Welcome from the CCA President
After retiring from a long career in public service I relocated my family to Charlestown, Rhode Island. Since that time, I have had a chance to meet, befriend, observe, and listen to many Charlestown citizens. Since the 2006 election, I have often reflected upon your spirit and your courage as you spoke up to confront the most dysfunctional and appalling town government situation I have ever observed.
What transpired in response to this dysfunctional town government situation was the Grange Hall meeting in January 2007 and the birth of a citizen’s grass roots movement to restore good government to Charlestown. Over 300 concerned citizens showed up that day to express their concerns and displeasure with what was happening to their town. What was on display that day was more than just individual or collective courage and leadership, but a passion and an understanding that the Citizens of Charlestown would have to work hard to protect their town from the Town Council and certain Town Government Officials if they were to restore good government to Charlestown. A local citizen, John Goodman, stepped forward and became the voice and face of this citizen’s movement which became a formal ballot advocacy organization called the Charlestown Citizens Alliance (CCA). Like many of the concerned citizens who attended that Grange Meeting I wanted to participate and help the citizen’s movement restore good government to Charlestown.
Mr. Goodman became the first CCA President and I became its first Treasurer, With the help of many citizens like you, and the CCA Steering Committee Volunteers, we began the journey to protect our rights to freedom of speech and participation in the public policy process of Home Rule, as outlined in our Town Charter. It’s because of your participation in Town Hall meetings, and your courage to volunteer for town commissions despite the bullying and unprofessional behavior towards both citizens and volunteers that have made a difference in the efforts to restore good government to our town. You have raised your voices and insisted that Town Government be conducted in an open forum with full citizen participation. You have participated in petition drives for recall elections, and prudent use of tax dollars, and helped reinforce the CCA position that the citizens of this Town do not support gambling. You have spoken up and said that the environment, our resources, the beauty of this town, and the quality of life in Charlestown needs to be protected from un-responsible development and growth.
But most important of all, you the concerned citizens of Charlestown have shown the honesty, integrity, and passion to stand up for your democratic rights for free speech and open government. Without you and your efforts Home Rule would be a lie, instead it’s a living, tangible example of what citizen participation is about. It’s about restoring and protecting Good Government in Charlestown. I extend my thanks to each of you for your past and continued support of CCA and the effort to maintain good government.
Sincerely,
Daniel Slattery, President
Charlestown Citizens Alliance