CCA April 2009 Survey on Casino and Wind Farm Issues
314 members of the CCA e-mail list submitted answers to this survey. A few of you included names, emails or other identifying information that we have removed to protect your privacy. The questions and all of your answers are below.
Some of you wrote with constructive criticisms of our survey and we have included those with the other comments. Question 4 on wind turbines could have been a better formed question. We apologize for that. The possible answers were not mutually exclusive. A good question should have only one correct answer for a respondent to make. But on this question people may have wanted to select more than one answer. There were really two or perhaps three separate questions that could have been asked here instead of one. The numbers can certainly show trends, but on this question the answer's true magnitude wasn't measured fully.
We have included responses in the same order as the questions on the survey. There is a lot of text for the optional feedback on questions 1-4 and then the graphics and numbers for question 5 followed by more of your text responses for the last optional response. If you want to look at just the numbers you'll have to scroll past the text. We do however recommend reading the text responses as there are great ideas and lots to think about and discuss in those answers.
1. Do you want any type of gambling or casino in Charlestown?
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2. The United States Supreme Court recently gave Charlestown the same rights that all citizens of Rhode Island have, the right to vote for or against any type of gambling in our Town. The Tribes are now asking Congress to take our voting rights away. Do you agree with politicians and others who are working to protect your right to vote?
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3. There are currently undeveloped parcels of land adjacent to land owned by the Narragansett Tribe. Some of these parcels are viable for casinos or other development. If Congress changes the law to allow the Tribes to take land out of state law and regulation, then that land will once again become the target of casino developers. Before Congress decides to change the law, do you approve of conservation organizations acquiring some of this land to protect it forever from development?
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4. If conservation organizations cannot raise enough money to purchase the important parcels would you support the development of windmills or other limited development if it would protect the land from casino development?
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Optional feedback: If you like, please use this space to give us your thoughts on the issues of the preceding questions: casinos; your right to vote; or wind energy.
The town seems to be advancing on this windmill project a bit fast. I hope they get all the facts and make them fully public before they sign any contracts.
question 4 ...... I support two answers. #2 and #4
Tell our Congressional Delegation to protect our right to vote. I wrote to them, but I got the most wishy washy response. I wrote them my own letter and I think I deserve more than a form letter back. I know they can't write to everyone, but maybe they ought to have 10 or 20 forms letters on a topic and have a response that at least answers some of the questions I asked.Casino developers always promise more employment opportunities, community improvements and increase revenue to local and state governments. Reality being the opposite occurs to each of these issues come about. Local costs go up to improve roads, handle increased traffic and taxes increase ad the environment changes for the worse.
I would endorse the windmills but do not support the use of taxpayers money to do so.
Let's go for it with wind energy! It's a terrific idea. Is there a way that the Narragansetts can benefit from this to give them something positive to support the tribe rather than a casino? I am all for that.
The new generation of wind turbines like the big one in Portsmouth have the grace, beauty, and power of a twelve meter boat and make about as much noise.
I think if the town should use the Ninigret park for benefit concerts to raise funds for acquiring the land or for other town future plans. If it works for the people that all ready use the park for that type of thing then why couldn't we do the same during other dates. A casino in our town would definitely ruin a great many aspects of our community and quality of life. Gambling is really wrong. Its like legalizing hard drugs.
"I find these questions to be subjective. If you are going to offer surveys you should invest some effort into objective, clear questions and answers, and not waste time on loaded, one-sided arguments. Charlestown residents can love open space, indians and renewable energy at the same time. The ""right to vote"" is a ruse... don't confuse the issues.
yes to anything that encourages economic development for the Narragansett Indians
yes to anything that encourages alternative energy
yes to conservation of natural resources
These are NOT mutually exclusive."
this is a an anti indian form the court said nothing about gambling the tribe should have the same rights to develop lands as other tribes and the states can stop gambeling in other ways
As long as these windmills are silent?
"Development of renewable energy (i.e. wind)should be seriously pursued.
I can't help but feel that much of the casino issue relates to the general public's bias against the Tribe."
I am against casino development at any time, in any location. I do not have enough information to vote in favor of "windmills rather than a casino".
