Town Charter Amendments
Town Charter Amendments—Which Should You Approve Or Reject? Please Reject Charter Questions 7, 10, 14, 15, and 17 7) CHARTER AMENDMENT RE: TOWN COUNCIL ELECTIONS (Part 2 – Town Council […]
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CCA 2024 Platform for Charlestown
CCA 2024 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 […]
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Susan Cooper
Susan is a recently retired attorney with strong analytical and communication skills developed from years of legal practice. She believes that Charlestown’s path forward must be to protect the natural resources of our town. In her first term on the Council, she was instrumental in the adoption of Charlestown’s Comprehensive Plan, in conducting of the Town-Wide Survey, and in establishing the Climate Resiliency Commission that is charged with protecting the town’s resources with particular emphasis on groundwater preservation.
Peter Gardner
Peter, who has an MS in Marketing, is a quality assurance and compliance specialist for a large US corporation, is a third-generation Charlestown farmer, and has worked his way around the globe. He brings integrity, high energy, and professionalism, along with his experience of other landscapes and cultures, to the Town Council. Peter believes that Charlestown’s beautiful natural setting is at the root of our community identity and that we should protect our farms and open spaces as places for people and wildlife to enjoy the natural world.
Ann Owen
Ann, the fourth generation of her family to live in Charlestown, grew up loving Charlestown’s beaches, ponds, forests and star-filled skies. She has an MBA in Finance and over 33 years of investment management and analysis experience with major banks. Ann feels privileged to live in Charlestown with its amazing natural and cultural resources and she will work to protect those resources for future generations. Ann listens intently and will strive to translate our residents’ true desires for Charlestown into actions that achieve their vision.
Joshua Vallee
Josh is a 15-year resident of Charlestown. He is a Doctor of Pharmacy and is Chief Compliance Officer for the RI Board of Pharmacy at the RI Department of Health. He started his first small business after graduate school and now is co-owner and manager of a veterinary clinic in Connecticut. Josh brings a broad range of management experience to the Town Council where he will work to ensure that Charlestown remains a town with low taxes and abundant natural resources where his own young children and future generations will want to live.
David Wilkinson
David served two years on the Charlestown Town Council from 2018 to 2020. He has a BS in Business Administration and is 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 make him an excellent and effective Town Councilor.
Walter “Peter” Mahony
Walter is a current member of the Planning Commission and an award winning professional planner with architecture and planning degrees from Princeton and Cambridge Universities and a 40-year career in planning and landscape design that has focused on the sustainable balance between development and land preservation. Walter has lived here full time for 10 years, but he has a lifelong history of participating in various struggles to preserve our town’s unique character and valuable natural assets.
Donna Chambers
Donna has served on the Chariho School Committee since 2013. She has a BS and MA in Education as well as 49 years experience in the field. She worked with several NE state governments as an adult education consultant with expertise in proficiency-based teaching and learning. Donna believes that maintaining Chariho’s status as a highly ranked school system requires a school committee comprised of individuals that support the administration in making decisions that are economically sound, academically challenging, and fair for all students.
Craig Louzon
Craig, a US Army and RI National Guard Veteran, studied History and Plant Sciences at URI. He has worked for URI for 40 years, currently as Grounds Superintendent. As a member of the Chariho School Committee for 11 years, Craig has been instrumental in the positive direction Chariho has taken, with Chariho High School being ranked among the top 10 schools in the state. Craig believes Chariho should continue striving for excellence, while balancing the costs and needs of students.
Linda Lyall
Linda has a BS and MS in Special Education and has been a dedicated educator and instructional leader for 34 years. As a member of the Chariho School Committee for the last four years, she has worked on behalf of each Chariho student and their family to ensure that the student acquires the 21st century skills needed to be an accomplished individual in this global society. She strives to provide relevant learning environments and outcomes for every student while operating in a fiscally responsible manner.
CCA 2022 Platform for Charlestown
CCA 2022 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 […]
CCA 2020 Platform for Charlestown
CCA 2020 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 […]
David Wilkinson
David was elected to the Town Council in 2018 and is 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 work to protect our town, his substantial experience of other communities, and his leadership skills and experience in project management, budgeting, financial planning, and operations have made him an excellent and effective Town Councilor. David has a BS in Business Administration.
Gordon Foer
Gordon is a current member of the Planning Commission who holds a Masters degree from Tufts University in Urban and Environmental Policy. He is a former chair and member of the Charlestown Conservation Commission, a co-founder of the Charlestown Land Trust, and has lived in Charlestown since 1993. He worked in coastal resource management and is an Academic Skills Coach and Professional Tutor of Economics, Spanish, and Writing in the Academic Success Center at Johnson & Wales University.
Frances Topping
Frances is a Natural Science Illustrator, fine artist, educator and naturalist. She has both a Bachelor of Science in Geography with Botany and Zoology and a Bachelor of Fine Arts. She has served on the Charlestown Planning Commission for six years where she has demonstrated her work ethic, eloquent writing skills, and impressive knowledge of the local environment. Frances is a past member of the Conservation Commission and volunteers for the RI Wild Plant Society and other groups and has lived here for 18 years.
Ronald Areglado
Ron has lived in Charlestown since 1998 and is the recipient of several prestigious national and state awards. He was elected to the Chariho School Committee in 2014. He has worked over 45 years in a variety of educational settings spanning elementary schools to graduate school. He holds a Doctorate in Educational Policy, Research and Planning. Ron consistently treats others with respect, even-handedness, and civility, regardless of differing opinions. The Budget Public Hearings need a Moderator like Ron who will facilitate a fair and orderly meeting.
Ruth Platner: We Stopped The Train In Its Tracks
Our Town Council went into immediate action alerting residents and lobbying state and federal officials. Through thousands of hours of combined effort they gained the support of over 100 international, national, state, and municipal organizations and thousands of residents statewide. Together we succeeded in removing the “Old Saybrook to Kenyon Bypass” from the plan and the coalition the Council formed with those other organizations has put us in a much stronger position going forward.
Accomplishments 2018
Charlestown Citizens Alliance has endorsed these candidates because of their commitment to our town and their record of accomplishment. Some accomplishments include: Keeping our taxes among the lowest in the […]
Denise Rhodes
Denise, a 13 year resident of Charlestown, and a four year veteran of the Town Council now seeks to serve our town as a member of the Planning Commission. She brings an experienced voice for Charlestown’s environment and the health and safety of our citizens adversely impacted by the intense quarry operation in Westerly on the Charlestown border, where she lives. Denise believe it is “important to protect our environment and the health and welfare of our residents, while keeping taxes low and affordable for everyone.”