Thursday, January 12, 2012

Grant application for halfway house approved

Springfield gave the Springfield Restorative Justice Center the go-ahead to establish a halfway house for former prisoners.
See "Comments" below for answers to questions and concerns from Wendi Germain, executive director of the Springfield Restorative Justice Center.

http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20120112/NEWS02/701129940

213 comments :

  1. just what Springfield needs. A place to let them stay in an already low income town, low lifes all around....first the prison, then they get out and move in the community. Time to move!!

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    1. Everyone watch your kids more,it is going to get worse.Lets ruin a failing town more with more people taking from our town without giving anything back.Lets get more police officers we will need them. Do you think this is going to help Springfields economy?Property owners are already paying for terrible schools now we are going to have this. As a mother I am scared for all the kids in this town since many using this halfway house are sex offenders.I understand giving people second chances but I do not want them to screw up with my kids.Lets take back Springfield and make it a nice town and cut back on crime,maybe people who have jobs can move here to pay to make this town a place people want to visit instead of just people needing state aid. Once Springfield was a nice town,what happened? Time to think about the children when making decisions like this that could put their safety in harms way.

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  2. If this is what finally makes you move out of Springfield, I am all for it!

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    1. Yeah, that is what will finally make me move. A family with 2 kids (mind you, B students!!), Tax paying, well educated, employed, life long resident of this town. So you and your low life scum can run the town into the ground. Your super Bright!!! As bright as the num num that wants a 1/2 way house!

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    2. I believe you meant to say "you're super bright". Just so you know, your grammar has been corrected by a felon. I'm glad you are well educated... did they teach you to be judgemental too, or is that something you picked up on your own. I guess it's easy when you hide behind anonymous comments. As for the rest of these comments about who should and shouldn't be able to live in town.... this is America, not a dictatorship, if you don't like it leave the country... not the town. Thanks
      MIKE

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  3. As usual open the flood gates...It is nice to see that some things never change. That includes the the thought process in running the town.

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  4. Such great irony that four blind mice on the Select Board would endorse the Springfield Restorative Justice Center perpetrating such a great injustice on the people of Springfield. But hey, it’s free money, right? Just take another bribe from the state to park more social outcasts in town. And notice the wonderful juxtaposition of the Turning Point U-turn house that was approved and located immediately behind Springfield’s next great white elephant – the Fellows complex “urban center” project. Nothing like parking a garbage can next to what the propaganda would have you believe is the town’s crown jewel! The idiots at the helm have sealed Springfield’s fate and its "transformation" from Precision Valley to Prison Valley can now be declared complete! Once again, our misguided municipal government assumes that its role is to serve and cater to the undeserving at the expense of the deserving. Perhaps the rationale is that establishing "U-turn" houses in town will shorten the travel distance required when the occupants eventually return to Springfield’s prison.

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    1. Couldn't have said it better myself: Precision Valley to PRISON Valley.

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  5. How does this benefit the town, and honest, hard working, law abiding, tax paying families of Springfield? The answer, IT DOESN'T! And, WG damn well knows it.

    So what's the motivation? Like the man says, follow the money. Not content to line her pockets with existing grant funds, or find a real job, she'd unconscionably further sell out the safety of the community for her own selfish benefit. How do you sleep at night knowing the loss and grief you're plotting?

    The published recidivism rate for Vermont prisoners released from jail is 43%. That's right, a 43% chance in short order, that they'll be back behind bars. We're talking theft, burglary, assault, rape and murder. That's odds I don't want in my neighborhood, nor would I burden any other.

    So Wendy, mark my words, nothing good will come of this, and your name will be written all over the headlines of future crime sprees.

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    1. I say we just kill 43% of all people let our of prison...

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    2. When you were young and your heart was an open book
      you used to say live and let live
      you know you did
      you know you did
      you know you did
      But if this ever changing world in which we live in
      makes you give in and cry
      say
      live and let die

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    3. What are you doing to help? You can blame Wendi all you want but in reality, she's the only one of the two of you working to solve the problem of homeless prison releases and high recidivism rates. You're not doing anything except spewing stupidity and working to INCREASE the rate of recidivism.
      Keep in mind, STAYING IN PRISON ISN'T FREE.

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  6. I wonder where the apartment complex will be, could it be the one she OWNS on Grove Street that houses various former inmates? Nothing like going to the selectboard and asking to receive free money from the state that she will end up putting in her pocket as guaranteed renter's income. I certainly hope not, I believe if that is the case it is fraud, and if not fraud, it is ethically deficient. In any event, what is restorative about giving these people a free place to live. Alot of us need to bounce back and find work, especially VICTIMS, but we still have to pay rent each month. I'm all for helping people out, but honestly now, why do people who have been incarcerated based on their own poor choices get the red carpet treatment. Disgusting.

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    1. Wow good point! I'd be interested to see that as well!

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    2. put it next to selectperson stephanie's house!!!!

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    3. I couldn't agree more with you, this is disgusting.

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    4. PRISON ISN'T FREE! They don't get the 'red carpet treatment' they get help restarting their lives and becoming productive members of your community. Throw them out on the streets without help and it's a proven fact that they will be more likely to end up back in prison. A year in prison is a hell of a lot more expensive than help with a couple months of rent. Do you think they stay in prison for free?!

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  7. What I find ironic is that on one hand the town talks out the right side of its mouth saying "oh we want to revitilize Springfield and draw more businesses etc etc" then the left side of their mouth they say "oh ok lets allow this halfway house for "reformed furloughed inmates" Heelo dumbasses...what business or family would move into an area or want to move in where "reformed" inmates are being released into the general public? What a bunch of moronic idiots. Isn't their a sheep for you to breed with somewhere else? For God's sake people vote these people out, isolate them and ostrasize them from our community. Maybe then they will decide to move themselves away and give us a break!

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    1. It occurred to me that over in a town in NH the select board was sued. Maybe it is time for the business owners and property owners to bring suit against the Springfield select board and the town for pushing through their "friends" proposals. If anyone is interested lets contact a large firm like Boies, Schiller & Flexner about it. I am sure they would love to take a case like this.

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    2. There are no jobs for the good people here, how are the 1/2 way rehabs going to get re-habed??
      1 bad apple spoils a whole barrell.

      Think about it, these guys weren't even good at being criminals.

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  8. Here come the pawn shops and bail bonds offices. Hell Discovery channel will have a great place to base all the reality shows now. Bounty hunters, prisons, pawn brokers and halfway houses. They might as well start a new show on mentally retarded people as well! HCRS will offer up a few I'm sure. Springfield can be the home of the Simpsons and Discovery channel all in one! Welcome to prison valley formerly known as precision valley....

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    1. Sadly, even those business will not move here.

