’ve found in the last two election cycles that voters will blindly vote for candidates without knowing anything about them,” said Prudy Veysey, chair of Citizens for Belknap. “This forum gives voters an opportunity to find out how the candidates will address the serious issues before the city of Laconia:   Housing shortages, the unhoused, addiction, how taxpayer funds are spent, and what the future of Laconia will be,” she said.

 

The Reverend Judith Wright, pastor for the Unitarian Universalist Society of Laconia, 

urged Laconia residents to participate, and have a say in the future of the city.  “This may be your only opportunity to hear from the candidates before the Nov. 4th election about how they will represent and steward our city,” Rev. Wright said.    

 

Seating is limited, so the organizers advise arriving at least 15 minutes early.  Free parking is available, and there is an elevator to the Belknap Mill’s 3rd floor function space.  The event will be streamed via the Citizens for Belknap Facebook page, and Lakes Region Public Access TV will be recording the event for broadcast.