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Whisper, internet campaigns fail as Jonynas, Roper, Fierman, Bailey win their Chester races

By Shawn Cunningham © 2026 Telegraph Publishing LLC With an unusually large number of contested races and two instances of controversial election shenanigans, Chester’s results for Select Board and school board campaigns have been highly anticipated. In the end, Democrats had a blowout night with all of their candidates victorious and most by substantial margins. […]

Chester votes down 1% Local Option Tax; Frank Kelley steps up as Town Moderator

By Cynthia Prairie and Shawn Cunningham ©2026 Telegraph Publishing LLC The proposed 1 percent Local Option Tax on meals, rooms and consumed alcoholic beverages that would have brought an estimated $60,000 annually into the Chester Housing Commission’s Housing Reserve Fund went down in defeat on Monday night by a vote of 59 to 76. In […]

Q&A: Ucci challenging incumbent Jonynas for three-year Select Board seat

The Chester Select Board is made up of five members voted at large — three are three-year terms, which are elected on a staggered, and two are one-year terms, which are, of course, voted on every year. This year, incumbent Arne Jonynas, who holds a three-year term, is being challenged by Jerry Ucci. You’ll find […]

Q&A: Spaulding, Roper, Mancuso and Fierman compete for two Select Board seats

The Chester Select Board is made up of five members voted at large — three are three-year terms, which are elected on a staggered, and two are one-year terms, which are, of course, voted on every year. Those two one-year seats are currently held by Tim Roper, who is seeking reelection and Ariana Knapp, who […]

Q&A: Miles & Bailey face off for an unexpired term on the Green Mountain district board

From left, Randy Miles and Jesse Bailey The Green Mountain Unified School District Board has 11 members; six of whom represent Chester, the largest town by population within the school district. In addition to Chester, there are three representatives from Cavendish and one each from Baltimore and Andover. Two Chester residents are vying for one […]

Q&A: Ucci, Hance & Benelli vie for two three-year seats on the GMUSD board

The Green Mountain Unified School District Board has 11 members; six of whom represent Chester, the largest town by population within the school district. In addition to Chester, there are three representatives from Cavendish and one each from Baltimore and Andover. Three Chester residents are vying for two three-year terms. Those candidates are Patricia “Penny” […]

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  • To the editor: Chester Dems do not comment on private conduct of candidates

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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 […]

  • League of Women Voters lecture series on voting rights continues March 11

    League of Women Voters lecture series on voting rights continues March 11

    The League of Women Voters of Vermont, in partnership with Kellogg-Hubbard Library, presents the next installment of its 2025-2026 lecture series on Voting Rights and Access to the Ballot at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 11. Vermont Secretary of State Sarah Copeland-Hanzas will discuss two bills now before Congress: the SAVE Act and the John […]

  • To the editor: Vote for Bailey for GMUSD board

    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 […]

  • 'How To Raise Edible Fruits and Berries' March 2 in South Londonderry

    ‘How To Raise Edible Fruits and Berries’ March 2 in South Londonderry

    The Green Mountain Gardeners invites the public to attend a discussion on raising fruits and berries in the home landscape at 4 p.m. on Monday, March 2 at Rugg Valley Greenhouse, 968 Haven Hill Road, South Londonderry. The program will be led by Mark Wright, owner of Rugg Valley Landscaping. Attendees are asked to bring […]

  • Ludlow Rotary Club readies for 100th anniversary

    Ludlow Rotary Club readies for 100th anniversary

    When the Ludlow Rotary Club was chartered by Rotary International on Jan. 27, 1927, with 25 members. Since then, LRC has grown to become a major contributor to the Okemo Valley area, the nation and international groups. To prepare for the 100th anniversary, the club is gathering information on its history, membership and many activities. […]

  • Learn about enslaved Revolutionary War soldiers Feb. 28

    Learn about enslaved Revolutionary War soldiers Feb. 28

    It is estimated that between 5,000 and 8,000 African Americans fought against the British, including Peter Tumbo and Prince Robinson, who settled in Cavendish following the war. However, far more (estimates of 20,000) were Loyalists. Cavendish Historical Society, in conjunction with Cavendish Fletcher Community Library, 573 Main St. in Proctorsville, will hold a talk at […]

  • To the editor: Some candidates have already proved their commitment to Chester

    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

    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 […]

  • Magic Mountain Outing Club to hold Chili Cookoff March 7

    Magic Mountain Outing Club to hold Chili Cookoff March 7

    The Magic Mountain Outing Club is hosting its second annual Chili Cook-Off at Magic Mountain’s Black Line Tavern on Saturday, March 7. MMOC is inviting local restaurants and individuals to submit their best chili recipe by emailing MMOC@gmail.com. The Chili Cook-Off will run from 3-5 pm. Tickets will be on sale at the event and […]

  • To the editor: Fierman has proved she will be capable member of Chester Select Board

    To the editor: Fierman has proved she will be capable member of Chester Select Board

    Lauren Fierman would be an exceptional asset to the Chester Select Board. I have had the privilege of observing her professionalism, leadership, and commitment to our town since she came to Chester about eight years ago. She served as principal for Green Mountain Union High and, after a short period of time, proved her leadership […]

  • To the editor: Sens.  White and Clarkson say no to Voter ID, yes to out-of-state criminals voting in Vt.

    To the editor: Sens.  White and Clarkson say no to Voter ID, yes to out-of-state criminals voting in Vt.

    I am extremely disappointed in the two Windsor County senators, Becca White and Alison Clarkson, who sit on the Government Operations Committee. After admitting they received “a lot” of emails from constituents asking them to add a voter ID requirement to an elections bill, S.298, both flatly rejected their constituents’ requests, and refused to even […]

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