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    2. Are you really going to bring the mentally DISABLED people into this? They committed no crimes, are not "former inmates" and some were even born and raised here, same as most other residents. Do they not have any right to be in our town? I tend to believe they make this town a better place with their innocence, their non judgmental attitudes, and mostly, those that work try their best! Unlike the Welfare rats that keep on breeding and sucking the life out of the ones that pay taxes....

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    3. Some of the mentally retarded people are better residents and better members of the community than most that reside here now.

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    4. I am the original poster about the pawn shops and bail bonds. I did not say that the mentally challenged (is that the new buzzword for Retard now?) are the issue.
      All I am saying is that since HCRS and Turning point moved in there has been a MAJOR influx of challenged people in the town. What ever, it isnt a huge deal. Most aren't ex cons or rapists.
      Just answer me this riddle? How do said handicapped people PAY for their services through HCRS and Turning point? With monopoly money? They are EXACTLY the same as what you called "welfare rats" that keep on sucking the life out of the ones who pay taxes. I saw one guy with an employee of one of the businesses (only because I saw her badge) "shopping" at Shaws for ice cream and cigarettes. She was probably making $14-$18 an hour to "shop" with him. Thats your tax money well spent!

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    5. I'd rather have it spent on teaching them to shop & be self sufficient than on people who have made bad choices and ended up in jail. She's even talking about Kyle Bolaski being permitted to "play with animals at the shelters" or "mentor students". She's got to be kidding me!!

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    6. Judging by your comments you're the one who's "challenged". Do you think it's free to keep them in jail forever? How would you solve the problem?

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  9. Anyone who objects to this doesn't understand the true goals of a prison- not just to punish, but to rehabilitate. Nearly every person imprisoned will eventually get out and you will have to live/ work with the same people. They came from Springfield and are returning to their community. Most of them were at one point your friend/ neighbor/ classmate/ fellow church member. And so they shall be again.

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    1. It isn't my fault these former friends/neighbors/classmates made crappy choices that landed them in prison. I certainly don't think it fair and/or appropriate to reward them with a free place to live while they get back on their feet, when those of us who DON'T make bad choices are having a time ourselves of keeping ourselves standing. If they have true friends/relatives/neighbors....they can live with them. Why should we fund their poor decisions. I'm not a cold hearted cynic, but enough is enough.

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    2. You are an idiot if you think ALL of the inmates came from Springfield.
      Scum from all around wind up here and then stay.

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    3. I beg to differ with you. A very small percentage of the inmates are actually from Vermont. So get your facts straight. Further, you may want to read up on the actual statistics and data behind "rehabbed" criminals. An overwhelmingly high amount of them return to prison. Lastly, there are a very high percentage of sex offenders in this prison. So when you are raped, beaten or your family murdered let me know how restorative justice works for you cause it doesn't. FOR THE RECORD- these are furloughed inmates..NOT inmates coming out of fully serving their sentence. SEX OFFENDERS< CHILD MOLESTERS, RAPISTS- Im not so interested in having them in my town.

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    4. Yes please do. It's about time we did something about the attitude of our “Town Fathers”!!!

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    5. Simply meant...those that would be housed in Springfield would be from Springfield. That is definitely what this article states and what was in the original agreement with the state.
      And by the way...even sex offenders get released. Is it better to just send people out into the general population? This is an in-between step for those who might otherwise still be in prison, which by the way, would probably be costing a lot more in tax dollars than this program does.

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    6. Statistics and data have proven that sex offender almost NEVER are rehabilitated and ALMOST ALWAYS commit sex crimes again. Second, if you are moronic enough to believe that the only people being released and housed would be from Springfield you are an idiot. Too many times we have been told things that in the end changed. Look at the whole deal with Edgar May and ALL the promises made for the prison in the first place. They will only house Springfield residents. And so far as where to house sex offenders...in my opinion they should be working a chain gang or rock quarry and then fed to the lions. The point and purpose behind restorative justice is not effective and does not work and I think those statistics are easily seen.

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  10. Keeping all these ex-cons together is a very bad decision. With all their idle time together they will be able to plan more crimes. Rehabilitation for an ex-con is near impossible when surrounded by bad elements in their life. They need a fresh start and this is not they way to give it to them and Springfield needs a fresh start by not keeping these people in town.

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    1. Agreed, how did they act together in prison? Does she honestly think that they will be model citizens living together in the community? The apartment would be destroyed, it will turn into a crack house in a week. I'm so happy I live here.

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    2. Prison was the rehab process and now it is time to leave......

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  11. Ask the neighbors of the current house she has on one of the particular tenants who was crazy.

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  12. Well and did any of the morons on the select board bother to ASK what kind of offenses the "furloughed" criminals will have committed? So lets let ALL the sex offenders out into the town! REALLY..I think we need to call the news station and let them do a story on how the residents DO NOT WANT this and the town has now devalued everyones property. I say lawsuit!

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  13. I am going to go puke

    Springfield makes me sick

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  14. Springfield sold its soul when the prison came in. It's not just locals in the prison or at Turning Point. Some from Waterbury came after the flooding. Have any of you seen Town Manager Bob Forguites' office ? You can't get in there, and he's a town representative. He answers to the select board? Is that right? Why are they not having him clean up?

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    1. Yes I agree with that,I went into Forguites office quite a long time ago and I was simply shocked at the condition of his office. Literally a pile of paper shaped like a mountain nearly to the ceiling, I absolutely could not believe it. Not only was it his office, but the conference room that it spilled into so it was no longer useable. I think Forguites does a good job as a town manager personally, but I do think he needs to get his filing in order. Also, Wendy is a nice gal, she definitely loves her town and I respect for her for that. But I am also not a fan of constantly bear hugging these cons all the time. I wouldn't want a whole house of these people living next to me. Especially sex offenders. I have kids. I don't want a whole house load of this trash around. Like someone said above, I don't see what is restorative justice about this. Commit a crime, then get free housing for awhile on the backs of tax payers.

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    2. How about inviting the crew of 'Hoarders: Buried Alive' to the town office? Just a thought. He has a secretary?

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    3. You know it is easy to covertly film the conditions or just pull out your I phone and film it. Tell him its unbelieveable and send the footage to the news channels along with letting them know what these idoits are doing to our town.

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  15. Just wanted to let everyone know I did speak to two firms yesterday. One on the seacoast and the other in the Concord-Nashua area. Both firms confirmed that the select board and town could be sued if we chose to undertake this. They also felt a very strong chance that each member of the select board and town officials could be held liable for the subsequent devaluation of property values due to the halfway house. What we will need to do is have property owners, commercial property owners and business owners come together. Both firms were willing to do it pro-bono. Shall I post contact information for those interested in joining the lawsuit?

