Nashua helps make voting accessible to all residents

Voter apathy has concerned local officials for many years.

Sometimes, though, people don’t vote simply because they have no way to get to the polls – or no way to get to the polls without paying for it.

While many signs point to the Nov. 8 election drawing voters in huge numbers, the city of Nashua has taken a positive step to help swell those numbers by offering free rides on the Nashua Transit System.

All people need to do is hop on a bus that goes to or near the appropriate polling station, tell the driver they’re going to vote, and the ride will be free.

Then there are people who would like to vote, but who are unable to get to a bus stop from their home or workplace, or who can’t get from the bus to the polls. The city has the solution to that problem, as well.

The Nashua Transit System is offering to pick people up and bring them right to the polling place – also for free.

To take advantage of this service, call Kristi Gillette at 589-3278 by Nov. 4 so arrangements may be made.

Given the political climate this election cycle, it’s more important than ever that every eligible voter has the chance to have his or her voice heard. The city is stepping up to ensure that all Nashuans have that opportunity.

The city art scene is worth checking out this autumn

Nashua may not have an official arts venue, but that hasn’t stopped the arts scene in the Gate City from painting itself to life, with public installations, murals and related events year-round.

Local artist Kimberly Leach created a set of two large Venetian-styled masks, which were erected outside the Hunt Memorial Building recently to promote the Oct. 22 Murder Mystery Company event at the Hunt. Leach also made the red dragon artwork that was on display downtown last year. Be sure to check out the masks on your way up Main Street.

Positive Street Art continued work this week on a new mural on one of the exterior walls of the Chase Building downtown. The mural’s design is intended to be a tribute to the building’s history.

Noticed the colorful mural at the Dunkin’ Donuts at 42 Main St.? That’s also the work of this Nashua nonprofit. The group hopes to have the Chase Building project done in time for the start of this weekend’s ArtWalk.

The 12th annual ArtWalk Weekend is this Saturday and Sunday. So, whether you’re artistically inclined or just enjoy viewing or buying art, take a moment to brush up on Nashua’s arts scene.

Supreme Court trip offers great look into judicial work

On Thursday, the New Hampshire Supreme Court’s "On the Road" program made a stop in Nashua’s Bishop Guertin High School to hear oral arguments in two cases.

The annual program, which is the only time the court convenes outside of Concord, gives high school students a front-row seat to the highest judicial body in the state. It provides a rare opportunity to watch the state’s highest court in action and learn about its work through a dialogue with the lawyers and the justices.

Ahead of the Nashua stop, several attorneys volunteered to visit Bishop Guertin to discuss the legal issues and proceedings with the students.

This is better than a civics lesson – it’s a real-life classroom that offers students a face-to-face experience.

What better way to inspire the next generation of jurists than showing them how the system works from their own high school?