By ANDREW MARTIN
The Charlestown Citizens Alliance made it clear at its second annual meeting on April 26 that the November election is a top priority. In particular, the group wants to see some major changes to the town council.
With more than 50 residents in attendance, CCA President Daniel Slattery publicly acknowledged and introduced councilor Katharine H. Waterman. “What has transpired since November 2006 has been highly dysfunctional, yet Waterman has stood above the crowd,” he said. He added that she has responded to problems analytically and not with her emotions.
“She is an example of how we want our town councilors to act … and we need to elect town councilors that will act how Waterman has acted every day,” Slattery said.
The crowd welcomed the councilor with applause and a few gave her a standing ovation.
Waterman said she was going to say something that would shock the crowd into pieces. “I’ve loved being on the town council,” she said. “It’s exciting and stimulating work and it’s not that hard. If I can do it, anyone can do it.”
The councilor was speaking to Slattery’s point of encouraging residents to run for office. A major concern for Waterman, however, was what she has been hearing from residents. She said people have told her, “Who me? Run for office and join that circus?”
The whole point, Waterman said, is to not repeat the circus. She wants new people to step up to the plate and run. She said she will not be running for office again.
“I know for a fact that [council Vice President James M.] Mageau is running again and I know he can talk [Bruce W.] Picard into running again, too,” Waterman said.
“That would be an absolute tragedy for Charlestown. We’ve slipped backwards and it’s time to get involved,” Waterman added. She then said she would help any resident interested in running for this year’s election.
Slattery said he and the rest of the CCA would be willing to help anyone looking to run. Waterman also recognized the CCA and its members for having a strong presence at council meetings. Their attendance and views, she said, have kept the council from going down the tubes. “You really held it together,” she said.
The organization’s political platform focuses on having an open, professional and ethical government that is transparent. The CCA’s other interests are preservation of natural resources, responsible development, fiscal responsibility, and opposition to a casino of any kind in Charlestown.
Slattery and other group members made their presence known at the special town council meeting last month that was dedicated to the new Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management septic system regulations. The CCA passed out flyers and collected e-mail addresses to inform citizens on why the group thought Mageau and Picard’s taxpayer alert on the rules was incorrect.
The CCA’s platform is based on surveys, e-mails, letters, phone calls and personal conversations. Almost all citizens they have contacted are opposed to a casino and close to the same number were worried about the current town council. Slattery said the CCA will support any candidates sharing similar interests, regardless of party affiliation. Also, the members will campaign against candidates who do not respect citizens.
The organization plans to host meet-and-greets and contribute money to campaigns. Slattery said he wants to collect $10,000 and put $1,000 in support of or in opposition to certain candidates. He noted CCA’s support will extend to those running for other public offices such as the planning board.
The CCA can now raise funds and make contributions in this manner because it has officially become a political action committee, or PAC.
Continuing to inform residents and get them involved is another major focus of the organization. Their recently launched website, www.charlestowncitizens.orgchronicles the events that have taken place since the November 2006 election.
Ruth Platner, who helped develop the website and is on the Charlestown Planning Commission, said the website will be whatever the citizens want it to be. “We want it to be useful and we want you to tell us what you want the issues to be,” she said.
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