Charlestown, Rhode Island
Democratic Town Committee
Wednesday, June 12, 2019
Congressman Langevin and Senator Whitehouse Meet with Charlestown Democrats
Congressman Langevin and Senator Whitehouse joined Charlestown Democrats on Sunday, June 2, for pizza and drinks at the Breachway Grill. The congressman and senator fielded questions and met with constitutents. About 70 Democrats joined them for a cordial afternoon gathering.
Tuesday, June 4, 2019
Voters Reject Proposed Town Budget
Charlestown voters rejected the proposed town budget yesterday, 739 to 265.
Turnout, at 15%, was high.
"This is a huge victory and it shows that people's voices can be heard," said Cathy Collette, Charlestown Democratic Town Committee Chair. "It is good news for the next election; it shows they can be beaten," she said, referring to the CCA-controlled majority of the Town Council.
If
Charlestown voters reject the proposed town budget on June 3, the town
will operate on its existing budget until the budget is re-written and
approved
Turnout, at 15%, was high.
"This is a huge victory and it shows that people's voices can be heard," said Cathy Collette, Charlestown Democratic Town Committee Chair. "It is good news for the next election; it shows they can be beaten," she said, referring to the CCA-controlled majority of the Town Council.
The
Charlestown Democratic Town Committee (CDTC) voted unanimously to
oppose this budget because the Town Council, dominated by the
Charlestown Citizens Alliance (CCA), chose to use a rare $3 million
dollar surplus to fund an unnecessary project with no plan or detail.
The CDTC noted the existing community center is in fine condition but is underused.
“Why
commit $3 million to a new community center when we could use those
funds to give working families in Charlestown some well-deserved tax
relief? That $3 million dollars is OUR money, not toy money to be used
for some CCA slush fund,” said CDTC chair Cathy Collette. “The CCA
proposal is devoid of detail – we don’t know if they are even aware of
the existing community center.”
“Returning
the $3 million to the taxpayers by lowering taxes is just one of many
ways that money could be better used,” Collette continued. “Our police
department needs more support. We could help recruit and retain more
volunteer fire-fighters by offering them a property tax credit like
several other Rhode Island towns such as Jamestown and Bristol. Instead,
the CCA is asking voters to put their hard-earned money into a vague
and unneeded pipedream.”