Residents’ Council President’s Report November 2024

President’s Remarks: 

Charlestown, November is going to be a busy month. We have our national election on the first Tuesday; that same day is the Residents’ Council monthly meeting; the Staff Appreciate Fun campaign; and of course, the start of the holiday season with Thanksgiving Day.  

November 5th is Election Day. Voting in any election is the cornerstone of democracy, giving us the power to influence the direction of our country. It is a vital means for Charlestown residents to express your voice and choose leaders who align with your concerns. By voting, Charlestown residents fulfill their civic duty and contribute to a government that reflects the will of the people. Voter participation strengthens democracy! 

November 8th ends the Staff Appreciation Fun campaign. Last year, 70 percent of our resident took part, contributing $320,000; a wonderful outpouring of love by the residents. This year’s goal is to increase that percentage. I know I can count on you to keep the smiles on the faces of our employees. Let us make their holiday season as bright as they make every day of our lives. Your donation, no matter the amount, will directly help the staffs who contribute so much to our well-being. Charlestown residents can I count on your make your contribution so our employees’ smiles will be larger this year? 

Thanksgiving is November 28th is my favorite holiday; how can it not be? This is a day of food, family, fun, and football. It starts the holiday season. Happy Thanksgiving Charlestown!  

Let me spend a few minutes discussing the Residents’ Council. In October, the Council Communications, Conservation, Grounds, Housekeeping, Maintenance and Engineering, and Safety and Security Committee Chairs along with the President, Vice President and past President of the Residents’ Council began meeting monthly with the General Services (GS) management team. This new monthly meeting will provide the following benefits: 

1. It provides for the resolution of many committee issues more quickly because ALL levels of GS management will be in attendance, thereby dealing with an issue in a coordinated, comprehensive, prompt way. 
2. Topics that cross committee boundaries can be segmented for each committee’s focus. Example – the Grounds, Conservation, and Maintenance & Engineering committees may be involved in the Nature Trail.
3. It will provide for the full focus of GS management on these committees’ issues in a concentrated time.
4. It will provide a place where issues of multiple GS department responsibilities can be resolved. Example – sometimes housekeeping issues may need both a Housekeeping and Maintenance departments’ responsibility for resolution.

These six committees will continue to have their monthly committee meetings with residents. A General Services manager will continue to attend each committee meeting. So, residents who attend the committee meetings will see no difference in these meetings.