When you make a mistake, it’s best to admit it, fix it and move on.

The Maine Turnpike Authority has done the first two, and the rest of us should now allow it to do the third.

It was revealed last month that Turnpike officials and members of its chief engineering firm had been treated to an expensive dinner – $1,342 in all – by a $100-an-hour New Jersey consultant.

While that might fly in New Jersey, where contractors, politicians and government workers often scratch each other’s backs, it was highly unusual for Maine, where most folks aren’t accustomed to enjoying a $300 bottle of table wine with dinner.

As we pointed out before, there’s the appearance of conflict and there’s the reality of wrongdoing. No one has shown that contracts have been steered based upon personal favors or gifts to Turnpike officials or employees.

But, when contractors are throwing around Benjamins by the baker’s dozen, the possibility exists.

Confronted about the lavish dinner, Turnpike employees have been straight with the public, quickly admitting that the dinner took place and that it was a mistake. Now, the state employees have gone one step further by actually reimbursing the contractor for the meal at $149 a head.

In a letter last week, Turnpike Executive Director Paul Violette explained that the dinner was merely an expression of friendship. “However, I should have recognized the harmful public perception that acceptance of such a gesture could and has created.”

The Turnpike Authority is developing an ethics code, and Violette has written a letter of apology to Gov. John Baldacci.

Both good ideas that will go a long way toward repairing whatever damage has been done to the Turnpike Authority’s image.