Articles tagged as

Public Comment

Stop watch Photo by Veri Ivanova on Unsplash

SMITH: Make Nashua A More WELCOMING City

I just saw a tweet about some “30-minute warning” announcement about a curfew in a city.  The average observer might think of a big box store’s intercom saying, “Attention shoppers, the store closes in 30 minutes, please bring your purchases to the register.”  Not me.  It triggered my contempt for Alderman Wilshire and her insufferable … Read more

Microphone

SMITH: Does YOUR CITY Require Self-Doxxing At The Mic?

If you don’t already know, consider yourself notified of the newest litigation against the perpetually embattled City of Nashua.  You can read all about it in the Institute for Free Speech’s statement.  Click here to get all the details, including a copy of the complaint.  If you’re not one to click on links, I’ll give … Read more

Microphone

SMITH: People Not Being Heard; A Disturbing Trend

Robert’s Rules, Mason’s Rules, and Moderator Gary Matteson’s own rules, I won’t get into the weeds or nuts and bolts of operations.  Let’s just say that there’s a common structural design to maintain order.  Maintaining order is vital to avoiding CHAOS, something that a lone wolf dissenting alderman was recently accused of being an agent … Read more

Bruce Fenton shared from facebook

MUST SEE: The Best Public Comment…EVER!

Originally posted by Bruce Fenton on the Durham, Lee, Madbury- Oyster River – Open Page on Facebook – this may be the best public comment at a town council meeting…EVER! Thank you, Bruce, for what ought to be satire but is closer to the truth than just about anything that could have happened during public … Read more

free speech megaphone pexels-cottonbro-studio-6484520

ORTOLANO: Free Speech for the Board, Restriction for the People

On August 4, 2025, the Personnel and Administrative Affairs Committee reviewed an ordinance sponsored by Alderman Rick Dowd to prohibit flags, banners, and signs in the Aldermanic Chamber. The ordinance was poorly drafted and, according to the New England First Amendment Coalition, raised serious constitutional concerns about viewpoint discrimination. Despite the importance of the issue, … Read more

Derek Thibeault

Ortolano: Free Speech is Not a “Stunt”

A Letter to Nashua’s Ward 8 Constituents I am writing to you today as a concerned citizen and an active participant in our city’s legislative process. I want to address the recent newsletter from your Alderman, Derek Thibeault, and correct several factual inaccuracies regarding the public comment policy and my actions at the Personnel and … Read more

nashua jersey barriers

Nix the Jersey Barriers, an Action Item

Nashua is less than 2 months away from the 100th anniversary of the fire that destroyed the previous Main Street bridge.  If you’re a paid member, you can read the Telegraph article about the impact that its absence had on transit.  I won’t get into the weeds of comparing 100 years ago to today, but … Read more

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

Londonderry sign welcome to

Is Public Comment a Joke in Londonderry?

Citizens who questioned the town of Londonderry’s failure to establish new rules of order at the Town Council reorganization meeting were silenced and berated by Town Councilor Jim Butler and Council Chairman Farrell, including him calling one citizen a joke, video below.

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silence speech caricature-CDD - Pixaby

School Board’s Message – We Don’t Want to Know What You Think

It was a long tough day today at work. I finished up, punched the clock, and took the drive home. My wife and kids, were happily there to meet me as I arrived. As soon as I walked in the door I could smell something delicious emanating from the kitchen. My stomach instantly began to growl. “Honey? Something smells delicious. What are we having for supper?”

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Laconia School Board motioning to go into non-meeting

School Board’s Contempt and Ignorance Is Unacceptable

The responsibilities of the Laconia School Board are unenviable. Their constituents, at odds with Board decisions, are treated with thinly veiled contempt by some of the Board and their minions. Frustration could be relieved if the Board would act to understand.

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Spend Spending

Nashua School District Staff Should Not be a Protected Class

On Friday, March 13th the Nashua Board of Education voted to provide full compensation to all district personnel for five days from March 16th to 23rd while shutting down the schools. There was no discussion of the cost to taxpayers as these funds were already in this year’s budget.

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Testimony or Public Comment?

There were a lot of bills heard this week in Concord…. And there was much public comment that followed… Portions of which were outright lies and confabulation. To support, or not support the legislation at hand….a particular bill. I nearly always refer to any verbal address to committees as public comment, despite others who call … Read more

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