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Ten candidates vie for nine Town Council spots in Tuesday's Democratic primary in Groton

The Day - 9/11/2021

Sep. 11—GROTON — In a primary Tuesday, Democratic voters will elect nine candidates to appear as the Democratic slate for Town Council in the November municipal election.

Ten candidates are vying for the nine spots. They include the five incumbents and four newcomers endorsed by the Groton Democratic Town Committee, as well as Town Councilor Portia Bordelon, who petitioned for the primary after she was not endorsed by Democrats. The party endorsed her for Board of Education and Representative Town Meeting.

Here is a look at the candidates, by alphabetical order, and the top priorities they provided in responses to The Day.

Portia Bordelon, 41, a town councilor since 2019, is a medical assistant who serves on groups from the Athletic Fields Task Force to Public Safety Committee.

Portia Bordelon

She said her primary duty is to represent constituents' interests and concerns, and she wants to "help foster a culture of inclusion, equity and progress for Groton and represent "a full range of the diversity that exists in this town."

"It is vital for the council to consider the interests and needs of every district in the town in an equitable and empathetic manner," she said.

She'd also like to restore citizens' petitions to twice a month, at each regular council meeting, and to "see more rigorous inclusion of community input in the initial planning phases of development."

She wants to ensure that Long Term Recovery Funds will be invested "across town in an equitable, empathetic and accessible manner."

Aundré Bumgardner, 27, is serving his second term on the Town Council. He was state representative for the 41st District from 2015 to 2017 — the youngest representative elected to the House of Representatives — and has worked in the office of the state treasurer. He also serves on the City of Groton Planning & Zoning Commission, chairs the Town Council'sPublic Safety Committee, and serves on the Groton Trails Coordinating Task Force and Southeastern Area Transit Board of Directors.

Aundré Bumgardner

He said he would like to "continue tackling many critical issues confronting our community by leveraging my experience, energy, and collaborative spirit."

"My top three priorities are continuing critical investments in coastal resiliency, enacting a complete streets policy to better protect pedestrians and cyclists, and adopting a responsible contractor ordinance to protect our local workforce and safeguard taxpayers from unscrupulous developers," Bumgardner said.

Melinda Cassiere, 35, is a stay-at-home parent and former police officer and former volunteer firefighter who represents District 5 on the RTM.

Melinda Cassiere

After many residents faced challenges due to the pandemic, her first priority is to make sure that the town is "not unnecessarily burdening the taxpayers with high increases," she said. "Groton should be affordable for all families."

She also wants to address fixing bridges, find a solution to sports field shortages and fix existing athletic facilities, and address infrastructure changes needed in the face of climate change.

She said the RTM and Town Council funded a social worker in the police department and extra community policing position and began the facilitation of a new group between officers and the community. She "would like to continue this path of creating a social work-integrated police department and funding more positions to create a community policing unit."

Rachael Franco, 52, a Town Councilor since 2017, is a business manager who serves on the Public Safety Committee and founded the Beautification Committee.

Rachael Franco

Franco said economic development is a top priority, and she wants to make downtown the retail leader in southeastern Connecticut it once was and work with the town, property owners, and realtors to bring new vibrant restaurants and retail into Groton.

She also wants to focus on infrastructure and replace bridges that are in disrepair, most notably the Groton Long Point Bridge and North Stonington Bridge, as well as repair and maintain town properties.

Public safety is another top priority. "After listening to the community and working with Town police officers, I encouraged Community Policing, a pilot program for a Social Worker to be embedded with the police, additional training to be included in the 2022 budget, while maintaining our level of police officers," she said.

Conrad F. Heede, 50, a Town Councilor since 2017, works in hospitality management as an area director of revenue management. He previously served on the RTM and City Council.

Conrad F. Heede

"Climate change remains an existential threat to our coastal community," said Heede, who initiated the plastic reductions ordinance and hopes to continue to support initiatives such as composting. "I want to continue to advocate for more environmental wins such as coastal resiliency initiatives, secure additional properties to protect and enhance for passive recreation, and reduce pollution and run-off."

