By Layla Burke Hastings
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CHESTER, Vt. — As three residents — two newcomers and one incumbent — vie for two one-year term selectboard seats, one thing is clear: all three love the town of Chester.
Scott Blair
Owner of Southern Pie Cafe, Scott Blair is both a newcomer to town and local government.
“My mission is to keep the momentum of dialogue going, bring the youth into the local politics and to keep growing our town for the future,” Blair said. “I’d love to see our town just keep proceeding.”
In an interview with the Eagle Times, Blair emphasized the importance of Chester’s signature small business economy which makes it especially distinctive to the region.
“It’s a very small niche town well known for its Mom and Pop shops. And we’ve seen the owners of those shops there at least 95% of the time,” Blair said. “You get the personal experience. You get good customer service. It is different than what you’ll see in another town. It really is the small town people dream of moving to.”
Originally from Lebanon, Blair has a strong connection to the area as a longtime sports coach.
“I grew up in the Upper Valley,” he said. “I have coached sports and I have been in different committees such as the chamber of commerce and I am experienced in dealing with the recreational side of education. I have coached in Chester for the last six years from kindergarten to middle school.”
Leigh Dakin
A member of the Chester Selectboard for eight years, incumbent Leigh Dakin, is a former Democratic member of the Vermont House for six years and has been the school nurse in Chester and Cavendish for more than two decades.
In an interview with the Eagle Times, Dakin had much to say when asked what she loves about Chester.
“We’ve got a wonderful town with wonderful services. I would just like to keep going in that direction,” she said. “My goal is to provide our children with good schools. We’ve got a great community that is active and that’s going to help in trying to get more people to move in and participate. So I just want to see us continue to meet that mission.”
She also noted that while continued positive business activity is a crucial factor for the town’s future, its residents remain the main asset of the municipality.
“I think the direction that the town is heading is a good one,” Dakin said. “We’ve got some good local businesses starting up. So all those things are good.”
A previous write-in candidate, Dakin has enjoyed her time serving in town government.
“There was an open spot for a write-in candidate last year and I decided to take that plunge. I bring with me the experience of having worked in the community,” she said. “I want to continue to be involved in my town and that work.”
In Dakin’s view, Chester is a great place for families and an area for potential growth as residents welcome a new town manager.
“We’ve got changes and new growth coming,” Dakin said.
Jeff Holden
A hopeful newcomer to the selectboard, Jeff Holden believes he can serve fellow residents with his knowledge of the town.
“Well I have been involved for over 30 years in the town and I have worked in every department here except in the town office itself. I was also in the Army National Guard for nine years and I worked my way up through the ranks,” Holden said. “I’m one of those guys who seem to end up [in leadership roles]. I didn’t try to get into leadership positions, but if I see something needs to be done I just have to do it.”
The current fire warden and town constable for Chester, Holden said he will be careful with taxpayer money and smart about attracting businesses to the town.
“It’s my mission to help provide all the services that are needed and try to keep costs down as much as possible,” Holden said.
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