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.

05/24/08 PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Mike Horyczun For Immediate Release
Director of Public Relations May 24, 2007
(203) 869-6786, ext. 330

The Bruce Museum - A Century of Change
June 2, 2007 - August 19, 2007

Bruce Museum, 1 Museum Drive, Greenwich, CT

Urn “International Centre Piece,” 1900
Modeled by Frederick Salter, made by the Belleek Pottery Ltd.
Porcelain, Parian ware, 27 ½ x 16”
Gold Medal Winner Paris exposition 1900
Gift of Mrs. Horace V. Steadman
Bruce Museum Collection 68.24

The new exhibition The Bruce Museum - A Century of Change highlights the Museum’s nearly 100-year-old history and joins in the celebration of the recent publication of the Greenwich Library Oral History Project’s book of the same name. On view in the Bantle Lecture Gallery will be photographs, fine art, and natural history objects associated with each of the seven Museum directors. Some of the Museum’s most valued pieces will be on display along with some of the more unusual specimens and artifacts. The exhibition is generously sponsored by The Charles M. and Deborah G. Royce Exhibition Fund,
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When Robert M. Bruce bequeathed his home to the town of Greenwich in 1908, he stipulated that it should become a “natural history, historical, and art museum.”
The Museum began primarily as a natural history museum. According to the oral history of Paul Howes, “We decided that he [Robert Moffat Bruce] preferred natural history because it was first in the list in his will.” Mr. Howes was responsible for the collection and display of the majority of the natural history collection. Several mounted specimens on view were collected by Howes including a colorful toucan and the skeleton of a sloth. Interestingly, both of these specimens were live animals when first brought to the Museum. Once they had died, Mr. Howes, an expert taxidermist, mounted their remains for the permanent collection. Natural history items were not the only things Mr. Howes collected during his 48-year tenure as curator and director. Many of the Museum’s important paintings were acquired under his direction including John Frederick Kensett’s 14 Mile Island, Lake George, which will be on exhibit.
The Museum’s extraordinary urn “International Centre Piece,” created by Belleek Pottery, Ltd. of Ireland, will be on view for the first time in over 14 years. The urn came to the Bruce Museum under the directorship of Raymond Owen, whose specialty was Native American material culture; however, like all of the directors, he was responsible for the collection of many varied objects during his term. Owen collected a substantial portion of the Bruce Museum’s Native American collection including a stunning 19th-century Chilkat blanket from the Tlingit of Alaska, which will also be on view.
In addition to collection artifacts, animal specimens, minerals, and paintings on view, the exhibition will spotlight historical items such as the admissions sign from the 1960s that reads: “Closed on Saturdays and Major Holidays.” Mr. Owen instituted that policy because “During school vacations … I found that the kids would come with their lunch in a bag and be waiting outside when the museum opened, and they were expected to spend the whole day in the museum. We couldn’t do anything except try to look after these kids. We knew that Saturday would be the same thing - their mothers would dump them there so they could go shopping. So we were not open.”
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Showcasing a century of collecting, the exhibition also will feature art and science objects acquired under Directors John B. Clark, Hollister Sturges, III, Homer McK Rees, and current Executive Director Peter C. Sutton.
In conjunction with the exhibition and the publication of the Greenwich Oral History Project book, the Bruce Museum presents the public program “Museum Director’s Panel Discussion: Bruce Museum - A Century of Change,” at 3 p.m. on Sunday, June 24, 2007. Joining together to discuss the past, present and future of the Bruce Museum will be current and former Directors of the Bruce Museum, Peter C. Sutton, Homer McK Rees, Hollister Sturges, III, and John B. Clark. The program will be moderated by Catherine H. Ogden, Chairman of the Greenwich Library Oral History Project. The event takes place in the Bruce Museum’s Bantle Lecture Gallery, 1 Museum Drive, Greenwich, CT. Admission is free with Museum admission. Reservations are suggested by calling the Museum at (203) 869-0376.

The Bruce Museum is located at 1 Museum Drive in Greenwich, Connecticut. General admission is $7 for adults, $6 for seniors and students, and free for children under five and Bruce Museum members. Free admission to all on Tuesdays. The Museum is located near Interstate-95, Exit 3, and a short walk from the Greenwich, CT, train station. Museum hours are: Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., and closed Mondays and major holidays. Groups of eight or more require advance reservations. Museum exhibition tours are held Fridays at 12:30 p.m. Free, on-site parking is available. The Bruce Museum is accessible to individuals with disabilities. For information, call the Bruce Museum at (203) 869-0376, or visit the Bruce Museum website at http://www.brucemuseum.org/.


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The Bruce Museum - A Century of Change
June 2, 2007 - August 19, 2007
Bruce Museum, 1 Museum Drive, Greenwich, CT

These images are available in color as digital files (JPEG 300 dpi) for exhibition publicity only. To receive images via e-mail, contact: Mike Horyczun, Bruce Museum Director of Public Relations, (203) 869-6786, ext. 330, or mike@brucemuseum.org.

