Valley Independent Sentinel

posted by: Paul on September 2, 2010  3:38am

As a life-long Republican I am ashamed at the over-the-top crybaby reaction of Oxford’s GOP leaders. Aren’t we the party of self-reliance and rugged individualism anymore? Must we act like Democrats now, permanently aggrieved and looking to the government to “solve” our perceived problems? Back in the day, a Republican would have laughed heartily at the juvenile effort of a small-minded individual. If the toilet was still in decent shape, they would have found a family who needed it. Turning a negative into a positive used to be the GOP way. What happened?

posted by: rocket on September 2, 2010  4:39am

What law was broken? Is it criminal mischief? Illegal “dumping”? Seems like you are drawing more attention to it than would have occurred otherwise. Public officials should expect criticism when they make unpopular choices. It’s part of the job.

posted by: Golfer on September 2, 2010  8:20am

I have never been so disgusted in my life than I am about what happened this morning at the gazebo in front of Center School,” said Perry Lane resident Michael Angelini. Please get a prespective on life.

posted by: David Yish on September 2, 2010  8:49am

Sorry that a fellow Oxford life-long Republican disagrees but I like the spirit of your comment Paul.

Note, I am not raising the issue for someone to “solve my problem” only to highlight the simple fact that cowards such as the ones who did this are a reflection on all of us in Oxford. We all know that Oxford politics are heated and hotly contested but public displays such as this make us look like a backward community that can’t have public discourse without resorting to appalling behavior.

Sorry but I know Oxford is better than this and I am going to fight it at every turn and from both parties. I have been insisting on a more professional level of spirited debate since I entered office and I hope the townspeople have noticed the strides we all have made to-date.

Concerning laws that may be broken, the only way to put an end to this is to shine the light of day on it. Obviously this person or people are too cowardly to publicly discuss their matter intelligently. Using our kids as pawns on Opening Day and making a political statement on school grounds is totally unacceptable.

Public criticism is one thing and I welcome any input from residents that is constructive. This crossed the line however and only serves to personally attack someone. Agree or disagree with any member of the Boards of Finance, Education, Planning and Zoning all you like but remember that all of these people serve the town and put in many hours for free and none of them, Democrat or Republican, deserve such a thing no matter what their position is on an issue.

Finally, i believe the toilet is still around and I will see if we can find a place where it can be put to its INTENDED use!

posted by: veritas28 on September 2, 2010  10:15am

I find it comical that comments here are talking about this making us look like a backwards town, reflecting on all of us, etc. Have you been paying attention? The Board of Ed actions, giving us no answers and using our kids as pawns for political purposes is EXACTLY what has been happening. The “hotly contested” politics of this town and the petty bantering are poor reflections on us residents so this just fits right in. I have no political affiliation with either side but the nonsense Democrats and Republicans put us through is appalling. Maybe if the two sides worked together, the politicians wouldn’t be viewed so negatively.

posted by: citizen on September 2, 2010  12:09pm

I love it. A peaceful protest. Nothing wrong with that. I suppose dressing up as indians and dumping tea into the harbor was disgusting too. Could have been worse; could have been filled with something other than petals.

posted by: OxfordParent on September 2, 2010  12:26pm

The quote “A picture is worth a thousand words” has been around for centuries. Had the BOE allowed the ‘Public’ to speak at their ‘Public’ board meetings since they are ‘Public’ officials, maybe someone wouldn’t of resorted to making a statement by means of a practical joke. At BOS meetings where Mr. Yish sits, he and members of the ‘Public’ are given that right.  That isn’t what happens at BOE meetings, regular meetings are cancelled, special meetings are scheduled with no audience of citizens, and if the Public is allowed to speak it is only for 2 minutes and is limited only to items that McKinnon puts on the agenda. So concerned parents are NOT allowed to even voice or discuss their concerns about education issues.  Written correspondence isn’t brought forth to the full board in private or in public.  Maybe Mr. Yish, you could discuss this issue with Ms. McKinnon and other BOE members so people could “publicly discuss their matter intelligently” like you suggested above.
If I remember correctly McKinnon managed the gazebo project a few years back and perhaps that is why the items were placed there not to use the children as pawns. According to what I have read all items were removed before children or parents arrived.  If they hear about it, it is because political people are making it public. I have lived in Oxford for a long time and certainly am not surprised at this type of political practical joke because that’s all it is.

posted by: Dick Burke on September 2, 2010  4:04pm

Dave Yish is the only one here who has the courage to sign his full name to his opinion.

