1 June—This letter just received. We mustn’t fail to note that this year’s Litchfield Hills Road Race is scheduled for 14 June, Donald Trump’s 80^th birthday. (And Flag Day.)

LATE COACH’S LEGACY NOT MENTIONED IN ROAD RACE PROGRAM

Dave Driscoll, Litchfield Track Club coach and Litchfield Hills Road Race committee member, passed away recently with a running coach’s dedication and legacy that can’t be matched.

On the dark side of his legacy were sexual abuse allegations against Dave. After thirty years, alleged victims came forward even though no cases ever made it to court because of alleged victims’ refusal to testify. Still, alleged victims came forward in order to ban Driscoll’s legacy from his home town with gatherings and interviews [Staged media events. Ed.].

This was followed by lawsuits against the town of Litchfield and its former board of education. [Three decades after the alleged abuse, with the accused not able to defend himself. But that’s where the money is. Ed.]

The LHRR Board of Directors decided not to honor Dave Driscoll’s legacy in this year’s race program. But they did respect and support the lack of resolution of the alleged abuse after 30 years. Why would it make sense for the board to be logical, reasonable or understanding toward Dave Driscoll’s legacy? It would have made sense for veteran board members to rescind that decision. Sadly, this didn’t happen!

It’s my understanding the board was trying to avoid controversy and were not comfortable supporting Dave. [Ya think!? Ed.] This board isn’t comfortable supporting a deceased board member with a clean criminal record [Actually, no criminal record. Ed.], but will support someone who comes forward thirty years later with the objective to erase his accomplishments and destroy his legacy.

This LHRR board showed it has lost its independence to make reasonable decisions and not be swayed by outside influences. For a deceased member not to have the board’s support of loyalty is very disappointing and unsatisfactory.

Being a past race director of the LHRR, I realize there is changing of the guard. With that being said, principles shouldn’t change. Past race committees have always been dedicated to offering one of the best road races in the nation. It upheld road race principles, often resulting in decisions which held firm despite difficulty at times.

The decision not to honor Dave Driscoll’s legacy in this year’s race program is dishonorable and an insult to a person who dedicated his life to the running world in Litchfield and had a long-lasting impact on the race. Being a past board member and a long-time friend of Dave’s, I’m ashamed of the present LHRR board of directors’ unfavorable and immoral decision not to honor his rich legacy in this year’s race program.

Richard Morin
Litchfield