Some parents in Chester have expressed concern after learning that the person hired to organize the town’s 300th anniversary celebration is a registered sex offender. Planning for the city’s tercentenary celebration has been going on for several years, with the biggest event – a grand Finale Parade, barbecue and fireworks – just a few weeks away. , at first I was surprised. Really shocked,” parent Leslie Hammond said. part. “I would definitely like some questions answered,” said parent Mike Willinsky. The city’s board of directors would not discuss the issue Thursday night t’s meeting but said in a written statement Friday afternoon that planning for the celebration began 10 years ago and organizers had heard of it. a company that had helped others plan events and was aware of sex offender status at the time. “During the preliminary investigation, a very old issue arose which the committee immediately brought to the attention of council,” the council said in the statement. “The police department has been consulted, an audit has been carried out and rules and regulations have been established to protect everyone involved.” “I don’t know if I’m as concerned about where someone we know is,” Hammond said. “I’m more concerned about the procedures in place to make sure we’re keeping people safe as a whole.” According to the New Hampshire State Police, if the person informed the city of their sex offender status when they were hired, they are within the law. The grand finale will take place from noon to 10 p.m. on September 24.
Some parents in Chester have expressed concern after learning that the person hired to organize the town’s 300th anniversary celebration was a registered sex offender.
Planning for the city’s tercentenary celebration has been going on for several years, with the biggest event – a grand final parade, barbecue and fireworks – just weeks away.
But a letter sent to parents by the Chester School District is raising concerns after officials said they had just learned the event coordinator was on the state’s sex offender registry.
“When I read the letter, I was surprised at first. Really shocked,” said parent Leslie Hammond.
School district officials said they met with the board select subcommittee that hired the person and agreed that the coordinator would not attend the upcoming event for the safety of many participating students.
“I would definitely like some questions answered,” said parent Mike Willinsky.
The city’s board of directors did not discuss the issue at Thursday night’s meeting, but said in a written statement Friday afternoon that planning for the celebration began 10 years ago and that organizers had heard of a company that had helped others plan events and knew about the sex offender. status at the time.
“During the preliminary investigation, a very old issue arose which the committee immediately brought to the attention of council,” the council said in the statement. “The police department has been consulted, a check has been carried out and rules and regulations have been established to protect everyone involved.”
“I don’t know if I’m as concerned about where someone we know is,” Hammond said. “I’m more concerned about the procedures in place to make sure we’re keeping people safe as a whole.”
According to the New Hampshire State Police, if the person informed the city of their sex offender status when they were hired, they are complying with the law.
The grand finale will take place from noon to 10 p.m. on September 24.
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