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    1. Yes please do. It's about time we did something about the attitude of our “Town Fathers”!!!

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    2. I'm on board with joining the suit and helping to organize. Can furnish a venue for meetings. Am a Springfield native, SHS graduate, residential and commercial property owner, employer and concerned citizen. Wish to also initiate a recall election against board members and demand Forguites termination if any resistance.

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    3. you can sue anyone for any reason, so of course they told you you "can" sue. They are seeking sensational attention and will simply fan the flames rather than try to seek any helpful solutions- that is why they offered pro-bono.
      Unless they failed to meet legal obligations, you won't get anywhere. And, since it's not using any town funds, didn't require a vote, and meets the towns zoning and other regulations, it's highly unlikely they did anything illegal or even immoral.
      Just because you don't agree with what someone says/does/believes doesn't mean you should sue them! This is actually why our town and country are in so much trouble- people react (and overreact), jumping immediately to 'sue, sue, sue' before trying to legitimately and honestly work on issues.
      The same attitude is happening in congress with partisan, divisive stances on issues and why we can't get anything done there either.

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    4. I love it, people are "more than happy" to be part of a lawsuit, yet are unwilling to put their real name next to their comments on a blog.

      The idiots planning the lawsuit are as dumb as the leaders of this town...

      It is great that your out of town law firm is willing to do this pro bono, but who do you think will be paying for the town's legal defense?

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    5. Sort of Not Really Okay I Iam Anonymous1/13/12, 3:39 PM

      So says "Anonymous"

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    6. Well I have to make a comment to the poster above here who states that because there was no town vote that it cannot be litigated. Not true. The fact that the select board DID NOT bring a public safety issue to town vote would be exactly a grounds to litigate.

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  16. I would be more than happy to be part of the law suit. I'm so sick of this disgusting town and leadership.

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  17. I'm guessing they didn't anticipate such a backlash with this. I'm not sure why they didn't. Maybe out of touch?

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  18. Looks like a firestorm is finally starting to break out in Springfield! People are at the ends of their ropes over having been “dissed” by the town fathers for the past 2-3 decades.

    I saw the following article in the Herald about the Budget Advisory Committee’s recommendations, as well. Surprised the link hasn’t been posted to this site yet.

    Budget group recommends 10 percent cut in Springfield

    http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20120113/NEWS02/701139883/1003/NEWS02

    It’s going to take one heck of an effort to “muck out” this barn, but looks like sentiment is finally turning.

    Whoever posted about the condition of Forguite's office is spot on. Hint: His isn't the only one. Make some visits to the other so-called "Department heads" and witness the atrocious conditions of their facilities, as well -- police, fire, public works, parks and rec, schools -- they're all in various states of dishevelment because the "leaders" don't enforce high standards.

    Keep the torches lit, Springfield! There may be a glimmer of hope yet!

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  19. I dont live in Springfield, but i am curious about what the public sentiment was at the select board meeting where this was discussed? Was there anyone who spoke against this at that meeting?

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  20. In addition to this problem of sex offenders being released in our town I felt it important to include this response from the article on the school district getting approval after the expansion was completed. The point is that NOT only is the halfway house an issue so is the school budget approval and the following response does shed light on both these reckless spending habits in Springfield.

    AnonymousJan 12, 2012 11:37 AM
    Oh just wait until you get the new budget amount they are going to ask for. Don't let it pass your mind that they approved a salary increase fro ALL the administrators this year. They "lost" money with no accounting for where it went and they are trying to tell you that the increase was due to hiring alot more teachers. Well um common sense says the teachers they hired were replacing ones who had left or retired. That would be at the very least an even swap but should be a savings. Get RID of this guy. Several of us are planning on courting and explaining to the seniors at the highrises why they should vote no to the budget which has always been the school districts stronghold. Now we are going to explain WHAT is the truth and WHY these things are happening...

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  21. Have any of you been to the police offices upstairs? The Lt's is bigger than most bedrooms in this town. Nice family pictures, big desk. Livin' high in the 'hood. What's the chief's salary? Public record? My career involved 24/7 coverage also, and as professionals we worked holidays, nights, whatever it took. Overtime after 80 completed hours in 2 weeks.

    Here's what I want: a cafe with relaxing live music in the evening to meet friends. A comfy chair in a bookstore. Pretty flowers in a cute Vt. town. LIKE CHESTER. Manchester, VT, Brattleboro. Why a consultant for parking in a town with little shopping on the main st? Growing up there was Furmans, the pharmacy, shoe store etc. Big parades.

    I have lots of ideas and they begin with resignations.

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  22. Growing up in Springfield we used to think Bellows Falls was the rats hole and full of scum. Now I am embarrased to say I am from Springfield.

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    1. Well I hope you both and everyone else whose choldren and parents are at risk with the child molesters, rapists and murderer's being "furloughed" in our town walking around ...remember that when we need help during voting, budget time (which is now) etc.And as I said before..these people on the select board. Lets call them at home and tie up their phone lines, lets tell them when they come in for service at our stores that we wont help them and lets tell our children not to play with theirs. They need to be run out of town. Enough is enough. And that Wendy woman..we should be calling up her home number complaining, calling her office, going to her house and telling her we dont want her or her business in our town.

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  23. I think what you fail to realize is that the town and the school court the votes from the highrises with talk of doom and gloom. The old folks think they are doing something good by voting in the leaders and the budgets. The amount of voters who do not pay taxes outnumber the voters who do and that is how the elected officials get in. You are right to some extent. EVERYONE needs to talk to their neighbors and co-workers about these issues and they need to help canvas and court votes. Unfortunately the only way to get through to these inefficient and uneducated town leaders is to actually take legal action against them.

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  24. It sounds to me like a lot of people have so much to say!!!.........Then stop running your mouth, get up and do something to fix what is going on! IT TAKES A COMMUNITY TO SPEEK UP AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT !!!!!!!!!!

    SO IF YOU CAN'T STAND UP AND FACE THESE PEOPLE THAT YOU HAVE ALL VOTED IN ............IT'S YOUR OWN FAULT!!! I mean really!!! Springfield has needed new leadership for along time, So get them out of here!! Then you will see a change!!!!! Until then stop your cryin!!!

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    1. you seem to miss that the majority of voters in our small town are related to the leadership, or they are life long close friend and school chums.

      You, I bet, actually did vote for them.

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  25. I went before the select board, and in fact had a few private meetings. It involved a serious matter. I'm done stepping up. They didn't get it. Why are there not more people at the meetings? Hmmmm. It's not MY FAULT, and lots of folks have carried problems to them. I wrote the letters, had the meetings, documented issues and nothing. I would not go to the board or the police again for assistance.

