At the risk of playing Scrooge at Christmastime, we feel compelled to question the plan to hold the Oak Bluffs town holiday party next week at a restaurant and bar owned by one of the town selectmen.
At the risk of playing Scrooge at Christmastime, we feel compelled to question the plan to hold the Oak Bluffs town holiday party next week at a restaurant and bar owned by one of the town selectmen.
Celebrating the season at the Lookout Tavern owned by Mike Santoro was no doubt conceived with the best intentions, but it seems to skate on the edge of the state ethics law, which was designed to curb activities where there is even the appearance of an elected official mingling personal business with the business of the town.
And then there’s the question of alcohol.
The party invitation for the December 18 event that went out to town employees and volunteers notes that there is a charge of ten dollars a head. With that small fee, Mr. Santoro is no doubt simply covering his costs for hosting the party at his establishment. But there are uncomfortable questions. The appearance of conflict of interest is one. Sale of liquor is another. Assuming drinking is allowed, will there be a cash bar? That could be viewed as a boon to Mr. Santoro’s business. An open bar? That appears to encourage excessive alcohol consumption. The town of Oak Bluffs licenses the Lookout Tavern. Not to invite trouble, but if there were an alcohol-related problem at the holiday party, what would be the town’s liability?
Surely there is a public place in Oak Bluffs that can accommodate the celebration. Town leaders still have time to move the party to another location, where employees and volunteers can enjoy some much-deserved holiday cheer without the possible taint of conflict.
Comments
First of all, the town of Oak
Joanne Philbrick Norwich CTFirst of all, the town of Oak Bluffs should not be holding a holiday party for empoyees and/or volunteers.This is municipal gov't, not the pvt sector. Secondly, to hold such an event at a venue owned by a member of the Board of Selectmen is in very poor taste and may border on an ethics violation.It will be interesting to see how this all plays out. Will police be watching for OUI violators leaving such an event?
I'd thought about letting
Steve Auerbach Oak Bluffs, MAI'd thought about letting sleeping dogs lie, but when I read this comment I felt I had to reply. Since when, Ms. Philbrick, are local government employees and volunteers not allowed to get together for a little talk, some great food and even a drink or two? We work hard at helping our town survive and even thrive in these difficult times. For you to have the gall to judge us is contemptible.
Everyone chipped in to defray the cost; the town contributed not one dime. How is it "poor taste" to hold the event at a restaurant which happens to be owned by a Selectman? There's no ethical violation, despite your absurd insinuation- no favors asked or granted, no secret deals, nothing underhanded.
Just a few hours to relax in the spirit of the season.
I don't know if the police lie in wait in your town, but here it's actually legal to go to a restaurant/bar without feeling that the Gestapo is waiting outside.
Full disclosure: I am the chair of the town's Finance Committee. I am elected and work for zero pay. I take no gratuities and I judge each issue on its merits, not on who throws the best "parties".
You really should have done
Karen Santoro-Nason Milton, NHYou really should have done your homework before you posted this is the gazette. Did you look under the U.S. Government Ethics 95x13: Agency holding parties. Really!! You have nothing better to post in your gazette this time of year. I'm sure your going to take alot of heat from the towns people for this, be prepared. My brother is a wonderful person and has a big heart. I'm sure there is alot of people out there that feel the same way. So nice try at trying to discredit him, it's not going to work. Yes, you are being a SCROOGE! Have a Merry Christmas and try enjoying life too. Luv ya Bro!!! Sis
Well it looks like the days
Kathleen Lavoie Nashua NHWell it looks like the days of being thankful and gracious have gone out the window.... It's a holiday gathering. Municipal Gov't sectors do indeed hold holiday gatherings. The only ethics violation I see here is a badly written article with no research done to back the statements that were made in the article. Hooray for Mike Santoro for opening up his location for all members to come together to celebrate the joy of the season. The one thing correct in the article was the word Scrooge! But I think we all know how that movie ended!
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