To Paul / This is not a cry baby reaction.  Speaking from experience, these people have carried out pranks which go beyond juvenile or laughable.  I will share with you anonymous threatening emails if have the courage to call me.  I’ll explain the hurt and fear that they caused my wife who has devoted many selfless years working with the special needs children of Oxford Center School.  If these juevenile adults will stoop to this level; what the next level and how far will they go.  Does it take someone physically getting abused to wake people up.  Is the fact that this has been impacting not just Mrs. McKinnon, but her two young daughters on many occassions, not enough to say STOP?

To the coward Rocket / Criticism yes / Name and character defamation to entire McKinnon family is not criticism.  Destruction of public property is not.  Displaying something like this as an example for young minds is not.

To the coward Golfer / Mike Angelini, who I doubt would hurt a fly, is a man to be respected.  The fact that you would even use him to poke fun at this incident tells me that you are a person of little character like most here.

To Dave Yish / Thank you for your service. You’ve given more hours than most before you, and have been nothing but professional and courteous in carrying out your elected duties.

To the coward Veritas28 / This BoE may have some start up issues, but using the kids as pawns is not one of them. If you would listen and open your eyes, you would realize that the students are their #1 priority.  This was not the case with the previous board.  As for paying attention, I suggest you begin.  Without getting into the political and fiscal controversies of the past 7 years, I simply advise to to look at the test scores of the same period, and if you’re a parent ... find them acceptable.

To the coward Citizen / Your knowledge and respect for history says volumes.  I’ll say no more.

... and lastly, to the coward OxfordParent / There’s simply nothing worth responding to.  Your same old diatribe which is full of flaws. We are lucky that this was removed before our children came to school.  I wonder if those little minds would have found it as laughable as many on this post have.  I would like to hope not.

Except for Dave Yish, get a life folks and have the courage come out of the shadows and stand in front of your thoughts.  Coward citizen wants to introduce history here.  I believe our Founding Fathers would not laugh over this attrocity.  I believe they would cry over the fact that their sacrifices have been so tarnished by your behavior.

Respectfully,  Dick Burke

posted by: not again on September 2, 2010  5:55pm

Let’s face it. The person that did this is most likely a low life, barley employed individual who is very vocal in the political has written a number of letters and often hides behind false names on blogs. The good thing is, those who down play this as a peaceful protest are terribly mistaken. This is considered a hate crime, and when the individual(s) are caught, they will get about 12 months in prison, maybe slightly less maybe a little more. We have seen this before with destroying Oxford’s stop signs with political messages and other antics. As I said a low life individual.

posted by: Paul on September 2, 2010  7:04pm

@ Dick Burke: You were a little bit on the way to winning me over until you compared this prank to a terroristic threat.

posted by: LynnMarie on September 2, 2010  7:07pm

Dick Burke-
You think you are SO respectful just because you sign your name? You are an insulting, ignorant person, who lashes out at others who may hold a different opinion than your(high) self. Hate crime? What are you people talking about? Do you even know what a hate crime is? Get a perspective, and start fixing the mess you created.

posted by: not again on September 2, 2010  7:13pm

To Golfer- A number of us in Oxford had Mike Angelini as a teacher at Center School. Mr. Angelini was also a principle at Center School and a Principal at Derby High School. He has seen war and a lot of other things in his 80+ years. Perhaps you should get a life, as you could not hold a candle to Mr. Angelini

posted by: not again on September 2, 2010  7:22pm

To LynnMarie (fictitious name) Who ever did this thought it out and yes, it would be a hate crime. They either came from behind the campus buildings or were near the ambulance building and walked over. Perhaps they were bold enough to park in front to do it. However, the person is a coward, so they had to hide and were probably shaking while they crafted their sick plan. I am sure the individuals will be punished to the fullest extent of the law. It is too bad that the former Superintendent brought such bad vibes to the town. I hope the democrats can now grow up.

