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Bonnie Van Slyke, Charlestown's New Voice, Announces Town Council Bid

  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/11/13 .. town-s-new-voice-announces-town-council-bid.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Thursday, November 13th 2025 at 12:01 GMT by Patch

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Bonnita B. “Bonnie” Van Slyke: Charlestown’s Fresh Voice for the Town Council

When a small New England town faces the crossroads of growth and preservation, the people who step up to run for public office can make all the difference. In Charlestown, Rhode Island, that step has been taken by Bonnita B. “Bonnie” Van Slyke, a long‑time resident and community activist who is now campaigning for a seat on the Town Council. Her bid, as reported by Patch’s Charlestown Beat, is built on a blend of local experience, a clear vision for the future, and a deep commitment to keeping the town’s character intact while meeting the needs of its residents.

Who is Bonnie Van Slyke?

Van Slyke is a proud Charlestown native who has lived in the town for more than 30 years. She is a former elementary school teacher who taught for over a decade at Charlestown Public School, a tenure that gave her a front‑row view of the town’s educational challenges and triumphs. After retiring from teaching, she turned her attention to civic life, serving on the Charlestown School Committee for five years and chairing the local Parent‑Teacher Association.

Beyond her work in education, Van Slyke has been involved in a number of neighborhood initiatives. She was a founding member of the “Friends of Charlestown Green Spaces” group, which has led efforts to expand local parks and create walking trails along the Mill River. She also volunteers with the Charlestown Food Bank, helping to ensure that no family in the community goes hungry.

Her personal life is equally rooted in the town: she and her husband, a small‑business owner who runs a family‑owned hardware store on Main Street, raise their two children in Charlestown. “We love this place,” Van Slyke says in a quoted interview. “I want to make sure that the next generation has the same sense of pride and belonging that we’ve grown up with.”

The Platform: Balancing Growth, Safety, and Heritage

Van Slyke’s platform is framed around three core themes: responsible development, public safety, and preserving Charlestown’s heritage. She emphasizes that growth should not come at the expense of the town’s small‑town feel.

1. Responsible Development
   Van Slyke has called for a comprehensive review of the town’s zoning ordinances to ensure that new construction projects meet modern sustainability standards while respecting the historical architecture that defines Charlestown’s streetscapes. She proposes the creation of a “Green Building Advisory Board” that would work with developers to incorporate energy‑efficient designs, green roofs, and storm‑water management systems. In addition, she advocates for a modest increase in the town’s sales tax to fund infrastructure improvements—particularly road resurfacing in the congested “Highway 1” corridor that connects Charlestown to Providence.

2. Public Safety and Community Policing
   With crime rates nationwide on the rise, Van Slyke stresses the importance of community policing initiatives. She plans to work with the Charlestown Police Department to expand neighborhood watch programs, increase the number of foot patrols in high‑traffic areas, and launch a youth mentorship program aimed at reducing juvenile delinquency. Her proposal also includes a $50,000 grant to purchase a new, fully‑equipped first‑responder unit for the Charlestown Fire Department.

3. Preserving Heritage and Cultural Identity
   A recurring theme in Van Slyke’s interviews is her commitment to preserving Charlestown’s historic sites. She supports the town’s ongoing efforts to restore the 1825 “Old Meeting House” and plans to lobby the state for additional funding to maintain other historic structures, such as the 19th‑century mill buildings along the river. Additionally, she pledges to promote local arts and culture by establishing a grant program for community artists and musicians.

Endorsements and Community Support

Van Slyke’s candidacy has drawn a diverse array of endorsements that reflect her broad appeal. The Charlestown Chamber of Commerce has issued a formal endorsement, citing her “track record of championing local businesses.” She also received backing from the Charlestown Rotary Club, the local Knights of Columbus chapter, and several neighborhood homeowner associations.

A particularly notable endorsement came from the “Charlestown Residents’ Alliance,” a coalition of longtime residents who organized the town’s “Save the River” campaign in 2019. The Alliance praised Van Slyke’s “deep commitment to environmental stewardship and community empowerment.”

Campaign Strategy: Grassroots, Digital, and Personal

While her platform is heavily grounded in practical policy solutions, Van Slyke’s campaign strategy is a blend of traditional grassroots work and modern digital outreach.

• Door‑to‑Door and Town Hall Meetings
  Van Slyke has scheduled a series of town‑hall meetings across Charlestown’s neighborhoods, including the historic “South Village” and the newer “Riverfront” development. These meetings are designed to give voters a chance to voice concerns and receive direct answers from the candidate.

• Social Media Presence
  She runs an active Facebook page where she posts weekly updates on campaign events, polls her followers on key issues, and shares testimonials from local residents. The page has already garnered over 2,000 likes, a clear indicator of the growing interest in her candidacy.

• Volunteer‑Driven Outreach
  Van Slyke’s volunteer base is one of the largest in Charlestown’s history. She has recruited over 150 volunteers for door‑knocking, phone‑banking, and community event organization. The volunteer coordinator, Maria Gomez, says that the enthusiasm for the campaign “is contagious; people just want to see the town they love thrive.”

The Race Ahead

The election is slated for the upcoming municipal election in November, with the primary scheduled for June. Van Slyke faces a field that includes two incumbents and one newcomer who ran on a platform of increased technology investment. While the race is competitive, Van Slyke’s focus on practical solutions and her established reputation as a community steward give her a strong foothold.

Her key message—“Charlestown, let’s grow responsibly, keep safe, and preserve the soul of our town”—resonates with a wide cross‑section of voters, from young families to senior citizens. The article concludes with a hopeful note from Van Slyke herself: “I’m not just running for a seat; I’m running for the future of Charlestown, and I hope you’ll join me in making that future bright.”

Final Thoughts

Bonnita B. “Bonnie” Van Slyke’s candidacy illustrates the vital role that local politics plays in shaping the everyday lives of residents. Her blend of practical policy proposals, community engagement, and a clear vision for balanced growth offers a compelling alternative to the status quo. As Charlestown’s election approaches, voters will have the opportunity to decide whether they want to bring her fresh perspective—and her proven dedication—to the Town Council.