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 that making Chester a great place to live and work requires a governing body that encourages participatory democracy, civility and respect among its citizens. As a member of the Board of Selectmen, I will commit to making town government accessible to you, listening to your voice and having respect for your opinions.

Citizen participation and understanding can be improved in a few simple steps:

• I would like to see board meetings begin and end at reasonable times.  Meetings that run late into the night do not invite community participation or good decision making.
• Minutes of board meetings must be available so that you can have information as to what the Board of Selectmen is doing.
• The board needs to get a sound system that works so that people attending the meetings and those viewing on SAPA TV can actually hear what the town manager and board members are discussing.

We must support our town employees who are the men and women working hard and long hours to ensure public safety, smooth running of town functions and maintaining Chester’s roads, capital equipment and buildings.

As stewards of our town, we have the obligation and responsibility to provide strong leadership to maintain our historic buildings and make our small New England town an attractive place to live and work, particularly as we make sure that our tax dollars are spent wisely, effectively and judiciously.

I want to bring a fresh, new voice to the Chester Board of Selectmen. Please vote on March 3, 2015 for Heather Chase!

Sincerely,

Heather Chase
Chester