I can not imagine our beautiful town swallowed up by a casino and all the depravity that it will bring to the area. Casinos are bad places. I am not against gambling- go play the lotto or buy a scratch ticket- but don't bring in a place that allows regular working people to put up their home on a hand of blackjack!
If the Town is considering a plan to help the conservation groups buy the land, the voters should have the right to vote on an actual dollar amount, not just the idea of the Town helping.
When the Narragansetts were given land in Charlestown they gave up their aboriginal rights...it's in a legal document. They are US citizens with no "rights" to acquire immunity from laws of the state or the US Government. They are not a "tribe", they have no "reservation". They are a band of Americans who are (or may not be) descended from indian blood, as I am descended from Welsh blood. I claim no inheritance from the people who took my land in Wales. They owe me nothing. I, and the rest of America, owe nothing to the Narragansetts.
"As route 1 in Charlestown is designated a scenic corridor, windmills on route 1 would not be appropriate although that is probably the best place for them because of the sea breezes. If windmills are possible somewhere other than route 1 where they would not be as noticeable, I would prefer that.They are an eyesore but would provide energy and we do need to explore alternative and clean energy sources. I would rather have windmills than a casino as the casino would change the present character of the town and would not be good for our natural resources or the peace and quiet of the environment. There in need for more public discussion of these issues. We also need to explore other types of economic development than a casino. There are already too many casinos and gambling establishments in a 50 mile radius as far as I am concerned.
Your options under Question 4 are ill chosen. One should be able to offer support for windmills as a stand-alone issue aside from the issue of casinos or land purchase by conservation groups.
"As a follow-up to Question 4, you failed to ask whether the land owned by the Indians, or the 31 acres in question should be used for its original purpose, which I believe was much needed senior housing for the Elderly, or for the development of an appropriate number of ""affordable housing "" units that could be ecologically sustained on the property. I think your failure was a mistake, and takes away from what seemed to me to be ""loaded"", ""one-sided"" questions."
I support wind energy, but I would prefer to see land preserved. Can't we put the wind mills on land that is already spoiled? I think this whole issue needs a lot of study.
How tall would they be? How much noise? Are they going to have lights at night?
I think Indians should be under the same rules and regulations as the rest of America, one United States. I do not want gambling facilities such as slots or casino in Charlestown. Increasing alternative energy sources is good, especially sustainable ones like wind as long as ecological considerations are explored before decisions are made. I approve conservation of land in its more natural state to preserve habitat, groundwater and vegetation. We need to concentrate on the developed areas and enhance their usability whilst considering available water and waste elimination and traffic. I would prefer to see Indians integrated into the community and its jobs or have some economic development on their land that is compatible with Charlestown's character and resources.
I'm not against windmills, but if this is land that conservation groups are interested in saving, then we should help them with that and put the windmills on land that has business development.
"Regarding question 3. I would approve the purchase of land by Conservation Organizations or the Town if the site was suitable for a wind farm energy development, or some other use that would benefit the town. Charlestown has a considerable amount of conservation land. I believe a town should have a balanced use of land, so I would want it to be used for something that will benefit the town other than it being an additional nature park.
Charlestown is ideally located for wind farm energy development; and the State of RI desperately needs to develop competitive energy sources for businesses and residential use. Keeping in mind that Charlestown was considered for a nuclear plant I would much prefer wind power development as a much better alternative.
You could make the Narragansetts a partner in developing a wind farm site. While RI voters have voted No to Casino development which I believe traditional tribesmen must be grateful for, if Rhode Island's political representatives could reexamine the special interests of Native Americans and help them lead the way in conservation, energy development and environmental protection or other Local issues that are in agreement with a Town's Master Plan that would be a win win for everyone.
I believe a more appropriate enterprise for the Narragansetts, other than Casino development would be to play a leading role in improving and monitoring the environment including development and operation of technology that would tap renewable forms of energy and help preserve the quality of our air and water. It is only fitting for the descendants of the first great environmentalists-the Native Americans-to play this crucial part in ensuring the future of our State. And why not start the ball rolling in Charlestown"
I talked just this AM to an informed, active person from Portsmouth that has installed windmills for town usage. Their experience is there is little or no cost savings in their Town. I suggested we arrange a visit to get some local experience.
