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Monday, May 26, 2008

05/26/08 - Get Up To Speed With The Three Minute News Breifing: The Raw Greenwich News Feed For The Memorial Day Weekend


Memorial Day — Prayer for Peace

====================

Freedom Is Not Free

I watched the flag pass by one day.
It fluttered in the breeze.
A young Marine saluted it,
and then he stood at ease.
I looked at him in uniform
So young, so tall, so proud,
He'd stand out in any crowd.
I thought how many men like him
Had fallen through the years.
How many died on foreign soil?
How many mothers' tears?
How many pilots' planes shot down?
How many died at sea?
How many foxholes were soldiers' graves?
No, freedom isn't free.

I heard the sound of TAPS one night,
When everything was still
I listened to the bugler play
And felt a sudden chill.
I wondered just how many times
That TAPS had meant "Amen,"
When a flag had draped a coffin
Of a brother or a friend.
I thought of all the children,
Of the mothers and the wives,
Of fathers, sons and husbands
With interrupted lives.
I thought about a graveyard
At the bottom of the sea
Of unmarked graves in Arlington.
No, freedom isn't free.

- Kelly Strong

=======================

The Raw Greenwich News Feed

For Memorial Day Weekend
  1. Greenwich Citizen Marks Memorial Day By Not Covering Teenagers Who Are Exercising Their Free Speach Rights That Have Been Paid For On Countless Battlefeilds

    Who’s Afraid of Democracy?

    ... Note To Greenwich Citizen And The Chain Newspaper's Publisher And Editors:

    Actions Speak Louder Than Mere Words !!!....

  2. Planning Board Pans 26-Toilet Mansion

    The Moscow Times

    Russian millionaire Valery Kogan's plans for a 5,000-square-meter mansion in Greenwich, Connecticutwere ...

  3. Savage Coyote Attack Spooks Greenwich

    WCBS-TV New York

    Reporting Tony Aiello GREENWICH, Conn. Coyotes are on the prowl in the northern suburbs.

  4. Greenwich Post Reports: 70 Grand Raised For Soldiers For The Truth's BEST Event


    Greenwich Silver Shield Honor Guard, Caeterina G. Veronesi, Cameron Scott and Eilhys England joined together during a fund-raiser recently to honor Col. David Hackworth and raise money for equipment for front-line troops....

    ... Stormy weather didn’t deter 250 guests who came out for the Soldiers for the Truth (SFTT) Foundation’s BEST (Best Equipment in Support of the Troops) cocktail reception and benefit auction at Richards of Greenwich on May 9. BEST paid tribute to the late Col. David “Hack” Hackworth, by raising more than $70,000 to protect the troops ‘out at the tip of the spear’ that he loved and continues to fight for through his nonpartisan, apolitical, nonprofit legacy foundation SFTT....

  5. Art looted by Nazis on display in Connecticut

    SavannahNow

    ... "Portrait of a Man" and a "Portrait of a Woman" both (1620) which are on view at the Bruce Museum in Greenwich, Conn. The exhibition, "Reclaimed: Paintings from the Collection of Jacques Goudstikker," features about 40 of the finest ...

  6. Caldecott Stunner

    School Library Journal

    ... that are outlined in the criteria," says McClelland, a children's librarian at the Perrot Public Library in Old Greenwich, CT. A picture book is defined as the collective unity of story lines, theme, or concept developed through the series of ...

  7. The Grenwich Time Editors Opine On The Use Of A Weapon At Greenwich High School

    Shining light on the Taser incident

    With regard to the use of a Taser at Greenwich High School on May 13, arguments can be made on two sides of the issue:

    Either a school resource officer overreacted by using an electrical device on a student that is designed to subdue individuals physically resisting police.

    Or use of the device was justified in order to safely take into custody a student who was resisting a proper arrest and posing a danger.

    That makes it vital for police and school officials to provide townspeople with all details possible regarding the incident, as well as background on the training of officers in use of Tasers and on the rules or polices regarding when they should be used, particularly in a school environment.

    The relationship between the public and police is a two-way street. The community entrusts officers with the authority to physically protect it, with lethal force if necessary. But the police in turn are accountable to the community for the way they use that power.....