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  26. Wendi Germain1/15/12, 2:36 PM

    My name is Wendi Germain, I am the director of the Springfield Restorative Justice Center. I feel the need to apologize for the misinformation stated in some of the above posts and would like to take a moment to give you the facts. I would like to address each of you individually...but since everyone has only made anonymous comments I’m not able to do that. I am going to try to start at the top of the list and work my way down. If there are comments I can actually comment on I will. Obviously there are some comments without enough content to do that.
    Floodgates...for this grant we will be serving 3-4 people, people who would be returning to Springfield anyway, that is if we decide to rent a unit in Springfield, we have not yet decided where the rental will be. Guaranteed, if the unit is here we will only accept people who were prior Springfield residents.
    “Injustice on the people of Springfield” as stated above if the unit is in Springfield we will only serve Springfield residents. Unfortunately, other communities feel the same way you do…they won’t accept other towns “outcasts” either, there is no choice but to have offenders come back to the towns they are from. So, if they are coming back anyway why not have people working with them who will hold them accountable to those they have affected meaning victims, family members, community, and to provide them with support and services that will teach them what is expected of them when they return to our community. To me this is a better option than releasing people with no support, supervision, hope or expectations. As far as Turning Point is concerned, I can’t help but wonder if you have been down for a visit or if the comments made are assumptions that the place is a “garbage can”? I would encourage you to go for a visit! Lastly, obviously you have concerns about the decisions and choices select board members have made…the open select board meeting I went to regarding our grant was only attended by press. It was warned, as all select board meetings are, but no community members were there. I really wish people would come out and speak up, ask questions and get the facts instead of making anonymous comments on a blog.
    Your Next Selectman, Since you address me directly albeit anonymously I feel that I can directly disagree with you. I know programs like the Justice Center work. THE most successful way Re-entering offenders stay out of jail is with meaningful relationships with community members as mentors, supports. I know this for a fact because many studies have been done and I have seen it work over the past 10 years. Less than 10% of the offenders we work with reoffend. That’s a pretty big difference from the 43% that you quote and actually that number is wrong it is 53%.

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    1. Go to a select board meeting ? Why ? Been there. It's like waiting for water to never boil. Stay home and watch SAPA. I get indigestion watching them fumble. Mr. Knoras seems to want to ask questions but I don't know why the answers do not come. Why the anonymous? Are you kidding? I caught trouble for standing up before.

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    2. My life has been threatened for standing up against these people. My good name was ruined by these people. My job, lost. My health failing from stress..
      I have nothing to loose, with no hope for my children here in Springfield
      I am ready to have this once and for all brawl.
      Long live those who oppose the socialist decay of our beautiful town

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    3. If you can't do the time, don't do the crime.

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  27. Wendi Germain1/15/12, 2:40 PM

    The motivation?...The newest numbers have just come out in the VT DOC Facts and Figures. In 2011 it cost approximately $53,000 per year to incarcerate a male and $90,000 to incarcerate a woman. SO, lets say this grant serves 6 people for $39,000, incarcerating those people would cost we the taxpayers $318,000 that’s a savings of $279,000. Not only will we prevent people from returning to jail as stated above, we will save money and hold offenders accountable. Each offender participating in our program with have another approximately 5 people supporting, holding them accountable and monitoring them for indications of reoffense.
    Wondering where the apartment complex will be. Yes, I do own an apartment building. My apartment building is open to anyone it is not a halfway house; I will rent to anyone who seems responsible and is able to pay their rent. It is a business and I run it as such. I do not discriminate. You are absolutely right, if this grant or the Justice Center paid the rent to people living in my apartment it would be “fraud” and it would be “ethically deficient” that’s why it would NEVER happen, the Justice Centers board of directors and the select board would never let that happen. All of the Justice Centers bills are paid through the town and they would never cut me a check for rent for one of my tenants. All of the services the Justice Center offers to offenders are available to others in tough situations through other agencies. I would suggest calling 211 if you are interested in services that might be helpful to you.
    “Revitalize Springfield”, I guess I would rather live in a community where there are “reformed” inmates as opposed to non-reformed inmates. It makes me wonder if people think Springfield is the only town that deals with ex offenders returning…this is a concern that every town in the nation works with.
    Law suit, I’m sorry that we live in an era where we feel we can solve our problems with lawsuits. What ever happened to talking to each other? I am confused as to what this lawsuit would be about and how a bunch of anonymous people can sign up to be part of it? Feel free to call the Justice Center if you have more questions I haven’t answered.
    Jobs for the good people, you’re right there are not enough jobs and there are a lot of people out there struggling to support their families. The employment services offered to re-entering offenders are actually available to everyone. The agencies we use are Vt. Department of Labor, Vocational Rehabilitation, VABIR, and Small Business Administration (for those who want to open their own business). Again as stated above 211 is a great resource if you need support in looking for work.
    Pawn Shops and Bail Bonds offices – I hope you have heard about all the amazing, huge businesses that are coming to Springfield regardless of all the concerns listed on this blog. There are a lot of people working really hard to improve Springfield. I hope all are doing your part.

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    1. WENDI this comunity needs triage not your lies.

      who are all of these "amazing, huge businesses that are coming to Springfield"

      who?

      Wendi ? names please... Liar

      call 211 ? to talk to a socialist like you ?
      "The agencies we use"... SBA.. VABIR is this how you got your job?

      Wendi, I am doing my part. Exposing your lies.

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  28. Wendi Germain1/15/12, 2:44 PM

    Beg to differ – I have already mentioned statistics above. Yes there is a large number of sex offenders in the Springfield Jail, that does not mean that they will be released to Springfield. ONLY people that were from Springfield can be “furloughed” to here (just don’t want people thinking all sex offenders at the facility could be released here!) Furloughed, yes that means they have not completed their sentences, they are being released to finish their sentences in the community. This is done so the Department of Corrections can monitor these people VERY closely. They are on a 24 hour schedule and can not deviate from that schedule (incidentally, this is why the “recidivism” or rate at which people return to jail is so high, not because they commit new offenses (though yes, some do) it is more because they have violated their furlough by being late getting home, relapsing, missing an appointment, having non approved visitors.) If people were not released to furlough they would come out of jail with no supervision and no rules about where they could reside. Without furlough people could come out of jail and live in Springfield and we would have no way to say no.
    Statistics – I do understand the visceral reaction to sex offenders and the terrible things some of them have done!! Please know I would never condone that nor am I accepting of it. What I don’t want is for them to reoffend and hurt someone else, we can’t keep them in jail forever so the best way to make sure they don’t hurt someone else is to support, supervise and make sure they participate in treatment and learn how not to reoffend. I have been doing this work for 10 years and have never seen the statistics you mention. What I have seen is exactly the opposite, most sex offenders never reoffend. The most dangerous predatory sex offenders are not ones that return to our communities frequently, most are serving very long sentences. Keep in mind there are different types of sex offenses…public urination or wearing shorts or skirts that are too short (indecent exposure) are sex offenses.
    Ex-cons together – I can see why you would think that a bunch of “ex-cons” living together would be a bad thing because the things you mention seem to be true when people are incarcerated. Before I started in this work I would have agreed with you, but now I have seen myself how much these folks support each other. Please keep in mind when you say a “bunch” we are talking about 3-4 people, with an on site case manager.
    Crazy tenant – Yes, we did have a “crazy” tenant and I apologize for any difficulties she caused! Often, people with mental health conditions feel they don’t need to take their medications and become different people when they are not medicated. We were able to reengage her with her treatment providers and help her to get back on track.
    What kind of offenses? – I think I have sufficiently addressed the issue of “ALL the sex offenders into town” sufficiently above. As far as our grant we will accept participants on a case by case basis. Which basically means we won’t accept a sex offender if we have a tenant living there who has visitation with his/her children. But if a sex offender who has a condition that does not allow him/her to be around children lives there we will not accept a tenant who wants to have visitation with children. Believe it or not we are doing this because we don’t want people to get hurt the last thing we want to do is create a bad situation for anyone! We will do everything in our power to make sure people stay safe!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. you don't have enough power to make your above promiss
      you need to go.

