Board of Aldermen 03-08-2022 Page 23
Finally, I’d like to let you know that | was up at the State House today giving testimony on the (inaudible) Bill for the Right-to-
Know office.
Donna Graham, Legislative Affairs Manager
30 seconds
Laurie Ortolano
| think that was very promising. It looks like it’s going to pass. That will allow citizens to file a Right-to-Know challenge for
$25 with an office, the (inaudible) office for Right-to-Know who will take the case and assist you with the challenge. | think it
will offer some nice benefits to controlling costs, getting answers, and creating better transparency for New Hampshire.
Thank you.
Karen Bill
Good evening. Karen Bill, 95 Parnell Place, Nashua. While | was reading through the 350-page Board of Alderman
package this afternoon, | was puzzled by the support for the keeping outside dining like someone said it was going away and
| was informed that the Mayor had sent a letter asking if residents wanted it to be continued like it was going away. It really
puzzled me and made me think a little bit about how information is disseminated sometimes in letters maybe from the Mayor,
but from a believable office like for the Police Commission and $4 million waiting in the wings for the PAC, and to get people
to vote for it, and then there’s not really $4 million waiting in the wings.
But really I’m here to speak about correspondence that | sent to the entire Board. | was advised that when | send something
to the entire Board - yes you get it and it’s in the meeting minutes, but what | wasn’t prepared for was no replies. Zero
replies. I’ve had a lengthy conversation with City Counsel about Right-to-Know. As you know, | sent three e-mails to
Director Cummings asking for minutes for the barrier meetings. When | said “Right-to-Know” in the fourth e-mail that | sent
to all of you, then | got a reply that said “I have no such document”. | talked about this last time | was here. The minutes
were on the website. | found them last week sometime when | downloaded them they were blank. | can’t make this up.
To file a Right-to-Know request to get a simple answer to a question is insulting and acting in bad faith. The City continues
to act in bad faith. Do you think 90,000 residents in Nashua, let’s say 60,000 of them — | think I’m pretty close are voting age
- how would you like 60,000 Right-to-Know requests to get a simple answer to a question? We just want records that should
be made available under the law. It is a law. It is a law that you have to register your car. Do you think Attorney Jette gets a
pass because he has Esquire behind his name and he doesn’t want to pay to register his car?
Donna Graham, Legislative Affairs Manager
30 seconds
Karen Bill
No if | were employed with a company and | broke the law, I'd be fired. There is no consequence in this city for ignoring the
law. It’s not about a person, it’s about behavior. Unlawful, deceptive, and condoned by leadership who should also be held
accountable.
You know tonight you swore somebody in who said they’d be impartial. | wonder if Mr. Cummings took that oath as well.
Again, management style - ignore them long enough and they'll go away. Well guess what, I’m a resident and | deserve for
my questions to be answered...
Donna Graham, Legislative Affairs Manager
Time.
President Wilshire
Your time is up Miss Bill.
Karen Bill
And I'd like to know who’s going to answer my questions Madam President. Is that unfair?
