On October 31, I received a letter from Clay Johnson, and rarely have I seen a letter with so much misinformation and derogatory innuendos. Mr. Johnson, you mention, “stop the madness.” The madness that must be stopped is the wanton publication of unsubstantiated stories designed to inflame people who do not take the time to uncover the facts.
We can be very proud of our town. The last 12 to 14 years have been good, with elected representatives endorsed by the Charlestown Citizens Alliance prominent. The town has had stable government, open space preserved, some affordable housing created, civil discourse promoted, threats averted and taxes kept low. This has led to some complacency among residents quite happy to leave the business of the town in able hands. Social media has caused tempers to run high on certain issues which are often not fully understood. More is at stake than a few temporary hot issues.
When you fill in your mail ballot or enter the voting booth on November 7 or 8, please vote for the Independent candidates in this post. From the shore of the Block Island Sound to the villages along the Pawcatuck River they will protect our quality of life, our low tax rate, and our beautiful environment. Image in post to download to your phone or printer to bring with you to the polls.
On November 1, a letter from Mr. Clay Johnson, a resident of Richmond, dated October 14, 2022 arrived at my home and the homes of many other Charlestown residents. It is full of baseless conspiracy assertions about Chariho. Mr. Johnson has done nothing to promote creditable and responsible discourse among voters.
The “positive way to move forward” is to elect representatives who will work for the best interests of citizens in all areas of town. The Independent candidates endorsed by the CCA commit to protection of our natural environment; low taxes and a stable financial position; responsible development; well-managed, responsive, civil, and open government; access to recreational opportunities; and quality education.
Every two years we get the opportunity to exercise the right and privilege to vote. We all work to protect the right to vote, but some do not take advantage of it each election cycle, and we should. A clear majority of you said you approve of the direction Charlestown is taking in the town-wide community survey, so vote for these candidates to continue that direction and record of achievement and to implement your wishes. Voting continues through November 8th. Get out and vote now.
Ms. Carney is wrong. A conservation restriction has been determined to be a “reasonable regulation,” not a confiscation of property, and case law supports that determination. Conservation restrictions are a widely used tool throughout Rhode Island to protect open space, including wetlands and other sensitive areas, from unsuitable development.
CHANGE OF VENUE
When: Thursday, October 27 at 7 p.m.
Where: Saint James Chapel Community Room, 2079 Matunuck Schoolhouse Road, Charlestown
Join us to meet the candidates CCA has endorsed for Charlestown Town Council, Planning Commission, and Chariho School Committee. This was originally scheduled at the Police Station, but the meeting room at the station is needed for storage related to the election. We are grateful to St. James Chapel for allowing us use of the community room on such short notice.
Mr. Serra is promising that, if elected, he will fire the Town Planner, recall the Chair of our elected Planning Commission, and remove the Groundwater Protection District requirement that 20% undisturbed open space be set aside to protect the aquifer. It would seem, because he has said so, that Mr. Serra is running for office in order to derive a personal benefit from changes that would be detrimental to our town and our drinking water—possibly one of the worst reasons to run for office.
Someone once said that local election campaigns are called the “Silly Season.” Now it’s the “Lying Season.” I was shocked to read in The Westerly Sun’s Letters to the Editor on Tuesday, October 11, the fabrications and deliberate lies of Catherine O’Reilly Collette, chairwoman of the Charlestown Democratic Party.
Let’s continue to elect excellent candidates to town government who understand the connection between our environment, our economy and our low tax rate and who are willing to do the hard work to protect all three. Who you elect for local office will affect your tax rate and will shape the landscape and character of the town years into the future.
Representatives who have values similar to ours would be expected to represent our views and to vote the way we would vote most, but not all, of the time. There are times when there are legitimate differences between people of similar values, and that is to be expected.
In this year’s Charlestown Town Council race, you will find independent Town Council candidates Susan Cooper, Peter Gardner, Ann Owen, Joshua Vallee, and David Wilkinson together, in the bottom section of the ballot. Rhode Island election laws had already secured for the political party candidates the more desirable spots at the top of the ballot. The laws were written by the political parties to serve their own interest.
Overwhelmingly, residents are “very happy” with Charlestown’s management, finances, education system and recreation opportunities. In response to the candidates’ most important query, “What are your hopes, concerns or questions about our town?” we’ve heard new ideas, valid criticisms, and lots of love for Charlestown.
As a resident of Charlestown, I will cast my vote for candidates who have impressive records of accomplishment. Town Council candidates Susan Cooper, Peter Gardner, Ann Owen, Joshua Vallee, and David Wilkinson; Planning Commission candidates Walter Mahony, Carol Mossa, and Lisa St. Godard; and School Committee candidates Donna Chambers, Craig Louzon, and Linda Lyall are the most accomplished candidates. List of accomplishments in the post.
Jim Mageau is back this election on the Town Council ballot, again promising to fire staff. This time his target is Charlestown’s excellent Town Planner. Other candidates are also talking about firing Town staff and forcing out our highly-regarded Town Administrator. Before marking your ballot this election, please watch this video to see what happens when residents vote for someone they believe will “shake things up”.
