To the editor:

I have been informed that Rhode Island State Sen. Dr. Christopher Ottiano has tendered his resignation from the Rhode Island Senate to devote himself full time to his new position as the medical director for Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island.

I am very happy for Sen. Ottiano in his new job and I know that the organization has gained a valuable asset, but I am also sad that he had to leave the Senate. He was a very approachable elected official. As an elected official he held office hours at Foodworks, and he was a tireless advocate from Portsmouth, Tiverton and Bristol.

He took the matters that local officials like me told him to heart and did everything he could to support us in our endeavors. He worked on many local issues at the state level, such as Elmhurst Park, the wastewater issue, the wind turbine issue, among countless others. He helped us to send the Portsmouth High School Marching Band to President Obama’s second inauguration.

I am happy for Sen. Ottiano and wish him the best in his new job and I thank him for all of his hard work and dedication to the Town of Portsmouth and the State of Rhode Island.

Andrew V. Kelly

Portsmouth School Committee