Locals tout it as two towns, one community – Westerly in Rhode Island and Stonington in Connecticut. They share a trail of murals, painted by mural painters from around the world that tell the story of a region steeped in the granite industry, maritime trades, tourism and farming. And with heroes dating back to the Revolution, and before that to the Native Americans who inhabited this land.
They share a shoreline that passes by Mystic Seaport, pristine beaches, and restaurants and bars, and its non-profits cross borders to care for the elderly, the impoverished.
Two towns, one community … and at times they couldn’t be further apart. While they share so much, the politics of the communities are so different.
In recent years, Westerly’s town council has experienced challenges marked by internal disagreement and division, with political parties often prioritizing power over community service. The council is four Democrats, one independent, and two Republicans.
In Stonington, the current First Selectman (equivalent of a mayor) is Danielle Chesebrough, who is unaffiliated. Her predecessor, Rob Simmons, a Republican, served in Congress before running for and winning the First Selectman seat. When Simmons retired, Chesebrough ran for the seat.
Instead of division and infighting, you find Chesebrough and Simmons praising one another for work Simmons had done in preparation of projects that Chesebrough and her administration is completing.
A prime example is the Mystic River Boathouse project conceptualized under Simmons’ administration, and among Chesebrough’s priorities. Simmons and Chesebrough will stand together in a few weeks, when town officials and boaters celebrate the actual start of the construction phase of the multi-million-dollar project.
In Westerly, the town Republicans and a disgruntled Democrat who served on the previous council and didn’t get her party’s support in a reelection bid, are spearheading a recall effort to oust Town Council President Chris Duhamel.
The recall petition claims that Duhamel had said at a meeting that he was opposed to beach access, which Duhamel denies. He’s said in his 19 years on the Council he has always been “protective of public access to the shoreline.” Councilman Bill Aiello, the independent on the council, has said that all seven councilors have been supportive of beach access.
At the center of the controversy is Napatree Point, where ownership of the property is in question, but according to Duhamel beach access is not an issue. The matter is in court.
Those who are supporting the recall need to gather signatures from at least 20 percent of registered voters by mid-July to trigger an election in August or September.
This is the third recall effort in Rhode Island this year. In Coventry, those supporting an effort to oust three councilors, could not gather sufficient signatures by the May 8 deadline. In Narragansett an effort is underway to oust three current councilors. Both Coventry and Narragansett have non-partisan elections.
