In a few days, voters in the City of Groton will make their selection as to who will serve as mayor or, more realistically, the person responsible for managing and overseeing the daily operations of a $20 million governmental budget and a $70 million budgeted utility company. It is incumbent upon the voters paying for and receiving the services provided by the government and utilities to select a person who possesses the necessary education, managerial background, and experience to not only oversee the day-to-day operations of these groups, but also to prepare them for the future.

Over the past few months, both Democratic candidates vying for the mayor’s position have been relaying their qualifications for the position and expressing their visions for our community. Based upon the information provided, I have concluded that the qualifications of the present mayor, Keith Hedrick, overwhelmingly outdistance his opponent. Unlike his opponent, Mayor Hedrick has initiated ideas that are both farseeing and realistic.

As a Republican voter and a taxpayer of the city for over 65 years, I believe Keith Hedrick is the right person for the position and I will be writing his name in Box 1C on Monday.

James Streeter

Groton