As a Groton City resident of Asian descent, I was extremely disheartened to hear our current mayor, Keith Hedrick, describe my race as “yellow people” in a video posted on The Day’s website. But it was really not that surprising. Despite having a significant Asian population that consistently ranks among the top ten in Connecticut, the lack of diversity among those employed by the city under Hedrick is no secret.

Hedrick’s comments were made in a discussion about race and other issues with The Day featuring him and Aundré Bumgardner, who last month won the Democratic primary to run for mayor in the Monday election. In the same video, Bumgardner, who is multi-racial, reaffirmed his commitment to make city staff more diverse and representative of the people who live here.

Hedrick is asking residents to vote for him by writing in his name on the ballot. In light of his record and his strange and insensitive comments, I just wonder why he thinks me or any other “yellow people” would want him to stay in office any longer.

I voted for Aundré Bumgardner in the Democratic primary. I will do so again on Monday.

Sue Ra

Groton