News – Politics – Opinion – Podcasts
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
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
What a ridiculous question it might be to ask if a red town has something in common with a blue city, especially if I make the question about 91A, but without the unpleasantness often involved in its pursuits. Every community’s operating budget has its own greedy monster, the schools, consuming about 70% of the funds, … 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
Having shared my recent article with an “apoplectic” constituent of one of the reps that “took a walk” on SB284, I was asked if this particular rep abstained from any other housing bill roll calls. That communication inspired me to look at ALL the votes this rep abstained from. Having done that with the goal … Read more
Rep Jeremy Slottje and various others have tweeted from Reps Hall during today’s House session while the budget was being worked on. It’s reported that 38 Rs voted to remove property tax relief from HB 2. Of the 38, Rep Kuttab and Judge Lynn come as no surprise because their disdain for Nashua taxpayers and … Read more
Manch Talk 03/19/25 TIt’s Sunshine Week, so the focus is on open government. What’s happening with the Right-to-Know Ombudman’s Office? Why did the Union Leader have to sue for information about a 2022 riot at the Sununu Youth Center? And what’s up with the latest JFK release? Please like, follow, or subscribe to The ‘Grok … Read more
The jury is still out on this, and questions still abound, so I decided to start nosing around a bit myself in search of good information in addition to all the stuff that people have already sent me. Sidenote: If you have information about this issue and Superintendent Nedeau, send it to me at Skip@GraniteGrok.com … Read more
YOU DO NOT Want To Miss This…LIMITED SPACE SIGN UP NOW. . Opinions expressed are those of the author or organization and may not represent those of Grok Media, LLC, GraniteGrok.com, its sponsors, readers, authors, or advertisers. Submit Op-Eds to steve@granitegrok.com Donate to the ‘Grok to keep the content coming.
House Judiciary member Louise Andrus, who actively opposed HB1002 with various efforts, including addressing the whole House on 2/1/24, has sponsored HB114. It’s the political antidote to the abomination against 91A that His Excellency signed on 6/14/24. The committee hearing is at 1:30pm in the LOB next Wednesday, January 22. Since I don’t know every … Read more
School districts did a lot of misbehavin’ after the COVID thing started. The Rochester Community School District in Michigan was keeping dossiers on parents who were critical of COVID lockdowns. Elena Dinverno sued and was awarded S190,000.00. No one else was suing so the open question was how many parents and who? [Elizabeth] Clair said … Read more
Disputes over municipal records in Nashua are characterized by significant contention. City officials operate through a distorted political lens. To engage with the Nashua government, one needs to align with their political views in order to receive cooperation and timely access to governmental records as required by New Hampshire’s Right-to-Know (RTK) Law (RSA 91-A). Any … Read more
I’m sure many people are hoping that I will let it go, but I won’t. 88 Rs voted to obstruct access to public records last spring by supporting the RTK tax, aka HB 1002. 22 of them are no longer in office and I’m pleased to say that one of those 22 is former Judiciary … Read more
I have written several articles labeling the judicial-legal system as one that operates on connections: it’s about who you know, not what you know. A recent article on GraniteGrok by Andrew Cline, titled “Rising Up, Not Against Institutions, but Elitism,” highlights that citizens are not opposed to institutions themselves but rather to the elitism represented … Read more
Contracted legal fee agreements are approved by the Mayor and require no approval of the Board of Aldermen (BOA). The purchasing policy does not require the Finance Committee or Board of Aldermen to approve legal services above $25,000. The Mayor and Legal Office have unchecked control over the legal fee contracts and the terms and expenses associated with … Read more
Mayor Donchess likes to remind us that a few residents are costing the city thousands of dollars on Right To Know Requests. The problem is that Mayor Donchess does not want transparency and would like to keep the residents from knowing what he is doing with our tax dollars and how he is running the … Read more
Why did the City spend $650,000 in attorney’s fees and City Costs in an RTK case? The First RTK Petition – My Costs – $225,000 I started seeking records in Nashua, the Welcoming City, in good faith, believing the City would comply. While New Hampshire’s Right-to-Know (RTK) law does not require employees to answer questions, … Read more
Cornerstone has released their list of rep candidate endorsements, which include some non incumbents and some former reps. On their endorsement list are 44 enemies of 91A and here they are: I would like all Cornerstoners, meaning both members and supporters alike, to think about something for a moment. While some of you might have … Read more
Ending Gender Discrimination in Public Information Access I have faced unjustified obstacles and outright hostility for four years while attempting to access public information from Nashua under New Hampshire’s 91-A Right to Know law. What I’ve experienced goes beyond bureaucratic inefficiency to include gender-based discrimination. Nashua’s leadership treats women differently—and worse than men. The Disparity: Men … Read more
This topic is not nearly as dear to my heart as reminding elected reps they can’t block people on social media they use to communicate public business, but it is a close second. We allow elected representatives in New Hampshire to give out and use any email address as their legislator contact. Reframed, every rep … Read more