Corruption, simply defined, is "dishonest proceedings" or "bribery," which, when committed by a public official, is classified as a felony.

I raise the subject recalling the letter to the editor by Mr. Vincent Arpino ["Gamble Didn't Pay Off," May 23], regarding the Grand Apizza property purchase during former mayor April Capone's tenure, supposedly for the use of our Fire Department. Besides the property owner and real estate agent, who else benefited from the sale?

Taxpayers' money is sacrosanct. It's not spent arbitrarily, for it represents the collective labor of each resident and must be administered competently and without prejudice or favor. Deviations from that principle other than in exceptional cases could be viewed as questionable, which, given the flooding problems of the Grand Apizza location, we cannot but presume the sale was politically engineered for anticipated benefits for the political office holders, not the community's.

Major government business transactions don't on merit alone move officials to act without the machinations of political leadership, ever-watchful for opportunities to preserve its party's hold on power. To that end and to make their enterprises appear more judicious and principled, both political parties opportunistically engage in dubious justifications to provide moral cover for their decisions.

In the current political culture, questionable-even disreputable-behavior is marketed as a badge of honor to delude us into believing the leaders represent the community's best interest, that they are deserving of our trust and ultimately our votes, but it cannot be argued. East Haven needs a renaissance and the first step toward recovery is admitting the problem.

If I were mayor, I'd initiate a criminal investigation into the Grand Apizza building purchase to help reestablish integrity and credibility in our government-if only for our children, for they deserve nothing less. You can count on it.

Oni Sioson East Haven