posted by: joeh on September 2, 2010  8:11pm

We have reached a new low in Oxford.  Our children behave better!

posted by: LynnMarie on September 2, 2010  8:12pm

OMG! A hate crime is not against someone you “hate”! It is “a crime in which the defendant intentionally selects a victim, or in the case of a property crime, the property that is the object of the crime, because of the actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, gender, disability, or sexual orientation of any person.” Like I said…ignorance.

posted by: focusonkids! on September 2, 2010  8:59pm

This is in response to Dick Burke.  I simply do not understand why you continuously tear apart people who are either a Democrat, or simply voice their opinion about topics in Oxford.  This is a constant goal of yours, as citizens of this town have seen for many (actually TOO many) years.  With your attacking methods of “voicing your opinion,” you maintain steady belittling tactics towards others who do not act like you or think along your limited views.  Sorry to say Dick, but it’s not all about you.  For the person or persons who placed the toilet in the gazebo which targeted Rose, it was wrong.  End of story.  I do not care what political label this person or persons are registered as, the behavior was rude and disrespectful.  Let’s hope nothing like this will happen again. 

I believe something extremely imperative to think about is the behavior people in this political town are doing.  With this being said, I am speaking about every single committee.  Goals for these committees must be productive, fair, and collaborative.  Working together benefits everyone in town; this does not mean we have to agree with the ultimate decision being made, but people within the committee must be respectful and value others’ thoughts and opinions.  Off the top of my head, I instantly think of the BOE and the certain people who do not fit these good natured characteristics.  Rose enjoys her role as the chairperson in this committee because of its “my way or no way” mentality.  That behavior is absolutely rude and disrespectful, just like this whole toilet issue was.  As I’ve mentioned before, every behavior has a consequence.  Maybe Rose will do a self-assessment now on how she has treated dynamic employees in the Oxford School District who are no longer employed here.

posted by: not again on September 3, 2010  9:18am

LynnMarie, congratulations, you are bright enough to use Wikipedia! Sounds like some are scared. If any elected officials were involved with this pathetic act, their resignation with certainly be welcomed. Seems like Mary Ann and Dave M. administration just can get a grip on scandals in Oxford. What a train wreck.

posted by: OxfordResident on September 3, 2010  10:47am

Enlighten us, what scandals would those be so that we can discuss the merits of your statement?

posted by: veritas28 on September 3, 2010  12:08pm

Dick Burke, maybe it’s diatribes like yours that force people to not want to put their names. You immediately start calling everyone names because they do not share your opinion. I simply stated that the political fighting and the way the BOE ignored repeated requests for information reflects poorly on all of us in town and you prove my point by coming on here and bashing everyone. Nice work. I NEVER said I agreed with this act or disagreed with the BOE, did I?  As a resident and parent I would just appreciate honest information to form my own conclusions without people like you telling me what I MUST think.

posted by: wiseowl on September 3, 2010  6:10pm

To Oxford Parent: I believe all Board of Eds use the two minute public portion for speaking. The item does have to be on the Agenda for the evening. Those are the rules. If you want to talk to the principal or superintendent about a particular item, you can schedule an appointment.

