The Brookfield Examiner Returns—With a Clear Eye, a Strong Voice, and a Love for This Town
By Christopher Kelleher
Editor-in-Chief, Brookfield Examiner
It’s been a long time since you’ve heard from us.
The Brookfield Examiner last went to press in January 2024. A lot has happened since then—both in this town, and in my life. And while some of it has been painful, today’s message is not one of defeat. It’s one of return, of resilience, and of recommitment to the work this town deserves: honest journalism, fearless transparency, and yes—celebration of what makes Brookfield special.
Let’s start with why we went dark.
As many in Brookfield already know, the past year has been personally devastating. The harassment I endured over my use of a service dog was relentless, cruel, and—ultimately—effective in driving me out of public service. I resigned from every position I held in town. I stopped attending meetings. And for a while, I stopped writing.
Even as a private citizen, I couldn’t enter Town Hall without being met with scrutiny and hostility—not over my words, but over Rosie, my medical service dog. The obsession some town officials and residents developed around my disability defied reason and decency. It wasn’t just discriminatory—it was dehumanizing. It broke something in me. And so, I disappeared from view.
But if the last year has taught me anything, it’s this: silence doesn’t protect you. It only protects the people who want you to disappear.
Too many decisions are made in shadows. Too many complaints are buried. Too many citizens are afraid to speak up—because when you do, there’s often a price. For some, that price is character assassination. For me, it was coordinated retaliation, legal intimidation, and sustained public humiliation—all for trying to serve and participate with the accommodations guaranteed to every disabled American.
That ends now.
The Examiner will cover public meetings again. We’ll document issues of transparency and public access. And we’ll do so with the firm belief that sunlight is the best disinfectant.
This town has been compared to a battered spouse—told to keep quiet, not make waves, and just hope things don’t get worse. But silence only makes things worse. And the truth doesn’t go away just because it’s inconvenient.
Still, make no mistake—I never stopped working for this town.
Even when I wasn’t publishing stories, I was still advocating behind the scenes—for transparency, for accountability, and for a more respectful government culture. I pushed for a code of conduct policy at Town Hall, modeled after standards used at the State House in Boston. I kept raising concerns about public access and citizen rights at meetings. And I never stopped standing up—loudly or quietly—for the belief that Brookfield deserves better.
Because here’s the truth: this town still matters to me. It matters deeply. Brookfield is my home. And like every home, it needs attention. It needs care. It needs people willing to speak up, tell the truth, and highlight both the challenges and the incredible strengths that define it.
So we’re back—not just to hold government accountable, but to celebrate what’s good here, too.
You can expect the Brookfield Examiner to cover transparency issues, yes. We will continue to investigate Open Meeting Law violations, shine a light on public records, and demand that elected officials serve the public fairly and lawfully.
But we’re also here to tell the stories no one else is telling:
- The volunteers who quietly show up, week after week, to support neighbors and clean up public spaces.
- The local businesses doing things right—and giving back.
- The teachers, the veterans, the parents, the high school students putting their hearts into this community.
- The old-timers who remember what this town used to be, and the newcomers who believe in what it can still become.
Brookfield isn’t just a place where drama happens at Town Hall. It’s a town full of character, history, grit, and generosity. The Examiner is here to report it all—the hard truths and the hopeful ones.
And yes—the satire is back too. We know many of you loved our “Funny Pages,” where we used humor to highlight absurdity, hypocrisy, and just plain weirdness in town affairs. Those stories will be returning, right where they belong—under their own clearly marked satire section. If you laughed before, keep your eyes peeled: we’re just getting started.
We’re not a “negative” publication. We’re a truthful one. And we love this town enough to want better for it. That means telling the uncomfortable stories when necessary—but also making sure the good work and good people get the spotlight they deserve.
I may never walk back into Town Hall. But I don’t need to. My job now is clearer than ever: to help this town see itself—fully, honestly, and with hope.
See you on Facebook.
See you at BrookfieldExaminer.com.
See you in the light.
We’re back.