March 27, 2007
While I did not initially comment in my March 25th story on 'Observer' errors on the matter of Bridgewater Advisory Board Vice-Chair Michael Berolini, it does seem appropriate that I do my part to set the record straight. Mike Demos, Chair of Advisory Board, recuses himself and does not attend or speak to me concerning B-R budget matters when I am regularly before the Advisory Board. This is the proper and responsible action to take since his wife is an employee of B-R. In his place, Michael Berolini runs the meetings. This was also true at the March 10 multi-board meeting -- Mike Berolini was the Chair.
To the best of my knowledge as a member of the Bridgewater-Raynham School Committee, Michael's wife is not employed in any capacity with the school district. I hope that is clear to everyone.
It amazes me that some believe the road to improvement is to merely complain and make stuff up! Mike Demos, Mike Berolini, Christopher Flynn, and the other six members of the Bridgewater Advisory Board give of their time and skills to provide a needed service to the Town. Then along comes some publication to defame an individual on that Board. It should not, can not, and MUST NOT be tolerated.
The following is a copy of the letter Michael Berolini has sent to the Town Observer. The community will be watching to see how the paper addresses the many errors of its recent article.
March 26, 2007
Edward Sunshine
The Town Observer
P.O. Box 387
Bridgewater, MA 02324
Re: Formal Complaint of Defamation of Character
Dear Mr. Sunshine:
I am writing this letter to file a formal complaint against you and The Town Observer regarding the March 23, 2007 article regarding the March 10th joint town meeting between Bridgewater and Raynham officials that I chaired. The article defamed my character and credibility and the character and credibility of the Bridgewater Advisory Board by including an outright lie and accusing me of having a conflict of interest where none exists. In your article you state,
"As a sidebar, Mr. Berolini and Mr. Demos represent a conflict of interest on the Advisory Board. The wives of Mr. Demos and Mr. Berolini both work for the Bridgewater-Raynham School system. How is this any different from Mark Oliari owning a liquor license at the Dome and he is required to recuse himself from the Bridgewater Board of Selectmen negotiations of awarding any temporary or permanent liquor/wine/beer licenses."
My wife has never been employed by the Bridgewater Raynham School District. She has volunteered on a few limited occasions in my daughters’ classrooms similar to other parents but in no way should you be able to make it sound like she is employed by the district. However, by drafting your article in such a way, you have slandered and defamed my character, ethics, integrity and credibility as well as the character and credibility of the Bridgewater Advisory Board. In addition, Michael Demos, the Chairman of the Advisory Board, did recuse himself in his official capacity as Chairman to remove any perceived conflicts. This is why I chaired the joint meeting.
I demand that you immediately retract these statements in your newspaper and demand a formal written apology to my family and all of the members of the Bridgewater Advisory Board. Unfortunately, even with your retraction and your apology, you have caused damage to my reputation and the reputation of the Bridgewater Advisory Board that may never be reversed.
I expect to see a retraction in your next publication and a formal apology. Michael Demos and I will also be consulting with lawyers to determine any other legal options that may be necessary.
Sincerely,
Michael Berolini
Vice Chairman of the Bridgewater Advisory Board
129 Old Farm Road
Bridgewater, MA 02324
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