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Agent of Change

“Taking a bad agent out of the marketplace ensures consumers are protected from unscrupulous and fraudulent behavior.”

鈥擟onnecticut Insurance Commissioner Thomas R. Sullivan, commenting on the case of an insurance agent who forged clients’ signatures and held thousands of their dollars in his personal bank account. The agent, David M. Raczka, has had his insurance license revoked.

Building a Legacy

“I felt it was time to return to the private sector.”

鈥擯atricia Lancaster, buildings commissioner for New York City, after stepping down from her the job. Her resignation came after criticism from Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and follows a spike in deadly construction accidents in the city, such as the crane collapse in mid-town Manhattan in March.

Breath of Fresh Air

“We need to think of ways to reduce the carnage on our highways.”

鈥擵ermont Gov. Jim Douglas, commenting on a proposal that would require drunk drivers to install ignition locks in their cars that would check drivers’ breath for alcohol. The proposal follows the public outcry over an 18-year-old killed by a drunk driver earlier this year.

Turf Wars

“We have a great deal of interest in any consumer product that could be used by children where children could potentially be in harm’s way because of lead exposure.”

鈥擲cott Wolfson, spokesman for the Consumer Product Safety Commission, commenting on a federal investigation into the lead content artificial turf used widely on children’s parks, playgrounds and athletic fields. The investigation was touched off when New Jersey officials closed two athletic fields after discovering high levels of lead.

Swollen Over

“It’s the dues we pay to live in a place like this. It’s what we talk about in the spring, ‘I wonder if it’s coming,’ ‘Are we going under?’ But once you make the decision to live here, you have to accept it.”

鈥擲outh Hero, Vermont resident Laurie Huse, commenting on the swollen river banks of Lake Champlain, which are rising dangerously high thanks to an extra snowy winter. The 120-mile lake borders New York, Vermont and Quebec.

Speed Kills

“He loved anything fast or on the edge. When Jeff went for a ride, Jeff went for a ride at 70 mph on a back road. That was just him.”

鈥擲ally Gottling, whose son, Jeff, died at age 28 in a motorcycle accident in New Hampshire. The state sees 21 people a year die in motorcycle crashes. Gottling is helping state officials promote safety courses.