Elected Planning Commission Members Have Been Highly Qualified
The July 24, 2023, Charlestown Town Council agenda included the false claim that our volunteer Planning Commission members are illegally elected—despite the original Charlestown Home Rule Charter being ratified; the legal advice by two town solicitors that the Charlestown Planning Commission is validly composed; and a recent RI Supreme Court decision (Purcell v. Johnson) that involved an electoral dispute dealing with a very similar conflict between state law and a town Charter in favor of that town’s Charter provision.
After receiving a cautioning letter from the RI ACLU and over an hour of testimony in favor of our elected Planning Commission and the right to vote, the Town Council majority decided not to go to court against our own Home Rule Charter to overturn the outcome of 21 elections.
Having failed to thwart the will of the voters and remove current elected Commissioners from office doesn’t mean that those who want to appoint Planning Commission members who are more to developers’ liking have given up. Now they are challenging the qualifications of all those who have been elected to the Commission. They claim that voters choose the most popular candidates, not the most qualified candidates and that it would be better to have the Town Council appoint “professionals” with experience exclusively in the development of land. Land use is about a lot more than development! Commissioners need to also understand environmental planning, historic preservation, natural resource management, natural resource economics, hydrology, geology, economic trends, and more. Elected Commissioners need to also listen to the concerns of voters.
In the nine elections from 2006 to 2022, the Charlestown Citizens Alliance (CCA) endorsed 24 of the 26 Planning Commission candidates who were elected. Some have been elected more than once. These candidates, chosen by the voters, were highly qualified to serve Charlestown based on their wide academic knowledge and professional experience.
Between them, these 24 (past and present) Commissioners hold 41 different academic degrees in the following fields: Accounting; Architecture; Biochemistry; Biology; Botany; Business Administration; Computer Science; Creative Writing; Divinity; Economics; Education; Electrical Engineering; Environmental Policy; Finance; Geography; Graphic Design and Illustration; Landscape Architecture; Management; Mathematics; Microbiology; Natural Resources Science; Ocean Engineering; Pharmacy; Philosophy; Photography; Physical Education; Physical Engineering; Psychology; Recreation; Sociology; Theater; Urban Planning; Veterinary Medicine; or Zoology.
Among the 24, thirteen hold advanced degrees in addition to their undergraduate degrees:
- Three hold PhDs, in the fields of Biochemistry, Biological Sciences, or Educational Psychology
- One holds a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
- Four hold Master of Arts degrees, in the fields of Accounting/Management, Adult Education, Education, or Natural Resources Science
- Two hold Master of Fine Arts degrees, in the fields of Creative Writing or Urban Planning
- One holds a Master of Divinity
- One holds a Master of Business Administration in Business Management
- Four hold Master of Science degrees, in the fields of Environmental Policy, Ocean Engineering, Recreation, or Zoology
In addition to a deep well of knowledge represented by those with academic credentials and academic positions, one holds a license in nursing and others hold certificates in such fields as Computer-Aided Design, Electrical Wiring, Graphic Design, Horticulture, Master Gardening, and Natural Science Illustration.
They are trained as municipal leaders, attending training sessions conducted by the RI Department of Environmental Management, RI Statewide Planning, RI Department of Health, RI Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission, RI Coastal Resources Management Council, Natural Resource Conservation Service, RI Department of Transportation, Grow Smart Rhode Island, Save The Bay, and many other groups.
Their vocations include: Adult Education Professor; Architect; Artist; Biochemistry Professor; Child Development Professor; Marine Research Associate in Coastal Zone Management; Computer Programmer; Director of Real Estate Agent Development; Director at Fortune 500 corporations; Manager at Fortune 500 corporations; EPA Grant Administrator; Financial Services Professional; Interpretive Naturalist; Landscape Architect; Nurse; Mechanical Detail Planner; Microbiologist; Minister; Species Inventory and Monitoring Specialist for the National Park Service; Photographer; Physicist; Planning Assistant; Professional Planner; Publisher; Radiographer; Realtor; Rhode Island Historical Society staff; Semiconductor Engineer; Senior Community Banking Officer; Special Education Teacher; Small Business Owners; Technical College Instructor; Veterinarian; Wetlands Biologist; Writer; and Zoology Professor.
The amazing breadth and depth of their education and professional experience have made each of the individuals chosen by voters in the past nine elections to be exceptionally well qualified to review land use proposals in Charlestown, to protect our natural and cultural resources, and to develop long-range plans for our community, such as Charlestown’s Comprehensive Plan.
In addition to broad knowledge and abilities, the most important qualities when looking for a Planning Commission candidate are that they are grounded in the community, cherish its unique qualities, listen to multiple points of view, possess no inherent conflicts of interest, and are willing to do the hard work of preserving and protecting those assets that make Charlestown such a unique and treasured place to live.
