Roberts Vows Financial Oversight

With Woonsocket making headlines for employees facing charges of fraud and embezzlement, School Committee Candidate Christopher Roberts vowed to make financial oversight a priority.

“The public trust was violated with these charges” said Roberts. “We need to be sure that every necessary safeguard is in place on the School Committee side of the house as well.”

Looking beyond the financial systems, Roberts commented “I think there was a loss of faith by Woonsocket taxpayers in the School Committee when the headlines varied week by week from ‘we have a surplus, to we have a deficit, to we have a surplus again.’ Someone wasn’t on top of those books, and that will be a priority of mine. With 70 million dollars on the line, how can it not be for any Committee member?”

Roberts also promised to put taxpayer money back into the local economy by ensuring that the school district works primarily with Woonsocket-based businesses. “I see Woonsocket Education trucks at repair facilities in North Smithfield all the time. Do we not have a city-based business capable of handling this?” Roberts asked. “I think we all know the answer, and it’s a slap in the face to our city businesses and taxpayers.”

Roberts holds two business degrees from Bentley University, and offers real world business knowledge as he operates a fourth generation Woonsocket family business and is experienced in commercial real estate.