"I am anti gambling and pro wind power. I also think the Narragansett tribe has not received the fair treatment due them as a result of centuries old political maneuverings. As a nation they were decimated and assimilated long before there was a public awareness of the moral injustice of those processes.....so, I 'd like to see windmills on their lands so they can reap some financial benefit but would like the units to be positioned where the location is as unobtrusive as possible. My name could be Pollyanna. "
We can not compare windmills to casinos; as you may or may not know, we are on the migratory route for our feathered friends and windmills kill thousands. There is no choice/ NO CASINO/NO WINDMILLS
"This type of survey is weighted. You can not get anywhere with this. You do not provide a way to trully test the issues, plus it goes out to a limited group of people. Do you know how to take a survey?
The town should be putting money into open space even if there were no chance of land going to a casino or something else outside the law. Open space saves us on taxes long term. Fewer people mean lower taxes overall. And fewer houses mean less nitrogen going to the ponds. South Kingstown does a great job with open space preservation, Charlestown needs to catch up. It's good for the environment and good for our pocketbooks.
"RI has already voted and said we didn't want casinos. Is that what the Supreme Court decided??? The issue before the courts seems to me to be bigger than the possibility of the Narragansetts building a casino. It is whether the court is going to uphold the previous govt. agency decision to keep the land in trust for the Narragansetts. I don't want a casino, I don't like gambling BUT I don't like having my neighbors rights taken away from them either. Fair is fair "
The land should be taken out of play. After the land is not available, then wind or conservation land is ok.
I fully support responsible windmill technology exploration. However, natural woodlands should not be destroyed to accommodate them. Site exploration in Charlestown needs some forethought.
I like windmills, but I wouldn't want one next to my property. We should make sure the neighbors are happy about this. Ask people in North Stonington where Foxwoods is and they would probably stampede for an opportunity to trade Foxwoods away for fields of windmills. Clearly wind power beats casinos any day. Despite that fact we still need to go forward carefully.
Windmills are needed to move toward a carbon neutral economy. Charlestown must do its part. The alternative is nuclear power or oil derricks off the coast. If a windmill blows down, it creates fish habitat. If an oil derrick spills oil which it will it will kill every thing in it path including the tourist economy. We won't even mention what happens when a nuclear power plant melts down. If the sea level rises 3 to 9 feet as predicted where will the town be with no taxes coming from the ocean front houses.
I have watched the Narragansetts live in abject povety and discriminated against My whole life. I dont want a Casino but is anybody trying to come up with a buisneess for them? On question 2 I think My tax dollars should be spent on helping the Indians come up with alternative buinesses not fighting the Indians. So what if they are seeking relief from congress.
I don't object to windmills but, realistically, not every piece of land is suitable for windmills. That's why I voted on 4. as I did.
I am a pilot - windmills at 500' AGL are dangerous - we have a lot of small aircraft in the area that will be adversely affected.
The tribes are hard at work getting the attention of the United States Congress in order to overturn the Chafee Amendment. The momentum seems to be toward a climate of appeasement, reparations for past deeds, and sympathy for the "poor" indians. The tribes appear to have unlimited funds and to be well organized. Are we? Can we get our side of the story heard? Is CCA going to take a leadership position in countering the Indian claims?
Wind energy might not be the most cost effective use... I wouldn't want to see the Town go out on a limb extending significant dollars for something not yet cost-effective. If the feds want to fund this fine - I'm not for expending taxpayer dollars just for the sake of saying we're "green".
I don't know why the Narragansetts cannot assimilate into the US and still keep their tribal culture.
Why not make an effort to see if we can get the Narragansetts to work with us on Wind Mills.
I'm assuming the CCA has sent this survey to a select group of Charlestown citizens (those on the CCA mailing list) and will indicate such in the sharing of results. The questions are clearly biased towards the CCA's stance on issues, such as casinos (see Question 2). The results of this survey do not reflect the "people's opinion" and should not be represented as such.