1_Kensett
John Frederick Kensett (American, 1816-1872)
Fourteen Mile Island, Lake George, 19th century
Oil on canvas
Gift of George N. Morgan, 1946
Bruce Museum collection
2_Bruce Portrait
M. D. Holt
Robert Moffat Bruce (1822 –1909), 1882
Chalk and charcoal on photograph
Bruce Museum collection
3_ Browne
Matilda Browne (American, 1869-1947)
August Morning
Oil on canvas
Museum purchase
Bruce Museum Collection

4_Silva
Francis A. Silva (American, 1835-1886)
Low Tide, 19th century
Oil on canvas, 19 1/2 x 35 1/2 in.
Gift of George N. Morgan
in memory of Ethel Boies Morgan, 1946
Bruce Museum Collection

5_Beleek Urn
Urn “International Centre Piece,” 1900
Modeled by Frederick Salter,
Made by the Belleek Pottery Ltd.
Porcelain, Parian ware, 27 ½ x 16”
Gold Medal Winner Paris exposition 1900
Gift of Mrs. Horace V. Steadman
Bruce Museum Collection
6_Blanket
Chilkat Wool Blanket, Alaska
Dyed mountain-goat wool and braided cedar bark fiber; totemic design, fringe. Worn at ceremonial dances and funerals.
Gift of Mrs. W. A. Davies
Bruce Museum Collection
7_Toucanet
Emerald Toucanet
Aulacorhynchus prasinus
Male from El Roble, Colombia
Gift Paul G. Howes
Bruce Museum Collection
8_Rabbit
Eastern cottontail rabbit
Sylvilagus floridanus
Stamford, Connecticut
Purchase from John Schaler, 1919
Bruce Museum Collection
9_Sloth
Southern two-toed sloth skeleton
Choloepus didactylus
Museum purchase, 1969
Bruce Museum Collection
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10_Shrunken Head
Monkey Head
4 in. high
Obtained in Lima, Peru by donor
Gift of Mrs. Edward F. Smith
Bruce Museum Collection
11_Simkhovitch_Early Morning
Simka Simkhovitch (1893-1949)
Early Morning in Connecticut, 1940
Oil on canvas, 35 1/2 x 26 1/2 in.
Bruce Museum Collection
12_GroundSquirrel
Thirteen-lined ground squirrel
Spermophilus tridecemlineatus
Mound City, Ohio
Museum Purchase, 1946
Cincinnati Museum of Natural History
Bruce Museum Collection
13_Powers
Hiram Powers (1805-1873)
Proserpine, modeled in 1844
Marble, 25 x 19 x 11 in.
Museum purchase
Bruce Museum Collection

14_Motherwell
Robert Motherwell (American, 1915-1991)
America - La France Variations III, 1984
Color lithograph and collage
Museum purchase
Bruce Museum Collection
15_ MacMonnies
Frederick William MacMonnies
(American,1863-1937)
Nathan Hale, 1890
Bronze
Museum purchase
Bruce Museum Collection
16_Bellows
George W. Bellows
(American, 1882-1925)
Portrait of A.F. Lundberg, ca. 1906-07
Oil on canvas
Bruce Museum Collection
17_Bougereau
William-Adolphe Bouguereau
(French, 1825-1905)
Faun and Bacchante, 1860
Gift of Steven A. Cohen and Alexandra M. Cohen Bruce Museum Collection

Page 5 The Bruce Museum - A Century of Change
June 2, 2007 - August 19, 2007
Bruce Museum, 1 Museum Drive, Greenwich, CT

These images are available in color as digital files (JPEG 300 dpi) for exhibition publicity only. To receive images via e-mail, contact: Mike Horyczun, Bruce Museum Director of Public Relations, (203) 869-6786, ext. 330, or mike@brucemuseum.org

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Please send your comments and press releases to GreenwichRoundup@gmail.com

05/24/08 - Saturday's News Links From The Greenwich Time

(Meredith Blake / Greenwich Time photo)

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. Full Story 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. Full Story 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. Full Story Country Day plans to rebuild campus After several years of planning, Greenwich Country Day School is moving forward with plans to modernize its campus. Full Story Parade's planner gets chance to lead units STAMFORD - Using plaster, chicken wire and old bedsheets, Pat Battinelli has created an homage to the ... Full Story 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. Full Story Golf cart fire extinguished Greenwich firefighters extinguished a golf cart burning inside a storage shed late Friday afternoon at the Fairview Country Club at 1241 King St. Full Story 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. Full Story 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. Full Story

05/23/08 - Last Wednesday Bill Clark "The Scribe Of Greenwich" added his comments about the Greenwich High School Taser Incident

The "Scribe Of Greenwich" At Work In The
Public Library's Technology Department

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? Kick a chair and be handcuffed and arrested for breach of the peace? Lord only knows what the students who witnessed this scene must have thought. What kind of message do you read into this, dear reader?

And what kind of judgment did the highly-trained adult police officer show when he tasered an unruly teenager three times? Might he have lost his cool, too? Might he have overreacted?

Your scribe was not a witness to this incident, and so he has no anwers to offer. Only questions.

****************************************

Update 5/22/08

Your scribe was as shocked as Mr. Londono to read that the latter's bail was set at $50,000. Fifty thousand dollars! One almost never sees a bond set that high in this Town. Here are some examples from today's paper:

11 counts of credit card theft, 11 counts of identity theft, 11 counts of forgery, and a bunch of other charges related to thefts and illegal use of credit cards: $10,000.

Smashing a woman's cell phone, shoving her into a car door, putting her in a headlock and choking off her air supply, and throwing her to the ground: $2,000.

Slamming a woman's car door on her hand, jamming her thumb in the door and breaking her nail while screaming obscenities at her on Greenwich Avenue: no bond at all - just a PTA (promise to appear).