  8. Greenwich Schools Facing Probe

    Connecticut's WB 20

    - Complaints of disparities in Greenwich schools serving minority and white students have prompted an investigation by the U.S. Department of Education. Local officials, citing mold and health concerns, shut the Hamilton Avenue School that served the ...

  9. Monday's Greenwich Time News Links

    Coyote attacks spark fear
    When Emily Samuels heard her Jack Russell terrier being attacked by two coyotes outside her house on Old Church Road, she was shocked and horrified.

    Software helps Social Services parse data
    After years of pressure from town officials, the Department of Social Services can finally provide hard figures for its client services.

    Hundreds turn out for Byram, Glenville marches
    For the veterans marching in the parades yesterday, honoring those who serve and died fighting for this country is an important American tradition.

    Labor pacts, cut in revenue may force tax rise above 4 percent
    With rock-bottom interest rates cutting into municipal investment revenues and costly new labor contracts expected to kick in, some elected officials said a nine-year streak of keeping local tax increases below 4 percent could be put to the test as the next town budget is crafted.
    Doctors try out hospital's new robot
    Looking into a video screen, Dr. Jonathan Bernie grabbed the master controls to move a robot's spindly arms towards the anesthetized patient.

    Cops probe story of shooting victim
    Police are investigating the shooting of a 30 year-old male, who arrived yesterday at Greenwich Hospital with a bullet wound to his leg.When Emily Samuels heard her Jack Russell terrier being attacked by two coyotes outside her house on Old Church Road, she was shocked and horrified.

  10. The U.S. Department of Education is investigating the Board of Education for possible civil rights violations against Hamilton Avenue School students, local and federal officials said.

  11. IPOs planned

    Lexington Herald-Leader

    The following is a list of initial public offerings planned for this week. Sources include Renaissance Capital, Greenwich, Conn.

  12. 'Kid in the group' is Urstadt, 79

    Journal News

    ... 80 this fall. By day, Urstadt is chairman and CEO of Urstadt Biddle Properties, a real-estate trust located in Greenwich, Conn. When he's not working, he's usually training at the Greenwich YMCA or the Arrowwood Sports Center in Rye, and his ...

  13. U.S. investigates Greenwich Board of Education

    WTNH

    _ Complaints of disparities in Greenwich schools serving minority and white students have prompted an investigation by the U.S. Department of Education. Local officials cited mold and health concerns when they relocated students from Hamilton Avenue ...

  14. Hamilton Avenue School Parent Mina Bibeaualt Has Had Enough: She Files A Federal Civil Rights Complaint Against The Greenwich Board Of Education

    Headlines:

    Betty Sternberg Gives More To Rich Kids Than Poor Kids

    West Side Story - Wealthier Greenwich Students Get More School Resources Than Poor Disadvantaged Greenwich Students.

    The Unfulfilled Promise Of Brown Vs. The Board Of Education In Greenwich - Rich And Poor Students Treated Differently In Greenwich

  15. Determined focus: Face to face with Barry Sternlicht

    Pensions & Investments

    ... the good of his firms. Mr. Sternlicht is chairman and chief executive officer of Starwood Capital Group LLC , a Greenwich, Conn., real estate investment management firm. Until 2005, he was chairman and CEO of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide ...

  16. Sunday's News Links From The Greenwich Time

    Woman's press dress turns 70

    Yesterday's news is today's fashion. As part of a Greenwich Time promotion 70 years ago this month, Lillian Healy was presented with a white cotton dress that had been run through the newspaper's printing press.

    Teen pill parties growing in town

    Placed next to the chips and salsa is a bowl filled with prescription pills. This is how casually some teens view using pain killers or mood-altering drugs at parties.

    More than 2,200 people went to Greenwich Point yesterday to kick off the summer season. "Since it's a holiday weekend, it's busier than ever," said Annmarie Smutney, gatekeeper at the popular park.

