Note: This is cross-posted over at the Cheshire Town Post.
On July 19th it was demonstrated that the Cheshire Herald web poll allows participants to vote repeatedly without detection. Two days later a staff member acknowledged the problem.
Unfortunately, The broken poll continues to run without modification, and the disclaimer printed in the recent issue remains untouched.
I trust that the Herald means well, and I am thankful to have an independent paper in town. However, I think the current poll question adds insult to injury. How we respond as a community to the recent tragedy should not be influenced by a broken poll. I think the question is a good one, but it does a disservice to the town to ask it using bad polling software.
When the results of this current poll are printed, I hope the Herald includes a more accurate disclaimer. We have seen poll results misused by commission members in the past.
from A conversation with the Cheshire Herald
The poll results are published in our local paper, and the staff member I spoke to noted how popular the poll has been. Is it any surprise that a Sean Strollo, a Planning and Zoning commission member, referred to the poll during one of the hearings as proof that the majority of Cheshire residents supported the mall?
Please call the Cheshire Herald to advocate for new polling software and a revised disclaimer. There are many free choices (their existing poll software is free) available on the web that guard against ballot stuffing.
Tell them that we deserve better. The main number for the Cheshire Herald is (203) 272-5316.
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