posted by: Rachael R on September 3, 2010  7:56pm

I am absolutely astounded that any adult could possibly feel this despicable act could be called a protest. It’s bad enough to read “letters” to the editor in papers that are so poorly written and filled with malice, and thinly veiled threats, but to stoop to this act of degradation is beyond the pail. I’m sure the very same people who were so concerned about the children of this town are the very people who participated in this crime, setting this example, on the first day of school. Despite your politics, if you can’t see that Mrs. McKinnon is a mother, whose children must be terrified by this act of hatred, I feel you are beyond empathy, and reason, and are thereby due to your lack of conscience a threat to the community. You can’t un -ring the bell, but at this point, I hope that the person, or more likely persons, responsible spend their time and money in litigation, rather than writing arrogant malicious missives to the local papers, or vandalizing town property. If this is anyone tied to the current administration I feel a full scale investigation needs to take place. These intimidation tactics are real legal offenses, and clearly show not only a lack of judgement, but a mean-spirited intention that should never be tolerated in a civilized society.

posted by: Ed Spruck on September 3, 2010  11:13pm

I have read all 21 comments on this topic. It appears that many of you feel this act was one of protected free speech and acceptable within the context of a political debate. Nice words and thoughts.

BUT the perps don’t agree with you. They know what they did was wrong. That’s why they did it at night so no one would see them. If they thought, as you all do, they would have taken off their robes and hoods and stood by their handwork and made their political statement. What do you think we are teaching our kids by participating in these acts and condoning them?

My feeling is that unlawful or not it was horribly wrong, especially for the McKinnon family and the perps and most of our citizens know it. If so many of you feel it and your statements here are OK, why are you hiding behind your hoods? Come out into the day light, stand by you statements and let everyone see who you are. If you can’t say something with your name on it maybe you shouldn’t be saying it at all. Personnally I don’t think VIS should allow any anonymous postings.

It is time our First Selectman calls on all parties to stop this insane, over done fighting and move on to more important issues. It would be nice if she expressed sympathy to both Rose McKinnon and Judy Palmer for all the negative things that have been said and done and let us all move on. The proper time to continue the debate in Septemeber 2011 so the whole town can decide on the BoE by election. Otherwise it will just get worse between now and then. If you agree give her a call.

I think a large percent of the people in town want us all to act like adults for the kids and get on with the task of improving our schools and pass the accreditation certification in 2013.

We have a fine new principal from Fairfield County, Mr Frank Savo, with a great track record. It’s time for the staff and parents and their organizations to welcome him and as a team get on with the serious business of improving our kid’s education. That would be an important step in showing our kids that it really always has been about giving them the best education we are able to do. Soon we will have a Superintendent in place, hopefully of the same caliber as Mr Connelly and our kids will benefit from a strong professional focused administrative team. Continuing this fight will only distract us from moving forward educationally for the kids.

What do you say people, can we do it? . . . Or do we have to ask President Obama to hold a beer summit here next month to end this conflict.

P.S. My LTE will be in Voices Wed and it won’t be a nice as this one, but forgive me I was emotional about this act and had to have my say. However, upon reflection I realize we have to stop this for the kids sake and our own.

posted by: DoWhatsRight on September 4, 2010  12:05am

It is amazing that the Interim Supt. who has worked in the Bridgeport school system for years has said that this is the worst thing he has ever seen as an administrator.  The police have fingerprints and those responsible will be caught. This was a planned event and I believe there were many people involved. For those on this blog post that think there was no crime here are kidding themselves. I have no doubt these people will be prosecuted and I hope a message is sent to everyone that this behavior will not be tolerated.

posted by: OxfordResident on September 4, 2010  12:19am

I wouldn’t put it past supporters of McKinnon or McKinnon herself to have done this to try to change the blame game and take some heat off of themselves for the fiasco this BOE has become.  Sounds like a Trojan horse to me.

