Groton Democrat Primary: Rachael Franco Seeks Nomination

GROTON, CT — Tuesday Sept. 14 is the Democratic Primary For Groton Town Council for a two-year term which runs from Dec. 7, 2021 to Dec. 5, 2023. Voters must be a registered Democrat in order to participate in the primary.

Groton Patch contacted primary candidates to answer questions about their campaigns.

Rachael Franco, 52, is seeking the Democratic Party nomination for Town Councilor.

Occupation: Business Manager

Family: Husband and three sons

Experience: Town Councilor

Family in government: No

The single biggest issue in town is ______, and I plan to do this about it:

Mystic Oral School sale is a major pressing issue in our community. I will work with our Town Manager, Town Attorneys, and and fellow Councilors. I support the letter sent to the developer from the Town Manager which included a 30 day compliance notice and laid out the consequences.

Critical differences between me and my opponents:

I look at the endorsed candidates as my team, the only candidate seeking to run against me as an endorsed Democrat in this Primary is Portia Bordelon. A critical difference I see between Mrs. Bordelon and myself is the defunding of the Police Department. I am against defunding and advocated for additional funding. I support the new Social Worker pilot program, the reestablishment of Community Policing, and additional training . Though, my opponent made an amended motion to cut Public Safety funding, as well as voted in favor of cutting the Public Safety budget numerous times. My opponent voted against the amended CORC recommendation without stating an opinion to clarify her vote. Her comments have make me believe she is in favor defunding police officer positions, and replacing them with non-police officers. Nationwide Public Safety may take up to 40% of a municipals budget, and while the Town of Groton is 7.7%. I believe there is no room for cuts in Groton's Public Safety budget to reduce police officer positions. I am adamantly opposed to defunding the police in the Town of Groton.

Accomplishments:

My record as a two term Town Councilor shows that I consistently work to find solutions for issues within our community. I brought about the BYOB ordinance to protect our community from unregulated drinking beyond 1 a.m. I listened to our community and Police Department, then encouraged and supported funding for Community Police, a pilot program adding a social worker embedded within our Police, as well as additional de-escalation training. My advocacy to address the shortage of sports fields in our community lead to a Sports Field Taskforce and currently the study being conducted to address the issue. As our schools are being repurposed, and I am working on a referral to bring neighborhood playgrounds to those areas.

Other issues:

I find the following issues central to enriching our great community: economic development, community safety, infrastructure, education, community beautification, responsible spending, and climate change, and as well as listening and acting on the concerns of my Groton neighbors.

What else would you like voters to know about you?

I listen to people in our community and and work for find solutions to enhance the quality of life for all residents of Groton.