Behind the Curtain of Cheshire Connecticut’s Facebook Group: A History of The Official Cheshire Community Forum
In the digital age, the "town square" has largely migrated to social media, and in Cheshire, Connecticut, few platforms have sparked as much conversation as the Facebook group now known as The Official Cheshire Community Forum. Established during a period of shifting digital moderation standards, the group has carved out a unique—and often debated—niche within the local community.
Founding and Rebranding
The group’s origins date back to March 4, 2019, when it was launched under the title The Real Cheshire Community Forum. The creator, Jason Zandri, a figure well-versed in both the technological landscape and the nuances of Connecticut municipal governance, sought to provide a space for residents to engage in town-related discourse.
The forum underwent a significant branding shift on November 17, 2020, changing its name to The Official Cheshire Community Forum. This transition occurred during a period of heightened social media activity, as residents increasingly relied on digital platforms for real-time updates on local health policies, school board decisions, and municipal elections.
Philosophy: The "Unfiltered" Alternative
What distinguishes this forum from other local digital spaces, such as The Original Cheshire CT Community Forum, is its foundational philosophy regarding moderation. While many community groups enforce strict "kindness" or "civility" codes that allow moderators to remove posts deemed negative or argumentative, the Official Cheshire Community Forum markets itself as a "not censored" or "unfiltered" alternative.
The group’s operational framework is built on several key pillars:
The Single Hard Rule: The primary restriction enforced is a prohibition on vulgarity and swear words. This is maintained to ensure a baseline of public decency while allowing the content of the speech to remain unrestricted.
Encouraged Free Speech: The group’s description explicitly invites members to share opinions that may be controversial or critical of local institutions. The administration maintains that members will not be blocked for harboring differing viewpoints.
Institutional Independence: The forum operates entirely independently of the Town of Cheshire government. This lack of official oversight is intended to encourage candid feedback on municipal issues, tax mill rates, and zoning developments.
Local Residency: Membership is primarily intended for individuals who live or work within the 06410 zip code, ensuring the dialogue remains relevant to the immediate community.
Leadership and Administration
The leadership of the forum is comprised of individuals with deep ties to the Cheshire and Wallingford areas.
Jason Zandri (Founder) Though he eventually handed over the primary management of the group, Zandri’s influence remains a cornerstone of its history. A Lead Technical Trainer at Microsoft as of 2026, Zandri brought a professional background in AI and Cloud Infrastructure to the management of local digital spaces. His tenure as a Wallingford Town Councilor and his prolific work as an author (notably the I, Hero and As Life Goes series) provided him with a unique perspective on the intersection of public policy and community storytelling.
Gregory DeMatties (Lead Administrator) The most visible face of the group’s current administration is Gregory DeMatties. A resident of Cheshire for over a decade, DeMatties has frequently used his platform to advocate for transparency. His personal experiences—including navigating the Cheshire Planning and Zoning process to build his own home—often inform his perspective on local issues. DeMatties is known for his vocal defense of the group’s "no censorship" policy, framing it as a necessary tool for authentic civic engagement.
Alexander V. Laskin (Administrator) Working alongside DeMatties, Alexander Laskin has served in an administrative capacity since the group's early developmental stages. Laskin assists in the operational management of the forum, ensuring that the group remains functional as it grows in membership and influence.
Impact on the Cheshire Community
The presence of The Official Cheshire Community Forum has created a dualistic landscape for local online interaction. Proponents argue that the group provides a vital service by allowing for the "raw" truth of resident sentiment to surface, particularly regarding sensitive topics like property revaluation and local budgets. Critics, however, often point to the "unfiltered" nature of the group as a catalyst for heated exchanges that might be mitigated by more traditional moderation.
Regardless of one's stance on its moderation style, the forum remains a central repository for local information, debates, and community connection, reflecting the complex and evolving nature of small-town discourse in the 21st century.
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