      Delete
    2. Job security for Wendi. Fanatsy life. Offer the towns people a free meal, tell them about her interest in gang and drug activity, and they are in her pocket or vice versa?

      Town's corrupt as is her idea for a 1/2 house.

      Delete
  29. Wendi Germain1/15/12, 2:47 PM

    Tie up their phone lines – I would welcome your phone calls, I would appreciate it if you had questions or concerns we could talk about. I would also appreciate it if you would tell me who you are. I am putting out this response with my name on it because I believe in what I do. I live here to and would never do anything to jeopardize my family and friends safety. I understand you may not want “my business” in your (our) town because it’s not a pleasant thing to deal with…but it’s a fact, it’s like life insurance, none of us want to talk about the need for it but we can’t just stick our head in the sand and pretend like it doesn’t exist.
    Select board, leadership – yes, if you don’t agree with what is being done then get out there and do something about it. Our select board members volunteer a TON of their time to do what they feel is best for our community. They don’t wake up in the morning and say “gee, how can I piss people off today”. They put their faces, their names, their phone numbers and email addresses out there for everyone to see.
    I am willing to talk and answer any questions you may have. Contrary to what someone said I don’t do this work to “line my pockets” actually, I don’t stand to make a penny from it. I do it to help keep our community safe.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

      Delete
    2. @ blog admin...
      You removed a good coment, spoken in clear English.

      Why????

      We can't get the criminal's out of office and you are part of the problem by hiding the truth.

      What is worse calling someone an flipping idiot or screwing up an entire town.

      Delete
    3. The word used beginning with an f was not "flipping".

      Delete
    4. Yes, thank you for acknowledging that. THANK YOU

      Some of us are ready for that kind of sentiment.

      Now, back to getting the criminals out of office!

      Delete
    5. I believe the word was friggin! I copied these blogs and it was friggin! To the administrator..either you want comments or you dont. If you want to interfere because your friends downtown asked you to them close your blog to comments.

      Delete
    6. Oh but it was that word that is against the law to say on broadcast TV. I was as shocked as a church lady when I saw it because all these past 4 1/2 years this blog has existed I had assumed it came with a built-in bad word filter. Turns out it was just all the commenters being good.

      The comment deleted was only about four lines and there was no other reason I would have deleted it other than that word being in it.

      Delete
  30. Ms. Germain, you failed to address the leading issue of this thread. A halfway house of the type proposed would devastate neighborhood home values. That alone is the criteria for the proposed suit.

    Perhaps it's in the eye of the beholder, but I and everyone one else I speak to find the U-Turning Point a "garbage can." In fair weather, the place is a Mecca for idle vagrants. A crowd of perpetually chain smoking, unemployed addicts bidding time. The grounds are an unkempt, debris strewn mess. I'd invite anyone in the community to see for themselves first hand the yard between the buildings and river.

    Don't think we don't recall when proposing the U-Turning point, the argument was made that it would become a positive asset to the neighborhood. While in reality, it when from a tax paying property, to a tax exempt property. Thus increasing the tax share on those of us that fuel the town. Thanks a lot for that!

    Drug dealing there is a well know fact. I've witnessed it as have others that work and live nearby. There was even a gal attempting to trade her "services" in the adjacent parking lot last summer! Not to mention homeless squatters that have set up camp along the river.

    Like flies to feces, the U-Turning Point and a halfway house only attract the worst element of humanity.

    It's been a long time coming, but I and the dozens of others that have posted here have had enough of you and your ilk. It time for Springfield to work for those that fuel it's existence. If you want to surround yourself with child molesting scum, fine. We don't want it here, and we damn well don't want to subsidize it!

    ReplyDelete
  31. I have a response to Wendy's response.

    First, the select board absolutely DOES NOT volunteer their time. They are paid for it. I believe that was on the last ballot.

    Second, you do benefit directly from doing this. You are paid. Whetehr you have direct "interest" ie owning the property, that I do not know and frankly don't care.

    However I am acutely aware that the more business you bring in for your non-profit organization the better your job and likely the more you will be paid. It is like job security for you.

    I readily admit am not one who believes an ounce in "restorative justice". That premise does not work and the basis behind it is well meaning however it has been proven in statistics not to work or to be effective. And you are correct, it is unpleasant but the fact remains that it devalues property, it puts children at risk for sexual assault as well as women and senior citizens especially.

    My attitude may not be nice or right or politically correct but the concerns above are VERY REAL and valid. You and you alone are not going to change or rehabilitate career criminals. And although you say you wouldn't put your family or friends at risk you ulitimately do by bringing your bread and butter into our town. Once a child is raped or killed or for that matter any citizen it is too late to say woulda, shoulda coulda and I am most sure that the response of your agency will be just like any other agency.."well we did all we were supposed to" AGAIN its too late once something happens.

    I for one will not stand idle and watch sexual assults and crime rise in this town. If it requires me filing suit against you or your agency or the town for failure to protect my children and for devaluing my property then so be it and the fight will be on. If this means so much to you go solicite bellows falls, brattleboro, keene or another town. Im sure it wouldnt be that difficult for you to move your halfway house somewhere else.

