Groton should vote YES on the Field's Referendum

We've been made aware that some local conservationists have put out a flyer telling people to vote "no" on the referendum for Athletic Fields. They contend the turf field is not as good as grass for the environment.

But what about the residents? Without residents, we don't need schools at all- is that the goal? Some might wonder....

Those who are concerned with the dangers of a turf field are not parents of school children- they're older, wealthy folks who have no worries except the environment. They don't have to drive back to the school fields twice late at night for field hockey practice (because no (other supervised) fields are available after school) while trying to put their little ones to bed. They don't have to worry about their small children falling through the observation stands during commencement ceremonies or football games. They don't have to breathe the fetid stench of the field house. They don't have daughters who lack even basic team facilities- a single locker room of their own. They don't have to wait in endless lines for one of two bathroom stalls for all girls and women. They don't have to sit at ground level in wheel chairs because there is nothing accessible about our stadium- nor getting there.

These conservationists aren't inconvenienced. They don't care that our school band can't host competitions to raise much needed funds because the state governing body requires a turf football field. They don't have to hear local residents and athletes complain about the pain in their legs and joints from using this old track that is as hard as concrete. They don't have to watch visiting teams and families gasp and recoil as they walk in- shocked that a school like Fitch has this. It's humiliating and embarrassing.

"No" is a slap in the face.

It's a slap in the face of the Athletic Fields Task Force who has been working on this project for over five years for free. Did the conservationists come up with their own plan to deal with our facilities in a greener manner? No. They said no without an alternative presented. They complain about the cost- nothing will cost less if we wait another year. We haven't done this in over 50 years!

If you care about our community and the people in it, please vote yes on the referendum. Please vote! You can do early voting this week, if you can't make it to the polls next Tuesday. Groton can't afford to wait. Please stand up for our community! Please have your friends and neighbors come and stand up for the younger generations of residents who need modern facilities now and can't yet vote!

Thank you!

Lacy and Ed Johnson , Groton, CT