The 2024 Local Election in Charlestown
These candidates are Independents, Democrats, and Republican. What they 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.
Town Council (click on candidate’s name or picture to read full profile)
Peter Keating
Peter owned and managed an independent supermarket in Connecticut with over 100 employees. The store was so popular it was described as serving as the town center. Peter will bring his experience in understanding and responding to the diverse needs and wants of his workers, customers, and suppliers and in interfacing with all manner of local, state, and federal agencies and inspectors to government in Charlestown.
Bonnie Van Slyke
Having served 8 years on the Town Council, Bonnie views the protection of our natural resources as critical for our economy. As a Town Councilor she has championed protecting the local environment, including our dark skies, and safeguarding our rural community with its low taxes. She advocates for inclusive recreational opportunities throughout our town. A former director of the Frosty Drew Nature Center and Observatory, Bonnie works in publishing and has a BA in Economics.
Ruth Platner
Ruth currently serves on the Planning Commission, has a BS degree in Biology and has had a long career in scientific research and technology. The beauty of Charlestown’s natural environment brought Ruth here over 40 years ago. She was invaluable in the defeat of the Federal Railroad Administration proposal to bisect Charlestown with new rail lines; she was a leader in stopping Invenergy from trucking our ground water out of town; and Ruth has always reminded us of the connection between natural resource protection and our relatively low tax rate.
Angela Jalbert
Drawn to the rural, tranquil, close-knit nature of Charlestown, Angie is passionate about preserving the community’s unique character and community connections. Angie will bring to the Town Council extensive experience in collaboration with state and community organizations and in strategic planning, technology integration, policy, grant management and reporting, and personnel development to her role in Charlestown’s government.
Sarah Fletcher
Sarah is the third generation in her family to be raised in Charlestown. She is a nationally recognized marketing expert with over 30 years’ experience as a creative director, art director, designer, and photographer. As a small business owner, Sarah wants to help ensure that Charlestown’s economy can grow and flourish without destroying the character of one of the most beautiful communities on the East Coast.
Planning Commission (click on name or picture to read full profile)
Sarah St. Laurent
Sarah has lived in Charlestown for 15 years and has been a member of the Planning Commission for 6 years. Sarah has felt a deep connection to our community from the beginning of her time here, but the threat to neighborhoods, wildlife, and protected open space by the Federal Railroad Administration plan for new train tracks through northern Charlestown inspired her to become actively involved. She would like to continue to work to protect our beautiful town as a member of the Planning Commission.
Carol Mossa
Carol is a current member of the Planning Commission and an award winning photographer, writer and publisher as well as a local small business owner who has lived in Charlestown for 11 years and loves our unique, small town character. Her education, with both an MFA and MBA combines art and business. Carol’s combined life experience of exploring, creating, editing, teaching, and managing businesses has made her a valued member of the Planning Commission where she understands the needs of business and balances that against the cultural, aesthetic and environmental impacts on our community.
Coleen Galvin Yaroshenko
Coleen is a small business owner, professional Comedian, Motivational Speaker and former Special Education teacher who is committed to preserving Charlestown’s natural resources, history and character. She believes that it is possible to focus on preservation and work with all parties to find solutions that will best serve our community as a whole as we grow. Coleen contends that even though she has traveled all over the world, Charlestown is truly the most wonderful place she has ever been.
Lisa Marie St. Godard
Lisa has spent 4 years as a member of the Planning Commission where she has worked on Charlestown’s Comprehensive Plan and advocated for Charlestown’s environment and beautiful small town character. As a resident of the western edge of Charlestown, Lisa has a front row seat on the large granite quarry just over the border in Westerly and the effect that bad land use planning can have on neighbors and natural resources. Lisa works as a Planner at the Naval Submarine Base and has lived in Charlestown for over 8 years.
Town Moderator
David Wilkinson
David served two years on the Charlestown Town Council from 2018 to 2020. He has a BS in Business Administration and has served as Senior Vice President for Operations of an international company he and a team of logistics experts founded in the late 1990s. His love of Charlestown’s quiet natural beauty, his determination to protect our town, his substantial experience of other communities, his leadership skills, and his expertise in project management, budgeting, financial planning, and operations will make him an excellent and effective Town Moderator
On November 5, please vote for these Candidates for Charlestown Local Offices
Planning Commission
Town Moderator
Our Pledge
CCA is committed to an election outcome that produces public officials who will work in the interest of the majority of Charlestown’s citizens.
Good government requires an INFORMED electorate. To that end, Charlestown Citizens Alliance will endorse and support qualified elected officers who endorse our group’s major goals—responsive, open government; preserving the natural environment; maintaining community character; responsible development; quality education; engaging the community; and fiscal responsibility.
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