As reported in the article “City councilors, union leaders urge regulators to take their time on L+M-Yale New Haven decision” (Aug. 24), six of seven New London City Council members have taken it upon themselves to potentially interfere with the proposed Yale-L+M merger. 

This behavior, manifested in a letter to the state and a public news conference, is being justified in the context of a public concern, but that is hard to believe when clear personal interests exist, as many councilors have direct ties to workers unions and, in some cases, serve as officers for unions directly affected by this merger. 

The optics, or outward perception, of this is just not right. 

Ironically, throwing this merger off-track will cause jobs to be lost, since L+M financials would drive further into the red without the support of Yale. 

Additionally, one has to wonder why Westerly, after extensive public hearings, decided to back the merger. Perhaps a councilor or two should have attended those hearings, as it seems many of the same concerns were voiced and appeased. 

Lastly, Council President Richardson is to be applauded for recognizing her clear duties and priorities to the city she serves. 

Let the state do its job; New London councilors have enough to focus on back at home.

Timothy Ryan

New London

Editor's Note: Mr. Ryan is currently the secretary of the Republican Town Committee for New London