I picked none of the above for number 4 because I would need to know more about this. And I am really tired of the tribe's endless quest for a casino. There is nothing stopping them from doing a housing project there. They have all the approvals from the town and the state. So why don't they finish those houses?
Your choice of questions leaves a bit to be desired. It seems that the answers are hweavilyslanted towards particcular views.One example is either letting the Indians develop casinos on property or letting some conservation group purchase the land. What about building houses on the land. Houses need land; not all property needs to go into conservation.
"Casinos affect the communities in which they are located in an alarmingly negative degree.
I do not assume my right to vote is always protected. We must be eternally vigilant to protect our freedoms.
Wind energy has been proven beyond a doubt in parts of the U.S. and other countries to be of benefit to all.
I would be willing to locate one on my land if financially feasible and if the federal government were supportive of such measures on an individual basis. "
I love windmills, but I'd rather see undeveloped land preserved.
If the town decides on windmills why not give the Indians a choice of having some of them on their land so they could make some revenue, too.
Are "indians" (whatever that means) citizens of the USA or not? What gives them the right to operate (of all the enterprises in the world) a gambling business while other citizens may not? Everything they have tried has failed...they are openly resentful to residents and all government...they are constantly fighting among themselves...I have no confidence that that they would not fail at a casino and in the process destroy our quality of life in Charlestown and RI. A casino in a community and state that does not want one is just wrong. This must be stopped!
I would love to see Rhode Island in the forefront of developing Wind/Solar Power for it's citizens. Let's be a model for other states to follow.
I hope to attend the special Town Council meeting on Monday, April 20, to learn more about windmills--pro and con. They seem like an idea whose time has come. the future is in wind and solar, lets move forward, with clean energy.
I have traveled extensively in europe and energy Windmills are everywhere on land and offshore....after a while, you don't even notice them...If you want to view ugly, look around you at all our really ugly telephone, power, and cable poles and lines strung everywhere like dirty spaghetti !!!
Please consider using the Town owned driving range as a site for some windmills.
I am totally for the right to vote on financial matters in the town of Charlestown as a part time resident (4 months/year). I think the argument that part time residents would vote no on all budget increases (e.g. schools) is insulting and suggests we don't care about the community in which we've invested. Nothing can be further from the truth.
#4 con't....I would rather have windmills OR OTHER LIMITED/CONSERVATION FRIENDLY DEVELOPMENT than a casino "
I believe the narragansett have a right to build a casino on their land, as their land should be sovereign like other american indian tribes. However, if a casino is built, a large portion of that revenue should go back into charlestown coffers to help fund environmental protection, land conservation, job creation and education. if managed properly, the casino could be a huge windfall for the charlestown economy.
I don't really know enough about the wind energy project proposed.
The development of wind energy harnessed in any location should be subject to environmental impact studies that look at, among other things, bird migration routes. There is also a noise level that goes with wind turbines. But, I have seen wind farms in the Netherlands (juxtaposed with windmills from the 1600s in some places) and they (the new ones) have their own special brand of beauty. Wind farms represent change, including some adjustment in our sense of what is attractive. I, for one, choose to go in their direction. And Charlestown is ideally situated to be involved in encouraging and supporting sustainability is this way.
"I feel so ambiguous at times on the land of the Narragansetts. They had land taken from them and now they are held back from doing what they want with it; however, Native Americans aren't the only ones who have to follow rules of the law. Be that as it may, I am against the whole concept of Casinos. Personally, they bring in more trash, traffic, and noise, all of which I despise.
As far as windmills, I am all for them as long as they are safe and are proven not to decimate our bird population. We don't need that. The idea of windmill in charlestown is exciting.
I believe wind energy projects are fine if wind availability studies are positive and financing is reliable. We need to know if subsidies (federal, state or local) are required and what happens if those subsidies disappear after construction.
If the Baptists wanted a casino in Charlestown I would say no...likewise if the local parent-teachers organization wanted a casino I would say no. It's not an Indian issue for me. With the fall zone restrictions for the windmills, there may not be much land left in Charlestown upon which to site them except on the Tribe's property. I would hope that members of the Tribe soften their stance and consider making some real "green" money.
