Have you received your tax bill? If not, you can access it through a link on the New London website: http://ci.new-london.ct.us/content/7429/7431/7445/7573.aspx.

You will notice that your tax bill reflects the mill rate and budget that was certified as successfully petitioned against on June 22. Citizens overwhelmingly rejected the municipal and education budgets and their required 44.26 mill rate, collecting over 600 signatures.

Section 30 of the Charter for the City of New London clearly outlines that, in the event of a certified referendum petition, an ordinance or measure shall not become operative until said ordinance is repealed by council or voted on by the electors. This means that the city cannot lawfully utilize the petitioned budget to tax residents at the new mill rate.

The city’s administration proves once again, if they press forward with the aforementioned mill rate, they either don’t understand or choose to disregard, the city charter; a document that was written for the protection of the city’s residents.

New London deserves an administration that will not flaunt the requirements of the city charter, and just as importantly, an administration that respects the voice of its citizens.

Tim Ryan

New London