All Entries in the "Letters to the Editor" Category
To the editor: Chase promises grit, clear-eyed vision as she seeks Windsor Senate seat
In case you haven’t already heard, I am officially running for the Vermont Senate to represent Windsor County. I launched my campaign on the Chester Green in mid-March, surrounded by supporters and loved ones. I’ve spent my life serving others: as a nurse, a successful business owner, a member of the Chester Select Board and […]
To the editor: The reluctant activists
Watching the evening news with my mom in the 1960s, we saw the daily body count from Vietnam — mostly young, working-class men, drafted and placed in harm’s way to fight a war without clear objectives; too young to legally buy a beer, but old enough to die in the jungle half a world away. […]
To the editor: Thanks to Weston firefighters for dousing a real dumpster fire
We wish to express our sincere gratitude to the Weston Volunteer Fire Department who jumped to action the night of March 18 to put out a fire in a dumpster at the Wilder Memorial Library construction site in Weston. Thanks to their swift and professional action, we are happy to share that all is […]
To the editor: Senior Solutions’ Foxy Fund helps seniors to keep caring for their pets at home
As the Nutrition and Wellness Coordinator at Senior Solutions, which provides services throughout Windsor and Windham counties, I regularly see how deeply pets are woven into the daily lives of the older adults we serve. For many, a pet offers companionship, routine, comfort, and a sense of purpose — supports that often grow more important […]
To the editor: The Telegraph is doing just fine
I heard that there was talk at a recent Chester Select Board meeting about problems the board was having with The Chester Telegraph, which is one of two news outlets of record for the town. Then I heard the same criticism at the beginning of Thursday’s school board meeting. A few people seem to think […]
To the editor: Gleason announces candidacy for Vermont Senate for Windsor
Hello Chester! I appreciate your time and attention to our political process. For too long we have watched our community buckle under the rising costs of living and the annual battle for a fair and balanced budget to educate our children. We deserve better. I’m Jonathan Gleason and I’m proud to announce my candidacy for […]
To the editor: The humanitarian costs of war
In his 1796 Farewell Address, President George Washington counseled Americans to pursue peace and commerce while limiting political entanglements – especially “permanent alliances” with foreign nations. Until 1917, our elected representatives attempted to abide by this advice. President Woodrow Wilson broke with the long-held restraint Washington urged by committing our nation to World War I, […]
To the editor: Clarkson on education reform bills’ progress; announces retirement after 22 years
Our Town Meeting break is almost over. The Vermont legislature returns to work today, Tuesday, March 10. It will be an intense week as every policy committee needs to vote out any bills by the end of the week for them to have a prayer of making it to the finish line. It is ‘cross […]
To the editor: Seeking school board seat to support strong, equitable, accessible education
On March 5, I officially applied by email to serve on the Green Mountain Union School District Board seat left vacant by Casey Leahy’s resignation. I am seeking this opportunity because I believe that supporting a strong, equitable, and accessible public education system is one of the most important responsibilities a community holds. School boards […]
To the editor: Chester school board hopefuls claim to be nonpolitical; don’t believe them
When I vote in Cavendish tomorrow, I’ll have several things in mind regarding the school budget and the school board. I cannot cast a vote for Chester’s representatives to the GMUSD school board, yet Chester votes have an outsized impact on the schools and towns in our district. In turn, your decisions impact the social […]
To the editor: Understanding coercive behavior, abusive tactics and the misuse of personal images
Recent “politics” in our small town have revealed how easily a person’s photos can be used as tools of humiliation and control when someone chooses to weaponize them. From a psychological and ethical perspective, this is not “politics” or “drama.” It mirrors a pattern that are well-known in the study of family violence, coercive control, […]
To the editor: Chester Dems do not comment on private conduct of candidates
Information regarding personal conduct of Jesse Bailey, candidate for the Green Mountain Unified School District Board has come to the attention of the Chester Town Democratic Committee. The position of the CTDC is not to engage in public comment regarding the personal, private behavior of candidates. This is now in the hands of the Chester voters. […]
To the editor: Poitras and Keller weren’t attacking a candidate, they were attacking his wife
On Thursday, Hank Poitras and John Keller publicly circulated a video of themselves viewing subscription-based sexual content involving Jesse Bailey and his wife. The content in question involves legal, consensual activity between adults. The content Poitras and Keller shared without consent exists behind a paid platform called OnlyFans, which requires contractual agreement and payment to access […]
To the editor: I’m running to help Chester return to prosperity
My name is Steve Mancuso. I’m a semi-retired local tradesman living on a farm I built on the Springfield side of Chester. I have a long history serving my community in emergency services and now would like to serve you in another capacity. I am running for a one-year seat on the Chester Select Board. […]
To the editor: Roper seeks your vote on March 3
I am seeking my third one-year term on the Chester Select Board because I care deeply about this town. That motivates me to think carefully about how the actions of today’s town government will impact the quality of life in the days and the decades to come. I’m not always vocal when sitting behind the […]
To the editor: Benelli for school board
Alan and I grew up in Chester and our families have been Vermont residents for generations. We have observed all the changes in Chester and been involved with many of them. I have been a teacher in this town for over 30 years. Our children and grandchildren attended our schools. We have what you would […]
To the editor: Supporting teachers among reasons why I’m running for GMUSD board
Let me get straight to the point. I’m running for a spot on the Green Mountain Unified School District school board for a number of reasons, chief among them these: 1. Education shouldn’t be politicized. Yet, all around the country, school boards have become puppets to political ideologies. We need directors devoid of any interest in […]
To the editor: Vote for Bailey for GMUSD board
Dear Chester Voters, I’m writing to support Jesse Bailey for the one-year unexpired term on the Green Mountain Union School District board. I’ve known Jesse for several years, and have always admired his clear thinking and his willingness to express his beliefs clearly and openly. He understands both the importance of keeping politics out of […]
To the editor: Some candidates have already proved their commitment to Chester
Good politics starts at home, at the local level. If you are unable to run a campaign in a town of 3,000 souls without besmirching your neighbors, you don’t deserve to run, to take oxygen from those who truly want to serve the community. Your time would be better spent issuing apologies to all those […]
To the editor: No truth in the rumor
Neighbors, I want to take a moment to clear up something that has come to my attention. There’s a rumor going around that if I’m reelected to the Select Board, I will be part of a plan to fire our Town Manager, Julie Hance. That is, quite simply, a lie. There have never been any […]