State Rep. Elissa Wright deserves the appreciation of conservationists and taxpayers throughout the state.

Rep. Wright championed a new law this year that ensures the will of the electorate is respected permanently when voters approve expenditures to acquire open space.

The law requires formal notice be placed in land records showing the reason open space has been acquired; limits on use of the land; and circumstances under which it was acquired.

The issue came to Ms. Wright's attention six years ago when, as a Groton town councilor, she discovered that deeds to several parcels of land acquired in an open space bond referendum lacked mention of their open space nature. Because of her, the town remedied the situation locally.

As a result of the new law championed by Rep. Wright, Connecticut voters can be confident that the tax dollars they vote for open space remain invested in open space.

In the November election, Rep. Wright should be returned to office for a third term representing Groton's 41st District. Her opponent has no public history of defending the environment, much less the strong record of achievement compiled by Rep. Wright over the last four years.