On Monday, April 22, 2024, I attended a status conference at the Nashua Superior Court for citizens petitioning the Court to review the City’s redactions on emails associated with the construction of the Art Center.
Laurie Ortolano
Taxpayers Left in the Dark on Performing Arts Funds
The urgency for transparency in using Nashua taxpayers’ hard-earned money is not just important; it’s paramount. As a state that prides itself on transparency, New Hampshire citizens should demand openness and accountability, particularly for publicly funded discretionary projects.
The Unethical Tactics of Attorney Hilliard and Attorney Bolton to Impede a Fair Trial
I recently filed two Attorney Discipline Office complaints, one against Attorney Hilliard and another against Attorney Bolton for failing to provide me with a properly and equitably marked exhibit book for a December 2023 Trial in which I am seeking records on the downtown barriers and the Nashua Performing Arts Center.
The War on Your Right to Know: Bias Against Pro Se Litigants
I have spent three years in the Nashua South civil court addressing records disputes with the City of Nashua. During this time, I’ve gained experience formulating an opinion on the impartiality of the Nashua judges in hearing cases brought against Cities.
Judges Should Conduct Themselves Impartially, but This Is Not Happening in Nashua
Nashua’s Superior Court civil judges appear to align with the Nashua City Attorneys on Right to Know (RTK) cases. Judges are required by their ethics rules and training to conduct themselves impartially, but this is not happening in Nashua. I’ve been before two judges for my cases: Judge Temple and Judge Colburn.
If You Want to Change the Right to Know Law, Give Citizens More Power, Not The Government
I have been in court for over three years, arguing for transparency in Nashua’s public records. The experience has been profoundly disappointing. The courts are overburdened and under-resourced and often appear aligned with the city.
Nashua Judges have to Stop Enabling Nashua’s Corporation Counsel Attorney Bolton
On February 28, 2024, Nashua Superior Court held a Motions hearing where a plaintiff was representing herself against the City of Nashua. Attorney Bolton appeared to represent the City.
Nashua’s Malicious Email Game
Late in the fall of 2023, the Supreme Court issued mandates that ordered the City of Nashua to follow the trial court’s order in two Right-to-Know (RTK) Petitions and produce emails stored on backup tape. The email records requested were for two months of specific records within Nashua’s assessing office.
HB1002 – Charging fees for Right-to-Know Requests
HB1002 recently passed the House by about a dozen votes and now heads to the Senate for deliberations. This Bill permits municipalities to establish a policy to charge up to $25 per hour for requests that take over 10 hours to fill.
Hizzoner and the AG Disagree
On January 11, 2024, the AG’s office issued a Cease and Desist Order to Mayor Donchess for electioneering during the 2021 campaign. Electioneering is a criminal misdemeanor under RSA 659. That year, against the vote of the Board of Alderman, the Mayor led a ballot initiative to change how the police commissioners would be appointed.
Musical Chairs
Remember how fun it was in grade school playing the game of musical chairs? You’d circle around the chairs to music and when the music stopped everyone had to grab a chair. But, they were one short. Out went the kid who didn’t get the seat. It was a frantic, fun game that honed kids’ … Read more
The Martyrs and Heroes of New Hampshire’s Right-to-Know Law
I have been involved with Right-to-Know litigation in the City of Nashua for four years now, and the experiences have left me with a story to tell. How does a citizen bring an RTK case to court? Realistically, you have to represent yourself and file pro se.
Nashua, Like Washington, Seems to Have an Age Problem
Where will their minds be in 4 more years? Nashua, very much like Washington, seems to have an age problem with leadership.
The Judicial System’s “Policy” on Mental Health and Fitness for Duty matters within the Profession
I have had discussions with the Attorney Discipline Office (ADO) about Nashua’s Corporation Counsel and his fitness for duty. I tried to address this matter confidentially first with an Alderman, then the Board of Alderman, and the Mayor. The topic was too hot to touch. I then turned to the ADO.
Moving to Nashua – Think Twice
It has been a couple of months since I have written about Nashua and the Court system. I continue to file RTK lawsuits, and the City continues to lock records down and limit access to City Hall.
Attorney’s Steve Bolton and Celia Leonard Exercise their First Amendment Rights – What About the Rights of the Nashua Citizens?
The City has hired Attorney Russell Hilliard to represent a Right to Know Petition alleging record violations within Director Cumming’s Economic Development office. Mr. Cumming built a publicly financed Art Center, denying the public access to financial and construction records, and installed barriers downtown without proper noticing of public meetings. Attorney Bolton and Attorney Leonard … Read more
“No” to Settlements in Nashua RTK Cases
Court Settlements in Nashua are done in bad faith and are unreasonable. They are a ploy to ring up legal bills and produce no records. A settlement is not an admission of guilt, so settling results in no real improvement in the process. (In Nashua, winning in Court has resulted in no real improvement, either.)
Using Muddle to Win over the Court
The City of Nashua employs deliberately confusing tactics to win Right-to-Know Court cases. And they work. They scramble the records, provide incomplete responses and repeatedly request citizens clarify their written request for the records sought.
You Can’t Seek the Truth in a Courtroom When Judges Tolerate Lying.
Since 2020, I have spent about 40 hours in the Courtroom. I can’t say that Justice has been served. The Court has shown a disturbing level of patience and acceptance for City Attorneys and employees who are willfully misrepresenting information, lacking candor, and, in some instances, boldly lying.
The Nashua Court’s Alignment with the City
Last August, my Attorneys filed a federal suit against the City of Nashua, naming eight City leaders, alleging numerous violations of constitutional rights. All this stemmed from trying to access public records in Nashua, which began in 2018.