posted by: timetogo on September 4, 2010  12:53am

To intentionally degrade a person in a public manner and on school grounds, such as a coward recently did at Center School will never be justified. It is not a joke or a prank. It is cruel, and it would have caused distress for the young children entering school on the first day had an alert custodian not discovered the inappropriate display before the students arrived. Is this the message the coward and those people who don’t think this was such a horrible act want to send to our children? Do you want to condone this? Is it fine for them to commit set up an ugly display or harass an individual because they disagree with them? What is the problem now? Judy Palmer has a new job. Oxford has an interim Supt. to start the school year who has already set policys in place that actually make sense, especially in the area of staff hiring. A high school principal has been hired and is in place. A committee comprised of the administrators union, the teachers union, the Supt., and the BOE selected a principal with a vast amount of experience. An administrative assistant with experience in human resources has been hired and is in place as is an interim business manager who has worked in the district before. New positions for the schools have been filled with staff with experience in their areas and the BOE has followed through on their promise to purchase new textbooks and to lease new computers. The first day of school opened smoothly at all of the schools in Oxford.
Enough already…
The time of bullying by the SOS’ers is over. Judy Palmer is gone and parents should no longer worry about speaking up for fear of retribution. Let the BOE do its job. Supporters of the BOE need to start speaking up and attending BOE meetings. The cowards have now gone too far… there is no excuse for their behavior. It’s time for supporters of the BOE to let them know that.

posted by: not again on September 4, 2010  7:29am

One thing for sure is Rose McKinnon is tough. She does not let the bully’s on the Board of Ed, letters, or political pressure get to her whatsoever. What all these democrats are doing is making McKinnon stronger, and by their comments here, they are looking more and more ignorant. Keep up the good work guys, another lost election in 2011 for ya. The best thing I did was leave the democratic party. You guys are a sorry bunch here in Oxford. Even the former First Selectman Kathy Johnson is not supporting you guys, she wrote it in a letter to the editor. Pathetic.

posted by: Rachael R on September 4, 2010  7:55am

To Rocket: I wonder if you’d feel it was part of the job if you were publicly humiliated and your family frightened? Would you say the same if this was done to Mrs. Drayton Rogers? As far as worrying about what law was broken, it seems a little late for that.

To Golfer: I guess given your perspective Mr Angelini’s empathy and sincere reaction seems grossly out of place. Just a thought, but maybe your the one that needs to gain perspective…too many golf balls to the head maybe?

To Lynn Marie: I would imagine you are an authority on hate crimes, since most of what you spew on these blogs is filled with venom, and personal attacks.

To Citizen: Comparing this juvenile crime, done to humiliate, and harass a person, to a noble act of civil disobedience like the Boston Tea Party make all the more apparent how ignorant you are.

To Oxford Resident:Thank God you solved the crime, now we won’t have to waste more tax dollars to get to the bottom of this. How did we not see through Mrs. McKinnon’s ruse? It’s all so clear now though…she gathered her supporters in the middle of the night and put a toliet on the gazebo she worked so hard to have built, on the first day of school, so she could blame others for doing it to her. What a stroke of evil genius…you are a mastermind! I don’t exactly get the Trojan Horse reference though, or is that just another example of something plucked out of history that has no point, or bearing with regard to this issue? Oh hell maybe as another great writer suggested we should just “run Miss Kitty out of town.”

Think about what your words and deeds are doing to this town!

posted by: Dick Burke on September 4, 2010  12:54pm

Thought I would post just once, and move on, however a response to some is warranted.

To Paul (?) / You wrote “..... until you compared this prank to a terroristic threat.”.  Would you please point to where I used the word “terroristic”?

To coward LynnMarie / I’ll ty to work on that insulting and ignorant thing.  Just for you.

To JoeH / Please call me.  Thanks

To the coward Focusonkids? / Stealing a line from you with one word changed, ” With your attacking methods of “voicing your opinion,” you maintain steady belittling tactics towards others who do not act like you or think along your limited views.  Sorry to say FOCUS, but it’s not all about you.”  FOCUS ... I sleep well at night knowing that I have fought against wasted education dollars which should have gone into their minds and did not, and for ... a more professional goal oriented administration FOCUSed primarily on improved education for our students.

To the coward veritas28 / If the use of the word coward is insulting, then so be it.  If you and your friends, some of which(like coward OR)may have had a direct hand in the subject being debated)would come out of the shadows, you will see complete respect from me ... even if we disagree.

Ahhh, now to the coward OxfordResident / The devious guy who let his Harwinton partner in crime take the fall.  Most do not know the real OR, nor the level to which he sinks. OxfordResident’s use of the term “trojan horse” is ironic, because one he is.

