Rich and Marc find themselves continuously amazed at the amount of really smart people here on Block Island. Claire Costello ranks at the top of the list. Her days as a trial attorney in New York City found her arguing (and winning) a case before now Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. These days Claire serves as a philanthropic consultant to global power brokers whom need direction when it comes to where to give.

But before that Claire first found work sweeping the floors at the Spring House at age 12. She later earned the distinction of becoming the first female bartender at Dead Eye Dick's during the "Billy Stubbs Days". 

Claire's love for Block Island led her to found the Committee For The Great Salt Pond which successfully cleaned up the harbor after decades of neglect. The committee has been at the forefront of the fight against the proposed Champlin's Marina expansion. A battle that has lasted eighteen long years and is poised to come to an end (one way or the other) over the coming weeks and months.