It would seem to any disinterested observer that the Greenwich Police Department has a vendetta going against Mr. Londono. Fifty thousand dollars! Unbelievable!

What do the students at Greenwich High School think? The paper reports sit-ins in the student center where the incident took place, boycotting of classes, tee shirts supporting Mr. Londono, and a lot of emotional distress. One student, Meghan Kerwin, said, "If there is a gun or something, by all means protect us. When it's a water balloon, the circumstances do not call for a Taser."

Go to the head of the class, Meghan. You sure got that one right.

This Greenwich Gossip article received 5 comments:

Sarah Darer Littman said...

I have to say that the "don't Tase me bro" incident made me very glad that my son isn't attending Greenwich High, and rather nervous that daughter is scheduled to be there in only three years time.

AnonymousBob said...One of the problems with tasers is that they are marketed to police and security professionals as being "non-lethal", but in fact they can be very lethal in some circumstances, as various news stories from around the world have borne out, and the circumstances are not always predictable or identifiable. If security people are under the false impression that tasers can't kill people, they may be more apt to use them as something less than a "last resort", and more frequent taser use could mean more injuries and deaths. Personally, I have never heard of anyone dying from a good old-fashioned shoulder or arm lock. If the student had been directly threatening another person with physical harm, then I might be more inclined to let the tasering go, but I'm sure the chairs think nothing at all of the physical affront they "suffered".

Another problem that could arise in relation to taser injuries and death is that if criminals (or even regular people) come to understand that the taser could in fact kill them, there may be increased instances of people defending themselves more aggressively against taser-wielding police and security guards. Human Nature dictates that if I think that what you are about to do to me could kill me, I'm going to go to whatever lengths necessary to defend my life, most especially if I think that *you* are more likely to actually use the weapon because you believe it *won't* hurt me. I can only say that if *anyone* points a taser at me or my family, they had better have health and/or life insurance, because I'm going to treat them as if they were pointing a firearm, but with an overly-itchy trigger-finger. And I wouldn't blame anyone else for doing the same.

Barrie said...What happened to diffusing a situation? Instead of letting it escalate to the point of tasering. In these days of drugs and alcohol and guns on our high school campuses, a water balloon looks very tame indeed. Thanks for sharing.

Malicious Intent said...

I have seen to many incidents across the country of folks being tasered and the officials abusing it. Despite poplular belief, a taser can kill.

As far as why this young man was tasered, repeatedly....it was flat out wrong. This kid was not caught raping a student, dealing drugs on the corner or vandalizing property. He was punished for being a kid trying to have fun and create some memories from high school to take with him.

I keep saying we should be waving a red flag over our state/country. We scream human rights in this country and demand that our prisoners or suspected terrorists not get water boarded, but we taser an 18 year old 3 times for throwing a water balloon and then *gasp* show emotion when he gets angry for being punished for such a childhood prank.

Honestly, some people need to put their big girl/boy panties on and get a grip. Go find the real bad guys.

Oh wait, that would require hard work, woulndn't it?

Bill "The Scribe Of Greenwich" Clark reponded...

Wow! I guess this post touched a few nerves!

Yes, tasers can be lethal, especially if someone has a medical problem such as a circulatory or heart condition. Anonymous Bob - who are you, by the way? Give me a hint! - has given us a lot to think about.

Sarah, my first reaction was that if I had a kid about to enter the high school I would start looking at private schools PDQ.

Barrie, as usual you are the voice of wisdom and common sense. Yes, the cop and other administrators present should have tried to defuse the situation. Had I been the cop in question, I might have lined up a few more chairs and told the kid to take his best shot at them, too. Then, when everyone had stopped laughing, I would have asked him to accompany me somewhere private and told him that a different kind of cop might have arrested him, but that I merely wanted his solemn assurance that he would behave himself until graduation.

Guess that's why I'm not a cop.

M.I., as usual, you say exactly what's on the scribal mind, and as usual you say it much better than I could.

Leigh Russell said...

common sense Bill? What is that, pray?

Bill "The Scribe Of Greenwich" Clark reponds...

Hi, Leigh! Common sense is a vestigial character trait of the human race that is in increasingly short supply in these latter days. It refers to an ability to think and act logically in accordance with commonly-received experience. However, since everyone now seems to be running off in all directions in pursuit of their own solipsistic goals, common experience and by extension common sense are pretty much a thing of the past.

I remember learning a lot of common sense when I lived in England. Do they still have any left over there, one hopes?

Here are more of Mr. Clark's recent posts at Greenwich Gossip:

• Bye, Bye, Mario
• EdforRep.com
• The Local Rag Starts to Clean Up Its Act
• The Unspeakable Betty Sternberg Strikes Again
• Pictures!
• Rape and Pillage, Part II
• The Next Survivor Series
• Announcing AutoBlogger!!
• Bye, Bye, Michele

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05/23/08 - Greenwich Citizen Still Refuses To Cover The Fact That A Weapon Used At Greenwich High School. What Is The Editor Afraid Of? (Updated)

Dose 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?

Please See:

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

05/19/08 - Beat The Press - The Greenwich Citizen has it's head in the sand

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UPDATE:

Now That The Greenwich Post Has Been
Caught With It's Pants Down, There Is A
Last Minute Attempt To Cover Their A**.
============================

After much pressure the Greenwich Citizen finally did post a news story about the High School Tasing Incident.

