MacDonald: The 67 Million Dollar Question in Nashua

It is not news that Nogfu Spring Water acquired a large property adjacent to the Pennichuck Water Plant. It’s been the talk of the town, so to speak, the state, and now the nation. Nongfu says it wants to sell beverages and needs access to water. Pennichuk says it has an agreement to sell water … Read more

Nashua City Hall

Ortolano: When the Response Proves the Point – How Officials Validate Concerns by Discrediting Dissent

Last Thursday, the Union Leader published an op-ed warning about a troubling trend: the politicization of public participation in Nashua. I argued that our city’s leaders—by labeling dissenting voices as “mayor haters” or dismissing ethics complaints as “just politics”—were creating a culture that silences civic dialogue. One day later, Alderman Derek Thibeault responded—not with reflection, but … Read more

Tim Bush

Colquhoun: Judicial Selection Committee Concerns

I am writing to express my deep concern regarding your appointment of Attorney Timothy Bush to the Judicial Selection Commission, which is tasked with reviewing candidates for vacancies on the New Hampshire Supreme Court and lower Courts. My concern arises from direct experience with Attorney Bush in his role as Chair of the Nashua Ethics … Read more

Ortolano: Chilling the Chamber – How Politicizing Public Input Silences Civic Voice

Since the outset of Mayor Donchess’s leadership, our City’s political climate has shifted to destabilize our democracy. A persistent pattern has emerged, with elected officials, appointed or endorsed by the Mayor, making statements that marginalize concerned citizens, question their motives, and dismiss their input. This ongoing trend chills free speech, erodes public trust, and weakens … Read more

Ortolano: Mayor Donchess’s Misconduct Whitewashed by His Own Appointees

A complaint was recently filed with Nashua’s Ethics Review Committee (ERC) accusing Mayor Jim Donchess of unethical conduct. At issue: his decision to use taxpayer funds to cover legal fees for Alderman Melbourne Moran, who was sued for defamation over statements a court later ruled were made in a personal—not official—capacity. Rather than question the … Read more

transgender kid

LGBTQ Org is Collecting Nashua Kids’ Private Information

In April, I discovered a flyer from New Hampshire Outright posted at the Nashua Public Library. New Hampshire Outright is “a non-profit dedicated to supporting, protecting, and advocating for LGBTQ+ youth across the state.” The flyer solicits kids in middle school and high school, so they could be as young as 11 years old, to … Read more

Melanie Leveque

Don’t Forget Melanie’s Birthday

May 20 is just an ordinary day for most people, but not for Ms Melanie Levesque.  It’s her birthday and I’m giving everyone early notice so they can plan ahead just like I have.  No, I am not giving her a brand new pair of roller skates or a brand new key.  I have something … Read more

Masking kids is child abuse sign

All The Heather Raymonds Are The Reason We Need HB 361

Ward 1 Rep Heather Raymond is a tyrant.  I’ve mentioned her before a few times and was searching for the link to embed those articles when I stumbled upon a treasure trove of a rap sheet on her.  Superior contributors, like Ann Marie Banfield, Howard Coffman, and others, have had her on the radar for … Read more

City of Nashua seth-dewey-EOlo15oy8Ks-unsplash

Asphalt Plant and/or Housing, Local Control Or Not?

It was my understanding that the formerly pending asphalt plant site at 145 Temple Street Nashua was in “mixed use” zoning, which could/would have been their argument had they not withdrawn their litigation against the City.  I haven’t been paying attention to this matter since the last city election came and went, and they apparently … Read more

City of Nashua seth-dewey-EOlo15oy8Ks-unsplash

Just Say No To Federal Grants

When I first ran for Alderman, I knew that Nashua, like many other cities, utilized FEDERAL grants. However, within my first few months in office, I realized the extent of our city’s dependency on them. As an increasing amount came through the chamber, I concluded that these were not exceptions—they had become the rule. I … Read more

A Suggested Email to Some Donchess Donkeys

Let’s start by taking a look at this video of last night’s Finance committee meeting in Nashua, skipping to 1h18min where the mayor stokes discord and vitriol in the chamber against the federal government for cutting some of its funding to the PD and FD, particularly special equipment that also benefits communities outside Nashua.  There … Read more

Manch talk new

Who Is Hiding What in Nashua?

(Manch Talk 04/02/25) Right-to-Know advocate and super-activist Laurie Ortolano joins me on this week’s episode of Manch Talk. We catch up on her open government cases, delve into some challenges with RTK, and more. As a reminder, authors’ opinions are their own and may not represent those of Grok Media, LLC, GraniteGrok.com, its sponsors, readers, … Read more

NH State House - Pic by SteveM

Thank You To The Sponsors of HB148

HB 148 – Permitting classification of individuals based on biological sex under certain circumstances. The Nashua Republican City Committee (NRCC) would like to thank the sponsors of this bill. Rep. Jim Kofalt [R]   Rep. Joe Alexander [R]   Rep. Jason Osborne [R]   Rep. Joe Sweeney [R]Rep. Katy Peternel [R]   Rep. Shane Sirois [R]   Rep. Sheila Seidel [R]   Rep. Sherman Packard [R]Rep. … Read more

I Have “Public Health Event” Questions

I just looked at an event flyer for the 2025 Greater Nashua Public Health Week Kickoff Event on Monday 4/7.  When Grokster Beth Scaer showed it to me, her caption said, “It’s the third year in a row that they have moved the kickoff inside after I attended the kickoff on the city hall plaza … Read more

Kelly Ayotte

Doesn’t Our New Governor Care About Her French Heritage?

As someone with zero French ancestry and a mere “hobbyist student” of French, I am on the Franco-American Centre (FACNH) email list and regularly gloss over their newsletters for events of interest.  One annual tradition of theirs that I’ve attended the past two times is their executive council meeting event recognizing March as “Francophonie Month.”  … Read more

A Nashua DOGE/COGE?

“Yeah, right, in your wildest dreams,” a reasonable skeptic might think when reading this article’s title, but humor me and let’s play this out on our minds for a moment.  I will first credit Grokster Beth Scaer for inspiring the idea.  Beth needs no introduction to the regular readers and her locals, but library lewdness … Read more

buh bye sign

Adios, Nashua

I considered naming this article “The Bluest City,” after Kellerman’s book, The Bluest State.  For those unfamiliar with him, he had Adam Sexton’s job, but in Massachusetts.  However, I opted for another author, Ann Coulter, who has written several books that are in my parents’ bookcase. Papers were passed, and property tax balances were settled. I’m … Read more

Share to...