This is in response to a Portland Press Herald story printed in the Sun Journal Nov. 17. The article relates how Maine Department of Transportation officials (specifically Kat Beaudoin) are trying to figure out why an application for $20 million in federal funds for transit systems lacked required documentation.

It is my feeling that those officials should lose their jobs.

Why did the MDOT wait until the last day to submit the application — the day it was due? That does not leave much time to resolve problems.

Beaudoin claimed “We believe we attached (the supporting documents) …” Does the department not keep copies of e-mails, especially important ones such as that?

Evidently, the MDOT never received confirmation of its application. Why didn’t the sender click “Options” and then check “Request a read receipt for this message”?

Did the sender send a copy (regular or blind) to his/herself?

Isn’t there a timely follow-up procedure used regularly by the department (e.g. shortly after submission) to confirm by telephone that submissions are received?

Amazing, and I don’t see anyone in the department or elsewhere being held responsible.

Some paperwork error.

John L. Palmer, Oxford