Eulogy For
A Reporter

Three steps forward one step back. That is the prevailing feeling when you hear of Chris Costanzo resigning from reporting for The Herald. Those three steps forward do not represent his leaving as much as he has brought the town forward three steps.

Gone is the even-tempered reporting of a man who cares about his town and reports what happens in his town. Gone are the links to various meetings that not any one person could make…except Chris.

I have had many dealings with Chris Costanzo on various group organizations, events and as citizen of the same town. Each and every time he brought a level-headed, positive, inquisitive nature with him.

To his benefit and ours he was always in Bethel’s corner and showed it in his articles in The Herald.

Without him, I would not understand one half of the state of Vermont’s education formula (and there is still a half I can’t figure out). Without him, I would not have been able to put together a festival for the town of Bethel for three years (see pancake article and Mrs. Vermonter among other articles). Without him, I would not know how to prepare for when the meteor arrives in 2000 whatever (see former Herald article). Without him I would not know the true progress of the Church Street Bridge or the expanded vision and direction of the Historical Society.

I hope that Chris will still attend school board meetings; his constant questions, his requests for copies and his good humor will be missed. But his knowledgeable articles on what the board is doing, where it is going and why it is going there will be missed even more

It is too bad not everyone can see the benefit to asking persistent questions and wanting information. It is an admirable trait and something that we should all demonstrate and be proud of. It is those who are afraid of questions that are usually the ones without the answers.

I would love to see Chris come back to The Herald, but from what I know of him, he’s decided and we are less for it. I truly hope that someone with his energy and spirit can "pick up the pen". Thanks for everything Chris, you deserved a better exit and I hope that we can be all the wiser from you and not be afraid to ask the hard questions of our town’s representatives. It is our right and obligation and should be their expectation.

Willy Walker

Bethel