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To the editor: Former Rep. Pellett endorses Chase for Chester Select Board

It is with great pleasure that I endorse Heather Chase for a three-year term on Chester’s Select Board. I’ve known Heather for more than 10 years, having met her during my first term as state representative. What impressed me then – and continues to this day – is Heather’s passion – and it shows in […]

To the editor: Vote for Chase for Chester Select Board

Please join me in voting for Heather Chase for Chester Select Board on March 3. I have known Heather for 13 years. She offers a fresh prospective on town leadership that comes from her years of experience as a mother of four, a nurse, a business consultant and an involved member of our community. She […]

Telegraph Poll: What type of new restaurant would you want?

Telegraph Poll: What type of new restaurant would you want?

Architect and community growth consultant Steven Cecil recently spoke to residents of Chester, Londonderry, Grafton, Ludlow and Springfield, telling them that in attracting tourists and new businesses, “Local and regional foodways are also important today. … Retail never leads, retail only follows. Restaurants lead.” What Top Three type of restaurants would make you enthusiastic to […]

To the editor: Thanks to GM artist for Hearse House drawing

To the editor: Thanks to GM artist for Hearse House drawing

The Chester Beautification Committee thanks Green Mountain Union High School junior Lily Nader for answering its request for a student to create a line drawing of the Hearse House and Public Tomb.  These two buildings flank the entrance to the Brookside Cemetery across from the Village Green in the center of Chester and are a […]

To the editor: Chase would bring fresh energy to Chester Select Board

I am writing in support of Heather Chase as a candidate for a three-year term on Chester’s Board of Selectmen. I have known Heather for the last 12 years. I have known her as a wonderful mother of four interesting, intelligent and creative children. We have been members of the same church. As a fellow […]

To the editor: Conservation Voters sets 2015 agenda

Vermont Conservation Voters today released its 2015 Vermont Environmental Common Agenda. “This agenda highlights the most pressing environmental legislative priorities for 2015 – priorities shared by leading environmental organizations in Vermont,” said Lauren Hierl, political director of Vermont Conservation Voters.  Hierl noted that the groups consulted in assembling the Common Agenda are advocates for Vermont’s […]

From the editor: No surprises in complaint rejection, but hope for transparency lives on

From the editor: No surprises in complaint rejection, but hope for transparency lives on

By Cynthia Prairie ©2015-Telegraph Publishing LLC Two weeks ago, the Chester Select Board unanimously adopted a motion from a letter by town attorney Jim Carroll as a reply to The Chester Telegraph’s complaint that it had held an illegal executive session back in November. The Chester Telegraph claimed that the Nov. 19 executive session was […]

To the editor: Enthusiastic endorsement of Heather Chase

With proud enthusiasm, I recommend Heather Chase for the three-year seat on the Chester Board of Selectmen. I have known Heather for many years and I respect her as a small business owner, nurse, mother and friend.  Heather excels in senior management and supervision of many different projects and people. She will provide the responsible […]

To the editor: Rep. Dakin outlines education, other pocketbook issues on agenda in Montpelier

You, the voters, have sent us to Montpelier with a clear message to address issues of high importance both to our pocketbooks and to the fundamental manner of how services are delivered to the residents of the state of Vermont. The unending increase in the cost of educating our children in our public schools has […]

To the editor: Londonderry Parks Board thanks Thrifty Attic Board for bleachers donation

As the Londonderry Parks Board continues to work on Phase Two of the Pingree Park Revitalization Project, we would like to thank the Thrifty Attic Board for its generous contribution of a set of new aluminum bleachers at the ballfields. This donation will also be used as matching funds as the Parks Board applies for […]

From the editor: On the recent downs and ups of the Chester Telegraph

From the editor: On the recent downs and ups of the Chester Telegraph

Around 11:20 a.m. last Tuesday morning, as we were editing and writing articles for The Chester Telegraph, the company that hosted our website began experiencing instability on its servers. As you probably noticed, attempts to access the paper were met with 502 errors, 504 errors and other messages that indicated we and other websites hosted […]

To the editor: During VT Yankee closing, Entergy proved to be a fine company

On Monday, Jan. 19, at approximately 9:30 a.m., 35-plus-year career at Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station in Vernon ended. Although I am disappointed that the plant is being closed, I want to publicly thank Entergy Nuclear Operations for the professional manner in which it closed Vermont Yankee. Entergy provided nearly a year and a half […]

To the editor: Heather Chase for Chester Select Board

Dear Chester residents: As a mother of four children, as a nurse and as a small business owner, I am pleased to announce my candidacy for the three-year seat on Chester’s Board of Selectmen. I have always been interested in town government but I am especially moved to run for office now because I believe […]

To the editor: Environmental Court needs to keep court manager post funded

During a meeting of the Environmental Court bench and the Vermont Bar Association on Wednesday Jan. 14, 2015, the bar learned that the Supreme Court has decided not to refill the Environmental Court manager position when the incumbent retires in February. The judiciary is making this staffing decision as part of its contribution toward cutting […]

Commentary: Do it in public -- a call for transparency and accountability

Commentary: Do it in public — a call for transparency and accountability

By Cynthia Prairie ©2015 The Chester Telegraph The Chester Telegraph has sent a formal letter of complaint alleging that on Nov. 19 of last year the Chester Select Board held an illegal executive session. You can read a copy of that complaint here. That seems like a pretty serious step. But the fact is that […]

The Telegraph Poll: Eliminate voting at Town Meeting?

The Telegraph Poll: Eliminate voting at Town Meeting?

The Chester Select Board is preparing warnings to ask voters if they wish to eliminate voting on specific budgetary issues at the Monday Town Meeting, in effect making the Town Meeting strictly informational prior to the Tuesday vote.

To the editor: Thanks to the many who helped with BRGNS’ annual holiday food drive

On Thursday, Dec. 18 some 30 volunteers gathered at Fletcher Farm for the annual Black River Good Neighbor Services’ holiday food distribution. They filled boxes with the ingredients for an all-inclusive holiday dinner, complete with turkey or chicken, stuffing, vegetables, bread, milk and more than a dozen other food items. The boxes were destined for […]

To the editor: Friends of Rockingham Library gives thanks for community support

The Friends of the Rockingham Free Public Library wishes to thank the Rockingham community for its participation in the Holiday Celebration at the RFPL on Saturday, Dec. 6. We thank the many area businesses and artists who contributed merchandise and gift certificates for the raffle. The fundraising efforts of the Friends of the Library help […]

Commentary: Signs for our times

By Cynthia Prairie ©Telegraph Publishing LLC-2014 The Chester Planning Commission has begun considering making further changes to the sign regulations within the Unified Development Bylaws after tweaking them in the last go-round. (You can read them at right.) It had amended the Home Occupation and Home Business standards by cutting in half the allowable signage […]

To the editor: Civil discourse makes for a brighter future for Chester

The night prior to the vote on an amendment to Chester’s Unified Development Bylaws, a public meeting  was held at Town Hall for voicing views and asking questions on the matter. For me, it was a valuable experience. It became clear that there were many on both sides who had Chester’s – not outside corporate […]