If everyone would pre please rise for the presentation of the colors by the Laconia Police Department Honor Guard.

Welcome the 2026-2027 City Councilors and Mayor, Mike Boards.

Please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands.

One nation under God, indivisible justice.

Please remain standing as the colors are retired.

Thank you very much.

Please be seated.

Good evening and welcome.

I'm Sheriff Bill Wright, Delknap County Sheriff.

And it's my honor to be here tonight and thank you for being here tonight to celebrate an important moment for the city of Laconia.

It's great to see so many familiar faces, including elected officials, city staff, community leaders, friends, and family, and residents from all across Laconia.

Tonight is more than taking an oath or marking the start of a new term.

It's a chance to come together, recognize the responsibility of leadership, honor the trust placed in those who serve, and reflect on what makes Laconia such a special place to call home.

Can everybody hear me okay?

I know this microphone's having a problem.

Local government matters because it shapes our neighborhoods, supports our schools and our businesses, impacts our quality of life, and works best when people stay involved.

You all are here and being involved.

Thank you.

This evening, we will acknowledge the past, mark the present moment, and look ahead with optimism and confidence in the Laconia's future.

It's definitely my honor tonight to welcome a public servant whose leadership and commitment to New Hampshire's communities have been demonstrated at every level of government.

As governor, she has been a strong partner to our cities, town, and counties, recognizing the local government is where public service is most personal and most impactful.

Please join me in welcoming the eighty-third governor of this fine state of New Hampshire, Governor Kelly Ayott.

I'm so honored to be here tonight in this very important ceremony.

Counselor Joe Kenny, your executive counselor, I know state representatives who are here, and just concerned citizens and engaged citizens in a great city.

So congratulations on your successful election.

And of course, I want to thank our the dedicated mayor of this city who is outgoing, Charlie St.

Clair, and thank him for his passion for this city and all the service that he has given to the city and continues to do in the legislature.

So we appreciate you, Charlie.

And finally, I'm very, very honored to be here to congratulate your new mayor, Mayor Mike Boards, and I want to thank him for stepping up to serve his city in a new capacity.

I also know that family serves too.

So I want to thank his wife, Tracy, and his daughter Hannah, and I know his dad, Mike, is here and his in-laws.

So thank you so much for supporting Mike and all of his service and dedication to our state and to this city.

And to just care about what happens in his local community.

And as Sheriff Wright talked about the importance of local government.

Local government is the closest to the people and really understands the concerns of this city and what is happening every single day because your local government, your new mayor, the city council, they're from you, they're walking around your city, they live here, they understand you, they care about the smallest concern that you have to the biggest concern you have.

And that is such a strength of New Hampshire, and it is why I'm so honored to be here tonight for this important ceremony.

And especially in this great city.

Laconia is a vital part of New Hampshire and New Hampshire's success.

It's a city with deep roots, strong people, a proud sense of community.

It also plays an important role in our economy, our tourism industry, our quality of life, from the local businesses that I know work so hard to the schools, to the cultural events that are here, to the outdoor recreation.

Laconia is a very special place.

So when Laconia succeeds, I know New Hampshire can succeed, and our success is tied together together.

And today we are blessed to really congratulate the members of the city council, but especially a champion for Laconia.

I know Mike Boards is a champion for Laconia because I've seen him work in the state legislature representing this city.

And we've worked together on things like keeping Laconia and the state safe.

We've worked on things like making sure taxpayers are protected.

And most of all, what I've appreciated about his leadership is his common sense.

And one thing I can always count on when it comes to your new mayor, that he's going to put Laconia first.

It's not about party for him.

It's not about, you know, this is some ideological issue for me.

It is really about what is the best thing for the constituents that I represent.

And I respect that so much in a leader, and it's why I know that he's going to be a great mayor of Laconia.

He understands Laconia's history, he believes in his future, and he has consistently shown that he's willing to put in the work to help move this city forward.

His commitment to Laconia is evident, and his optimism for what this community can become is contagious.

And anyone who knows Mike knows there's always a smile on his face, a lot of energy, and it's great to see that kind of energy come forward for this city.

I know his leadership will be rooted in respect for the people of this city that he calls home, and that he understands that service is about listening.

And Mike has always been a very good listener.

One of the privileges I have as governor is to work alongside with mayors and local officials.

They're really my eyes and ears as to what is happening in our towns, what is happening in our cities, and the partnership that I can tell you with your new mayor, with your outgoing mayor, and with your new mayor, is strong between Laconia and the state.