The most important future resource we need to protect is water. I don 't think conservation lands should be used for alternative natural energy but I think Charles town should find areas to use wind and tides for alternative natural energy sources.
I do not want a casino or any form of gaming in this town or in this state. One needs only to look at Ct. and the sorted impact gambling has had on quality of life, schools, crime rate, trees, lights and community.
This survey is scewed to solicit a certain response and has no scientific validity. In other words, it is biased and does not prove anything.
The state, and now the town have done everything in their power to block any move that the Narragansett Tribe has tried to achieve to better themselves. We should be ashamed of the way these people have been treated in the past and the present. What right does any group have to question any issues that relate to the forward progress of the tribe. I feel honored to have the Narragansetts as neighbors and feel that they should be given the respect that they deserve, enough is enough we are the intruders into their realm and we should never forget this fact and the fact that we got to this level by acts of treachery and deceit. Let the tribe develope wind energy and sell it back to us !!
I'm conflicted on the Casino questions. I don't gamble, nor do I think its the proper fiscal answer to RI's fiscal crisis. HOWEVER....The Narragansetts live on sovereign land that NEVER should have been restricted by the late Senator Chafee or the Congress. They are either sovereign, or they are not. At one time this entire area belonged to the tribe, quite the fall from grace, then to have what pathetically little land we "allowed" them to have be dictated as to how it can or cannot be used is the final insult to a crushed nation. I would love to see the tribe invest in something that will really ensure their future prosperity, gambling is just too short-sighted, and has too many negatives for the surrounding area. We should be working WITH them to help them create something amazing for their and our future. We share the same neighborhood after all. Windmills....we desperately need to get off of our dependence on the finite fossil fuel called oil. I hope Charlestown does not succumb to the old swamp yankee mentality or nimbyism. I fully support windmills.
I think windmills are the new direction for power sources and should be encouraged. I'm very disapointed in Shelter Harbor Golf Course bringing suit against the potential development of windmills off of Ross Hill Rd.
It sets a very poor precedent for the public. Although UI was unable to attend the URI presentation on Windmills, the feed back from it is very encouraging.
Alternative energy sources, non oil related , must be developed, regardless of higher cost and/or casino gambling.
I support wind power, but I need to know all the details
5. Which of the following local public policy issues are of great concern to you?
People may select more than one checkbox, so percentages may add up to more than 100%.
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Responses for other above: Some people may have written a text answer in "Other", but neglected to check the box, their text for "Other" didn't get recorded in that case.
Retain and enhance Charlestown's rural character.
Quality of life
dark sky
preventing route 1 from becoming like Westerly
all should be of concern
Fiscal Voting rights for summer residents
please we have too many lights at businesses at night
sustainable energy, good water, waste water and sewage disposal
protect the river and wetlands
Limited business zoning that is very over priced especially for small businesses
"Ban the use of outside fire places when they don't have enough land so that the smoke will not cause a problem for neighbor's.I have to run air in my home in the summer because the wind blows the smoke directly into my home.AIR QUALITY!!!!!"
Lack of access to water and beaches.
wildlife habitat
Too many lights
Foreign species like the one that is killing all the oak trees in nearby Mass.
Business development
Size and scale of private homes. Septic regulations. Enforcement of Town Ordinances.
Recreation for all
river and wetlands and freshwater ponds
excessive municipal spending
Voting
Emergency Preparedness
the river, loss of wildlife habitat
bike path down 1a to the town beach
managing the salt ponds for nitrogen removal, ie aquaculture and algae harvesting
civility and respect for all
Pawcatuck River, please buy more open space before all the land is developed
a way to preserve land also provide diversity in housing
Loss of newspaper coverage. the projo doesn't cover us
Please give us any other comments or suggestions here. Let us know what we could do better.
CCA does a great job, thank you so much for your time and dedication.
"Thank you for your tireless efforts to protect this special place called Charlestown.
"Thank you for doing what you are doing!
We need to get the cost of education down. We should be using Mayoral Academies and Charter schools instead of the extravagantly expensive model we have now.
