Bonnie Van Slyke

Bonnie Van Slyke

Bonnie cherishes the rich history of Charlestown and our rural community where we know each other and where we can enjoy the ocean and serene fresh water ponds, hike through open space and woodlands, glide down rivers, and gaze at the stars. She has known Charlestown all her life and returned to Charlestown full time 12 years ago. She is inspired by her father George Bliven who was instrumental in fighting the nuclear plant planned for the former US Naval Auxiliary Landing Field, who advocated for the transfer of the land to the US Department of Interior (and ultimately to US Fish and Wildlife and the town of Charlestown), and who led the years’ long effort to create Ninigret Park. Big achievements can be accomplished by moving ideas forward where others can pick up the cause.

Bonnita B. Van Slyke – Town Council

Bonnita (Bonnie) has served on the Town Council since 2014. She is committed to open and transparent government that represents all of Charlestown’s citizens and that is fiscally responsible. She sees protecting our natural assets—our aquifers, beaches, ponds, rivers, forests, and dark sky—and using them wisely as critical for our economy and crucial to the future of our town. She has endeavored to protect these treasured assets and the town’s quality of life in her time on the Town Council. In addition, Bonnie was a leader in the effort to defeat the Federal Railroad Administration’s plan for a “Bypass” (which would have added railroad lines through Charlestown) and the plan by the developers of a gas- and oil-fired power plant in Burrillville to truck water out of the watershed to northern Rhode Island. Bonnie will continue this work going forward.

Bonnie cherishes the rich history of Charlestown and our rural community where we know each other and where we can enjoy the ocean and serene fresh water ponds, hike through open space and woodlands, glide down rivers, and gaze at the stars. She has known Charlestown all her life and returned to Charlestown full time 12 years ago. She is inspired by her father George Bliven who was instrumental in fighting the nuclear plant planned for the former US Naval Auxiliary Landing Field, who advocated for the transfer of the land to the US Department of Interior (and ultimately to US Fish and Wildlife and the town of Charlestown), and who led the years’ long effort to create Ninigret Park. Big achievements can be accomplished by moving ideas forward where others can pick up the cause.

Education

  • BA in Economics, Wellesley College, Wellesley, MA

Professional Experience

  • Copy Editor, Technical Writer, and Publications Specialist for clients that have included Timberline LLC, Cambridge, MA; Thompson Steele Production Service, Harvard, MA; Alta Research, Inc., Concord, MA; American Management Company, Bedford, MA; and Manderson Associates, Groton, MA (1981 – present)
  • Executive Assistant in Engineering Division, Arthur D. Little, Inc., Cambridge, MA
  • Executive Assistant in Consulting Division, Arthur D. Little, Inc., Cambridge, MA
  • Legal Secretary for law firms in Newport, RI, and Providence, RI

Public Service

  • Charlestown Town Council (2014 – present)
  • Town Council Liaison to the Planning Commission and the Parks and Recreation Commission
  • Former member, Board of Directors Frosty Drew Nature Center & Observatory, 2003 – 2014
  • Former member, Zoning Board of Appeals Harvard, MA
  • Former member, Board of Trustees, Harvard Conservation Trust, Harvard, MA

Personal

  • Bonnie enjoys sailing, biking, hiking, and skiing. Bonnie is a former ski instructor and volunteer in school parent organizations and Cub Scouting. She and her husband restored an antique colonial and had a small flock of sheep for many years. They have a son who lives with his family in San Francisco, CA

Agenda

  • Bonnie fully supports the CCA Platform for the 2018 election

On November 6th, 2018 Bonnita B. Van Slyke was elected to Charlestown Town Council

Town Council

Planning Commission