Bonnie Van Slyke: “Why I’m Running In The December 2 Election”

Why the heck am I running? Because I love Charlestown, and I’m worried about where it’s headed.

I’ve watched our town change over the years, sometimes for the better, sometimes in ways that make me pause. I want to make sure Charlestown stays the kind of place that drew us all here in the first place: beautiful, rural, with dark skies and a local government that’s grounded in common sense.

I’ve lived in Charlestown full-time for 19 years, but I’ve known this town my whole life. I’m here because I love it — the beaches, the open space, the quiet roads, and most of all, the people. When I moved here permanently, I didn’t want to just enjoy it; I wanted to be part of what makes Charlestown special.

Not long after settling in, I joined the Frosty Drew Observatory and Science Center, serving as an officer and member of the Board of Directors from 2007 to 2014. Then, from 2014 through 2022, I served on the Town Council. Those years were rewarding, challenging, and often humbling, and they taught me what effective, civil, and transparent local government looks like.

My dad, George Bliven, inspired much of how I approach public service. He was one of the key people who stopped a nuclear power plant from being built on what’s now Ninigret Park and helped turn that land into a refuge and town park. He taught me that protecting our community’s character and environment isn’t just about preserving beauty, it’s about safeguarding our economy, our health, and our way of life.

During my time on the Town Council, I worked with residents, staff, my fellow councilors, and the planning commission to make a real difference. Together we:

• Reduced the tax rate to one of the lowest in Rhode Island and adopted a policy to reserve sufficient savings to protect taxpayers in the event of emergencies.
• Updated and adopted our long-range Comprehensive Plan, based on community input, to guide growth and preservation.
• Conducted a scientific survey of all members of the community to discover their opinions and desires.
• Helped secure grants to preserve the Patricia Sprague Forest Preserve and Tucker Woods and fostered recognition of the Pawcatuck River as a National Scenic River.
• Enacted a conservation design ordinance that protects the environment and helps to prevent well water contamination.
• Guided the town through the Covid-19 pandemic, keeping town offices open and providing services to our citizens.
• Rallied our community, nonprofit organizations, and legislators to defeat the Federal Railroad Administration’s high-speed rail plan from slicing through Charlestown.

I’m proud of that work, but I also know there’s more to do. Protecting our drinking water, forests, and beaches remains essential, not just because they’re beautiful, but because they’re the backbone of our local economy. I want to make sure Charlestown stays a place where people can afford to live, where the government works for everyone, and where our rural character endures.

I’m not running because I’m looking for something to do; I’m running because I love this town. I know how it works, I know how to get things done, and I’m ready to do the work again.

Bonnie Van Slyke, the author of this post, is a candidate for Town Council in the December 2, 2025 election. She was a member of the Charlestown Town Council from 2014 to 2022. She was the Town Council Liaison to the Planning Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission, and Senior Citizens Commission. She is a former officer and member of the Board of Directors of the Frosty Drew Observatory & Science Center, a former Chair of the Zoning Board of Appeals in Harvard, MA and a former member of the Board of Trustees of the Harvard Conservation Trust. Bonnie is a freelance copy editor, technical writer, and publications specialist. You can learn more about Bonnie on her profile page.

The 2025 Election Explained
Because Town Councilor Richard “Rippy” Serra’s passing on August 7 created a vacancy on the Town Council more than one year prior to the 2026 election, the Town’s Charter requires a special election rather than an appointment.

• Deadline to submit Mail Ballot Application is November 12.
• Early in person voting will take place at Charlestown Town Hall, anytime between 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, from Wednesday, November 12 to Wednesday November 26, and Monday December 1 from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm (please note that there will be no voting on November 27 and 28 when the Town Hall will be closed for Thanksgiving.)
• Special Election Day is Tuesday, December 2 at Town Hall only from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm