To the Editor:
I think you missed the point in your editorial (May 18, “Conflict of interest”) regarding Mr. Donaroma and the Edgartown sidewalk project. You wrote that “the inference was that Mr. Donaroma, in his official capacity, was manipulating the system …” That is not what was implied. What I, and others, have a problem with is simply that he benefited from town work. To me, that in and of itself is inappropriate. I do not believe that a selectman should directly benefit (whether directly or indirectly) from a town-awarded contract. It was never said that this was against the rules, or that Mr. Donaroma somehow corrupted the system.
In my life before coming to the Vineyard, I served on my local school board. The rules were very clear: No board member could financially benefit from any interaction with the school system. That really is the point. On its face, I believe Mr. Donaroma benefiting from a town contract is just not right.
Jonathan Chatinover
Edgartown
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