Charlestown Town Council Candidate Jill Fonnemann tells Patch what she stands for

Along with commitment to the environment, Fonnemann wants to focus on small business, fair taxes, affordable housing and the economy

By Will Collette

Endorsed Democrat Jill Fonnemann gave an extensive interview to Joseph Hosey, local Patch Staff. Without the CCA’s non-resident cash reserve to pay for glossy mailers, this was a welcome opportunity for Jill to tell us more about why she is the best candidate running in Charlestown’s December 2 special election to fill the Town Council seat vacated by the untimely death of CRU’s Rippy Serra.

Here are some key excerpts from Jill’s interview, edited for clarity.

Age: 42

Party affiliation: Democrat

Family: Mother-Christine Fonnemann, Father- Francis Fonnemann III, Brothers-Mark Fonnemann, Brian Fonnemann. I live with my beloved animals being my dog Zsa Zsa, Vega my cat, my bearded dragon Javier and my elderly adopted corn snake Raphaello who had a rough start in life.

Education: 2001 Westerly High School Graduate-Senior, Superlative-Class Individualist

Occupation: Beverage director at the Charlestown Rathskeller Tavern

Previous or Current Elected Office: Charlestown Parks and Recreation Commission, January 2023-Present, as well as The Parks and Recreation Office Subcommittee

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform. The most time sensitive issue facing our ward is the repair of the western wall of our breachway. This will avoid future damage to our aquatic life, estuaries, oyster farms and ecosystem.

The reconstruction of the breachway is imperative to the people of Charlestown and to the economic health of our town. We rely on summer vacationers to visit while supporting local restaurants, shops, beaches and all of our other adjacent businesses. This directly hits home given my work in the restaurant industry.

The other issues that also define my campaign platform are:

• Work to maintain Charlestown's low tax rate through fiscally responsible policies
• Support affordable housing initiatives that will allow Charlestown’s seniors and children to afford housing in our town
• Make our children a priority by supporting our schools, quality education, sports programs, and extracurricular activities.
• Continue to support our local businesses
• Work to protect our environment, open spaces and restoration of the Charlestown Breachway.
• I am a big supporter of our environment and dark skies. I am an avid hiker, camper and lover of the outdoors. I feel like I can actually breathe and be at complete peace when I am surrounded by nature.
• I will also promote rehabbing run down, vacant, eyesores of buildings in town.
• Preserve the historic aspect that the town encompasses. I live in one of the 10 oldest houses in town built in 1732

What are the critical differences between you and other candidates seeking this post? 

One example that sets me apart from the other candidates is that I am the only candidate that is known for organizing/executing large scale, well attended events that directly give back to our residents, more often than not, single handedly.

I realize that I don't have as much experience as the other two candidates possess, as they have been involved in commissions/councils and organizations much longer than I have. But I should say that one of the two candidates is 37 years older and the other 28 years older than I. I truly hope my past precedes me at my 42 years of age. I am a quick study and will delve into research to be well informed. I am not afraid of a challenge either.

I have a large presence in our community and am known for being kind and staying true to my word. I am a natural mediator/peacemaker, I will always fight for what I think is right

I refuse to join in on any nonsense that may rear its head in the next month. I am not intimidated and will refrain from fueling any upcoming negative tactics that may rear their ugly head in the next month. But I do know that if you give into being scared and freezing, you will never know how to learn and grow.

I feel like I have the ability to see different sides of a story by actually listening to people. These days everyone is shouting so loudly at each other, instead of hearing what people actually have to say. It costs nothing to be respectful of the fact that we are all different and people feel differently about things.

People know that they can continue to rely on me to lend a helping hand/shoulder to cry on/offer advice to anyone in need.

Nothing in life has ever been handed to me and I know what it is like to struggle. Everything I have achieved, I have earned myself through self teachings. I have to say that the person I have grown to be makes me proud. I strive to be the best version of myself that I can be, which of course is a lifelong practice.

I have the drive, motivation, creativity and unstoppable energy to put 100% into this endeavor. I am not afraid of a challenge, no matter how big or small and refused to be classified as a quitter. I am a quick study and will delve into researching a topic and educating myself. Working in the restaurant industry for over 28 years will teach you how to deal with every kind of person of all walks of life and grow the thickest skin.

I can talk to, relate, listen and create an instant rapport with most people. I am constantly putting out small fires through rational thinking, strategy, empathy and grace. I work well in high stress/hectic situations and thrive in that environment. I am a natural leader, my own person and dance, (not walk,) to the beat of my own drum. I have never been one to fold or conform to what social society teaches us to be if I don't agree with it. My high school superlative was class individualist and I haven't lost any momentum since.

Long story short, I truly hope to add to the existing positive momentum that we have seen with the Town Council for the past two years. I aim and very much look forward to working for the people in our town and working cooperatively with the Charlestown Town Council and the State of Rhode Island. If given the chance to be elected, I vow that I will ensure that all of this happens.

The Election has already begun

Early voting, in person at Town Hall, began on November 12. Mail ballots will soon be arriving for those who requested them. Mine arrived on Saturday, meaning Cathy and I will proudly vote for Jill.

Special elections like this rarely draw many voters – I’d be surprised if more than 1000 ballots get cast. Those of you who pay attention to town politics, such as most Progressive Charlestown readers, will make the difference.

While the Charlestown Residents United (CRU) will continue to hold at least four of the five Town Council seats, adding Jill will give Charlestown an excellent shot of new blood. As I’ve made plain HERE and HERE and HERE, returning CCA spokesperson Bonnita Van Slyke to the Council would be a terrible mistake.

While I am 76 and not dead yet, I often do feel my age and recognize that though Charlestown has a rapidly aging population, we need younger leaders. Jill has that youthful enthusiasm and drive to serve that are, for me at least, a distant memory.

I’m glad Jill brought up the issue of age. Typically, no one ever does in Charlestown elections given that, with some exceptions, most candidates are Boomers like me. Age cost Joe Biden the 2024 election and age is currently causing mayhem and chaos in our nation. It’s an issue that can’t be ignored.

I’m voting for Jill and for Charlestown’s future. Hope you will, too.