He also wants to continue to support economic growth and enhance condensed housing and development along the Route 1 corridor near Electric Boat to help reduce pressure on rents from rising too high, and he wants to support schools to attract young families.

He also supports "vigorous fiscal oversight to ensure taxes and debts do not rise uncontrollably."

Edward Jacome, 25, represents District 2 on the RTM and recently worked at the Connecticut General Assembly as an Assistant Clerk for the Veterans' Affairs Committee. He also worked on the Bob Statchen campaign and volunteered for the campaigns of Reps. Christine Conley and Joe de la Cruz.

Edward Jacome

"My first priority is the handling of COVID-19," Jacome said. "I believe we need to get it under control for the health and safety of all Groton residents."

Another priority is economic growth, "which allows for town revenue which then in turn can maintain stable taxes and avoid steep increases in taxes," he said.

Infrastructure for buildings, roads and climate resiliency is another top priority. "I think it's especially important to add a community center for all demographics in Groton to use," said Jacome. He added that it's also important to prepare and protect Groton from increasing natural disasters.

Bruce Jones, 66, represents District 7 on the RTM, chairs the RTM Recreation Committee and is a small business owner now focused on community service.

Bruce Jones

His top priorities include open space and conservation land, and he noted that the pandemic proved how valuable open space and trails are for the people of Groton.

"Making it easy to open and maintain a business is a top priority," along with effective and efficient economic development: "Successful businesses contribute to successful communities," he said. "We have an excellent economic development team here in Groton and keeping them strong and keeping businesses strong is important to our growth."

The National Council on Aging and the National Institute of Senior Centers recognized the Groton Senior Center for its outstanding service, and he said he would like to keep the momentum going and keep the Senior Center strong with great programs and services.

David McBride, 52, is the director of finance for New London, serves on the Groton Economic Development Commission and as treasurer of Groton Long Point.

David McBride

McBride said a top priority is to conduct a "comprehensive detailed review of all areas of the budget to ensure every taxpayer dollar is being used properly for all of the residents of Groton while also ensuring the government is operating as effectively and efficiently as possible."

He also said it's important to develop a "detailed ten year consolidated cash flow which the council can utilize to assist with making proper strategic financial decisions."

He is also calling for smart economic growth "which will increase the tax base, bring more residents and employment opportunities to Groton while ensuring the growth does not adversely impact local communities" and the development of long-term plans for updating infrastructure.

Juan Melendez, 30, a town councilor since 2019, is a real estate agent who previously served two years on the RTM and two years on the Water Pollution Control Authority.

Juan Melendez

Melendez said he wants to continue working with Children First Groton to help improve access to education for children under five years old. He serves as chair of the group's school readiness council. He said the work is, "vitally important now as the pandemic undoubtedly had a negative effect on education at all levels."

Melendez, co-chair of the workforce and leadership committee on the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Collaborative, wants to continue his "work with town staff in our goal of making Groton as equitable and inclusive as possible, through the DEI Collaborative."

He also said he hopes "to address the ever-worsening opioid pandemic by adding a full-time addiction counselor to Human Services."

Juliette Parker, 48, a Town Councilor since 2017, is the administrative secretary to the Groton City police chief and previously served on the RTM.

Juliette Parker

Economic expansion is a top priority. She said the community has had some wonderful new businesses and she would like to encourage more mom-and-pop businesses: "As Groton is a diverse town, I believe our businesses should reflect our community and provide economic opportunities and encourage our youth to higher aspirations."

She'd also like to ensure that the goals of the 2020 plan are followed for the benefit of all.

She said community members' health and welfare is important, and she'd like to see more support for all residents, no matter their age, race or gender. "I value all and want to ensure that all have the support and access to a more livable life."

k.drelich@theday.com

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