The Patrick administration should be ashamed of themselves for being involved with Sheila Burgess in the first place (“Highway safety chief is removed: Will be reassigned over driving record,” Metro, Nov. 19). This woman had no business whatsoever being anywhere close to the position she was in — one that she was apparently given as a gift.

The fact that nobody took any action on this until the Globe revealed this travesty is appalling, and makes me wonder how many other so-called friends of the governor are holding positions that they have no business filling. Would I be out of line to suggest that perhaps Burgess be severed from the state payroll altogether, or would that be too harsh a way to treat a “friend”?

Donald DeBernardi

Waltham