    I am interested in setting the record straight though for you because you didnt answer as to whether you own low income housing in town? I am sure it wouldn't be difficult to find out but I am giving you the chance to clear that up. If so are those properties 100% up to state fire and safety standards? There is a tort law referred to as vicarious liability and I want to say to ANY landlord or rental propert owner that IF you are renting to drug dealers you too can be held liable for not ensuring that unlawful activity is not happening on your property.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Copied and pasted from Ms. Germain's answer (see below for the "statistics" I have found) -

    **Statistics – I do understand the visceral reaction to sex offenders and the terrible things some of them have done!! Please know I would never condone that nor am I accepting of it. What I don’t want is for them to reoffend and hurt someone else, we can’t keep them in jail forever so the best way to make sure they don’t hurt someone else is to support, supervise and make sure they participate in treatment and learn how not to reoffend. I have been doing this work for 10 years and have never seen the statistics you mention. What I have seen is exactly the opposite, most sex offenders never reoffend. The most dangerous predatory sex offenders are not ones that return to our communities frequently, most are serving very long sentences. Keep in mind there are different types of sex offenses…public urination or wearing shorts or skirts that are too short (indecent exposure) are sex offenses.**

    Ms. Germain -

    there are currently 31 registered sex offenders in our town, 12 of which had some kind of sex offense against a child LESS THAN 13 years old. 4 of these offenders had some type of sex offense against a child, and 2 had a sex offense with a child under the age of 16.

    There are currently 8 sex offenders who are considered high risk to reoffend, and 3 of them are not compliant with treatment.

    These charges were not "public urination" or "wearing a skirt that it too short"...most of them were Sexual Misconduct with a CHILD, lewd and lascivious conduct with a CHILD. Approximate ages of the victim are stated as <13, <16 and listed directly as CHILD. This was also not kids playing with kids, but 50 yr old MEN charged with sexual misconduct with a CHILD <13.

    These are FACTS and please feel free to check them yourself on the Vermont Sex Offender Registry. It is ALL public knowledge.

    This is the kind of CRAP we don't want here.

    ReplyDelete
  33. We NEED a strong law enforcement long before a Halfway House.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. NO, the parking officer is good enough. We just need more Simpson's pink doughnuts

      Delete
  34. You claim there will be an on-site case manager, but in the article it says that he will be there PART TIME/20 hrs/week. What about the other 148 hours each week that he will NOT be there?

    ReplyDelete
  35. Maybe some of you "anonymous" people should step up and offer some ideas on how to deal with these people. I am grateful that there are people like Wendi who are willing to at least step up and try to make things better. Remember: if you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. How is anyone part of the problem that minds their own business and obeys the laws? It isn't "my" problem at all, just like my furnace breaking down isn't your problem. People breaking laws and hurting other people then getting caught and locked up isn't my problem, not to the level I feel the need to coddle them when they get out of jail. My home is for sale in a neighborhood. No one is going to want to buy it with a houseful of poor jailbirds living rent free with no responsibility of care next door to it.

      I appreciate Ms. Germains thoughtful response, I really do and I think some people are a little hard on her, however, I could have done without the smoke and mirrors such as the short skirt response. I would challenge anyone to show me where one person in this state has been locked up for wearing a short skirt. People walk nude in Brattleboro, the newspapers made it clear it isn't illegal in Vermont. My thought is, if these guys got caught before, it usually means they have a pattern of behaviors. Corrections may monitor them "VERY" closely, but when seconds count, the police are always minutes away and everyone knows there are only a handful of corrections guys out there.

      Delete
    2. The police are just minutes away? Where the hell do you live?

      Delete
    3. The police were just minutes away when the drug store was robbed a thousand times...Did they catch them? EXACTLY...think before you make a comment like that!

      Delete
    4. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

      Delete
  36. If you are one of the people concerned about your property values and the safety of your family/friends... it is your problem

    and if you are someone who is only interested in creating drama around an issue and not willing to step up and offer ideas and solutions then... yes, you have become part of the problem.

    I am concerned about the direction that our town is headed in as well but law suits and people bashing will not correct it.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Wendi Germain is a JOKE

    the CIRCLE OF ZERO pawn that she is.

    Does she even know it ???

    ReplyDelete
  38. Fine....

    BUILD a 1/2 way home. RENT one.

    Put Germain, Forguites, The select board, and the rest of the current admin, in the 1/2 way home.

    don't forget the flouride, lithium, and prozac in their water.

    Make sure they have regular appointments at HCRS and go to all of the Flower Club and S.O.M. meetings.

    Yes, this would be an improvement.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Readers have correctly detected the end run Ms. Germain is trying to accomplish by failing to address her own personal financial interests in this matter while engaging is all matter of pitifully rhetorical monologue.

    So, let's be frank Ms. Germain, and see if you'll answer these questions:

    1. What is you salary?
    2. Are you or are you not considered a town employee? The article stated that you are "technically" a town employee, but let's be clear - do you work for both the town AND the Springfield Restorative Justice Center, or do you serve both entities as a town employee?
    3. How much of your salary is paid for out of the grants that are provided to the Springfield Restorative Justice Center?
    4. Do you own rental property in Springfield? If so, how many dwellings and where are they located?
    5. Are any of those properties currently occupied by clients of Springfield Restorative Justice Center or its affiliates? If not currenlty occupied by such, have they ever been?
    6. The article reports that you intend to house your clients in your rental property. Don't you view this as a bona fide CONFLICT OF INTEREST in lobbying the town fathers for approval of a grant that will directly benefit your personal financial interests?

    I applaud all the above posters who have come out in challenge of yet another effort by Springfield's insiders to exploit the good people of our town by foisting yet more social baggage and financial burdens upon them.

    Folks, it's time to get out and tour the town facilities, including U-Turning Point and witness the dishevelment that results from our hard earned tax dollars being mismanaged and effectively squandered by the likes of town employees like Ms. Germain. You will be amazed at just how bad things really are. Some of the posters have already pointed out the mess that U-Turning Point's property has become, as well as the sad state of the town manager's own office.

    I encourage one and all to continue to reveal the waste, fraud, and abuse in Springfield's municipal government and the general state of decay that all its departments are suffering from. Get the word out. Demand change from our town leaders or demand their removal. The day of reckoning for Springfield's town government is long overdue!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I too, would like to know the answers to your questions. Waiting for Ms. Germain to respond.

      Delete
  40. Is anyone aware that the town lister is related to this woman? I believe that the town may have made some ethical violations so I am forwarding these blogs as well as some additional information to the Attorney General's office for review.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Wendi is gonna fit in fine on the board of S.O.M.

    let's not forget who paved the road for her.

