The two largest Cities in New Hampshire, Manchester, and Nashua, both have experienced democratic leaders. Nashua elected Mayor Jim Donchess and Manchester elected Mayor Joyce Craig.
Laurie Ortolano
Mayor Donchess’ Defunct Nashua Ethics Committee
The Nashua City Charter serves as our local constitution for city government, and the ordinances serve as the laws. It works best when we follow the rules. But in the last four years, the rules no longer matter.
Three People Nashua Voters Should Not Consider on November 8th
There are three people Nashua voters should not consider for the November 8th state election as none of these people are fulfilling their current city-elected duties.
The Colossal Stupidity of the Nashua Legal Office
The Nashua Legal office is in need of a major overhaul. Like the Assessing Office, the Mayor has promoted incompetent leadership and lawyers who disregard citizens’ rights and ignore their professional conduct codes. Who are the major offenders? Attorney Bolton and Attorney Leonard.
How Much Are Nashuans Willing to Pay For Secrecy?
Citizen participation in their local government depends on the goodwill of those serving. Laws exist that permit citizens access to meetings and records, but without the goodwill of those serving to provide access and records, it all falls apart.
The Last Man Standing (in the Nashua Assessing Office)– Greg Turgiss
Some of you may remember the story of the Private Investigator (PI) hired to track a Nashua Assessor, Greg Turgiss, whereabouts while performing assessing work. The result of this investigation showed that the assessor was sleeping at a rail trail head and in a parking lot behind a hotel, all while signing out on an Assessing Department whiteboard that he was doing fieldwork.
Director Cummings – A Right to Know Repeat Offender
I attended the Infrastructure Committee meeting on July 13, 2022 which featured Mr. Cummings as the guest presenter reviewing two bonded projects to redesign West Pearl Street and the Downtown Riverfront Project. The Riverfront Project was rushed through last December, a holiday shopping spree, with a board-approved $2O million bond. Mr. Cummings reviewed with the … Read more
More Big Projects in Nashua’s Future
I attended a Human Affairs committee meeting on July 11, 2022 as they reviewed the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), relief funding that flowed out of the Pandemic. The City has about $16 million to spend. Unsurprisingly, the City is planning more studies and projects for Downtown Nashua. One of these studies, “enhancements” to Main Street and … Read more
Mayor Donchess No Longer Supports the Vision Property Assessment Revaluation
On June 21, 2022, The City held the public hearing for the 2023 Budget. Of course, the Mayor opened the meeting with a discussion on the budget and some significant tax impact issues facing the City. Once such topic covered the August release of the new property assessments coming to property owners’ mailboxes and hitting … Read more
What’s going on between His Honor and Nashua’s Corporation Counsel?
The Mayor announced at the May 16th Budget Review Committee Meeting that a Right to Know (RTK) paralegal position was added to the Administrative Services budget. In December 2020, the legal office hired an RTK Attorney to manage requests. Attorney Neumann spent eight months in Nashua; his work resulted in four costly lawsuits. Aldermen John … Read more
Silencing the Public at the Nashua Budget Meetings – Right To Know
The City of Nashua has just begun the Budget Review Committee meeting for the 2023 budget. The City will hold 6-7 budget meetings over the next month. Per the City’s NRO 5-14, any committee of the Board shall have public comment at the beginning and the end of the meeting. Alderman Dowd, a seasoned politician, chairs this board. This year, Alderman Richard Dowd decided to cancel public comment and change the name of the meeting to a “working session”. Nowhere is “working session” defined in the charter, NRO’s or policy.
Mayor of Nashua Appeals to the NH Supreme Court to Keep Public Records Hidden
On February 7, 2022, the Court decided in favor of requiring the City of Nashua to provide me with emails, sent to an assessing supervisor, by way of backup tape restoration.
Dear Nashua: How Do You Go About Destroying Documents That Are No Longer Required for Retention?
Good Afternoon, I have a general question but if you are not willing to answer I will make a formal RTK for documents. Has there been a meeting of the Municipal Records Committee and/or is a meeting scheduled?
If Nashua Barriers Pass the Board Vote, Taxpayers Will Foot the Bill.
Why are Nashua officials opposed to charging fees for 2022 expanded outdoor dining that utilizes extra sidewalk and parking spaces?
Late Nights for Nashua’s Committees on the Downtown Barriers
The Nashua Barrier Task Force and Infrastructure committee, chaired by Alderman O’Brien, met on back-to-back evenings to address downtown barrier placement.
Nashua Beware of the New Assessment Values
In the next few months, Vision will wrap up its revaluation for Nashua. Data will be released in early fall. Four years and still no transparency. The City still has not opened property records for access at the assessing counter.
Unchecked Power and Corruption in Nashua City Hall – An Affront to a Democratic Process
Mayor Donchess, As you are most likely aware, the legal office offered a settlement, minutes before my Right to Know trial was to begin on Monday, February 28, 2022.
I Won My Pro Se Lawsuit Against the City of Nashua
I requested emails from the Nashua Clerical Assessing Supervisor for the months of November and December 2021. The Supervisor left employment on December 25, 2021. The City denied the record request stating that the emails were no longer reasonably accessible.
Formal Complaint & Please lift the Mask Policy in City Hall
Mayor Donchess,
Ever since the RTK trial in December, Ms. Kleiner appears to be upset with me. She is no longer exhibiting her more even disposition. She seems angry. Every time I try to right a wrong, the City becomes punishing, including you and Attorney Steve Bolton, Recent issues that have frustrated the city included:
Formal Complaint & Please lift the Mask Policy in City Hall
This is a formal complaint regarding the conduct of Kim Kleiner. At my request, the police showed up at City Hall and I gave a statement regarding the verbal assault of Ms. Kleiner against me at the end of the Board of Assessors Meeting.