To the coward, potty mouth Rocket / One question ... did you have a hand in this action?

To Carol / You say, “The police will investigate the potty incident and take appropriate legal action, if and when they can. We must trust the people and trust our police at this point.” I ask, at what point, did you and the SOSer’s ever TRUST or give benefit of doubt to the elected members of the BoE.  I firmly believe that as the dust settles, and the real facts emerge ... any with a sense of conscience and integrity ... will be changing their tune.  What Dr. Palmer hasn’t told you will be sadly surprising. As Mr. Spruck stated ... good luck to Region #7.

As to your placement of our children’s wisdom upon a pedestal, let’s get serious please.

To Rachel & Ed / Thank you for the refreshing and witty points of view.  Nicely done.

To all the cowards / In a sense, I thank those of you who had a hand in this vile act.  Just as OR and his friends strengthened my resolve five years ago, I think your actions have served to strengthen Mrs. McKinnon.  I further believe your actions have also strengthened the entire BoE resolve, and the amount of vocal support they will recieve going forward.

With respect to our late Dr. Palmer, one of the wiser people on this blog provided a link in a previous VIS article.  It was buried within his posted comment, so it may have been overlooked by most, or simlpy ignored. I’d like to refresh and enlighten some minds, so I direct all to the following link, simply asking ... isn’t funny how history repeats itself?

http://www.thevoicenews.com/news/2002-11-08/Winsted/W02.html

Enjoy and please accept my sincere apology for this diatribe.

Best to all and have a great weekend,  Dick Burke

posted by: focusonkids! on September 4, 2010  3:44pm

Dick,

It’s Republicans like YOU that give us a bad name!  You’re beyond embarrassing at this point honestly which makes ME quite embarrassed to tell others I’m also a Republican.  All you do is bad mouth everyone.  Why?  To me, you take your “title” of being a Republican way too far.  Can you honestly tell me that you agree 100% with every single Republican on every single committee?  I personally do not which is why I put my two cents in when necessary concerning the person or situation. I’m sure you think I focused in on Rose in my first posting.  I like Rose in general, I just do not agree on how the BOE is handling issues.  Very simple and that is fair game. 

If you are going to continue YOUR game, play correctly.  Palmer is gone, MOVE ON!  The ridiculous political issue happened on Wednesday concerning Rose, MOVE ON and let our excellent Oxford cops do their job!  Start thinking about fair and productive strategies Dick. Oxford is a community; every single committee must formulate productive goals and ideas that will assist in developing a better community. It’s that simple.

posted by: not again on September 5, 2010  8:01am

Mr. Richard Burke, Thank you for that link concerning former Superintendent Palmer during the Winsted days. Gee, history did repeat itself! You could have replaced the town of Winsted in that article with Oxford. Can’t believe they had the same problems. It took a good board of education to start asking for accountability and see how they all fall and start resigning. I find it ironic how when one person leaves in a district, all the “upper management” scatter like ants, only to follow each other, very interesting. Burke, you can tell you really go to them. The democrats don’t know how to handle this. They start name calling, telling people to move out of town and begin to destroy personal property and display anger the way they did to Rose McKinnon. Really a sick group.

posted by: DoWhatsRight on September 7, 2010  10:38am

Dick,

Know that these nasty people are just a few and most people see your service of protecting us taxpayers from frivilous spending.  Thank you for all you do!

posted by: The truth detector on September 7, 2010  10:09pm

Mr. Burke, I have to admit I too am a fan. Proud to have you on our (real republicans) side. Keep up the great work and don’t let those so called republicans dictate the conversation. They don’t speak for me or from what I see many others…

posted by: Michael Macchio on September 8, 2010  8:50am

Dick, looks like you have a lot of fans Glad to hear you are motivated by all this nonsense.  You and Rose put in a lot of dedication and time to help make Oxford a better place. The citizens of Oxford are lucky to have you going to bat for them. It is a shame that some people feel it is okay to take cheap shots at both of you.