Yacovone, Racine not to blame for deaths

Demands for Old Testament vengeance against Douglas Racine and David Yacovone are being made. On reflection, however, I believe that punitive action against them is wide of the mark and requires reconsideration.

Neither of them is responsible for the fact that one set of these poor kids’ parents is in jail (for activities that precede the horrible events your article describes), nor are they responsible for the other relevant conditions that led to these tragedies — poor home life, inadequate education, dead-end jobs, poverty, financial illiteracy, etc.

I know Dave Yacovone personally and have the greatest respect for his compassion, dedication and commitment to his job. Doug Racine’s record of political service speaks for itself.

I also believe they perform not only with commitment, but with competence.

Tropical Storm Irene wiped out their entire operations in Waterbury, yet they persevered. Checks to recipients went out only a day or so late while the state was virtually paralyzed. They and the rest of the Shumlin administration experienced their finest hour in public service.

We need to look not at individuals to blame but at the totality of the system that allowed these disasters to occur.

Racine and Yacavone are able, dedicated public servants on the front lines of the fight for decency. They deserve a pat on the back, not a kick in the butt.

Edward P. Frey

Stowe