public meetings Archives

41 Shall Callout graphics ERC 2026-03-06 at 10.00.32 AM

ORTOLANO: PART 1 The “Shall” Illusion

March 8, 2026 Laurie Ortolano

When Rules Are Optional in Nashua Sunshine Week is supposed to celebrate the public’s right to understand what their government is up to. But in Nashua, transparency feels more like a suggestion than the rule it is intended to be. The city’s Ethics Review Committee (ERC) was created to hold public officials accountable. Its governing … Read more

Legislative Ethics Committee: Oral Testimony by NH State Rep Travis O’Hara

June 3, 2023 Skip

OK, here are the two last videos from the hearing last week. First is that of NH State Rep Travis O’Hara, followed by the follow-up/ending of the hearing. As I have on our GraniteGrok YouTube Channel (PLEASE, SUBSCRIBE!):

Easter Island Moai Stone Statues Unsplash Yoko Correia Nishimiya

Have the Easter Island Stone Faced Moa Statues (School Board Members) Started To Speak?

April 2, 2023 Skip

For years I’ve been using that phrase to describe most school boards both here in NH and around the nation. They run to be elected to represent us in managing the education systems in our local areas on our behalf but once seated, they deign not to speak to us again.

Public Official Censors Public Comment in Online Meeting to Control the Optics

February 10, 2021February 10, 2021 Doris Hohensee

On Monday, February 8th, the Nashua Board of Education held a contentious meeting over “remote” vs. “hybrid” learning. After nearly a year of waiting, “hybrid” might finally be an option in Nashua.

Nashua’s Politicians are Using the Coronavirus to Advance their Own Political Agendas

May 23, 2020 Laurie Ortolano

Everyone knows that the COVID-19 pandemic has changed our lives, at least temporarily. This includes how we, the public, participate in local politics. With the pandemic-induced changes to how local politics works, I am a little concerned about the health of public participation during these unusual times.

How Convenient…and Annoying

September 26, 2018August 15, 2012 Steve MacDonald

NH WSC

Have you ever noticed that the Water Sustainability Commission, and most of the other “sustainability” groups, all hold their “public meetings” during the business day?

This one, in particular, really irks me…