The story is not on the home page: http://www.greenwichcitizen.com/

However, if you navigate to the local news page at: http://www.greenwichcitizen.com/localnews

Then read through all of the five news links with brief descriptions you will find a small line at the bottom that says:

More Local/Regional Headlines:

Police Say Tasing Incident at High School Justified

If you can find this link, you will clearly see that it is a half hearted attempt looks likes a half hearted attempt by the Greenwich Citizen to save face.

Clearly, the Greenwich Citizen Publisher and Editor is ashamed of their initial failure to cover this important news story, and they should be ashamed.

For over a week The Associated Press, Bloggers, Cablevision News 12, The Greenwich Post, The Greenwich Time, The Hartford Courant, The Fairfeild County Weekly, The Stamford Advocate and many others immediately found the story news worthy.

In fact, just about every local and regional media outlet covered the High School taser controversey except for the Greenwich Citizen and the free Penny Saver ad paper that comes in Greenwich mail boxes.

However, the Greenwich Citizen had to be shamed into covering the story and that is why the Greenwich Citizen was the only news outlet that buried the story on their website. All of the other blogger, cable and newspaper websites had the story up front on their home page.

Worse yet, when you read the hastily prepared Greenwich Citizen Article only Greenwich Police Captain Pacewicz is quoted. There is no reported attempt to contact Greenwich High School administrators, Greenwich High School students, parents, teachers, the boy that was tased or his attorney or anyone else for that matter.

This is not a news story it is a Greenwich Police Department Press Release. Please read the story with our comments and judge for yourself.

Police Say Tasing Incident at High School Justified

By Laura Carlson

Article Last Updated: 05/23/2008 01:01:02 PM EDT

Laura Carlson writes:

The tasing incident at Greenwich High School on May 13 has sparked controversy in the realm of student safety.

While misinterpreted information has caused parents to grow skeptical of the type and extent of enforcement administered in the student's surroundings, it is important to understand why the police remain justified in their actions, Capt. Michael Pacewicz of the Greenwich Police Department said during a press conference Tuesday.

The student in question, senior Victor Hugo Londono, 18, was told to report to the school's administrative office after throwing water balloons in the campus student center, police said. When Londono's behavior elevated to a level of disorderly conduct, police interference was deemed necessary by the four administrators who were present at the scene of the arrest.

(Comment: source needed for this statement could it be Captain Pacewicz?)

"His arrest was not due in part to his violation of student center rules, but to his interference and aggression toward the officers after the incident occurred," said Pacewicz.

Once Londono was told to leave the student center to file for his suspension, he refused to be removed and even kicked a chair into another student's chair upon leaving, noted School Resource Officer Carlos A. Franco.

Londono had to be escorted to the administrative offices, and upon arrival, Pacewicz recalled, he became vocally offensive and threatening toward the officers. Pacewicz noted that once he refused to place his hands behind his back for arrest, his actions became a criminal issue rather than a school conflict.

Londono remained unrelenting to authority rule, even after Franco's many warnings of using the stun gun if he failed to comply with orders. Londono continued flailing his arms and making threatening remarks, even after warnings were given, stated Pacewicz.

Franco used the drive stun mode of his X26, the least intrusive mode that would motivate Londono to obey. It took three shocks that were less than a second duration each; one to his shoulder, the next his mid-section and the last to his thigh, for the stun gun to make contact and for Londono to place his hands behind his back.

(Comment: source needed for this statement could it once again be Captain Pacewicz? Is the so-called "Greenwich Citizen Journalist" Laura Carlson being led around with a police department nose ring?)

GHS students are aware of student center rules, as they are addressed on the first day of school, written in the student's daily planners and even posted on the wall of the student center where the incident occurred.

(Comment: once again source needed for this statement could it once again be Captain Pacewicz? Is this a news article or is Laura Carlson helping Captain Pacewicz write a letter to the editor?)

While last Tuesday was the first time a taser was used on a student, the introduction of the stun gun has had its benefits, stated Pacewicz. The taser has been used 31 times, of which 14 were only displaying the gun without usage before a suspect would comply.

Franco has carried this stun gun in the school since 2004, and it was understood by the administration that Franco used the least amount of force necessary for a response, said Pacewicz.

Londono was released on a $50,000 cash bond and told to appear in Stamford Superior Court on May 21.

Where in the hell did the "so-called" Greenwich Citizen journalist Laura Carlson go to school to learn to be a journalist?

Greenwich Citizen readers should be sceptical of Greenwich Citizen articles in General and Laura Carlson's articles in particular.

Here are this weeks press release generated stories at the Greenwich Citizen:

In New Role, Former School Boss Talks About Race

Wearing a different hat, Dr. Larry Leverett, Greenwich's former and first black school superintendent, by invitation discoursed Sunday morning on race and education during a "sacred conversation" at the Second Congregational Church.

Congress Aims to Help Consumers at Gas Pump

President George W. Bush continued to play dead this week when it came to throwing a lifeline to millions of consumers suffering from fiscal strangulation as gasoline prices rocket past $4-a-gallon...

Ham Ave. Girls Told to Follow Their Passions to Success

Women have yet to break the highest glass ceiling in the land - the presidency - but from the witness of a host of women achievers last Wednesday, there's been an impressive shattering of glass, primarily by Superintendent of Schools...

Honoring Greenwich's Rich Architectural History

Framed photographs of stately residences dotted the elegant rooms in the equally grand Greenwich home.