The development of small , previously ""non-buildable"" lots on all of the salt ponds is of great concern to me & many others. DEM does not uphold most of its own restrictions, grants many variances, & leaves the work of denial of permits, to the town. We need the expertise of engineers & environmental scientists on the side of the zoning board & the town to prevent a ""tent city"" of future homes with composting toilets & holding tanks, both of which are now acceptable to DEM for new waterfront construction"
I trust that these survey results will be published in the Chariho Times and I look forward to more of them.
You people are doing a GREAT job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
we all got rid of jimmy mageau, that was #1 on my list
"I hear that there is a movement in Charlestown and SK to fight the State's requirements for improved septic systems near the ponds. I would like to know more about this and have more information on the best ways to protect our ponds. Someone said that people are arguing that Green Hill Pond is a goner already, so why bother trying to do anything. Is that really true? If so, it's ridiculous. Tampa Bay was almost completely dead prior to changes in handling of sewage, and it has recovered tremendously.
Thanks for all your fine work keeping people informed and speaking out on the issues.
Protecting the ground water and ponds is critical to protecting our tax base
I also think keeping self serving people like Mageau out of our town government is a must. It took so much effort by so many people to stop one man who was blatant about his views. Imagine several people like him that could be sneaky about there intentions. Also I think that any effort to have Charlestown withdraw from the Chariho district would be a disaster. The cost to the townspeople would end up being a tremendous burden. Probably 3 times more the what was projected to cost us the last time it was considered. I commend the CCA for all their efforts to date and will continue to support you and use you as a guidance for decision making.
I think the next town assessment of residential properties is going to raise taxes sky high. And with the way the federal gov't is spending, we are going to be faced locally with paying that bill as well.
We believe any person who pays property tax in Charlestown should have the right to vote on the budget and other financial matters that directly USE the tax money paid by the resident. This is a discriminatory law that needs to be changed.
"20 tips on writing effective surveys http://ezinearticles.com/?20-Top-Tips-To-Writing-Effective-Surveys&id=2622"
Thanks for the hard work you do CCA!
We deserve, and hopefully have elected, good Government, after two years of chaos, caused by careless voters. CCA and RISC have the clout now to continue to inspire voters of Charlestown to think before they vote, and to VOTE.
get the town to act responsibly by cleaning up the land they own which is turning into a jungle.
Thank you for doing this.
I would like to see the town landfill offer an "amnesty day" once or twice a year that would allow residents to drop off their junk without charge. Some residential lots are becoming junk piles and this may offer an incentive to clean up.
I think the survey is a good idea. Perhaps it will be a start at better communication between citizens and government and government and citizens. There seems to be a lack of information on the various sides of the questions that arise and no place for the citizens who don't or can't get up and shout at a council meeting. Perhaps more people would vote in elections,if they had reliable information on the issues. I think CAA should try to present arguments on both sides of an issue . Be seen as the go to place for the facts and consequences on all sides. I usually agree with your point of view, but I know many who think you are one sided. Easy to say, hard to do, I know. Thanks for what you do do.
I wish there were some questions about the new fire station. How much is that going to cost the taxpayers? How do I get to vote on that?
Thank you for doing this. I like surveys!
This survey only hits a portion of the population I surmise. However its the vocal ones that get heard and we want our voice heard in favor of residential control, preservation of environment and resources especially water, salt ponds, beach, forest and farmland and riverine areas. We depend on our environment not just on manufactured goods nor on squandering resources, over fishing, polluting, taking topsoil etc.
I'm really glad we have a group like this to keep us informed. The website is so pretty and I really like the newspaper articles that you find for us. Keep up the great work you do. I wish I could help more, but I work a lot of hours. It's so wonderful to come home at night to this beautiful town, I want to keep it that way.
Chariho needs to support the present budget. VOTE MAY 12th
"1. Have more sensitivity training sessions with the Town Council and Town Administrator. Our 10 year track record appears to show that we treat the Administrator as an adversary. When hiring an administrator hire someone locally that has a reasonably short commute. there is plenty of local talent. If the administrator is found to be undesirable and he or she only serves a short period of time give them a small severance package-we are in a competitive work environment. Give them a more generous severance based on length of time served and accomplishments.