    CEO Show with Robert Reiss Celebrates 1st Anniversary -- Customer...
  17. PR.com

    ... and Nina Zagat, Co-founders and Co-chairs, Zagat Survey The CEO Show with Robert Reiss, started April 13, 2007 in Greenwich, CT has expanded to 38 markets across the U.S., ranging from Boston to San Diego and Anchorage to West Palm Beach, with ...

  18. Remember when we all sounded like Tom Wolfe

    Jane Genova

    ... more classy. I was editor-in-chief of a startup controlled circulation glossy for top executives. It was based in Greenwich, CT. Right job, wrong place. The owners were beyond wealthy. One was a British Lord. Epiphany number-three: I didn't belong ...

  19. Business

    Daily Times Leader

    ... 24 May 2008 Stocks market declines and the weak U.S. economy and dollar have made even people in affluent Greenwich, CT nervous. Paul Lin visits Greenwich-based Baxter Investment Management to find out what the firm is doing to protect the ...

  20. Another Historic Greenwich House To Be Demolished

    SundaConnecticut's WB 20

    Just last week, residents packed a town meeting in Greenwich to protest the building of a massive mansion that would, they argued, create an outsized eyesore.

  21. Bookclubbed to death

    TulsaWorld.com - Lifestyle

    ... memories. That's why Sofie's husband Dean suggests a change of scenery - moving out of New York City to Greenwich, Conn. They find the perfect house, but Sofie starts to succumb to depression - maybe delayed grief at her father's death, maybe the ...

  22. Round Hill pair surprise winners of Wilson Cup

    Journal News

    ... one of those teams. Or at least they weren't until about 7 p.m. yesterday, when it became apparent that the Greenwich, Conn., pair's two-round better-ball total of 7-under-par 137 at Scarsdale Golf Club was going to hold up as the day's low. 'We ...

  23. Gemm Learning Opens New Centers

    Westchester.com

    Gemm Learning, a Westchester-based learning intervention center and the largest provider of Fast ForWord in the U.S., has recently expanded, opening centers in Scarsdale, New York and Greenwich, Connecticut.

  24. United Rentals Names Industry Veteran Dixon VP of Sales

    Rental Equipment Register

    ... ly suited to lead our sales organization as we focus on profitable growth and superior customer service." Based in Greenwich, Conn., United Rentals is No. 1 on the RER 100.

  25. Coaches Give Cues to Their Athletes After Losses Too

    Greenwich Citizen

    ... postseason for spring high school sports. That means in each sport, only one team is going to go home happy. In Greenwich, it seems there are a disproportionate number of teams who are winning state championships or in the running. That's awesome. ...

  26. GA Claims 24th FAA Lax Crown in 25 Seasons

    Greenwich Citizen

    Greenwich Academy seniors Taylor Gattinella, left, and Kylie Marzonie pucker up for the FAA trophy after the Gators dispatched Convent of the Sacred Heart, 15-6, in the title game Tuesday at GA.

  27. GHS Girls Tennis poised to Serve a Repeat

    Greenwich Citizen

    It's as if someone left the talent faucet open and the top girls FCIAC players just keep pouring out of Greenwich High.


  28. 05/24/08 Reader Submitted Greenwich Blog Links: Greenwich Diva's Post For Today

    www.greenwichdiva.com
    wrote: Stamford, CT own Stacey Tisdale will on the NBC 'Today' Show
    Stacey Tisdale

    ... Author and Financial Journalist Stacey Tisdale will be on NBC 'Today' Show on Monday April 26th, to talk about the emotional and psychological issues that come with a recession. She will be joined by psychiatrist Dr. Gail Slatz at approximately 9AM on both the East and West Coast.

  29. Ham Ave. Girls Told to Follow Their Passions to Success

    Greenwich Citizen

    ... be the way you will spend most of your waking hours," said Aamina Ahmad, the assistant attorney for the Town of Greenwich. Ahmad, who grew up in India "around strong women," was told by her father, "I could do anything I wanted to do." "My mother ...

  30. Honoring Greenwich's Rich Architectural History

    Greenwich Citizen

    Twachtman homeowners and 2008 Greenwich Landmarks Registry awardees are, from left, Leslie Klein, Helen Fitzgerald, Brian Fitzgerald, Amber Turner, Amy Goodfriend and daughter Kathryn; Jan Calloway, Nan and ...

