BOB McLEAN
District 6 - Gilford, Gilmanton, Ward 2 Laconia
Mr. McLean is a candidate for State Rep.
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Mr. McLean has our full support as his positions meet our standards of providing reasonable and responsible governance.
Learn more below.
Mr. McLean is a 30-year resident of Gilford, a member of the School Board, and serves on the town’s Budget and Facilities committees. He grew up in Meredith, is married with three children.
On his website, Bob McLean cites attacks on Gunstock and the County nursing home as some of his top issues, and ran in 2022 largely in response to the chaos in the Gunstock Area Commission. He lost in the general election, but is running again in 2024 – now with more local experience under his belt.
He voiced concerns in 2022 about tax dollars being siphoned from public schools to fund private and religious schools, funding for “Education Freedom Accounts” has increased, which Bob opposes. He said in his Citizens Count survey, "I would work to remove this program. It is an effort to privatize education in NH."
In two letters to the Laconia Daily Sun - -
, “Vote to keep Gilford school system a point of community pride,”
and
Parental control over curriculum a top priority if elected to school board
he makes a case for his position on the school board.
He remains committed to Gunstock, where he has been a ski instructor for over 10 years, and says in his website, that he opposes “trying to pull more revenue out of Gunstock instead of setting future plans for its operation.” In his Citizens for Belknap survey, he notes that he supports expanding terrain on Gunstock to appeal to younger skiers, and that the current funding should remain so some of the profits can fund future improvements.
He supports strong benefit packages and competitive wages for county employees to recruit and retain adequate staffing.
On another priority issue for Citizens for Belknap, McLean would like to see more effort from the Delegation to address homelessness and addiction. He says in his 2024 Citizens for Belknap questionnaire, “Community understanding, transitional housing, addiction treatment centers and education are all needed to fight this problem,” but he also supports stiffer penalties for drug traffickers.
We see Mr. McLean as a reasonable and responsible candidate on county issues who is engaged in his community of Gilford, and would serve Gilmanton and Laconia Ward 2 well.
In his own words - - -
1. After the last presidential election and after watching the events of Jan.6 I
decided to get involved and I joined the Gilford Democrats. When the turmoil
arose between the Gunstock management and the County Delegation is when I
really became involved, and I ran for office. I am running for office because I am
truly grateful to live in such a wonderful place and I would like to preserve it for
the future. I would like to appeal against the EFA voucher program, Parental bill
of rights and any other legislation that weakens our public school system and
puts our educators in legal jeopardy. I will support all measures that will reduce
climate change and will help preserve our lakes and streams. I am pro choice. I
will vote for gun safety.
2. I worked at Gunstock for over 10 years, teaching kids to ski. At the end of the
day, I would have my kids ski down Penny and I would talk to the parents. It was
a great experience teaching these kids to ski and then seeing the parents joy that
their children are enjoying the sport they love. I was not just an instructor; I was a
part owner and an ambassador for Gunstock and all of Belknap County. It would
not be the same working for a private company. I have been to the last 2
Gunstock Area Commission meetings, where they thanked Tom Day and then
welcomed Robert Drake. After the meeting I introduced myself to Rob and we
talked for 20 minutes. Rob, Heidi and I were the last to leave. Gunstock is
successful and I support what is being done there. The parking lot is great, the
new construction for the Nordic building/camper check-in is a useful improvement
and blasting to open up more terrain is good news too. I would support
expansion of Gunstock in the direction of Alpine Ridge. We lose a lot of younger
skiers who are looking for more challenging terrain. I remember Flether Hale and
Try Me, we could go in that direction. I support the financial situation remaining
the same so that some profits can go to future improvements.
3. I would like to see the nursing home at full capacity and work with the state on
Medicaid assistance. A strong benefit package could help with staffing and we
must be competitive with pay rates.
4. Same as last answer
5. We should continue to manage all our county institutions. The quality of services
would be compromised by a for-profit company. The amount of taxes the county
collects is minimal and should be reviewed so that we can maintain our county
services.
6. The Laconia State School property should be used to provide affordable housing
with a park so that children have a place to play, and people can enjoy the view
of Lake Opechee and the Belknap Mountain range. It could also be a place for
Laconia to have its public works dept. and other municipal buildings.
7. We need stiffer penalties for drug traffickers. I went to the public meetings on
homelessness in Laconia 2 years ago where we heard from the police and
homeless people. Many homeless people are not addicts when they become
homeless but turn to it out of despair and hopelessness. Community
understanding, transitional housing, addiction treatment centers and education
are all needed to fight this problem.
8. I think the most important skill would be listening to and understanding what
people are looking for and why they feel that way, and to be honest in your
response.
9. Our big concerns are climate change, homelessness, and public education. I
would support or introduce legislation to boost solar energy production as well as
wind and Hydro-electric projects. Homelessness is a county issue. The reason
you see it in Laconia is because that is where the services are for these people.
We need a county wide effort to support the services for the homeless.
10. All my campaign funding is from Belknap County except for a couple of $1
monthly donations from outside supporters.
11. The county government should stay as it is but could be evaluated in comparison
to other counties in NH.
12. I have run for office before so I am more comfortable and confident when
speaking with people about the issues that we face. I was elected to the Gilford
School Board in 2023 and I serve on the town Budget committee as well as the
facilities committee. This has given me a much greater understanding and
appreciation as to how our government institutions operate.
13. I have been endorsed by the NEA and AFL-NH. I have also done multiple
surveys that don’t necessarily offer endorsements.
14. I have lived in Gilford for 30 years and I lived in Meredith for 20+ years.
