Time to pass the buck

[Bulldog]

After the tragic accident in Avon last Friday, the spin is on from our "State Officials".

They are all trying to run for cover, now with more details of the company and the driver coming to light.

Why is this company still in business with nearly 500 violations within the past few years.

How come the Feds, didn't pull the plug on the company?

Now we will hear everything from cutting speed limits to restricting trucks and every other feel good politics.

Let's ask, why didn't the DMV do their job and address this company's record?

Now the State will paint the trucking industry with a broad brush and 99% will pay the price for the 1% that shouldn't be in business.

[LouS]

It is as is always done, when something notable occurs (in this case a tragedy), politicians sound off to be heard.

Having friends and family making this commute daily and being a frequent traveler along this route, the fact is that this occurrance is one that should have been dealt with, as has been stated.

Banning trucks, putting a tunnel in, augmenting hours of use, adding speed slopes to stop runaway trucks, etc., are good suggestions. Keeping valid drivers and functional trucks on the road is the bottom line.

Regulation from ourselves is something that government has stepped up lately. Common sense and enforcement of existing laws goes by the wayside.

Let me restate that the situation was extremely traumatic and I do not attempt to minimize the tragedy. My thoughts are that nothing will be done.

[Dr.Ken Sokolowski]

	State (9th; 6-term) Senator Biagio ("Billy") Ciotto Chief Deputy President Pro Tempore & Caucus Chairman Chairman: Transportation; Member: General Law; Legislative Management; Regulations Review - Representing: Cromwell, Newington, Rocky Hill, and a portion of Middletown and Wethersfield. - "56-year career in government in 1947 with the Department of Motor Vehicles...(retiring) in 1989"...In previous years, Senator Ciotto was honored by numerous other organizations for his legislative efforts. The organizations include: Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling, Motor Transport Association of Connecticut, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and the Connecticut Association for Community Transportation." Email:[e-mail]
	State (1st) Senator John W. Fonfara Deputy Majority Leader Chair: Energy & Technology; Vice Chair: Finance, Revenue & bonding; member: Education; Program Review & Investigations - "BA in Political Science from the University of Connecticut and an MA in Public Policy Studies from Trinity College....He represented the Southend of Hartford in the House of Representatives for 10 years..[then]..represented the communities of Hartford and Wethersfield in the 1st Senatorial District for the past 8 years in the state Senate. . Email:[e-mail]
	State Representative Antonio Guerrera Serving the 29th Assembly District (Newington, Rocky Hill & Wethersfield) - Memberships: Banks Committee; Transportation Committee, Chair Select Committee on Veteran Affairs - "BA in Business Administration from Eastern Connecticut State University. A former Claims Litigation Specialist for Aetna and Middlesex Mutual Companies, Tony founded his own construction firm, T & T Construction Company in 1998. Tony was elected Mayor of Rocky Hill in 1999 and served in that office until his run for the vacant legislative seat in District 29. He was elected to Rocky Hill Town Council in 1997 and served as a member of the Council's Public Safety committee..." Email:[e-mail]
	State (28th) Representative Paul R. Doyle Serving Wethersfield's 28th Assembly District Member: Banks Committee (Chair); Commerce Committee; Judiciary Committee - "elected to the Wethersfield Town Council in 1991. Paul was re-elected to the Wethersfield Town Council in 1993. " Email:[e-mail]

[RGarrey]

It is unfortunate that so often it takes a tragedy to make our leaders act on many important issues.
In this case we have a driver who was hired and in the same day was allowed to drive a 70,000+ pound vehicle on the road. There couldn't have been time for a background check or drug test. He was fired from his last job for damaging a truck because he did not have the experience to drive that vehicle correctly. Put that together with a company that has been cited hudreds of times for safety violations, and a State system that does not require reinspection to verify the repairs were performed and it is amazing that there aren't more accidents like this.
Now our leaders are blaming the road design, talking about restricting truck traffic, etc. If there are ways to make the road safer then it should be looked at within reason. But first let's fix the obvious problems with the system that allowed this driver to be behind the wheel and allowed a trucking company with so many safety violations to be on the road.