The Bonnet Shores Fire District is operating under a Charter granted by the General Assembly in 1932. Yes, 1932. This Charter has been well established to be unconstitutional, yet the General Assembly has not revoked or revised it.  It is being grossly abused by corporate interests for profit at the expense of local and statewide residents and must be revised or revoked. 

Fire and road services are now provided in Bonnet Shores by the town of Narragansett. However, the “Fire District” was never abolished and has continued to expand its scope of taxation and regulation. A corporation with about 2700 shareholders informed its investors that they can vote under the antiquated Charter. They outnumber about 900 residents by 3:1 and have been allowed to vote and run the election process despite extensive evidence that this is unconstitutional. 

Consequently, they took control of the council, thereby giving themselves access to grants, community property, services and no-bid contracts. All Rhode Islanders have contributed to funding grants which at least in part were used to benefit this private corporation.  This “Fire District” also hires security guards to keep Rhode Island residents from accessing the beach adjacent to the private corporation, which sells access instead.  If you can’t afford a private beach club membership or shares, should your taxes be funding it?  NO!!! But for many, they are.  

It's imperative that the RI General Assembly take urgent action to abolish unconstitutional voting in quasi municipal governments, which includes the so-called “Fire Districts” that no longer fight fires but impose taxes and regulations on the residents. These districts are manipulated by private interests as they control land and can tap into public grants to boost the profits of private businesses. The outdated 1932 Charter permits corporate interests to overshadow public interests in districts such as Bonnet Shores. 

To promote and protect the democratic rights of Rhode Islanders, it's critical to put an end to this exploitation and ensure that community resources are used for the benefit of all residents, rather than a select few. Let's stand together to advocate for this change and defend the integrity of our local governments. Please lend your voice to this important cause and sign this petition. Tell Leaders Shekarchi, Ruggerio, and the General Assembly to revise or revoke the Bonnet Shores Fire District Charter immediately.  
Wherever you live, your taxes may be allocated to grant funding to support this travesty.  Contact your state representative and senator and tell them to REVISE OR REVOKE the outdated and unconstitutional laws that are permitting this abuse of taxpayers.