Douglas official: ‘We’ll keep our fingers crossed’ (Pt. II)

In an apparent sequel to the controversial “fingers crossed” statement made last week by a Douglas administration official, the tagline has struck again.

Agency of Transportation engineer John Zorzi, appeared before the Rockingham Selectboard on Tuesday night to explain to members why the replacement of a deteriorating railroad bridge in the town had been delayed.

Discussing a possible timeframe for the bridge’s completion, Zorzi said, “I have no reason to believe [the project] will be stalled.” He then added, "We'll keep our fingers crossed."

The statement has fueled Vermont Democratic Party attacks on the Republican administration for employing what it calls a “fingers crossed approach” to leadership. The party has released an online ad criticizng Douglas for the comments.

Last Friday, Tom Candon, Deputy Commissioner for Banking caused uproar among Democrats when he told a WCAX reporter that concerning rising foreclosure rates, “We're keeping our fingers crossed that they won't go up much more."