Sheila Burgess, the former state highway safety director, resigned as a state employee late Wednesday, three days after revelations that her driving record included seven motor vehicle crashes, four speeding violations, and a variety of other infractions.
Burgess, a former Democratic Party fund-raising consultant, had been out of work on medical leave since Aug. 24, when she crashed her state-owned vehicle into the woods during work hours in Milton. She suffered a head injury.
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It's about time.
Thank you globe--one down many to go --with your due diligence maybe the state,cities and towns will understand that it is unacceptable to place incompetents in places that effect our well being and trust
is she still goig to be paid?
It's interesting that today's "for the record" states the following: "Correction: Because of a reporting error, a Page One story on Sunday about Sheila Burgess, the state highway safety director, misstated two of the 34 entries on her driving record. The record included two citations for failure to stop for a red light or stop sign, and no citations for failing to stop for a police officer." Still, this article repeats the claim that Burgess failed to stop for a police officer. Which is it?
When "Failure to stop" is indicated on a driving record it is for failure to stop for a red light or stop sign. A "Failure to stop for a police officer" would have resulted in an arrest and is a much more serious crime.
Thanks for some great reporting! Now, can someone tell me why Tim Murray seems to be connected with anyone who is under scrutiny or investigation in the news these days? Murray denied this and Murray denied Chelsea Housing?
Her resignation is effective DECEMBER 31 ??? How about effective YESTERDAY....or LAST WEEK ? All for a one car accident.
I know another miscreant who had a one car accident, and he thinks he can be Governor one day. Both resignations SHOULD be immediate...and if not, firings should be. We get what we accept, and we're FAR too accepting.
I also noted the resignation date. Given that Burgess has been on leave for three months, one wonders why she needs to drag her resignation out. Has she been working on critical state projects at home? Or, at the risk of sounding very cynical, should one assume she'll derive some material benefit by pushing her resignation to the end of the year (e.g., a pension benefit)?
So can the taxpayers still expect a full accounting from Deval Patrick as to how and why this woman was hired? Who was the on the interview team? Who actually extended the job offer? What was Heffernan's role? Was she "told" to hire her, or was she actually the hiring manager? These are just some of the questions that need and should be addressed. The fact that this woman resigned should not negate Patrick's responsibility to provide answers. Time to account for a change, Patrick.
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"We don't always get it right and when we don't we fix it" should have read "we don't always get it right and when we get caught we fix it."
Good job, Globe. Why build a good resume in this state when one can be born into, or marry into a connected family and get any job, regardless of qualifications. PLEASE protect us against Tim Murray.
Deval Patrick should resign also.
Good job, Sean. Reality check, both sides do this stuff, ( alert, a good cliche to follow ) "it all depends on whose ox is being gored." Examples from both sides can be annotated. Make your own list. Maybe for a parting gift or two, "dem" democrats do give gifts, like a 10 lesson coupon driving booklet and directions to the Indy 500. Message to Timmy, there is no clear route to the Governor's office for you. You put up your own roadblocks. Take a detour to early retirement.
Certainly, Governor Patrick is right to be concerned. Not just about appearances, though, but policy. This was obviously a political hiring and obviously not in the public good. What stuns me is how anyone with Ms. Burgess's record would not be ashamed to accept such a position in the first place. And, then, that she would be hired. I hope this leads to greater scrutiny of this system. Thanks to the Globe for following through.
I would like to know - what did she receive in final pay to quit? Bet that will shock all of us taxpayer even more than what she was paid annually. Is she currently on workmen's compensation? OR Did her pay continue since the August accident? I could go on but this whole situation is a disgrace to the taxpayers and state government.
So now, the taxpayers will be footing the bill for this so-called head injury. Funny how her license was reinstated and past excise taxes were paid AFTER the Globe began making inquiries. Also, funny how these state employee's texting records are never revealed (ie, Murray). She should be investigated to see if she is capable of working and if she is able to drive herself around town. If she can drive then she can work. This is just another state employee working the disability system. I am sick and tired of these people costing us thousands of dollars. She should be made to pay the state back for the damage to the car.
This happens in politics everywhere in both parties. Remember "Brownie", George Dubya's patronage choice to head FEMA? And then Katrina hit with full force. How many millions of people were hurt by this guy's gross incompetence? The Globe's Sean Murphy did a fine job revealing her and I hope it's a lesson learned for our good governor. I also hope Tim Murray drops his plan to run for governor. He's simply not electable.
Let's take a vote. Is Massachusetts the most corrupt state in the country, or is it Illinois?