I'm writing to Groton voters to clear up misperceptions promoted by Groton Republican leaders on Feb. 16, at the City Freeman's meeting, when they pulled off an impressive stunt obstructing allegedly "new bonding and spending."

Actually, the bond already exists. You're paying taxes on the interest. It was issued in 2012, can't be returned, can only be spent on total renovation of Colonel Ledyard school unless we reprogram funds for other capital projects. There are more urgent needs that need funding now. This wasn't a new bond or new taxes.

One speaker who voted against reprogramming money disingenuously suggested adding individual budget CIPs for the projects, thereby increasing your taxes. One such project is for additional Thames Street parking to alleviate concerns he himself complained about in The Day a few weeks ago. There seems to be a strategy to force the Democratic City Council to raise your taxes so Republicans can campaign that Democrats tax and spend, but Republicans don't.

Good, responsible government must be prudent, maintain infrastructure, and always consider taxpayers. Groton Republicans instead chose to hold our city hostage as campaign strategy. If actions speak louder than words, what does this say about them?

Conrad Heede

Groton

Editor’s note: Mr. Heede is currently serving on the Groton City Council.