Julius Caesar Coming to Town; Local Student to Debut

Come July 4-13, Shakespeare is coming to town again to take over the green sward of Roger Sherman Baldwin Park.

GHS Crew: Cut Above the Rest

Greenwich High's crew program rowed into the record-book last weekend, claiming first-time state championships for both the girls and boys varsity.

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

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. As longtime friends of Liberation Programs Inc., an organization that helps those struggling with addiction, Louis and Virigina Bantle of Greenwich know that all too well. Their support and efforts will be recognized Tuesday, June 3 when they will be presented with the “Spirit of Hope” award at the Hilton Stamford Hotel.

Historical Society seeks volunteers

The Historical Society of the Town of Greenwich is seeking volunteers to fill two roles: one or two telephone receptionists to answer the phones for two to three hours a day, to direct callers to appropriate departments and provide information on activities and events at the Bush-Holley Historic Site; and someone to update on-line community calendars with current Bush-Holley Historic Site events and activities. The work may be done from home and requires about six hours a month. To volunteer, call Michele at 869-689.

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05/23/08 - Local Greenwich Photos

Greenwich Photo Blog Post:

Gone Fishing, Indian Harbor, Greenwich
ByBob Luckey

Greenwich Time.
Greenwich Time Photos - http://greenwichtimephotos.com

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Please send your blog links, photos and your comments to GreenwichRoundup@gmail.com

05/23/08 - Friday's News Links From The Greenwich Time

Greenwich Time RSS Feed

Greenwich Academy celebrates commencement Katherine Szeto went to two shops and tried on eight dresses before she found the right one for her Greenwich Academy graduation. Full Story Dems tap Krumeich And the nominees are: Edward Krumeich Jr. and É ? Unable to come up with a state House candidate in the 150th District but not willing to concede the race, Greenwich Democrats adjourned the last night's nominating caucus until Tuesday in hopes of recruiting a candidate. Full Story New dome placed on Bowman Christina Hennessy Staff Writer Reduced to nothing more than a heap of scrap metal, the original dome of the Bowman Observatory sat in direct contrast to the gleaming silver top that rested on cinder blocks about 10 feet away. Full Story Selectmen peruse park plans The Board of Selectmen yesterday got a look at revamped plans for a waterfront park at the Cos Cob Power Plant site that replaced one of two playing fields with open space to satisfy clamoring for more greenery. Full Story =============================================== Please send your comments to GreenwichRoundup@gmail.com

05/22/08 - Lost In Cyber Space: Greenwich Citizen Ignores GHS Taseing Controversey For 9 Days. Greenwiich Citizen Readers Don't Know What's Going On:

Warning Very Disturbing Video - This video may not be suitable for minors and animal lovers - Foul Language And A Dog In Severe Pain - You Were Warned -Dog Gets Tased Like He Is Some Kind Of Mouthy - Water - Balloon - Throwing - Greenwich High School Teenager.

The Dog was lucky that he only got tased twice.

The 140 Pound Victor got tased in the neck, chest and leg.

NO WONDER GREENWICH HIGH SCHOOL HEADMASTER ALAN CAPASSO DOSE NOT WANT TO RELEASE THE GHS TASER VIDEO

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What a waste of bandwidth: The Greenwich Citizen Website Ignores The Fact That A Weapon Was Used At Greenwich High School.

For Nine Days The Greenwich Citizen Has Ignored The Fact That Greenwich High School Students Have Protested By Sitting In The Student Center And not Going To Class And By Wearing T-shirts With The Infamous Phrase “Don’t Tase Me bro” On Them,

Greenwich Citizen readers don't know that balloon throwing teen who mouthed of to a Greenwich Police Officer got up to 50,000 volts on three occasions and a $50,000 Bail Bond.

Greenwich Citizen readers don't know that for the last few days the Greenwich Police Department has launched a major spin control campgain with media quotes, press releases, press conferences and by putting School Resource Officer Carlos "The GPD Is Racist" Franco and Captain Michael "One Million Bucks" Pacewicz in front of the annual Greenwich High School parent-teacher association meeting.

If you are at a Greenwich Cocktail party and an uniformed bore tries to argue about events in Greenwich, now you can shut them down by saying,"Oh, you must be a Greenwich Citizen reader."

Please see today's top story at the Greenwich Citizen website:

RTM Approves Budget; $2.1M for GHS Aud OK

Shools Superintendent Dr. Betty Sternberg and Greenwich High slam-dunked a big one Monday night in Central Middle School when the Representative Town Meeting (RTM), weighing in on the 2008-09 budget, voted 115 to 72 to keep its hands off $2.

It's the same top story from Wednesday, Tuesday, Monday, Sunday, Saturday, etc...

This tired old story is about the RTM meeting that occurred 11 days ago.

Maybe, the Greenwich post will finally tell it's uniformed readers about a weapon being fired at Greenwich High School when they update their website on Friday.

Please see:

05/19/08 - Beat The Press - The Greenwich Citizen, The Greenwich Post Have Their Heads In The Sand

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The "Don't Tase Me Bro" student is driven to police station police station after being tased at the John Kerry event. Watch as police officer repeatedly tells him that if he won't shut up about 15 police personnel will be waiting for him at the jail.

05/22/08 - Nine Days Later - Greenwich Post Comes Out Of It's Self Induced Coma And Finally Reports On The High School Tasing Incident?

