After two grotesquely misleading columns by David Collins in three months, I must respond to both with a statement of the facts concerning the bill I was asked about by local and legislative leaders during the last legislative session. 

1. It is not a "new beast", but an existing economic development tool adopted on behalf of communities including East Lyme, Redding and the City of Bridgeport (Public Act 05-289). It has since been adopted by others.

2. It absolutely would not raise taxes, but enables developers to raise bonding dollars for infrastructure on the future value of the developed (and taxpaying!) properties.

3. It would affect only properties in the designated district as negotiated with a publicly appointed board, approved by the City Council and appointed by the mayor.

4. The bonds are paid by the developers, not the taxpayers.

5. This year the bill was approaching a public hearing and would have been thoroughly reviewed in the legislative process. Why should our city not have tools that it needs to advance? 

Let us all strive not only to admire our historic past, but to achieve a truly historic future!

Jay Levin

New London