As a Chester resident and member of various boards and commissions, I have followed the governance study and charter commission with great interest. As some of you read this and recognize my name, you undoubtedly know my position on the charter. This is not about whether I like the proposed charter or not; it is about the coverage of the process by the Valley Courier. Many articles, opinions, and quotes are based on pro-charter sentiment. In May of this year, the Valley Courier reported: “After 11 months of research, meetings, and public hearings, the Chester Charter Commission’s final report and the proposed charter were formally accepted 2 -1 by the Chester Board of Selectmen (BOS) on May 7, marking a ‘historic’ day and a milestone for Chester, according to First Selectman Cindy Lignar.” (“BOS Accepts Proposed Charter,” May 16)

Has the Valley Courier reached out to the “one,” or chose to look past the town marketing and hype to publish an opposing view? I would suggest the Valley Courier take a page from Paul Harvey, “and now you know the rest of the story.” I look forward to the publication of an opposing viewpoint, from the Valley Courier newspaper, or not from the Valley Courier Marketing Company.

John Chillock

Chester