Leslie has lived in Cheshire for more than a decade and covered the town for about seven years as a reporter for The Cheshire Herald and the Record-Journal. She has also worked for the Norwalk Citizen-News and the North Haven Citizen newspapers. She has a degree in mass communications from Stephen F. Austin State University and started her career in Texas. She's worked at television stations in three states and moved to Connecticut to work at WVIT as the creative services director. At WTNH, Leslie was nominated for two northeast Emmy awards for news promotion.
<b>Your Beliefs</b>
At Patch, we promise always to report the facts as objectively as possible and otherwise adhere to the principles of good journalism. However, we also acknowledge that true impartiality is impossible because human beings have beliefs. So in the spirit of simple honesty, our policy is to encourage our editors to reveal their beliefs to the extent they feel comfortable. This disclosure is not a license for you to inject your beliefs into stories or to dictate coverage according to them. In fact, the intent is the opposite: we hope that the knowledge that your beliefs are on the record will cause you to be ever mindful to write, report and edit in a fair, balanced way. And if you ever see evidence that we failed in this mission, please let us know.
<b>Politics </b>
How would you describe your political beliefs? Populist
Are you registered with a certain party? Yes
<b>Religion</b>
How religious would you consider yourself? I'm spiritual rather than religious. I am a Unitarian Universalist.
<b> </b><b>Local Hot-Button Issues</b>
What do you think are the most important issues facing the community?
Finding the revenue for the town's first $100 million budget. Hiring of a new police chief. Choosing a solution for the Community Swimming Pool that continues to be a very expensive facility for heating costs in the winter. Creating more affordable housing in Cheshire. Protecting environmentally sensitive areas such as the Quinnipiac River and wetlands.
Where do you stand on each of these issues?
I believe human services should be considered a top priority. Residents should be warm and not hungry. Any service cuts due to funding should not come from this area.
The new police chief should be able to reach across to the union to bring cooperation back to the department.
The pool has never been self-funding although that was the plan when it opened. It either has to be enclosed by a permanent building or become a summer-only facility. The bubble has never been a good choice. A public-private partnership could be the answer.
Cheshire is far from having the required percentage of affordable housing, even with the future addition of units on West Main Street. Hourly workers and single parents should be able to afford to live in the town where they work.
I have been an environmentalist since I was a teen growing up in the Rocky Mountains. I believe toxic chemicals, such as pesticides, should be severely limited in use.
The Connecticut Fund for the Environment points to job creation and the reduction of carbon emissions in support of the planned New Britain to Hartford Busway.
With a slate full of incumbents, the Republicans plan to campaign on fiscal restraint. The Democrats offer new faces and a call for more transparency in government.
Three key seats won't have Democratic candidates for the fall election. The Republican Town Council slate consists of all incumbents.
The police department showed off their three-wheel roadster today that's on loan for year. Look for it on Cheshire roads!
A three-wheeled Spyder Can-Am motorcycle is on loan for a year to CPD.
The Probate Court for Cheshire and Southington gets nod of approval from state administrator.
Yale Sterling Fellow and Cheshire Academy Trustee, John J. White, dead at 92.
The owner of the Cheshire McDonald's releases statement about long-term employee.
Phone call notifications phased out for email subscribers at Cheshire Public Library.
Cheshire Historic District Commission member Eric Anderson won't be voting next month on the application to renovate the historic Keeler House on South Main Street. He won't even be in the room.
Residents are welcome to cool off in the town's public buildings.
Here are this week's top rentals; topics range from fantasy to intrigue to a comedy sequel.
Cheshire motorists who visit the Hamden DMV facility will have to choose another location until Aug. 1
With the temperatures forecasted to hit close to 100 degrees today and Friday, lots of folks will be heading to the shore to catch the cooling breeze. Here's a guide to make sure the four-legged visitors are safe too.
The gallery's original location will close with operations moving to Cheshire
Hottest air mass of the summer will last at least through Friday.
One of the most expensive construction projects in the town's history is expected to be put to voters at a referendum election in November. Experts say the age of the treatment plant makes the project crucial.
Consumers urged to use gift cards as soon as possible, all sales final after Friday.
Gardeners know not to step on the "toes" of a plant's roots. Where is this sign that reminds folks to watch where they tread? Win a Patch gift bag if you guess correctly!
Take Ten Minutes to Save History; The Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation Seeks Input.
