As Election Day approaches, we must take stock of our city’s wins and losses. We see freshly paved streets, but our most well-known restaurants are closing. We see expensive apartments built for individuals working in Groton, but New London families paying higher rents. Incumbents boast about lower mill rates, but fewer than 35% of us own homes. With studios starting at nearly $2,000 touted as “affordable,” we can see why New London renters feel disconnected from their leaders. It’s no surprise only 18% of registered voters participated in our last municipal election. New London’s charter requires city residency for department heads, to ensure that they are connected and accountable to the community. Instead, we have individuals in power who owe their jobs to the mayor and never challenge him. Finally, New London loses because those individuals are paid from our tax dollars but spend those dollars in their hometowns.

Being an incumbent doesn't mean that you should get to enjoy the press coverage the wins bring while refusing to answer for the losses. On Nov. 7, I’m calling on voters to come to the polls, weigh all options, and make the incumbents answer for these losses.

Leon “Eddie” Long

New London

Editor’s note: Eddie Long is the Green Party candidate for mayor of New London.