Why Are They Running for Town Council?

Six candidates – three Democrats and three Republicans -- are running for election or re-election to the Barrington Town Council.

Patch asked them why? Here are their answers.

Kate Weymouth

 Having lived in town for over 50 years, serving on the Town Council for the past 8, I believe I have demonstrated a dedication and commitment, unmatched by my opponents, to the residents of Barrington.

I am running for reelection because I would not want to see an erosion of the progress we have made over the course of my Town Council experience.

Shirley Applegate-Lockridge

This is a crucial election year. We face challenges at all levels of government. These problems will not be easy to solve. Barrington is a well-run town and a great place to live, but Barrington, like all municipalities, will meet serious fiscal and social issues in the future.

I was recruited to run for the Barrington Town Council; I did not seek the nomination.  I agreed to run because I want to contribute what I can to the management of these issues. 

Ann Strong

I'm running for Town Council because this is the next step on my journey to contribute in a meaningful way toward the betterment of the Town.  

Beginning as a volunteer with the Pokanoket Watershed Alliance back in the early 90's, we helped to manage the coordinated response of three communities and two states to mitigate pollutants arriving from upstream into Barrington waters.  From there I was asked to become a member of the Conservation Commission (7 years) and then the Planning Board (5 years). 

Donald Nessing

I am running for Town Council because, as a Barrington resident for the last 22 years I have seen recent changes that concern me.  Specifically, the attitude of the council regarding the state mandate on affordable housing. 

Despite recent claims to the contrary, they are 100% behind the zoning changes and high-density housing that are a result of their policies. 

At the same time they engage in policies from meaningless gestures like the ban on plastic bags to increases to the price and scope of beach fees. The latter after the town manager explicitly stated that any additional plans for beach activities were already included in the current budget.   

Margaret Kane

For several years now, like the RI General Assembly, the Barrington Town Council has been wholly dominated by one party.  This imbalance, I believe, leads to decision-making that may not always be in the interest of all our residents.

Forget raising chickens in back yards. And plastic bag bans. There are more substantive issues, such as affordable housing, revaluation, and keeping seniors in Barrington.

That is why I’m running for a seat on the Town Council.  To bring more balance to the decision making process and to tackle the important issues facing the Town.

Change is important. We need a change.

June Speakman

I am running for re-election to continue our work on providing high quality municipal services, maintaining tax stability, improving recreational and open spaces, improving the business climate and implementing the state’s mandatory affordable housing plan in a measured way that is consistent with Barrington’s character.