The Town of Chester is at a crossroads. In one of Connecticut’s smaller towns, with a population of close to 4,000, most Chester residents want their town government to run efficiently and yet be flexible enough to grow responsibly. The team of Cindy Lignar (D) for first selectman and Pat Bandzes (Unaffiliated filling a Democrat seat) for selectman will ensure the delivery of top-quality town services as they position the town for the future.

Lignar and Bandzes have laid the groundwork for their success in office with their service and involvement, both on the Economic Development Commission and last year’s ad hoc Governance Study Committee. Cindy continues to serve as the team lead on the Sustainability Team and as a member of the Regional Planning Committee of the Lower Connecticut River Valley Council of Governments (RiverCOG). Pat serves as Chester’s member of the Regional Housing Committee and Affordable Housing Liaison to the RiverCOG.

With professional business backgrounds in strategic planning and communications, project management, and emergency preparedness, they are ready for the challenges facing the town, whether it’s meeting the goals and objectives of the current Plan of Conservation & Development (POCD), fulfilling the strategies proposed in the affordable housing plan, or delivering balanced budgets and fiscal accountability.

Both candidates have a deep passion for our community and will provide the professionalism and continuity necessary to move forward. They will make themselves accessible to all constituents and work tirelessly to make Chester a better place for those who live, work, and recreate in our town. They will not offer blue-sky promises but will hold themselves and others accountable. Lignar and Bandzes are clear-eyed realists whom voters can count on to get the job done.

Lorraine Connelly

Chester