CCA Blog and Mail Box

Below you will find an archive of CCA blog posts. The comments from readers and some blog posts do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the CCA Steering Committee. Sign up to receive these blog posts by e-mail.

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Virginia Lee: Charlestown’s Independent Candidates Deliver Proven, Effective Leadership

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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.

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Why Are Charlestown Independents At The Bottom Of The Ballot?

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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.

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Faith Labossiere: Door To Door Is Fun and Informative

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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.

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Sherry Krupka: A Vote For Accomplished CCA Candidates

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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.

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Jim Mageau Is Back On The Ballot!

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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”.

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Mark Hinkley: CCA Candidates Understand Place Matters

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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.

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Zoning Changes Would Jeopardize Natural Resources And Cost Taxpayers Dollars

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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.

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Charlestown Revolutionary War Reenactment

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When: October 22, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
What: The Charlestown Historical Society presents a Revolutionary War Encampment
Where: The Historic Amos Greene Farm
Who: Performed by the 2nd Rhode Island Regiment, Kingston Reds, 5th Connecticut, Peters’ Corps, 54’th A Foot, Butlers’ Rangers, Le Regiment Bourbonnais, and the Cape Cod Blue Jackets Fife and Drum Corp.
Access: Parking is at the Charlestown Elementary School with a shuttle bus that will start running at 9:45 a.m.
Cost: There is a suggested donation of $5.00 for anyone 14 years or older.

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Copy And Paste Of Website Content Is Theft Of Others’ Effort

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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.

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Donna Chambers: Profile of a Worthy Candidate

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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.

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Bonnie Van Slyke: Facts, not fiction

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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.

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RI PBS Weekly Showcases Charlestown’s Amazing Night Sky

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On October 2nd, Rhode Island Public Broadcasting Service (RI PBS) aired a story about Light Pollution for RI PBS Weekly, a TV News magazine featuring in-depth stories of local interest. The film “Green Seeker: Lights Out”, created by photo journalist and editor Ross Lippman, features Frosty Drew Observatory & Sky Theatre, Charlestown’s exquisite night sky, the issue of light pollution, and what we lose when we lose our view of the stars. Video in the post.

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Keep Charlestown Green, Both on the Land and in All Our Wallets

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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.

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Meet All The CCA Charlestown Candidates October 6

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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.

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Photo of Milky Way over Frosty Drew Observatory by Scott MacNeill

Only In Your State: Ninigret Park “Home To One Of The Best Dark Sky Parks In The World”

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“Only In Your State” calls Ninigret Park “Home To One Of The Best Dark Sky Parks In The World” “Boasting some of the darkest skies on the East Coast, Frosty Drew Observatory & Sky Theatre at Ninigret Park in Charlestown offers the perfect way to spend a Friday evening – all year around.”
Read the full story in the Only In Your State article.

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Please Consider A Donation To Help Support Our 2022 Candidates

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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.

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Charlestown Town Council Candidates

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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.

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State and Local Primary Election Results

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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.

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Charlestown Planning Commission Candidates

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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.

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Vote In State Primary By September 13

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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.

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Conservation Development Passes With Amendments

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The enactment of the new Residential Conservation Development Ordinance by the majority of the Town Council provides environmental and tax benefits for all Charlestown residents; weakening it would have served a very small class of corporate developers. These updates are meant to increase environmental protection, reduce long-term negative impacts to taxpayers, and at the same time provide ways for developers to reduce their own costs when they protect more open space.

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Meet The School Committee Candidates

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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.

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Friends Of USFWS: Mindful Mondays Wellness Series

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Have you noticed how good you feel when you go for a walk outside in the woods? It has been proven that experiences in nature release your body’s ‘feel good’ chemicals and improve your overall health and wellness. Join Wendy Rappaport, USFWS volunteer, expressive artist, and naturalist for experiences that bring nature into your life to promote well being in mind, body and spirit. The classes will be held in August and September.

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Conservation Development Protects Environment, But Does Not Change Number Of Lots

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The banner image is an aerial view of the subdivision on Cedar Meadows Road (off of Shannock Road) that shows a subdivision with approximately 70% open space. This subdivision was built under the current cluster ordinance and would still be possible under the proposed changes for conservation development. But with the flexibility provided by the new ordinance, a developer could reduce further the impacts to wildlife, wetlands, and groundwater and reduce long-term impacts to taxpayers.

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ecoRI News: Compared To Its Neighbors, R.I.’s Rare Species Lack Protection

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Endangered species laws vary from state to state, and Rhode Island laws lack some protections that have been codified by its New England neighbors. “The regulatory frameworks that currently exist for protecting wildlife in Rhode Island are inadequate,” according to the state’s Community Wildlife Conservation Guide. Before rare species can be protected, the state must decide which species are of greatest concern and find where they are living.

