Nashua Archives - Granite Grok

Smith: Urban Government “Customer Service” vs. Rural

July 14, 2025July 13, 2025 Julie Smith

On the heels of much internet chatter regarding increased vehicle registration fees, presumably in exchange for abolishing the sticker tax, a few things inspired me to revisit an article I wrote 11 months ago. They were a recent property tax due date, followed by Beth Scaer posting a picture of her ready-to-mail payment envelope (not … Read more

MacDonald: The 67 Million Dollar Question in Nashua

June 12, 2025 Steve MacDonald

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

Opting-In vs. Opting-Out, It Matters

June 10, 2025June 9, 2025 Julie Smith

Ever since the resurgence of BLM 5 years ago, many people have retooled the saying in the image of their own important issues. “(Your passionate issue here) matters.” Look no further than HB446, which is fortunately on its way to the Corner Office right now. That bill makes non-academic surveys opt-in by parental consent. Most … Read more

If There is No Fraud, Let us See the Emails

July 16, 2024 Laura Colquhoun

If any Nashua resident feels that the city is transparent, try obtaining the redacted New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) emails that describe the cryptic scheme that resulted in the Performing Arts Center deal. The City does not want residents to see what was done behind closed doors. The Court just denied my Petition for an … Read more

A Cautionary Note to New Hampshire Municipalities To Avoid Tax Credit Schemes

July 13, 2024 Laura Colquhoun

Nashua City officials partnered with Mascoma Bank to accept New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) federal money, providing tax credits to private businesses to provide additional funding to construct our Performing Arts Center.

A Disappointing First Contact With The New Ombudsman

June 30, 2024 Julie Smith

Many readers are already familiar with that Nashua flagpole matter, which I said I would share updates on, and there are a few worth mentioning. I sent in my 91A request early on the morning of June 7 and received a reply on June 12, telling me how voluminous my request was and that I would receive another response “on or before June 25.”

Blame Mayor Donchess and his Board of Aldermen

June 29, 2024 Laura Colquhoun

Every Nashua resident better start saving some extra money to pay for the 7.2% increase in property taxes. Mayor Donchess is stating that they only went up 3.7% when in fact that is a bold-faced lie. Property taxes will be going up 7.29% in December 2024. Residents do not have to believe me, just look at the current budget and compare it to FY2024 Budget.

Is Rep. Ming Cozying up to a Predator?

June 28, 2024 Julie Smith

As a potential victim, um I mean constituent, of Rep Ming, I try to keep an eye on his activities. Yesterday, he tweeted about his support from one of his ilk, former Rep Melbourne Moran Jr, of Wanderlust Therapeutic Services LLC.

Citizen Wanted to Commemorate The Battle of Bunker Hill – The City Raised a Pride Flag Instead

December 21, 2024June 17, 2024 Steve MacDonald

Today is the 249th anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill. It is a good day to raise a flag suited to the anniversary. One local resident and a contributor to these pages applied to have her city fly the Pine Tree Flag on this date, but it both refused the application and an appeal. They chose to fly a Pride Flag Instead.

Get it in Writing? No, Not Nashua.

June 14, 2024 Julie Smith

I’m sure most, if all of our readers are familiar with the term “get it in writing,” but it’s a seemingly alien concept in city hall.

Pine Tree Flag “Protest”- Nashua City Hall: Pics and Video

June 11, 2024 Steve MacDonald

To get you up to speed, Beth Scaer applied to fly the Pine Tree Flag on the Citizens Pole in front of the Nashua City Hall. Her petition was denied, as was her appeal to the mayor. Yesterday, some very peaceful protesters gathered with a bunch of Pine Tree Flags and did a bit of flag waving in front of City Hall.

Investigating that Nashua Flag Pole.

June 8, 2024 Julie Smith

Most readers are already familiar with a flag pole outside Nashua City Hall, the one being referred to in this link. Over the years, it has been called various names. For those not up to speed on Nashua matters, I will offer the latest Grok piece and the one from the day before.

Where Adding Fees for Public Records Is Meant To Lead Us … New Jersey

June 9, 2024June 8, 2024 Steve MacDonald

Unless he’s already signed HB1002, the new tax on access to public records in New Hampshire is still waiting to become law. If it becomes law, many towns will consider it, but the most grotesque government offenders will implement it with extreme prejudice as soon as they are able.

Mayor Refuses to Fly “Pro-Trans” Flag in Front of City Hall

June 6, 2024June 6, 2024 Steve MacDonald

I think we’ve been going about this all wrong. People “on our side” keep asking to fly flags in front of city hall and getting rejected, which hints at unconstitutional viewpoint discrimination. The City just rejected a revolutionary-era flag.

Nashua Must Like Getting Sued

June 5, 2024 Steve MacDonald

Our own illustrious Beth Scaer is pushing the buttons and pulling the triggers of the snowflakes cluttering up Nashua City Hall. She has requested that they fly another flag, and they’ve returned with a hard no.

Nashua’s Right Not to Know

May 29, 2024 Laura Colquhoun

If normal people think that they are going to get justice in these times – forget it! I just went to court against the City of Nashua for Right To Know information which they would not give me. I assumed that once in court the city employees would tell the truth under oath but I was wrong. The saddest part was the judge believed them.

Zoning (In Nashua) is FUN!

May 6, 2024May 6, 2024 Op-Ed

Nashua residents and defenders of liberty are encouraged to attend Nashua Code Week, May 6-10. Nashua is a member of the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI).

books stacked Photo by Kimberly Farmer on Unsplash

Night Cap: A Failed Attempt at Urban Library Reform.

November 19, 2024April 26, 2024 Julie Smith

If you care about library matters, whether you live in a town or a city,* this video is for you! Skip to 37:25 and tune in for the 19 minutes that follow because the lunacy is mind-blowing.

Taxpayers Left in the Dark on Performing Arts Funds

April 25, 2024 Laurie Ortolano

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.

Neil Johnson (Lumberjack Logic Show) Exposing Corruption in New Hampshire

April 17, 2024April 17, 2024 Steve MacDonald

I was planning to wait for the site refresh to be completed to reboot the podcast page (GrokTV) with just podcasts, but Ken Eyring and Tom Murray just sent me an interview with our own Laurie Ortolano on government corruption (guess where!).