I will admit to being startled when I learned Friday that New London Main Street, a nonprofit organized around the principle of improving the city, especially the downtown, hosted a dinner last week at a restaurant out of town.

Main Street, for the second year in a row, held an orientation dinner for new board members at Filomena's restaurant, located in a shopping center in Waterford. It is owned by Michael Buscetto, a New London city councilor who is running for mayor.

About 15 to 18 people attended, including current and new board members.

But I was even more surprised when I called Don Gibson, president of the Main Street Board of Directors, and he told me they couldn't find a better place in New London.

Gibson said Filomena's has a private room with a blank wall and a projection system for giving presentations.

"We have looked all over New London, and we have not found that kind of environment," Gibson said. "It was very successful. The board really enjoyed it."

How can an organization that solicits contributions, including $77,000 in taxpayer money from New London in this year's budget, to support and advocate for city businesses, bypass city restaurants and go out of town to eat?

And how could they not know that's inappropriate?

There are scores of wonderful restaurants in New London, many, I am sure, with private rooms. If none has a projection system for a slide show, so be it. Do that back at the office.

I give Gibson credit for chatting with me and explaining the thinking that went in to choosing Filomena's.

He said part of the decision was that Buscetto, who is the City Council liaison to Main Street, was giving a presentation at the dinner meeting.

"That is one major reason to have it there. He (Buscetto) is there, and he can give the presentation," Gibson said.

Some of the other candidates for mayor might find it inappropriate that a nonprofit that uses city funds would have a gathering at a restaurant owned by a mayoral candidate.

Gibson said that was not an issue, and he noted that the dinner was also held last year at Filomena's, when Buscetto was not a candidate for mayor.

This year's dinner, held last Wednesday, was paid for by MetroCast, the cable television company.

I also called Buscetto Friday, but he said he didn't want to comment.

I know that candidate Buscetto is a longtime supporter of Main Street and his family has donated generously to the organization, as they have given to many other worthy city causes over the years.

Still, Main Street officials should have held the dinner at a city restaurant and should have known better than to patronize a restaurant owned by a mayoral candidate.

This is the opinion of David Collins.