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.”
Articles tagged as
Right To Know
Is Hampton the “Seacoast Nashua”?
by Julie Smith
I was approached by election security watchdog Linda Brown regarding Private Citizen Regina Barnes’s recent day in court, which Chau Kelley took a 51-minute video of and wrote a brief summary on. Though flattered to be thought of as worthy of such an assignment, I was reluctant to submit something that might appear as taking credit for the work of others.
Get it in Writing? No, Not Nashua.
by 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.
Nashua’s Right Not to Know
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.
HB1002 and Transparency: If You Want Less of Something, Tax It!
In keeping with my taxing things theme, this might be a good time to remind everyone, especially Republicans in the NH Legislature, that those among them who supported HB1002 (The public documents tax) can no longer argue for government transparency or accountability. They voted that right away.
The Senate Passively and Collectively Voted for a New TAX
by Julie Smith
Yes, that’s what I said and it’s the harsh and unpleasant truth, as truthful as saying that Melanie voted for an income tax. No member is exempt from blame so each one gets their rightful 1/24th, but some are definitely more deserving of rebuke than others, according to my report, but let’s first make it … Read more
HB1002 – Are We Punishing Everyone for The Behavior of a Few or Limiting Access to the Wealthy and Well-Connected? (Both!)
The Republican majority of the New Hampshire Legislature is on the verge of doing what Democrats do. Punish everyone for the alleged bad behavior of a few. Assuming the few are truly being cantankerous in their pursuit of public records. It is reminiscent of most, if not all, Left-Wing gun-grabbing legislation.
Celia Isn’t the Only One Breaking My Heart
by Julie Smith
In a previous article, I noted that I thought Attorney Celia Leonard was being coached by Attorney Bolton and his hired legal Dream Team on Wednesday, 4/10. The next day, I looked for a camera in Courtroom 3, as Mr Buckmire, the head of security advised me to mention in my request for footage.
Miscellaneous Thoughts from Day 5 of Ortolano vs. City of Nashua
by Julie Smith
Before leaving for court Thursday morning, I submitted a mockery of Attorney Celia Leonard and provided a link to a Simon and Garfunkel song that mentions her name. This time, the song I will share is a few years older. In fact, it’s older than me, and it’s called The Cheater.
The War on Your Right to Know: Bias Against Pro Se Litigants
I have spent three years in the Nashua South civil court addressing records disputes with the City of Nashua. During this time, I’ve gained experience formulating an opinion on the impartiality of the Nashua judges in hearing cases brought against Cities.
Judges Should Conduct Themselves Impartially, but This Is Not Happening in Nashua
Nashua’s Superior Court civil judges appear to align with the Nashua City Attorneys on Right to Know (RTK) cases. Judges are required by their ethics rules and training to conduct themselves impartially, but this is not happening in Nashua. I’ve been before two judges for my cases: Judge Temple and Judge Colburn.
If You Want to Change the Right to Know Law, Give Citizens More Power, Not The Government
I have been in court for over three years, arguing for transparency in Nashua’s public records. The experience has been profoundly disappointing. The courts are overburdened and under-resourced and often appear aligned with the city.
Legal Lad Lehmann Weighs in and It’s a Right to Know (91a) Jersey Barrier.
by Julie Smith
Frustrated by my inability to get the facts on the legal details of reps’ gmails, I’ve taken a few Plan B detours along the way. When I say “Gmails,” let it be known that I mean all emails used by members of the legislature that don’t end in “leg.state.nh.us” due to my keystroke laziness.
Night Cap: Private Emails of State Reps and 91A, Is the Jury Still Out?
by Julie Smith
Considering that the RTK Tax, aka HB 1002, still needs to go to the whole House, it’s not yet dead, but in hospice care. I expect Rep Kuttab and Judge Lynn to perform CPR on it from the Reps Hall mic with the same fervor that an ambulance crew responds to a 911 call. It’s just a question of who drives and who tends the patient bedside.
NH Legislators Who Use Private Emails for ‘Public Business’ … and The Right to Know Law
by Julie Smith
Remember Daniel Richard’s first State Supreme Court litigation? He sued the legislature pro se and humiliated Attorneys James Cianci (House Counsel) and Richard Lehmann (Senate Counsel) during oral arguments. As part of the overflow crowd, I watched it livestream in the legal library and must say that Attorney Lehmann did a better job of saving face than Attorney Cianci.
HB1002 is Treating “Government Transparency” the Way Democrats Treat The “Right to Self Defense”
If you’ve missed it or are a glutton for punishment (as opposed to a gluten for punishment, which is what my spellchecker just tried to do to my pre-editing fat-fingered spelling of the former), HB1002 has gone around and come around after a valiant but failed effort to kill it on the floor of the NH House.
Nashua’s Malicious Email Game
Late in the fall of 2023, the Supreme Court issued mandates that ordered the City of Nashua to follow the trial court’s order in two Right-to-Know (RTK) Petitions and produce emails stored on backup tape. The email records requested were for two months of specific records within Nashua’s assessing office.
Rep Kuttab Forgot who She’s in Office to Serve
by Julie Smith
Most readers are already familiar with the RTK Tax bill, aka HB 1002. If anyone needs to see its legislative history, click on this link. And there are several published articles about HB 1002 listed here.
HB1002 and Bribery: Give us Some Cash and We Might Share Some Documents You Already Paid For…
Charging residents for government transparency (see HB1002) increasingly sounds like a bribe to me. Yes, we created these documents at your expense, but if you want to see them, you’ll need to slip us a little cash. It might be a lot of money; we’ll let you know.