The Greenwich Post Decides To Drop The Press Releases And Report The News
The Greenwich Citizen Is Still Lost In Cyber Space

Today, the Greenwich Post decided to leave the stop printing puff pieces and entered the brave new world of hard journalism.

It is not easy for a free weekly newspaper whose website depends heavily on reprinting summaries of police reports to question police actions. Nor has the Greenwich Post had a record of investigative reporting in town.

Often, the Greenwich Post readers are left in the dark about many members of Greenwich Society, especially when it comes to teenagers, the poor and minorities.

Unfortunately, the Greenwich Post's website is a major contributor to the biased image that everyone is a spoiled rich snob in Greenwich.

Often, the pages of the Greenwich Post are covered with press releases about society balls, galas and yachting events with an occasional press release about a polo match.

The Greenwich Post was too frightened of the police and the powers that be to report the story, even though students have protested by sitting in the student center and not going to class and by wearing T-shirts with the infamous phrase “Don’t Tase me bro” on them. (By the way, none of the other mainstream media has been courageous enough to cover this fact. Greenwich parents have had to learn about this from internet posts.)

Even, when the Greenwich Board Of Education sent a press release out two days after the incident, the Greenwich Post's response was to join stick it's head even deeper in the sand. (By the way, the Greenwich Public Schools did not put this press release up on their website and share this press release with parents. I guess the Greenwich Public Schools do not want parents to know that a weapon was used three times in the student center,)

It actually, takes a bit of public shaming to get this free weekly chain newspaper like the Greenwich Post to cover real news in Greenwich.

Please see:

05/19/08 - Beat The Press - The Greenwich Citizen, The Greenwich Post Have Their Heads In The Sand

05/21/08 - Today's News Links From The Greenwich Post - these so-called "News Stories" look like press releases

For far too long the Greenwich post has often, treated it's readers like mushrooms, they are left in the dark and fed a bunch of high society dung.

Sadly, Greenwich post columnists and reporters avoid controversial issues that effect the everyday single family home-owners of Greenwich and their children.

Many Greenwich families say that Greenwich Post columnists or reporters play it safe and stick to the press releases, because they fear that truthful reporting could cost them their jobs.

Please see:

05/02/08 - Where The Heck Is Chris Fountain And His "For What It's Worth" Column In The Greenwich Post Real Estate Section

However, the Greenwich Post editor has finally assigned a reporter to cover the controversial police tasing incident at Greenwich High School, and guess what the article:

Too much?
Police say officer acted properly in Tasing teen

By Ken Borsuk, Staff Reporter

Controversy is swirling around an arrest at Greenwich High School last Tuesday during which Officer Carlos Franco used a Taser to subdue an 18-year-old high school student.

The mood at the high school is one of concern from some students and confusion from others, but the Greenwich Police Department stands behind Officer Franco....

However, the story was somewhat on sided the story mainly quotes Captain Pacewicz and police reports and fails to question police statements.

For example, Greenwich Post Ken Borsuk writes...

Capt. Pacewicz said school officials, including Assistant Headmaster Richard Piotrzkowski, were present during the incident and they considered the level of force “appropriate and required.”

Who were the other school officials that were present?

And why didn't Ken Borsuk pick up the phone and call Assistant Headmaster Richard Piotrzkowski, instead of getting his supposed response third hand from the Illegally Appointed Greenwich Police Captain Micheael Pacewicz who's legal mess is costing the single family home owners of Greenwich over 1 Million Dollars.

Why didn't Ken Borsuk pick up the phone and dial or send Assistant Headmaster Richard Piotrzkowski an email at richard_piotrzkowski@greenwich.k12.ct.us

If Ken Borsuk is going to engage in compliant reporting and is too lazy to attempt to speak to all parties involved he should at least qualify the remarks of Captain Pacewicz.

Perhaps Borsuk could have said Pacewicz "alleges", "contends" or it's Pacewicz's understanding that Assistant Headmaster Richard Piotrzkowski and all the other unidentified school officials present during the incident and they considered the level of force “appropriate and required.”

Or if School officials did not want to comment about a weapon going off at Greenwich High School maybe Borsuk could have interviewed former school officials about the incident.

Please see:

05/20/08 - Former Greenwich School Administrator And Others Speak Out About Greenwich Police Use Of A Taser On A Greenwich High School Student

It's not like Ken Borsuk was under some kind of deadline to prepare his article. After all he had nine days to get it right.

Also, in the article, Borsuk writes, " Because Victor struggled and refused to obey police order, Officer Franco said, he had to use the Taser. During the Tasing, Officer Franco alleged that Victor lunged and attempted to hit him, but after the Taser was used three times at its low-current “drive stun mode,” Victor complied with the verbal request and was handcuffed."

But the one sided Borsuk doesn't ask the teenager if it was true if he lunged at and attempted to hit officer Franco.

Nor does Borsuk, tell his readers that the whole incident was caught on tape and that the Greenwich Public Schools and the Greenwich Police Department are refusing to release the video.

Please See:

05/21/08 - Greenwich Police Departments Repeated Use Of A Taser On A High School Student Has Struck A Nerve - Concerned Parents Want To See The Video

05/20/08 - Caught On Tape - Police Officer Franco Giving 140 Pound Boy Up To 50,000 Volts Three Different Times

Will Ken Borsuk have the journalistic balls to file freedom of information requests to both the Greenwich Public Schools and the Greenwich Police Department in order to get copies of the video?