  31. Big Broker-Dealers Announce Dark Pool Access

    Bank Systems & Technology

    ... and they continue to seek out other like-minded pools for even greater client access. Third Wave Global Investors (Greenwich, Conn.) Larry Smith Founder and Chief Investment Officer Growing up at JPMorgan, I learned what it meant to be a fiduciary ...


  32. Saturday's News Links From The Greenwich Time

    Man keeps watchful eye on fishway
    Brian Eltz, town conservation assistant, works with the conservation commission on a variety of projects, including data management at the fishway on River Road.

    Rape victim sues Stamford hotel over attack
    A woman raped at gunpoint in front of her children in a Stamford hotel parking garage has filed a lawsuit accusing the hotel of failing to prevent the 2006 attack.

    JROTC teacher to lead Norwalk parade
    NORWALK - David Ellis always knew he wanted to teach high school students. It just took him three decades to finally do it full-time.

    Country Day plans to rebuild campus
    After several years of planning, Greenwich Country Day School is moving forward with plans to modernize its campus.

    Parade's planner gets chance to lead units
    STAMFORD - Using plaster, chicken wire and old bedsheets, Pat Battinelli has created an homage to the ...

    Newman drops directing role, cites health issues
    Associated Press Citing unspecified health issues, Paul Newman will not direct the fall production of John Steinbeck's "Of Mice and Men" at Connecticut's Westport Country Playhouse, the theater's artistic directors announced yesterday.

    Greenwich firefighters extinguished a golf cart burning inside a storage shed late Friday afternoon at the Fairview Country Club at 1241 King St.

    Magnet motif: IB is New Leb's way
    New Lebanon School is seeking to start the town's second International Baccalaureate magnet program. Following in the footsteps of the highly popular International School at Dundee in Riverside, New Lebanon School in Byram is asking to become an International Baccalaureate school.

    Medical help on the waves: Paramedics ride with marine patrol
    Greenwich police boats will carry a fully equipped paramedic during marine patrols on weekends and holidays to provide emergency treatment to victims of boating accidents and sick beach-goers, officials announced yesterday.
  33. Last Wednesday Bill Clark "The Scribe Of Greenwich" Added His Comments To The Greenwich High School Taser Debate

    From: Greenwich Gossip

    Shocking Developments at Greenwich High School

    Your scribe has followed with interest the top local news story of the past several days, namely the use of a police taser gun on an 18-year-old senior at the high school.

    The student, Victor Hugo Londono, was under a one-week suspension for throwing water balloons as a senior prank. Wow. Pretty serious stuff. Certainly a worthy reason to suspend the malefactor for a full week less than a month from graduation.

    When your scribe was in high school, water balloons were an inescapable part of the rites of spring. Walk out a doorway, get doused from above. Swallow your chagrin, put on a smile, and deal with it. And then turn the tables on your oppressor. Faculty members knew better than to get involved with such pranks, just as students knew full well there was no point in running to them for assistance. It's a dog-eat-dog world out there, and water-balloon training was just another part of the educational experience provided to all students in those halcyon days.

    And so, upon reflection, your scribe finds himself faulting the school for issuing such a harsh punishment for such a trivial event. Does the unspeakable Betty Sternberg's code of student conduct now criminalize water balloons? Kinda makes one yearn for the old days, when some right-thinking student might have concocted an indelible-ink balloon and lobbed it in the direction of a particularly unpopular faculty member or administrator. Now that might have called for some form of punishment, not to mention economic reparations; but the lobber would have become an instant hero, and a legend in his or her own time.

    Mr. Londono, however, was punished for tossing garden-variety water balloons. The "damage" probably dried within 30 minutes, after which it was basically a case of no harm, no foul. But no - he was publically humiliated and disciplined by the high school administration.

    Would that it had all ended there. Alas, it did not. Mr. Londono, in a scene straight out of his namesake's great novel of social injustice, Les Miserables, had the temerity to kick a chair. And that led directly to his being tasered by the "school resource officer", a bureaucratic euphemism for the Greenwich cop who has been assigned to the school full-time since last year.