2. Without creating a Big project could we put in place a safety side walk and a traffic light at Charlestown Beach ?
3. More and more companies are eliminating defined benefit programs and are switching to 401's primarily because they can not afford them. Companies have also reduced health benefits. Public employees should have similar benefits-401's should replace pensions, and health benefits should have co-pays.
Municipalities are finding that like corporations they can not sustain the benefits they have promised. If Pensions are not replaced with 401's, Pensions should not be based on the last 2 or 3 years of service (in many instances padded with overtime) but should be based on BASE salary only over a 5 to 7 year period and not include overtime. Additionally retirement packages should start at a much higher age like 65.
I believe in controlled development through good planning, and zoning. We all know too much developement is not good, and too little development will lead the town in a non-progressive direction. You should pose these questions in a differant way or add another question in this catagory that allows for the answer I give you here.
I think this idea of doing surveys is a good one. It's too bad more of the town wasn't on this e-mail list. How can we get more people on here?
With all of the water we have in Charlestown it isn't fair that there are so few boat moorings available. It seems people pass them on and on to family members without even having a boat on the mooring. It isn't fair to other residents who live here who want to enjoy the waterfront. The ""secret"" public access to the water should be uncovered and publized. There should be more parking for the ""average"" person especially tax payers! The system now is elitist.
Guard our rural landscape...please no MacDonald's or Starbucks on Routes 1 & 2 !!!"
Keep Charlestown's character the way it is.
Thank you for all of your hard work
Global Climate Change isn't even on your list. WHY? None of the above will matter in 25 to 50 years if the sea level rises as predicted. This must be on the agenda this must be addressed at all levels of government and human organizations. It is not going away it is only going to get worse if nothing is done.
I think every e-mail address in town should be on this list even if they don't agree with the positions at the web site. You need to get people a lot more involved in the town's future. Only a small number of people voted in the school election. If it had to fail I would prefer that it failed as a true reflection of what people wanted.
Thank you for keeping us advised.
Thank you for keeping us up to date on the goings on in Town
"CCA needs to present a factual list of reparations that already exist for the Tribes, and point out that they are asking for the additional special privilege of not being subject to the law simply as a racial birthright. It is time to make a list of the federal funds they receive, and have already misappropriated. It is time to come clean, and CCA can help educate the citizens.
"CCA, I applaud your efforts to collect information from a large group of people through a survey in an attempt to represent as many voices in public discourse as possible. However, I am very concerned that the questions, as written, are not well constructed to collect good data. In specific, the language is leading and expresses the opinions of the survey writers - even to the extent of sounding misleading (e.g., Q2). Some of the questions are asking more than one question, so it is difficult to respond to one without also agreeing to another, which may not be everyone's opinion (e.g., Q4).
Finally, the order of the questions suggests a specific agenda (which may or may not be intentional) that explicitly connects the issues of casino/gambling with the development of windmills (Q1-4), two issues that likely have very different pros/cons and perspectives. I offer this feedback as a someone who wants your data to be accurate and your conclusions built from it to be rock solid in its analysis and therefore be taken seriously as the opinion of a constituency. I have a master's degree in the social sciences and have been involved in evaluation and statistics, at least in part, for over a decade, and even so do not consider myself an expert in creating survey questions - it is truly a skill and an art.
Thank you CCA for keeping me so well informed. I look at your web site to get the news when I am traveling out of town. I should give you some money for this great service :-)
There's no central gathering place in Charlestown - no sense of community. I would support a recreational/retail project that drew the town together. Perhaps a mini-version of South County Commons in South Kingstown that would be limited in growth.
The Town has no body of info for the oversight of public lands and their development. We have oversight for Town buildings, two bodies to interpret the law with regard to development, recreation, agriculture and business; but not for land use which protects our water supply. Others in the state will want our water as they get bigger, but now we have no protection.
Keep up the great work. Thanks for all of your efforts over the past two years.
You need to find better Town Council candidates. These are improved over what we had, but the majority don't seem conservation aware.