If Ken Borsuk does have the journalistic balls to request a copy of the video will he post it on the Greenwich Post website for everyone to see if the 140 pound water balloon boy really did take a swing at Franco?

Also Ken Borsuk's article repeatedly uses the Pacewicz's description about the taser being set to "low current" .

How about if Borsuckto his neck and then to his chest and finally to his leg as he squills like an pig.

Maybe we should video tape, Borsuk should let an enraged security person apply this "low current" his neck and then to his chest and finally to his leg as he squills like an pig.

Then we could put the "low current" video up at the Greenwich Post Website instead of Officer Franco's taser video.

Another, disappointing aspect of Ken Borsuk's article is that he did not bother to look into the background and history of Officer Franco.

Please see:

05/20/08 - School Resource Officer Carlos Franco Says Greenwich Police Department Is Racist. SRO Carlos Franco May Not Be A Happy Camper At GHS

There are many other problems with Borsuck's amature attempt at completely covering the high school tasing incident the most for example how the police gave this teenage water balloon boy a $50,000 bail as an additional punishment.

Please see:

05/21/08 - Why Didn't David Curin Get A $50,000 Bail For Assualting A Lady On Greenwich Avenue?

Clearly, this bail was uncalled for, and is out of the norm for other much more serious crimes in Greenwich.

Two days ago Frederick Krumeich, 18, of 50 Hunting Ridge Road was arrested and charged with

• third degree burglary
• fourth degree larceny
• risk of injury to a minor

Krumeich was given a $500 bond and is due in court March 27.

Just yesterday, a Greenwich man was arrested for being intoxicated, according to police he hit his ex-girlfriend in the head, face and neck while in the back of a van. The police also say the man got out of the back of the van and attempted to assault the driver of the van and grabbed onto the driver’s side window as the van began to pull away. When the crazed man released his hold on the window he fell to the ground and injured his ankle.

The man was released on a promise to appear and was due in court May 22.

Sometimes, the Greenwich Police Department will give a bail of $2,000.

Last Friday, Keith Roger Williams who is from out of town was arrested for third degree strangulation, third degree criminal mischief and disorderly conduct on Reed Lane because he attacked a woman in front of her children.

The victim was trying to leave with her children when Williams pushed her from behind knocking her face into an open rear door of her car, swelling her lip. Then Williams put her in a head lock and restricted her breathing.

The woman's children were crying out for help.

Williams was released on a $2,000 bond.

Perhaps, Keith Roger Williams should have received the $50,000 bail instead of the Hispanic water balloon boy that mouthed off to police.

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05/22/08 - Greenwich Photo Blog Covers GA Commencement

Greenwich Photo Blog Post:

Greenwich Acadeemy Commencement 2008
By Keelin Daly

Source: Greenwich Time
Greenwich Time Photos - http://greenwichtimephotos.com

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05/22/08 - Greenwich Library News

Greenwich Library Events:

Yahoo Basics

Where: Greenwich Library at Training Center Learn how Yahoo works and how to perform basic searches to access relevant websites. Use Yahoo to find news, images, maps, companies and information. Although Yahoo is a search directory, ...
Greenwich Library | Today's Events - http://www.greenwichlibrary.org

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05/22/08 - Thursday's News Links From The Greenwich Time

Brunswick School graduating seniors Clay Blackiston, left, and Ghregory Louis share a moment while entering the gymnasium during the start of the commencement at The Brunswick School.

(Bob Luckey Jr. / Greenwich Time Staff photo)

Greenwich Time RSS Feed

Brunswick graduates take center stage When packing for the rest of your life, remember the importance of simplicity and balance and bring your self-confidence, courage, honor, grit, sense of humor and hope. Full Story Taking the helm of safe boating Years ago, before Susan Ryan discovered the Captain Harbor Sail & Power Squadron, it would have been difficult to get her on a boat in open water. Full Story No plea in Taser case The Greenwich High School student tased by police last week after a confrontation with officers on campus did not enter a plea when he appeared in court yesterday. Full Story Officer recounts incident Police Officer Carlos Franco said he has always been able to count on his ability to talk his way out of a potentially explosive situation. Full Story Private country clubs reach tax deal Greenwich's eight private country clubs are expected to receive $1 million worth of combined property tax credits during the next two years as part of a proposed settlement of a lawsuit over the town's assessment of their golf course land, town officials said. Full Story Beach fee case dismissed Martin B. Cassidy Staff Writer Saying a Stamford man offered little proof that he visits Greenwich Point, a federal judge yesterday dismissed his challenge of the town's current beach access fees, but ordered the town to pay him $1 in damages for violating his free speech rights in 2005. Full Story =============================================== Please send your comments and news tips to GreenwichRoundup@gmail.com

05/21/08 Hartford Courant: Greenwich Resident Ned Lamont And Other Democrats Press For Small-Business Health Plan

Democrats stepped up pressure Tuesday on Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell to sign a health insurance bill that could loom large in this fall’s General Assembly races.

Backers of legislation that would open the state-employee health plan to a pool of municipalities, nonprofits and small businesses said a veto would align Rell with “special interests.”

“Today, I call on Gov. Rell to have the courage to say no to special interests and say yes to help for small businesses,” said Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz, a Democrat.

The bill was passed by the large Democratic majorities in the House and Senate without attracting a single Republican vote in either chamber.