The banner image shows a part of a groundwater map for Charlestown that features the town’s Groundwater Reservoirs, Recharge Areas, and Wellhead Protection Areas. Groundwater protection is an important concern of current Planning Commission members.
You can learn more about the author, Ruth Platner, at her profile page.
August 23, 2023 @ 3:12 pm
Excellent data-based report Ruth, many thanks …… and as always many thanks for the hardwork and dedication that you and all the committee members past and present have done and are doing to protecting our groundwater and preserving our rural character.
August 10, 2023 @ 5:22 pm
Don’t ever mistake education for intelligence
August 10, 2023 @ 8:33 pm
There’s a lot to be said about intelligence. However…from what I have read on the “ELECTED” Planning Commission’s backgrounds “and” education, they would have to have both to achieve what they have in their lifetime. Both intelligence “and” education are both necessary as part of this equation. From my perspective these elected officials “do” have them both.
August 12, 2023 @ 3:41 pm
I don’t know what the intent of Mr. Holmes’ statement is, but it is true that education and intelligence are separate entities. However, the data shows that education and intelligence correlate positively. I know of no study that shows the opposite relationship.
August 8, 2023 @ 3:44 pm
Dear Ruth – Thank you so much for the many years of contributions that you have made to the town of Charlestown. Although I am no longer a resident, I lived in the town for forty years, and Charlestown holds a very special place in my heart, and I return at least once every year to visit.
Your above response to the present situation once again reveals the clear thinking and wealth of knowledge you have brought to our town planning. I have always appreciated the outstanding contribution you have made (and are still making) to our beloved Charlestown.
Thank you so much.
August 8, 2023 @ 1:16 pm
Maybe electors care more about the environment they live in, their water supply, aka groundwater , and the culture of Charlestown than they do about having more building or more quarrying or building on marginal land and elect those they think will bear that in mind when reviewing developments. While a by-right use cannot be prevented attention can be paid to preserving water, views, not going into wetlands for example and preserving functional areas of open space. More pro development appointees might ignore such details or change regulations to remove those aspects. Voters can choose how they want to have the town develop. Appointees may be various depending on make up of Council and they may not even be qualified at all!
I have a degree in Geography that included town development, botany and zoology as well as one in Graphic design and illustration and am a member of various environmental groups. I care about Charlestown and its future.
August 8, 2023 @ 12:19 pm
Ms. Platner, I would like to thank you for your dedication, effort, planning and tenacity for addressing this most important aspect of our Town government. It took dedication and time to write this article, and…thank you for doing so. I would also commend the members of the Charlestown Planning Commission for their tenacity and for sticking in there for what they believe in. What we are seeing within our Town government is nothing more than what we are seeing on the Federal level of government within this country today. A government which is ruled and run on greed and one’s personal agenda. It does not matter what a Home Rule Charter states, what a U.S. Constitution states, or the Supreme Court of the United States, they have an agenda and the “rulers” are going to get whatever they want at the expense of anyone or anything. This is a true “DEMOCRATIC” way of running a government in our country today; and.. on all levels of government. This present Council has an agenda, it is apparent they are going to disregard what the Charlestown Town Charter reads, or what the R.I. Court system dictates, they are going to get what they want no matter what. There is a lot of concern by the American citizenship about the country turning to socialism, from my perspective we have surpassed that form of government and we are presently experiencing a “TOTALITARIANISM” form of government. Town Charters, court systems, or the U.S. Constitution is only something that stands in the way of attaining their specific goals and interests. I challenge this current Charlestown Town Council to give legitimate reasoning behind what they are attempting to accomplish by subverting this current “ELECTED” planning commission. From my perspective the current path this Council is on is only a boondoggle to cover up the greed of those who wish to develop this town without any controls or constraints; and… in total disregard to the wishes of those who vote within this community. Zoning laws not only protect our environment, they also protect the investment/s that we have made in our homes/properties and our community. Zoning laws protect “our homes” and “our communities” on many levels, and they are important to our families and the legacies we have to leave in our passing.
August 8, 2023 @ 11:42 am
Considering this majority town council in particular is claiming voters choose the most popular candidates, not the most qualified candidates, strikes me as ironic!
Great post and thanks for providing the historical curriculum vitae.
August 8, 2023 @ 10:39 am
Thank you for compiling and sharing this, Ruth.
I am in awe of the qualifications and diversity of experiences and backgrounds of the members, past and present, of our Planning Commission.
We are in good hands!
I also am so very grateful for all of those citizens who spend hours and hours making and keeping Charlestown the wonderful town it is and has been for years.
Thank you!
Elizabeth Westcott
August 8, 2023 @ 10:12 am
Wonderful summary proving that the Planning Commission members have been well qualified to do the job.
The most important qualification, as stated, is grounded in the community, with no conflict of interests etc.
Their actions should reflect what the community wants, and not special interests.
Well said and thanks for that information.