    Tasered in front of his friends. Tasered in front of a crowd of fellow students. Tasered not once, not twice, but three times - in the shoulder, the abdomen, and the thigh. A burly cop against a 140-lb. teenager - was the use of a taser necessary? The cop says yes. Common sense says no.

    What kind of message does this incident send to our kids? Play a prank and expect to be taken down by brute force and electroshock in the middle of the student center?...

  34. Greenwich Citizen Still Refuses To Cover The Fact That A Weapon Was Used At The High School. What Is The Editor Affraid Of? (Updated)

    Does The Greenwich Citizen Publisher Support Using A Taser In Public Schools As A Behaviour Management Tool?

    Why do Greenwich Citizen Readers have to get the Greenwich Post and Greenwich Time to learn what is really going on in Greenwich.

    Is the Greenwich audience unable to appreciate quality journalism?

    There, there. Have the "so-called" journalists at the Greenwich Citizen failed the people?

    At the Greenwich Citizen, "news stories" are often press released-centred explanations of what is going on in town, and these establishment press releases are the tail that wags the dog.

    All too often, the Greenwich Citizen over looks the disenfranchised, poorer, weaker, and younger members of Greenwich Society, because they don't send out press releases.

    Some people in town are wondering why the police use of a taser on a mouthy - water - balloon - throwing Greenwich High School teenager, who weighed just 140 pounds, was not newsworthy at the Greenwich Citizen.

    Others in town wonder if the Greenwich Citizen would find it news worthy if the Greenwich Police Department went into Eastern Middle School and tased a hyper 85 pound seventh grader.

    Still others in town wonder if the Greenwich Citizen would find it newsworthy if the Greenwich Police Department went into Julian Curtiss Elementary School and tased a bad little 55 pound fourth grader.

    Would the Greenwich Citizen even notice if the Greenwich Police went into a nursery school and tasered an unruly pre-schooler?

    Maybe, the Greenwich Citizen might cover one of these news stories if the students would write the story up and fax it in as a press release.

    Does any one remember the Greenwich Citizen ever doing an investigative report?....
  35. Trains, buses, bikes called state's future

    Connecticut Post

    ... New York and New Jersey. Kooris said the DOT should let land along the 37 miles of the Merritt Parkway, between Greenwich and the Housatonic River, be used for a bike trail. But the DOT is reserving land for road widening, he said. More attention is ...

  36. 05/23/08 - Friday's News Links From The Greenwich Post

    In honor of Memorial Day, the Mary Bush Society Children of the American Revolution (CAR), with the help of the Mathew Mead Sons of the American Revolution (SAR), placed small flags recently at Greenwich's Revolutionary War soldier gravesites at the historic Tomac Burying Ground in Old Greenwich. The Tomac Burying Ground in Old Greenwich has 27 known Revolutionary War patriots buried there. Many of the soldiers buried at Tomac Burying Ground were men who fought at the Battle of White Plains in October 1776 under Captain George Peck, ninth regiment of the Connecticut militia. The Tomac Burying Ground is believed to be the resting-place of Greenwich's oldest settlers, dating back to the 1660's.

    Stamford attorney seeks to replace Nickerson

    Greenwich Democrats have thrown their enthusiastic support behind Stamford resident Mark Diamond in his race for the 36th District’s state senate seat.

    Greenwich residents awarded for helping fight addiction

    Substance abuse crosses all boundaries and touches all lives — affecting the wealthy, the poor, the young and the old.

  37. Philip W. Hodgdon

    SeacoastOnline

    ... include five children, Peter Hodgdon and wife Debra of St. Petersburg, Fla., Jonathan Hodgdon and wife Jetlin of Greenwich, Conn., Sally Hodgdon of Denver, Colo., Paul Hodgdon and wife Dianne of Sutton, and Mark Hodgdon and wife Linda of Epsom; five ...

  38. More

    Democrat & Chronicle

    ... Chief Executive Anne M. Mulcahy said. The issue arose during Xerox's annual shareholders meeting Thursday in Greenwich, Conn., brought up by a representative of the Association of Retired Xerox Employees, a nonprofit group based in Penfield. Mulcahy ...