The Rell administration says that the bill’s Democratic proponents exaggerate potential savings to the new pool, while downplaying the risk of as much as $78 million in higher costs to the state health plan.

“That’s $78 million the state doesn’t have right now,” said Chris Cooper, a spokesman for Rell.

Insurers warn that opening the state-employee pool could bring in higher-risk participants that could drive up costs.

Bysiewicz hosted a press conference Tuesday with the bill’s lead sponsor, House Majority Leader Christopher G. Donovan of Meriden, and executives of two businesses and a nonprofit that support the bill.

“This is a great opportunity,” said Donovan, a labor activist who is expected to succeed James Amann as speaker in January. “With this bill, we can have a big win for the people of Connecticut.”

Donovan said the new pool could provide the health benefits enjoyed by state employees, including prescription co-pays as low as $3, to small businesses and nonprofits now struggling with high premiums and poor benefits.

He was joined by Ned Lamont, the Democrats’ U.S. Senate nominee in 2006 and the owner of a cable-television business, consultant John Hopper of Stamford and Jessica Sager, the director of a New Haven child care organization.

Lamont said he was amused by arguments that Donovan’s plan was the first step on a slippery slope to socialized medicine.

“Nonsense,” Lamont said. “What you’re doing is you’re giving small business a choice. You’re giving small business an option. You’re putting a little bit of competition on the table. And I think that’s good.”

Hopper said the cost of health insurance is stopping his communication consulting business from offering full-time positions to some of his 15 part-time employees. He has five full-time employees.

He said he pays $2,400 a month to cover his own family of five.

“This is a critical issue for us right now,” said Hopper, who identified himself as a Republican who voted for Rell.

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05/20/08 - School Resource Officer Carlos Franco Says Greenwich Police Department Is Racist. SRO Carlos Franco May Not Be A Happy Camper At GHS

Does Officer Franco Know How To
Properly Handle Class Clowns?

In Late May Of 2006 The Very Unhappy School Resource Officer Carlos Franco Filed A Federal Civil Rights Lawsuit Against The Greenwich Police Department

The lawsuit consisted of 40 page of allegations going back nearly two decades.

The Federal civil rights lawsuit's chief complaint is that the Greenwich Police Department has "systematically and continuously discriminated" against members of racial and ethnic minorities in its hiring and promotional practices in ways that hurt him and others professionally and created a hostile work environment.

School Resource Officer Franco's lawsuit contended that a Greenwich Police Detective had disrespected a black female police officer for referring to her as "Buckwheat," after the Little Rascals character.

Franco's lawsuit said a Greenwich Police Lieutenant used a racial epithet for blacks that we wont reprint here.

PO Franco's lawsuit accussed the Greenwich Police Department of racial profiling. Officer Franco's lawsuit charged that the department disproportionately detained and arrested members of minorities and cites other examples of what the plaintiffs consider questionable conduct, including the use of highly offensive language to refer to racial minorities and a tendency to "mock African-American complainants, witnesses and arrestees, imitating their speech and mannerisms."

The suit alleged that civilian minority group members, whether arrested or simply looking for help, have been belittled and mistreated by white officers regularly.

PO Franco's lawsuit contended that a Greenwich Police Detective had disrespected a black female police officer for referring to her as "Buckwheat," after the Little Rascals character. Franco's lawsuit said a Greenwich Police Lieutenant used a racial epithet for blacks that we wont reprint here. PO Franco's lawsuit accussed the Greenwich Police Department of racial profiling.

Police Officer Franco's lawsuit says the he had "individually and collectively with others sought redress" internally before seeking relief in the courts.

When you read Officer Franco's 40 page lawsuit you get the feeling that he is pissed off about being assigned to work at Greenwich High School.

PO Franco's lawsuit contended the department has "manipulated assignments of the few minority officers on the job to foster the appearance of diversity,"...

Franco's suit also says that only 3 of the 66 officers hired since 1992 who are still with the department are minorities.

The lawsuit noted that Franco and the other minority officers was the fairness of the application process the department uses to select its sergeants.

"Is Franco An Unhappy Officer With A Taser?"

In fact, the unhappy Police Officer Franco's lawsuit was amended in December of 2006 to added new charges that police brass retaliated with discipline against the plaintiffs because of the suit.

It Looks Like You Have A Greenwich Police Officer That Assigned To Greenwich High School And Is Unhappy With His Work Environment.

Maybe, this unhappy officer is taking his frustrations out on the teenagers at Greenwich High School. Many students describe Franco as arrogant and use words that I can't publish here.

The numbers speak for themselves....

Last year the police arrested 54 students on campus alone, a figure equivalent to 2% of the entire student body. Over the first two months of the year, students were arrested at a rate of three a month. If that held up, there would have been 27 more students arrested up to this point.

If Police Officer Franco gets away with tasering this kid, you can bet that he'll use it more in the future.

Some Town insiders say the major reason for putting a Police Officer Franco in Greenwich High School to begin with was the displacement of officers from the call center by civilians. These insiders say that the former police chief teamed up with the school superintendent Larry Leverett to help the police keep their staffing numbers up by putting Franco in the school.

As a precaution Police Chief Ridberg should take all of the weapons out of Greenwich High School.

Please see:

3 Greenwich Cops Give 140 Pound Boy 50,000 Volts And A $50,000 Bail For not Going To A School Office Over Water Ballon Incident: (Updated)

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