    ReplyDelete
  42. perhaps she will get recruited by the
    SPRINGFIELD REGIONAL DISHEVELMENT CORPORATION
    she can rent empty space @ the Fellows Building right next to the Springfield VT University At Turning Point

    We can lock them all up, keep an eye on them, and watch them go thru rehab together. ha ha ha

    ReplyDelete
  43. If you can't read all of the blog entries you need to know about the :
    Wendi Germain "public urination / short skirt" comment

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Most of the offenders on the list were convicted of "Lewd and Lascivious Conduct with a child 2602". Which is:

      § 2602. Lewd or lascivious conduct with child

      (a)(1) No person shall willfully and lewdly commit any lewd or lascivious act upon or with the body, or any part or member thereof, of a child under the age of 16 years, with the intent of arousing, appealing to, or gratifying the lust, passions, or sexual desires of such person or of such child.

      (2) This section shall not apply if the person is less than 19 years old, the child is at least 15 years old, and the conduct is consensual.

      Also look at the AGES of the offenders...but they're being dismissed as public urination/short skirts. What a joke!

      Delete
  44. Just a thought, but not sure if it will do much, but worth at least mentioning: What about a petition to have this stopped? If that doesn't help, then go to the media, take it straight up to Montpelier if we have to....

    ReplyDelete
  45. I think that is an excellent idea. I know Jazinski Market is a great place and they are always helpful in respects to petitions. Lets get it written up and placed in there.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Getting on that task today! Will write one up..there's always ways to do it online. I will look further.

      Delete
  46. This Blog has more entries than any other blog from Springfield VT. EVER...

    Spread the word.

    springfieldvtblogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wait, there are other blogs in Springfield?

      Delete
    2. YOU GOT ME GOOD HERE !!!! thank you

      TOUCHE

      rol

      Delete
  47. Homer Simpson1/17/12, 8:39 AM

    That's it, I'm moving out of Springfield!!!! thanks to all you good doer's like Wendi and Ned Flanders. Bart is going to miss not attending school in Springfield.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Is impersonating Homer the top skill show cased in your resume?

      You are a Chamber of Commerce member aren't you

      Delete
  48. PLEASE JOIN ME
    THIS SUNDAY @ 2:00p.m. @ RIVERSIDE PARK

    DOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHH THIS IS SOOOOOO ON!!!!!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  49. Halfway Houses are the most responsible and public protecting way of releasing people back into our community. When we know where they are and that people from the community are keeping an eye on them I feel safer. I feel less safe when they move back in with family who are not going to be real about how they are doing. I don't want to pay $47,000 a year to keep somebody in jail that doesn't have to be there, but I want them to be in the town in a way that makes us safer. I know this isn't a popular opinion when people are worried, but I'd rather my tax money went to the school than the prison.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A VOICE OF REASON!

      Delete
    2. Have you seen the mess the school system is in? I wouldnt call it the voice of reason. If you are not aware the district lost ten thousand dollars, no accounting to where it went and just replaced it with money from this years budget..The schools are all failing and the scores have been worse and worse year after year. Throwing money at them is like p****** in the wind. They voted to raise the salaries of the administrators this year also. How is that fiscally responsible when they are already well over budget. They have one of the highest budgets in the state.

      Delete
  50. AT THE MOST, AT THE VERY MOST, 8 PEOPLE WILL SHOW UP, POSSIBLY BECAUSE AT THE VERY MOST, THERE ARE ABOUT 8 OF YOU WRITING ALL THESE COMMENTS.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There are over 8 of us here under just 1 anonymous url.
      I haven't heard anyone talk about anything else all day.

      We just want to know 1 thing. Will the 1/2 way house have a parking garage?

      Yeah, that is right. We'll be there.

      Delete
    2. Will you all be wearing hoods with the word 'anonymous' written on them? Can't be too careful, you know. You don't want the press to show up and photograph you. No, wait, you eight or so WANT the press to run with the story, don't you? Looks like you have a tough decision to make; Show your faces or shut up.

      Delete
  51. http://www.doc.state.vt.us/about/reports/ff2008_adobe/view
    Check out pages 199-200...it will help you all to understand how successful, cost saving and widespread these efforts are

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Where does this show how successful anything DOC does is? Sound more like DOC likes it because it saves money. Is that what you mean by success?

      Delete
    2. We should be taking care of the homeless--affected by job loss,etc; not prisoners who committed a crime and have there meals a day with a roof over their head.

      Delete
  52. The hatred in some of these comments is sad. I hope none of the anonymous writers ever is in the position of having a loved one incarcerated simply because he or she lacks a safe place to go from prison. Opening the door to someone who has been locked up for months or years and then providing no support or structure is a pretty good recipe for having that person back in jail soon. We can't make problems go away by calling names and making threats. We can do something by working together, listening to each other, and trying to find approaches that work better than what we are often doing now. One of the biggest problems is that so many people come out of jail with no job and no plan for them to use their time constructively. Let's work on changing that instead of reacting from fear.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Stuart Currie1/17/12, 5:52 PM

      What he said. Truth is spoken Will.

      Delete
    2. Looks to me that the supporters all came out. Guess what guys..you are full of it. Go ask communities that have these places what life is like. I know what is required to rehabilitate criminals and meagerly "watching over" them is not it. It is a long expensive theraputic process that boasts a poor rate of success. I know the statistics!

      Delete
    3. Hilarious and no surprise Will Hunter would feel this way.

      http://caselaw.findlaw.com/vt-supreme-court/1218358.html

      Delete
    4. There are a lot of people commenting about 1/2 way houses who are not even from Springfield and have no clue about the "one thing after another role of mis-guided municipal blunders that have an eery theme as if they were all on purpose and pre-planned"

      Will, Stuart, Sue ... You are getting called out. Where are you from, and how close to this project or a similar project are you... Did Wendi, herself ask you to respond? Were your .responses pre-planned? They read that way

      Delete
  53. What's up with the time of day that is getting posted? What time zone is this blog in?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Will, we found you.

      Follow the Money

      Delete
    2. Will, it says you stole the money ??

      This is what we are saying Wendi and her cronies are doing. Further at the expense of the good citizens of Springfield.

      Are you in on this with her ??

      about Will...
      "On June 17, 1998, respondent pled guilty to one felony count of mail fraud in the United States District Court for the District of Vermont.   On October 5, 1998, the court entered a felony conviction against respondent.   The conduct at issue involved mishandling of client funds and misrepresentations about those funds during the period from 1993-1996.   Respondent repeatedly deposited client funds in his personal account or his general office account when these funds should have been held in respondent's client trust account on behalf of clients.   In many instances, respondent used client funds in his office or personal account for personal expenses, and he also used funds in the client trust account for his personal benefit.   The parties' stipulation of facts details eleven separate matters in which respondent mishandled client funds, illustrating that respondent repeatedly used client funds without the permission of the client and lied to clients, attorneys and a probate judge to cover up his misconduct."

      Delete
  54. All this emotion is silly, mostly nonsensical, and certainly not factually based. Here is a fact: because we don't execute them, we release prisoners at some point. It's cheaper than keeping them in jail forever, and better serves justice than by imposing life sentences for lesser crimes.