  39. The Closer: Celebrating the year of men - in design

    NY Daily News

    ... . "America is alive and kicking." Last week, we reported on a demolition of a Greenwich, Conn. , home built in 1886 at 36 Mayo Ave. While we thought it obscene for a town to allow the demolition of 80 homes in a ...


  40. Local Greenwich Photos

  41. Friday's News Links From The GreenwichTime

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GreenwichRoundup@gmail.com

05/26/08 - Greenwich Citizen Marks Memorial Day By Not Covering Teenagers Exercising Their Free Speach Rights That Have Been Paid For On A Battlefield


Who’s Afraid of Democracy?

A Day of Remembrance

Opinions differ about the exact origin of Memorial Day but there seems to be some consensus that it was first widely observed in 1868 to honor the estimated 360,222 who died serving the Union during the Civil War.

Note To Greenwich Citizen And The Chain Newspaper's Publisher And Editors:

Actions Speak Louder Than Mere Words !!!


It is so easy for the Greenwich Citizen's Chain Newspaper Publisher and Editors to sit behind a desk and pontificate about the the rights that Americans enjoy, because so many paid the ultimate cost.

But it was to hard for the Greenwich Citizen's Chain Newspaper Publisher and Editors to get off their butts and cover democracy in action.

The Greenwich Citizen turned a blind eye to Greenwich High School students who exercised their free speech rights and wore "Don't Tase Me Bro" T-shirts to school to protest a fellow 140 pound water balloon throwing student getting up to 50,000 volts three different times.

Greenwich Citizen ignored ignored the towns youngest patriots as they engaged in an act of civil disobedience and stagged a sit in in the Greenwich High School Student Center and refused to go to class wearing those, "Don't Tase Me Bro" T-shirts.

It is a shame that minor children are not afraid of the powers that be, but the Publisher and Editors of the Greenwich Citizen are to afraid of upsetting the establishment to cover the news.

Also take a look at Greenwich Citizen Reporter Laura Carlson's amateurish reporting. It looks like someone didn't pay attention in their high school journalism class.

Please see:

05/22/08 - Lost In Cyber Space: Greenwich Citizen Ignores High School Tasing Controversey For Nine Days. Greenwich Citizen Readers Don't Know What's Going On.

Concerned Greenwich Citizens can voice their views to

Brooks Community Newspapers Contact Information

Main Office
542 Westport Ave
Norwalk, CT 06851

Phone: (203) 849-1600
Fax: (203) 840-4844

The General Manager of Brooks Community Newspapers is:
Michelle McAbee <mmcabee@bcnnew.com>

Greenwich Citizen Editor is:

Don Harrison
(203) 625-4468
dharrison@bcnnew.com

Greenwich Citizen Managing Editor is:

Gary Jeanfaivre
(203) 625-4467
gjeanfaivre@bcnnew.com


The Webmaster is:
Carol Dauber <cdauber@ctpost.com>

===============================================
Please send your comments to GreenwichRoundup@gmail.com

05/26/08 - Greenwich Post Reports: 70 Grand Raised For Soldiers For The Truth's BEST Event


Greenwich Silver Shield Honor Guard, Caeterina G. Veronesi, Cameron Scott and Eilhys England joined together during a fund-raiser recently to honor Col. David Hackworth and raise money for equipment for front-line troops.

BEST event raised awareness and more than $70,000

Stormy weather didn’t deter 250 guests who came out for the Soldiers for the Truth (SFTT) Foundation’s BEST (Best Equipment in Support of the Troops) cocktail reception and benefit auction at Richards of Greenwich on May 9. BEST paid tribute to the late Col. David “Hack” Hackworth, by raising more than $70,000 to protect the troops ‘out at the tip of the spear’ that he loved and continues to fight for through his nonpartisan, apolitical, nonprofit legacy foundation SFTT.

05/26/08 - The Grenwich Time Editors Opines On The Use Of A Weapon At Greenwich High School

Should we give him a burning sensation in the head
or a shocking sensation in the scrotum?

