As promised in our Sunday post, here is our podcast interview with Chester Town Supervisor, Brandon Holdridge, Chester Town Clerk, Linda Zappala, and Chester Town Board member Bob Courtenay. The reason there’s a Republican Primary has less to do with State Senator Skoufis’s Protect Monroe-Woodbury, and more to do with former Town Supervisor, Bob Valentine, looking for revenge. In the Fall of 2023, Bob Valentine lost to current Town Supervisor, Brandon Holdridge, by 604 votes (1586 to 962.)

In today’s episode — which we’re making available for free — we discuss the Town of Chester Republican Primary, currently underway (see Early Voting information below), and what makes Bob Courtenay and Linda Zappala the most qualified candidates in the race. The Monroe Gazette has endorsed them both. We are also still investigating concerns involving Mr. Valentine’s Valcon America Corporation and its connections to wealthy real estate developers with interests in Chester during Mr. Valentine’s time as Supervisor.

In today’s podcast, we also discussed Chester’s transition to a Ward System — something Monroe and Woodbury absolutely need to implement — an update on ownership of the Sugar Loaf Performing Arts Center, and what’s next in terms of land preservation in the Town of Chester.

Linda Zappala also gives a great, and very detailed answer, concerning what it is a Town Clerk actually does. Most people have no idea. Neither does the Village of South Blooming Grove Clerk. But that’s a different story …

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