It's election season and it’s unfortunate, and unfair, to our first response community and Police Department that the new Public Safety Building is being wielded as a political cudgel by some, for the sake of a few votes.

It’s very early in the process and the Vision Committee and the architects are fully aware of the needs of the department and the budget. The $5.8 million figure being bandied about was basically a brand new building within the one the town purchased − complete with a covered parking lot − and never seriously considered. Even the architects agreed it was simply a preliminary wish list, not a serious cost estimate. Both the Vision Committee and the architects have complete confidence that we can deliver a final product that meets the needs of the police and the town on time and on budget.

First Selectman Mark Nickerson has been doing a fantastic job with this project. There are many people working very hard, investing a lot of time, talent and energy to bring it to a successful result for the town. Let’s not turn it into a political football.

Daniel Price

Chairman, East Lyme Police Commission

Vice Chair East Lyme Public Safety Building Committee

East Lyme