Shining light on the Taser incident

With regard to the use of a Taser at Greenwich High School on May 13, arguments can be made on two sides of the issue:

Either a school resource officer overreacted by using an electrical device on a student that is designed to subdue individuals physically resisting police.

Or use of the device was justified in order to safely take into custody a student who was resisting a proper arrest and posing a danger.

That makes it vital for police and school officials to provide townspeople with all details possible regarding the incident, as well as background on the training of officers in use of Tasers and on the rules or polices regarding when they should be used, particularly in a school environment.

The relationship between the public and police is a two-way street. The community entrusts officers with the authority to physically protect it, with lethal force if necessary. But the police in turn are accountable to the community for the way they use that power.

According to information currently available, student Victor Londono, 18, was confronted by School Resource Officer Carlos Franco after Mr. Londono was suspended in another incident but refused to report to the assistant headmaster's office to be picked up by his parents. Police said he again declined to report and became verbally abusive and combative, kicking a chair that struck a chair in which another student was sitting. Police said other officers were summoned, and then the student resisted beinghandcuffed. As he was being shocked with the Taser, he allegedly tried to punch Officer Franco. Police said the Taser was used on low power to help subdue the student, who subsequently was arrested on charges of breach of peace and interfering with a police officer.

Mr. Londono said he was trying to leave the school after kicking the chair, but was stopped by police. He also denied trying to strike the officer.

Debate over the incident appears to have focused mainly on whether use of the Taser, rather than the arrest itself, was justified.

The device can either be pressed against its target, or darts can be fired from it for up to 20 feet. In either case, it is used to deliver electrical shocks causing muscle contractions that disable the individual.

A Greenwich police spokesman, as well as the officer himself, maintains that use of the Taser was justified, and less dangerous than grappling with the student.

However, critics say that use of such devices can cause injury and even death. Parents and students interviewed, meanwhile, expressed doubts that the Taser was needed, or that the situation, which began with Mr. Londono's suspension for throwing water balloons in the GHS student center, should have escalated to that point. Some parents suggested that should have been a way to defuse the situation. Trauma to other students because of the incident was also cited. However, the co-president of the GHS Parent-Teacher Association has said she supports the way the situation was handled and that most of the parents she's spoken with agree.

Incidents that have occurred in other school settings around the country justify prompt police action on potential threats. But questions clearly remain in this circumstance. Thus, the best course is to clearly establish for the town at large that training, good judgment and experience were sufficiently applied. The fact that the GHS headmaster and the officer involved spoke to the high school PTA about the situation is encouraging. Such efforts should be continued and expanded.

The issue is no doubt complicated by the fact it is now a criminal court matter. But we hope even video recordings of the incident can be presented in a context that is truly illuminating for townspeople. That would promote continued public confidence in the Greenwich Police Department and especially its members who work with our young people.

We can understand if officers feel some resentment when their abilities and good intentions seem to be questioned. But that is the price that must be paid for the awesome authority they are given.

Other Greenwich Time Opinion Pieces:

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05/26/08 - Monday's Greenwich Time News Links


(Bob Luckey Jr. / Greenwich Time photo)

Coyote attacks spark fear

When Emily Samuels heard her Jack Russell terrier being attacked by two coyotes outside her house on Old Church Road, she was shocked and horrified.

Software helps Social Services parse data

After years of pressure from town officials, the Department of Social Services can finally provide hard figures for its client services.
Hundreds turn out for Byram, Glenville marches

For the veterans marching in the parades yesterday, honoring those who serve and died fighting for this country is an important American tradition.

With rock-bottom interest rates cutting into municipal investment revenues and costly new labor contracts expected to kick in, some elected officials said a nine-year streak of keeping local tax increases below 4 percent could be put to the test as the next town budget is crafted.
Doctors try out hospital's new robot

Looking into a video screen, Dr. Jonathan Bernie grabbed the master controls to move a robot's spindly arms towards the anesthetized patient.

Police are investigating the shooting of a 30 year-old male, who arrived yesterday at Greenwich Hospital with a bullet wound to his leg.
The U.S. Department of Education is investigating the Board of Education for possible civil rights violations against Hamilton Avenue School students, local and federal officials said.

=============================================
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