News – Politics – Opinion – Podcasts
God bless our library watchdogs, like Beth Scaer, Cindy Bennett, and Arlene Quaratiello, just to name a few who have written multiple Grok pieces on libraries. I’ve tagged them in quite a few of my own library articles, but a hat tip to Beth for bringing a near future public comment opportunity to my attention. … Read more
In my ongoing look at “Ethics without Ethics in Nashua,” let’s examine how the Ethics Review Committee (ERC) flagrantly disregards its own rules, and the law. The Committee is bound by the City Ordinance, section 12-31, specifically: What we see in practice is the opposite. Chairman Tim Bush either doesn’t understand Robert’s Rules or deliberately … Read more
In April 2025, a citizen, Fred Teeboom, filed an ethics complaint against Nashua Board of Aldermen President Lori Wilshire. The concern centered on her decision to appoint herself to the Pennichuck Corporation Board of Directors, a city-owned utility subject to Aldermanic oversight, without disclosing she would be paid $12,000 annually, discussing the inherent conflict of … Read more
Great theologians and secular philosophers alike have advised us to “practice gratitude.” I think it’s a great idea and I know I should do more of that myself. One sign post reminder of that appeared in my inbox as a group email from a Ward 3 watchdog. What is high on my “gratitude list” today? … Read more
Mayor Jim Donchess’s recent decisions regarding Nashua’s Pride Parade have raised serious questions about his commitment to the First Amendment and his understanding of viewpoint neutrality in public forums. Taxpayer funds are being used to organize the Nashua Pride Parade, a public event that begins at City Hall Plaza and proceeds through downtown streets. Participation … Read more
Nashua Mayor Jim Donchess has no problem with permitting the Satanic Temple to march behind him in the Nashua Pride Parade holding a flag and banner praising Satan, but the Pine Tree Flag is supposedly too controversial to fly on Nashua City Hall Plaza. Last year, Mayor Donchess turned down my request to fly the … Read more
Nashua Alderman Derek Thibeault’s May 31, 2025, Union Leader op-ed response to my piece on the dangers of politicizing public input does more to affirm my concerns than refute them. In attempting to discredit me personally, rather than addressing the underlying issues I raised, he reinforces the troubling pattern of dismissing dissent that is taking … Read more
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Three Chinese nationals, two of them here illegally, two of whom were living in Nashua, have been sentenced for operating a gift card fraud scheme. “These individuals were part of a Chinese transnational criminal organization that used a complex scheme to steal and launder millions of dollars through gift card theft,” Michael J. Krol, special … Read more
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
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
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 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