The choice in the Groton City mayoral election should be decided by the demonstrated competence of the candidates. Age and race should not matter. Party affiliation does not matter. Competence to manage the combined $70 million budget of a busy, small industrial city with a major utilities department can only be earned by a combination of education and managerial experience.

Mayor Keith Hedrick's two college degrees, including an MBA, combined with executive leadership during a Naval career and IT management/budgeting experience, have certainly prepared him for the job. The results of his four years in office show no overall increase in my local property taxes and excellent public services, roads, sidewalks, free garbage pickup, etc.

The mayor worked cooperatively with Electric Boat in planning and construction of their new submarine assembly facility that will reduce property taxes in future years. The new Groton Utilities state-of-the-art water plant gives the highest purity water in Connecticut and it provides electricity at 14.5c/kwh. Compare that with Eversource at 24c/kwh in surrounding towns.

Hedrick has done a masterful job coordinating all this. Such a competent man should be re-elected. Write him in on May 3.

George Gauthier

Groton