Timeline of the 2006-2008
Town Council

November 15, 2006 -- Mageau to be council president, and appoint himself acting administrator

November 21, 2006 -- Mageau shut out; Waterman elected council head

December 8, 2006 -- Barrett may be named town administrator without a search for qualified candidates

December 13, 2006 -- Barrett appointed administrator in split 3-to-2 vote

December 19, 2006 -- Mageau files frivolous complaint of terrorism against those who criticize him

December 21, 2006 -- Tribe seeks slot parlor on its land in Charlestown

January 9, 2007 -- Angry residents urge resignation of 3 councilmen

January 10, 2007 -- Residents turned out in large numbers to ask the council to retain the current town solicitors

January 12, 2007 -- Lawyers fired - Mageau fails to stop public access filming of Council meeting, but public speech denied -- “Your permission to talk at these meetings is soon coming to an end,” an angry Mageau bellowed -- Mageau calls residents carpetbaggers at Council meeting

January 24, 2007 -- Citizens’ group eyes Charlestown options

February 1, 2007 -- State won’t investigate Mageau's frivolous allegations ‘eco-terrorism' against 16 volunteers and public officials

February 1, 2007 -- According to experts, handwriting on hate mail is a perfect match for Mageau's and amounts to political retaliation from Mageau

February 7, 2007 -- State to probe council appointment of town solicitor

February 13, 2007 -- Residents turn out to press for recall petition

February 27, 2007 -- Barrett not paying Town's bills

March 6, 2007 -- Mageau calling for another dedicated volunteer to resign (Faith)

March 8, 2007 -- AG's opinion that the Mageau majority violated the Open Meetings Act when they met privately to hire Town Administrator Ed Barrett and conduct other Town Business

March 13, 2007 -- New contract for solicitor receives council approval - but Allen and Waterman do not vote because meeting is illegal

March 15, 2007 -- Mageau opposed to buying openspace if it obstructs development

March 15, 2007 -- U.S. Attorney Robert Clark Corrente is asked “to investigate the possibility of corruption, profiteering and denial of honest services in Charlestown, RI.”

March 16, 2007 -- Solicitor Craven's contract pricier than reported

March 20, 2007 -- No pay cut for Larisa, despite Mageau and Barrett's request

April 10, 2007 -- 3 to 2 vote - Assistant solicitor job won’t be put out to bid

April 19, 2007 -- Mageau wants to spend $1.65 million of openspace funds on a beach pavilion

April 19, 2007 -- CCA mounts signature drive

April 26, 2007 -- AG's opinion that the Mageau majority violated the Open Meetings Act when they met privately to interview and hire the Town Solicitor

April 26, 2007 -- CCA FTM petitions are voter initiative

May 1, 2007 -- Legality of petitions now under scrutiny

May 8, 2007 -- CCA petitions put on ballot at FTM meeting

May 11, 2007 -- Council majority vow appeal of open meetings law violation

May 15, 2007 -- Petition imbroglio heads to court

May 16, 2007 -- Superior Court rules in favor of CCA - Four petitions will appear on ballot

May 22, 2007 -- Petition fight to Supreme Court?

May 23, 2007 -- Supreme Court will hear case on petitions to remove Mageau and Barrett - CCA asks MAgeau and Barrett to drop suit and allow election to go forward

May 24, 2007 -- CCA can't match the taxpayer funding of Mageau and Barrett and Supreme Court case is at an end

June 6, 2007 -- AG's opinion that the Mageau majority violated the Open Meetings Act when they met privately in executive session without advertising the purpose of the meeting

June 21, 2007 -- Mageau majority appeal their conviction by AG

July 25, 2007 -- Court dismisses Mageau and Picard's appeal of meetings law case

July 26, 2007 -- “The big question is whether Councilman Mageau wants to side with the town or with the Narragansett Indian tribe.” Mageau said he wants to terminate Larisa’s contract

July 26, 2007 -- Mageau files frivolous complaint against CCA - accusing the Charlestown Citizens Alliance of violating the state’s election laws by failing to register as a political action committee

July 31, 2007 -- Council (except Mageau) to join appeal on Indian land ruling

August 2, 2007 -- Council votes 4-1 to appeal trust case

August 8, 2007 -- Outbursts mark Rte. 1 workshop - Mageau drives free consultants away

