Stamm Not Running for Re-Election

The North Kingstown Town Council will have at least one new member in November as Republican Charles Stamm will not be seeking re-election.

Stamm's decision to part ways with public office in North Kingstown was a geographical one. During the winter months, Stamm and his wife have been living at their home in Florida. To attend the council's biweekly meetings, Stamm flew up to Rhode Island every two weeks.

"That really did become a burden financially and physically," said Stamm. "It was just not consistent with serving on the council at 110 percent."

Stamm was first elected to the council in 2008, along with four other brand new council members – Carol Hueston, Elizabeth Dolan, Michael Bestwick and Steve DeToy. According to Stamm, the experience emphasized the need to have staggered terms for the council as the five (aside from Dolan) had to learn the ins and outs of local government and its operations together.

"It really requires a steep learning curve," said Stamm, who was re-elected in 2010.

During Stamm's tenure on the council, big issues such as the wind turbine saga, the battle over 24-hour shift for firefighters and the road to sewers in town have all unfolded. Aside from the sewer project, Stamm is most proud of the construction of the new senior center.

"That was a project my wife and I got involved in before I even got elected," said Stamm. "We got to see it the whole way through, including the relocation of Beechwood House."

Come December, Stamm will no longer sit behind the council table every other Monday, but he does have some advice for the individual who takes his spot. Actually, he has three pieces of advice – have integrity, do your homework and respect other people's views.