Sunday, December 22, 2013

Getting off the Ground







Hi, I’m Charlie Rossetti, I am currently the interim mayor of West Fork, appointed by the city council at the November meeting, and am running for Mayor in the April special election. This bio, for those of you who might not know me, is the first posting on this blog.   
Our family moved to this area in 1980 and lived in a small country house on the Devil’s Den road.  Our children, Wendy and Dominic, went to school in West Fork, and Kay and I finished our Masters’ degrees and started our teaching careers at West Fork High School and the University of Arkansas. We became involved in West Fork through church and school activities. I coached with Danny Center in our son’s summer baseball program and with Butch Bartholomew in our daughter’s softball program.  Kay worked on the staff of the Washington County Observer when Parker Rushing was editor.  We moved into town in 1989 and bought a house on the corner of Maple and Main, the location of the old Hardin Hotel.

I retired from teaching after 30 years in the classroom.  Most of my career was spent at Springdale High School where I had a Building Trades Program, a CADD Drafting Program and a Pre-Engineering and Architecture Academy.  For over 20 years, I sponsored wonderful groups of students, many who earned state and national honors through Skills USA (formerly VICA).

I have a background in carpentry and cabinetmaking through a small construction company and cabinet shop I owned and operated in Dardanelle.  I became interested in furniture making while I was in the Army in San Antonio, and I have continued that interest in both design and construction of a variety pieces including chairs, desks, lamps, casework, etc. 

My involvement in West Fork City Government began with the Planning Commission where I held the positions of secretary and chair.  I was later appointed and then elected to the City Council, representing Ward 4, and have served in that position for the four years.

I am running for the Mayor in the Special Election in April.  I will use this blog for a little wit, wisdom, and satire, all with the purpose in keeping you informed, giving you insight, and at times expressing some humor.  Stay with me through this and call me anytime with questions or comments you might have.  Keep it clean and I’ll keep it honest.   

9 comments:

  1. Very nice blog, Charlie.
    I enjoy working with you as Interim Mayor. You're doing a wonderful job!
    Marsha Hungate- West Fork City Clerk

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  2. In your opinion, will our city ever be able to take advantage of the free audits by the State and for go the expense of an independent accountant to do the audits?

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    1. Leslie, I'm taking a break for a couple of days. I'll get back to you after the holiday. Merry Christmas Charlie

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  3. That would be great, Charlie. Thank you and Merry Christmas.

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  4. Mr. Rossetti, I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and time with friends and family. We are pleasantly awaiting your response.

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  5. Leslie, to answer your question, we are currently eligible to use the audits done by the state. If you would like to discuss this further please call me or stop by city hall.

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  6. Thank you for your response. I would prefer that you post your answers here on your blog so that other voters may see your answers and use them when making their decision in the upcoming election.

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  7. May I publish your answers to questions that are posed to you on the Little Bit of Everything group, that Steve Winkler has answered also, on the West Fork Politics group as well?

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