Two Charlestown Councilors Speak on Town Official's Comments About Providence Visitors

Two Charlestown Councilors Speak on Town Official's Comments About Providence Visitors

GoLocal reached out to all five members of the Charlestown Town Council after a town official warned that a food truck event might attract Providence residents and they might hangout along with children from the town.

During Monday night’s town council meeting Kevin Gallup, a former police officer and present director of the Charlestown Emergency Management Agency made a string of comments that have come under fire. Many allege that they are discriminatory.

Charlestown, a town of fewer than 8,000 residents is more than 91% white.

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It markets itself as a fun place for visitors and offers events like the summertime seafood festival. But, according to Gallup's comments indicated some people "don't appreciate" the prospect of Providence residents descending on the coastal town.

Council President Deb Carney answered some questions from GoLocal via email, but refused to answer questions about Gallup’s future.

"No, I don't agree with that statement,” said Carney of Gallup’s comments. “As a born and raised Rhode Islander originally from Warwick, and President of the Town Council, I welcome everybody to the town of Charlestown."

Council Vice President Cody Clarkin said in a phone interview,“ I don’t know the full intention” of Gallup’s comments.

Clarkin defended Charlestown. "We are a welcoming town," he said. 

Regarding Gallup's comments and his future with the town, Clarkin said, “I have not put that into thought, but right now, no.”

Council members Susan Cooper, Grace Kinger, and Bonney Van Slyke did not respond to email and phone call requests for comment.

As GoLocal reported, the Town Council took up whether to have the town regulate food trucks, or have “PVD Food Truck Events” — which runs events across the state — obtain a permit to organize events in the town. 

At the meeting, Galleup warned about having food trucks in from Providence, and specifically Providence residents. 

“If we’re going to have people showing up from Providence and hanging out that we don’t know…along with our children…some people aren’t going to appreciate that and I can tell you that for a fact,” he added. “So you’re going to need that police detail. Sorry, the world needs to be this way, but these things need to be thought out.”