August 15, 2007 -- Mageau wants control over Planning Commission consultants

September 6, 2007 -- Mageau drives Wastewater Manager out of town

October 3, 2007 -- Town Administrator harasses Planning Commission Chair

October 30, 2007 -- Mageau files frivolous criminal complaint against Planning Commission Chair

November 13, 2007 -- Mageau files another frivolous complaint against Harriet and Kate

November 30, 2007 -- Election of Planning commission challenged by Margaret Hogan

December 12, 2007 -- Hogan’s stance on election law is questioned

December 13, 2007 -- Mageau eyes his own legal action over planning

December 26, 2007 -- Choice of consultant for Mud Cove still murky

January 15, 2008 -- AG's opinion that the Mageau majority violated the Open Meetings Act when they met privately in executive session to negotiate the Town Solicitor's contract.

January 16, 2008 -- Mageau's complaint just more harassment - Waterman didn’t violate meetings law, AG rules

January 23, 2008 -- Electing Planning Commission is legal, says Craven

February 26, 2008 -- Tribe case heads to High Court - Review expected to have broad impact on Indian land claims across the country

March 6, 2008 -- Complaints filed over ‘solicitation’ at polls - CCA collecting emails at primary election

March 28, 2008 -- Wastewater regulations raise concern

March 31, 2008 -- Salt Ponds Coalition cautions that town-wide water/sewer system would bring expense, over development and pollution

April 3, 2008 -- New septic regs cause uproar - DEM says Mageau's taxpayer alert is misleading

April 10, 2008 -- Wastewater forum tries again today

April 11, 2008 -- Charlestown residents wary of sewer system

April 11, 2008 -- Estimates lower on septic replacements - Only 536 septic systems may need replacement over next two decades in areas that impact salt ponds.

April 17, 2008 -- Mageau, Picard take steps to fight septic regulations

April 30, 2008 -- Mageau and Smith form Property rights group

May 5, 2008 -- Charlestown Chamber of Commerce responds to Mageau's assertions on Ninigret Park

May 13, 2008 -- Consultant will examine state septic regulations

May 14, 2008 -- Council seeking counsel on suit against DEM

May 14, 2008 -- Council rejects sale of parade paraphernalia

May 30, 2008 -- Craig submits resignation as Town Council president

July 3, 2008 -- Mageau cancels meeting on school withdrawal

July 11, 2008 -- Rhode Island PBS phasing out coverage of meetings

July 15, 2008 -- Town Council Scuffle Caught on Tape (Mageau assaults cameraman)

July 16, 2008 -- Council president arrested

July 17, 2008 -- Mageau charged in assault

July 22, 2008 -- Mageau, Picard squelch charter votes, Councilors also fail to reappoint Zoning Board of Review members

July 25, 2008 -- Democratic Town Committee may dwindle to one - no one wants to serve with Mageau

August 1, 2008 -- Charlestown Town Council President James Mageau’s trial for simple assault is scheduled for Sept. 18

August 13, 2008 -- Milton Krantz resigns from Zoning Board, forced out by Mageau

August 19, 2008 -- Mageau questions recall amendment to charter

August 21, 2008 -- Ninigret fees could drive Rhythm & Roots out of Charlestown

September 6, 2008 -- Supreme rivalries: 3 vie to argue R.I. land case before nation’s high court

September 17, 2008 -- Mageau gets his day in court

September 18, 2008 -- Narragansetts petition for Settlement Act records

September 22, 2008 -- Charlestown Council President Convicted of Simple Assault on Cameraman

September 23, 2008 -- Mageau appeals guilty verdict

September 24, 2008 -- EPA finds toxins at Kenyon dump site

October 7, 2008 -- State, Charlestown vie to argue tribal land case before Supreme Court

October 15, 2008 -- AG's office might deny Mageau's appeal

October 15, 2008 -- Developer says casino promoters eyeing parcel abutting tribal land

October 21, 2008 -- Tuckahoe Turf Farms in Richmond to become land preserve

October 31, 2008 -- Larisa hands off Indian land case to Olson

November 3, 2008 -- A matter of trust: U.S. high court to hear case on status of tribal land in Charlestown

November 4, 2008 -- Mageau comes in dead last - loses council seat

November 6, 2008 -- All-new Charlestown council