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Lauren Gister Seeking Third Term as Chester First Selectman

Democrat Lauren Gister is seeking a third term as the first selectman of Chester, facing write-in candidate Rob Galbraith for the town's top seat. (Look for a profile of Galbraith in an upcoming story.) In 2015 and 2017, she faced a challenge from Republican Carolyn Linn.

A lawyer, former marine, mom, and longtime Chester resident, Gister said she is eager to continue to work on important projects such as the Main Street Project, tree work in town, general care of the community, road clean-up following storms and economic development work.

“There are still a lot of irons in the fire here in town and I look forward to working hard as always,” said Gister, who is particularly concerned with the number of dying trees in town that still need to come down and the control of the invasive plant species in Cedar Lake that are threatening that waterway.

“We have such an amazing community, made up of some great people and I love working with all of them. Chester is really a team. We all contribute to the health and prosperity of the town,” said Gister.

She praised Chester’s Environmental Committee for all of its hard work, particularly on the street lights in town and the conversion to LED fixtures, which has saved Chester taxpayers more than $50,000, and the solar panel installation on the Chester Elementary School, which also continually saves energy and money for the town.

“We are currently in the third phase of the Main Street Project, which is a multi-phase project. When it is completed, it will raise property values in the area, while keeping the charm and character of Chester’s down town area, with clean lines, better drainage, and ADA compliant walkways,” she added. “I can’t wait to see this project through to completion and celebrate with the merchants, store owners and residents in town.”

A thrid-term goal is to continue to bring people together.

“We have really championed more participation in town government and encouraged more residents to get involved in town government and learn the workings of the town,” she said. “The town’s people really are in control of what happens in Chester. They are the legislature.”

Some other accomplishments Gister cited are improving the ballot, providing child care and rides for town meetings, growing the town wide email by hundreds of addresses, and working hard to keep the lines of communication open between the government and the people.

“I’m excited about the future of Chester,” said Gister.

Editor's note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated Lauren Gister was running unopposed; Rob Galbraith is registered with the Secretary of the State's Office as a write-in candidate. The article also incorrectly stated that Gister ran unopposed in 2015; she faced Carolyn Linn in both 2015 and 2017.