Setting the record straight

As a selectman in Dracut I conduct myself with the highest professional and ethical standards. On Sunday, May 1, 2022, your publication, through innuendo, speculation and factual errors, questioned my integrity, ethics and honesty. Your piece was factually incorrect, injurious to my good reputation and in need of clarification.

Let me set the record straight for your editorial staff and those who read your publication. The fact is that I have always done everything correctly — legally and ethically. The fact is that I have zero conflicts of interest. The fact is that I am able to participate in matters related to DATV and the Beaver Brook Farm because I do not have any financial interest in either matter. The fact is that the lawyers at the state Ethics Commission, not political candidates or newspaper columnists, are the ones properly authorized to make that determination — and they have done so. The fact is that I have filed the appropriate disclosures on both matters to dispel even an appearance of a conflict. The fact is that I am able to perform my official duties objectively and fairly. The fact is that I have been proactively transparent in these matters and all others.

While we’re speaking of ethics, I’d like to take a moment to discuss journalistic ethics and exercising the basic journalistic tenets of truth, accuracy and fairness. If your publication chooses to continue to give voice to the negative forces in our community who do nothing but distort, distract and drag us down, it would be ideal if you would also seek comment from all parties, get your facts right and serve the public good.

As chairman of the Dracut Board of Selectmen for the last year, I’ve never been asked by a Sun editor or reporter to provide a comment on any substantive story about the town. I am always ready, willing and able to do so, if you’d like to present a more balanced, objective and truthful point of view in your publication.