Frances Topping

Frances Topping

Frances, a nature artist, educator and naturalist, is interested in the health of our environment and keeping Charlestown a special place. She has a broad worldview and experience, having grown up in England and having lived in Canada and Ohio before settling in Charlestown in 2002. Her background in geography, botany and zoology gives an overview of the physical, economic, natural and social environment. This combination allows her to study problems from different perspectives and aids in protecting Charlestown, making her a valuable contributor to the Planning Commission. Developers wish to maximize profits; Frances wants to make sure that this wish does not conflict with environmental and aesthetic protection to the detriment of the residents of Charlestown for whom she works. Planning Commission is a volunteer position, but this does not stop her working very hard to make sure the environment and residents’ needs are taken in to account. Such knowledge and experience are important in making decisions on behalf of their town.

Frances M. Topping – Planning Commission

What makes Frances a good candidate for Planning Commission? For the last 6 years on the Commission she has studied and mastered the regulations that apply to land use and how they can be applied fairly. Developing the Town’s Comprehensive Plan has provided a wider understanding of many aspects of town. Her education, knowledge and experience of living in other countries and communities have given her a unique perspective on the land and environment. “I have seen quiet rural places become full of shopping malls and dense housing and the environment harmed without sound planning. I believe any change or development should be well thought out and well regulated and should enhance the character and maintain the beauty of Charlestown as much as possible. I have no business interest or hidden agenda that would conflict with decision-making. I have lived here for 18 years and value, as I believe do most residents, Charlestown’s rural charm, farms, forests, ponds, rivers and wildlife, clean beaches and small-town feel with wonderful small independent stores. These features and the environment are worth preserving. I would like to continue to work for the people of the town protecting Charlestown from changes that would profoundly alter the character of this beautiful place. I opposed major disruptions to the community as we witnessed in the High Speed Rail proposal, Invenergy’s proposed water withdrawal from our aquifer and other inappropriate commercial enterprises. Strong knowledgeable Planning Commission members are one key to this protection.”

Frances, a nature artist, educator and naturalist, is interested in the health of our environment and keeping Charlestown a special place. She has a broad worldview and experience, having grown up in England and having lived in Canada and Ohio before settling in Charlestown in 2002. Her background in geography, botany and zoology gives an overview of the physical, economic, natural and social environment. This combination allows her to study problems from different perspectives and aids in protecting Charlestown, making her a valuable contributor to the Planning Commission. Developers wish to maximize profits; Frances wants to make sure that this wish does not conflict with environmental and aesthetic protection to the detriment of the residents of Charlestown for whom she works. Planning Commission is a volunteer position, but this does not stop her working very hard to make sure the environment and residents’ needs are taken in to account. Such knowledge and experience are important in making decisions on behalf of their town.

Education

  • Bachelor of Science: Geography with Botany and Zoology, Sheffield University, England
  • Bachelor of Fine Arts: Graphic Design with Illustration and Photography, University of Akron, Ohio
  • Certificate in Natural Science Illustration, Rhode Island School of Design (RISD)
  • Training by the National Association for Interpretation and other institutions in the natural sciences

Professional Experience

  • Freelance self-employed artist and teacher. You can see some of Frances work at http://www.francestoppingvisuals.com/
  • Past part-time educator with Casey Farm and the Museum of Primitive Art and Culture, (now Peacedale Museum of Art and Culture)
  • Award winning Interpretive Naturalist with Cleveland Metroparks, a major park system
  • Edited geography textbooks for Holt, Rinehart and Winston, a major publisher
  • Organized Second Wind: a program helping women re-enter the workforce
  • Graphic designer

Public Service

Personal

  • Married to John Topping. John, a materials scientist, is retired from URI’s Division of Research and
    Economic Development, where he specialized in patents and licenses.
  • Frances and John have two children one of whom lives in Charlestown with their two grandchildren who attend Charlestown elementary school.

On November 3rd 2020, you elected Frances M. Topping to the Charlestown Planning Commission