Politics & Government
Costantino Buys Ad Slamming Schools; O'Brien Replies
Businessman Alfred Costantino took his criticism — and Supt. Robert O'Brien made his reply — to the pages of the Valley Breeze.
Smithfield resident Alfred Costantino recently took his criticism of the local school district to the pages of the Valley Breeze and Observer with a paid advertisement — and this week, Supt. Robert O'Brien replied in writing on the editorial page of the local paper.
Costantino, who lobbied the town council and voters at the recent Town Financial Meeting to approve a plan to hold back $450,000 in school funding until a planned audit is completed, criticized O'Brien about several issues and wrote that the 20-year veteran of the local school district was "not here by choice" since he'd been turned down for a post in Barrington.
In his reply published June 27, O'Brien wrote: "Over the past two decades, I have been happy with my choice to come to Smithfield. I am proud and honored to serve as Superintendent in Smithfield!" [formatting in original.]
Find Costantino's advertisement online here.
Read O'Brien's letter to the editor here.
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