CCA 2018 Platform for Charlestown

Our Economy – Our Environment – Our Future

The Charlestown Citizens Alliance* (CCA) is committed to enhancing the overall quality of life for all Charlestown residents. We believe that sound fiscal management, responsible economic development, wise stewardship of our natural resources, and accountable and ethical leadership are essential to sustaining the vitality of our town. To accomplish this, CCA has endorsed candidates committed to the following goals:

Fiscal Responsibility
We are committed to keeping our tax rate as one of the lowest in Rhode Island and managing our financial resources effectively. Charlestown’s tax rate is $9.65 per $1,000 of assessed property value. By way of comparison, South Kingstown’s tax rate is $15.09, Hopkinton’s is $20.07 and Richmond’s is $20.80. Our tax rate coupled with a well-managed budget keeps Charlestown one of Rhode Island’s most solvent towns.

Accountable and Ethical Leadership
We are committed to town governance that is open, honest and responsible. All deliberations will be conducted in a public forum characterized by civility and mutual respect.

Protection of Our Natural Environment
Charlestown features a diversity of coastal and inland resources, including rivers, ponds, wetlands, forest, star-filled skies, and prized beaches that collectively sustain wildlife and provide some of the best recreational opportunities on the East Coast. We recognize the important relationship between our environment, our quality of life, and our economy. We will work collaboratively with town residents, businesses, and local, state, and federal agencies to protect our natural resources and sustain our rural character.

Responsible Development
We realize that growth and development are linked to our town’s overall vitality. We value the strong connection between protection of our natural resources and our low tax rate. We will support economic opportunities that promote a vibrant community, preserve the landscapes we love, are cost-effective to taxpayers, and are environmentally sustainable over time.

Preservation of Charlestown’s Community Character
We are committed to maintaining local control over planning and zoning and to the protection of Charlestown’s environment and community character.

Quality Education
We support the Chariho administration in its efforts to provide students with the best quality education while also promoting sound fiscal management.

Building Community
We led the movement to defeat the Federal Railroad Administration plan to bisect Charlestown with new rail lines and Invenergy’s plan to truck our ground water to northern Rhode Island. Working countless hours, we alerted hundreds of town residents through web pages, maps, videos, meetings, rallies, letter-writing campaigns; then other citizens started their own petitions and Facebook groups. The Narragansett Tribe, many towns, other organizations, and thousands of people all participated. We are committed to engaging the entire community in protecting our beautiful town!

*CCA is not affiliated with any political party. We are made up of Democrats, Republicans, Moderates, and Independents. What we share in common is a dedication to civil and open government, and a passion for preserving and protecting those assets that make Charlestown such a unique and treasured place to live.