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DEM Seeks Public’s Help In Reporting Sightings Of Wild Turkeys, Deer, Reptiles, And Amphibians

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Three online wildlife surveys are currently accepting observations from the public: the herp observer, the wild turkey brood survey, and the summer deer surveys. All three surveys can be accessed through a smartphone or desktop computer. Simply take a photo of the animal, open the app, and follow the steps to submit your sighting.

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Presentation On Charlestown’s Dark Skies Now On Video

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Did you miss the Quonochontaug Historical Society’s July 13 presentation on our beautiful and important night sky? The entire presentation was recorded on two 30 minute videos. Links to videos in post. Charlestown is an important location for the study and viewing of the cosmos because we have the darkest skies along the coast between New York and Boston.

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Charlestown Has 22 Years of Mandatory Cluster Subdivision

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At the July 11 presentation on Conservation Development, Scott Millar of GrowSmartRI, included, as examples of good land use, some existing Charlestown subdivisions in his presentation. These four subdivisions had been developed under the existing Cluster Development, and it was explained that subdivisions like these could be developed in much the same way under Conservation Development.

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Conservation Development Frequently Asked Questions

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There is a lot of misinformation being spread about Conservation Development by a political group who opposes this and many other conservation initiatives. Conservation Development does not apply to individual homeowners; it only applies to developers who are developing land into a major residential subdivision of six lots or more. In the post are some factual answers to questions about Conservation Development.

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Frances Topping: Charlestown Proposes Conservation Design

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On July 11 at 7 pm, the Charlestown Town Council will hold a public hearing to consider replacing the town’s current cluster design ordinance (mandatory for land development projects with more than five homes) with what is called Conservation Cluster Design (CCD). Conventional subdivision is still available for subdivisions of five lots or fewer.

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Developers Propose Major Expansion For Shoreline Plaza

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When: Wednesday, June 22 at 7 p.m.
Where: Charlestown Town Hall
What: Master Plan Meeting for the redevelopment of the Shoreline Plaza on Old Post Road with addition of five new commercial buildings and Preliminary Plan presentation for a 4-lot residential frontage subdivision at the corner of Old Mill Road and Rt. 112 (Carolina Back Road).

All meetings of the Planning Commission are public and the public is encouraged to attend and participate in this meeting.

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7 Rivers Festival – Hike At Carter Preserve

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When: Sunday, June 26, at 10 a.m.
What: Narragansett Trail Hike at the Francis Carter Preserve in Charlestown
Why: Celebrating the Wild and Scenic Status of the Wood-Pawcatuck Waterways
Where: You must register for this event. Once registered, you will be contacted with meeting place and other details. Link to register in post.

The Wood-Pawcatuck Wild and Scenic Rivers Stewardship Council presents the 1st annual 7 Rivers Festival during National Rivers Month.

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Conservation Development – A Better Subdivision Design

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When: Monday, July 11 at 7 p.m.
Where: Charlestown Town Hall
What: Town Council meeting to discuss, and possibly vote on, amendments to the Zoning Ordinance proposed by the Charlestown Planning Commission
Conservation development is a type of Cluster Subdivision that prioritizes the protection of natural resources, open space, and agricultural lands.

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Free Soil Testing And Tours Of The Kettle Pond Native Plant Demonstration Garden

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URI Master Gardener volunteers will be at Kettle Pond to conduct free soil pH testing. The test helps determine soil pH levels and predominant soil texture, and provides basic information and recommendations for gradual correction of soil pH and compaction issues. While you are dropping off your soil sample, stop by the native plant demonstration garden.

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Protection Of Saw Mill Pond Watershed Blocked By Refusal To Go Forward With Appraisal

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At the May 9 Charlestown Town Council meeting, Councilors Carney and Klinger declined to support the expenditure of $4,750 to fund a real estate appraisal to determine the fair market value of this property. DEM awarded a $400,000.00 Natural Heritage Grant towards the purchase in March. An appraisal is needed before the project can move forward.

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The Vin Gormley Trail In Charlestown Is Unexpectedly Magical

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“Only In Your State” reviews the Vin Gormley Trail that “offers endless opportunities for photos and quiet moments of reflection. With an abundance of lush green, a cascading waterfall and a picturesque boardwalk, the trail gives off a magical, fairy tale vibe that you really have to experience to appreciate. Perhaps even better, it’s picture-perfect in all seasons.”

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