Charlestown should start a land trust. There is a beautiful property near me that is getting developed and it could have been part of Burlingame. It's so sad what is happening.
more business developement ( restaurants, shops, recreation) to support tourist economy
You're doin' great! Keep up the good work. You have our support!
So much better since Mageau is gone. Thanks to all who challenged him.
Too much residential development south of Rt 1. Building on a lot 50ft by 100ft should be eliminated. This was ok in 1950 but not now. I see building on lots you never knew was a lot. The change should be like other towns 1/2 or 1 acre lots for building.
CCA is a great resource, you are doing a wonderful job. Thanks
Our property was reevaluated a few years age when houses were greatly overpriced. Our taxes went up. Now that prices for houses are falling to more reasonable levels, shouldn't our property value be reduced equally for tax purposes?
Is there a plan available for a potential windmill farm? The site mentioned seems to be ideal for that purpose.
To protect Charlestown's unique character and environment we need to tightly control growth and preserve as much open space as possible.
Our town is in an ideal position to incorporate sustainable development practices. To me the world in which we live is calling for us to pay attention and look at some of the long term environmental investments that such planning and implementation could facilitate. There are several levels on which this can be done, varying directions we could take, and different time frames for making planned changes. The key is to have the vision and the willingness to invest at a planning level. And then act. I think that many members of our Planning Commission have the commitment...but I am less familiar with commitment of the Town Council to this line of thinking, nor do I have a clear sense of where our Town Planner stands. Money matters are important, but I think our town leaders need to head in the direction of the longer view. We, as citizens, are investors in our own future. Although I have a modest income and don't live south of Route 1 nearer the water, I value the rural nature of our community and the balance of nature that we need to continue to pursue. I am willing to pay a bit more in the short run to maintain the sense of country, of sea and beaches, of minimal light and noise pollution, and of elbow room in our neighborhoods.
There is a new technology for wind turbines that eliminates bird and bat injuries, reduces noise, size and downwind effects of conventional wind turbines. I would like to present the technology to the board. Whom should I contact?
I would like to see some effort put into route 1a from the Charlestown Early Learning Center to the Post Office. I think a side walk, with parking for vehicles, and a bike path to the Town Beach would help. There should be a street light at Town Dock Rd. this is a very dangerous intersection to leave from. There needs to be a side walk and cross walks to places like the library.
Thank you for your efforts.
THANK YOU for giving form to a voice.
I would like to see a more aggressive approach to bringing businesses into our community, and making every effort to keep what little we have within our town's borders. My family of five does everything we can to shop within town to keep our local economy afloat, but there just aren't that many major outlets (supermarkets, retail stores, liquor, etc) to choose from. What small mom & Pop stores we do have are either very expensive, or don't offer the variety of items my family needs. However...I would like to see a strict building-design standard applied to commercial development to prevent the eyesores that some big-box stores create. No blinking NEON signs or huge lighting to wreck the peace and visual serenity of the town. The Dunkin Donuts on route 1 is the perfect example of how businesses should look in my opinion. A version of South County Commons is exactly what Charlestown needs. There is plenty of homes and houses available, I would like to see a cap on residential development to limit the burden on our school systems. Charlestown needs to focus 100% on attracting businesses.
it troubles me that we all act as though the only option for the town is to oppose a casino..the real question is what can the town and the Narragansetts do together to preserve Charlestown's special character and also allow the Narragansetts a way to make a living that will allow them the means to live lives comparable to our own ? the Narragansetts may actually bring to the town some special legal advantages that we have not considered creatively...i applaud CCA's efforts to open a dialogue on subjects like this....and use the technology that makes it easy and viable to do so....way to go everyone !
You seem to be doing a good job and are operating as a clear thinking board with the towns best interests at heart and without a hidden agenda. Congratulations!
Mageau achieved one thing, he "created" CCA. Long live CCA!
Preservation of the quality of life, aesthetics and nature of the community are more important than traditional economic development. The reality is, that the high value properties ARE the tax base, as long as quality and character of the town is preserved, they will continue to be. There are mature, developed towns on both sides of us, are their taxes lower or quality of life better? I think not...
A Place like Charlestown is hard to find, and easy to lose...