I see evidence that individuals endorsed by the Charlestown Citizens Alliance have served my town extremely well for over a decade. In the future, I know they will work to maintain this healthy balance of slow, planned growth, preservation of rural character, and a stable, low tax rate.
PLACE MATTERS. We all know that. That place could be this diverse and jagged world, or this great country, neither of which we can influence greatly. The place I’m talking about is Charlestown – our town – and you have great influence to elect smart and responsive leadership in the candidates of the Charlestown Citizens’ Alliance.
The changes desired by opponents would jeopardize our natural resources and cost taxpayers dollars. They do not comply with Charlestown’s Comprehensive Plan or State Land Use Plans. They contradict the priorities identified by our taxpayers in the 2021 Town-Wide Community Survey, and they have nothing to do with providing affordable housing because the resulting homes would be market-rate housing.
It’s not a surprise that an opposition candidate would look to the Charlestown Citizens Alliance for campaign ideas and website content. What is a surprise is the willingness of Deb Carney’s group to shamelessly steal entire content, word for word, from the CCA website. Plagiarism is just the newest tool in their bag of campaign dirty tricks. Having the same content and branding leaves voters with the impression that there is very little difference between the two groups, when in fact there is a world of difference.
This is why she is well-respected in the field of adult education and in the development of learning methodologies. This is why she is considered a trustworthy and reliable friend and colleague. She is on the Chariho School Committee and is committed to the prospect of improving upon the school district’s already laudable ranking within the state.
Actions by candidates endorsed by Charlestown Residents United (CRU) contradict the claim that they will protect the town’s environment. For 12 years, Independent Town Council members endorsed by the Charlestown Citizens Alliance (CCA) have consistently acted to protect our environment and keep our taxes low. These actions are in keeping with priorities clearly expressed in the recent Town-wide Community Survey.
It is important to elect independent Town Councilors and Planning Commissioners who will put the interest of the town, its tax rate, and its environment first. These Independent Town Council and Planning Commission candidates are committed to our environment and rural character. They understand the connection between protection of our natural resources and our low tax rate. Electing Independent Town Council candidates Susan Cooper, Peter Gardner, Ann Owen, Joshua Vallee, and David Wilkinson and Planning Commission candidates Walter Mahony, Carol Mossa, and Lisa St Godard will help to keep Charlestown green, both on the land and in all our wallets.
Join us at a ZOOM meeting to meet all the CCA candidates for Charlestown local offices.
When: Thursday, October 6 at 7 p.m.
Where: From the comfort of your home via ZOOM
Why: These candidates will protect our quality of life, our low tax rate, our beautiful environment, and our future.
Details on joining the ZOOM meeting in this post.
We have images for signs, posters, handouts, emails, Facebook posts, Facebook banners or anything your creativity inspires that we are happy to share with you to promote these candidates who will protect Charlestown’s environment, tax rate, and future.
Our candidates are independent citizens willing to invest their diverse backgrounds, talents and time to work hard to protect and improve our community. We expect to be the beneficiaries of their investment through continued low taxes, protected natural resources, and all the other benefits of living in this beautiful community, but they need your support.
If you too want to keep our environment protected, our drinking water clean, our tax rate low, and our town working well, vote to elect the Independent candidates endorsed by CCA. As Independents they have the interests of the town foremost, not the interests of a political party or personal agenda and will act in the best interests of all the citizens of the town.
View the local and statewide Primary election results. There was only one local contest on the Primary ballot, and that is the local Democratic Party primary contest for Senate District 38, (formerly Dennis Algiere’s seat). That senate district includes Charlestown districts 503 and 504. There were three Democratic Party candidates in that primary. Victoria Gu won that primary by a wide margin in Charlestown and district wide.
These candidates will bring education, experience, science, and a commitment to conservation to the elected Planning Commission. The top vote getter will serve as a full voting member. The next two vote getters will be elected as alternates. Alternates participate fully in all Planning Commission discussions and vote in the absence of a full voting member.
Three Ways To Vote (choose one of these)
• Vote by mail
• Vote early until September 12
• Vote on Tuesday, September 13
There is only one local contest on the Primary ballot, and that is the local Democratic Party primary contest for Senate District 38, (formerly Dennis Algiere’s seat). That senate district includes Charlestown districts 503 and 504.
Links to Senate District 38 candidates’ websites in this post.
Join us at a ZOOM meeting to meet the candidates to represent Charlestown on the Chariho School Committee.
When: Thursday, September 8 at 7 p.m.
Where: From the comfort of your home via ZOOM
Why: Those whom we elect to School Committee affect the future of Charlestown’s children and the Chariho school budget. Chariho has become one of the highest ranking school systems in our state.
If you think your efforts at avoiding COVID-19, an out of town trip, or any other reason may stop you from voting in the September 13th, Rhode Island Primary, consider ordering a mail ballot for that primary election. Plus, information on the RI Senate District 38 Democratic Primary in Charlestown.