    So at some point they get out. So the questions: 1) where do they go?; 2) how are they supervised?

    1) No town anywhere wants parolees/released inmates to be settled in their town. All towns fight it. So the only real solution is to return these people to their home towns -- unless we can return to the time in history when we shipped them to a "Devil's Island" to rot.

    2) If we spend the money to keep them imprisoned until they've served their maximum, full sentence, they are then released without parole, without supervision, without encouragement or assistance to straighten up and fly right. Their debt to society has been "fully paid" (at great dollar cost to society). And they are, on judgement, the most likely people to reoffend.

    Wendy's grant and plan simply does the best we can to save taxpayers money and to at least try to manage the inevitable reintroduction or these former inmates. We have to deal with them -- wishing they would go away doesn't make it so. The fact is that we have these people who were criminals, and we must deal with them, as best we can. Wendy's plan is a good attempt at managing a bad, but unavoidable, situation.

    So I'd suggest that all 8 to 10 of the repititive Anoymous haters and screamers chill out until you can come up with a better suggestion than scurrilous personal attacks and idiotic suggestions to kill them or burn them at the stake or something. What's your better idea?

    Yes, I'm also posting anonymously because I'm afraid of the irrational people who are posting all the ridiculous hate and attack comments. You people are scarey, indeed!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have a solution:

      If you can't do the time, don't do the crime.

      Delete
  55. re: "I hope none of the anonymous writers ever is in the position of having a loved one incarcerated simply because he or she lacks a SAFE place to go from prison"

    Spoken like a true bleeding heart, idealistic, liberal with typical, upside down, misguided logic. CRIMINALS are sent to prision to preserve the SAFETY of the community! After all the pain and suffering they have inflicted upon the community, we don't give a rat's ass what happens to them.

    Since you're such an advocate of early release, how about you open up YOUR home to these criminals? And since you don't even live in Sprinfield, you have no damn business commenting on the matter!

    ReplyDelete
  56. Wow! What a lot of anger! I'm saddened by the level of frustration I read here. And the fear. We don't feel like we are heard and we are afraid to speak up with our own names attached. What has happened to the idea of community? It appears to be easier to monger hatred anonymously online than to talk with each other face to face. I suspect it's more difficult to look into someone's eyes and make the hateful statements recorded here.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sue, where are you from?
      Springfield fought against Socialists before.

      This is my life, my kids, my town. I would prefer the town put money like this into a summer rec department, created an anual downtown event that our neighbors visit too, or reduced my taxes dollar per dollar for repairs.
      Yes I am angry, none of my friends or business partners will re-locate to Springfield.
      I have no problem looking into someones eyes and repeating any of the coments here.

      They all make sense, EVEN YOURS. Even you have already been negatively effected by this.
      That is the point.
      They have been boiling us like frogs and some of us are starting to jump out. Some left along time ago.
      I see you as still in the water.

      This is so much bigger than just the 1/2 way house.

      Clearly more people are going to be hurt by this than helped.

      Sue, embrace the negativity. we love you

      Delete
  57. "Germain, who technically is a town employee, said that former inmates accepted in the program will be evaluated every three months, with a maximum stay capped at six months."

    Every '6' months new criminals re-enter Springfield community---who'da thunk it? If they can't obtain employment--perhaps they can return to criminal status? WoW

    Is Germain using her rental properties for this big adventure? How can we expect her to understand; she has no children to think of.

    She NEEDS to understand that the people of the community has no guarantee that 'her' program will keep us safe. Did I miss something??? I just heard want, want, want not understand, understand, understand.

    I bet the SPD are thrilled as are many people.

    43 percent recidivism rate for offenders? WoW

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What the statistics show is that those who are not convicted of sex crimes have the highest rate of recidivism. Also the reason behind the lower recidivism rate amongst sex offender is that many of their prior crimes went unreported or were undereported. The statistics are all over the place but here is the fact that remains. Their is a chance of an inmate repeating a crime. Whether that is a sexual crime or one of a different nature..I don't want to risk my families safety on any of them...sex crime or not. There are intensive programs that I do not feel would be offered any of these criminals in springfield. I also want to say that if the agreement was just for petty type crimes I would have no issue with it. However violent repeat offenders are not welcome. The smoke and mirrors about "oh we are saving tax money" doesnt jive with me. I will gladly pay the taxes to not deal with this. And the individual are from springfield by choice. Their families moved here to be closer to them in prison..that doesnt make them a resident of springfield. It means they moved here for free state insurance to be closer to their incarcerated loved one and there is a difference than somebody I grew up with who just made poor choices in life.

      Delete
  58. IF YOU CAN'T DO THE TIME...... DON'T DO THE CRIME.

    ReplyDelete
  59. So sad: Prisioner's have a place to live while the homeless are just that homeless!!

    Where the hell are the proporties of Springfield??

    I guess we now know.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. WOW !!! I just had an idea !!!!!

      NEXT we can offer a town sponsered homeless shelter.

      yes

      YES

      YES !!!!!!!!!

      A HOMELESS SHELTER IN SPRINGFIELD. !!!!!!!

      it can be wonderfull!! let's think big !!!
      State sponsored, out reach programs, we can put it in the Historic Downtown right next to the lovely comtu falls !!!

      Can we get a grant for that? I will need a salary to help out of course. who do I call for this ?
      211 ?

      Delete
  60. Wendi, suggestion, offer a meeting to answer all of these concerns. Put the date on this blog site and let the Springfield people know.

    This is not good; I for one would attend.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Why? HCRS is already here. The jail is already built. university @ Turning Point is open, multiple dollar stores,
      Wendi is going to "get hers" anyway you look at it.

      She is a puppet for a much larger picture.

      If we do meet. Can we meet the puppeteer?

      What is the game here anyway ? move all of the scum to springfield and heard them together? Collect there state and gov income? Smells like slavery.
      A collection of sheeple. An effort made to corral them all HERE.

      Delete
  61. They work hard to put them in jail now lets just let them out early. whatever happened to justice? know wonder some of them dont learn right from wrong. save the prisoners, save the prisoners. what about the victims because i bet they dont feel very good about this. Wendy you are a prsioner defender and you dont think abvout the victims.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. we just got a brand new jail ????
      let them stay there.
      problem solved, grant money saved, Wendi fired and budget reduced by the amount of her salary

      Delete
    2. So every prisoner deserves to be locked up for life no matter what the offense? Seems like a brilliant idea! Very well thought out. These 'halfway homes' are a service to communities, why is everyone so blind to that? It's either throw them on the street in their hometown or put them in a room with a real chance to reestablish themselves. Remember they're getting out anyway and a couple of months rent is waaay cheaper to taxpayers than staying in or going back to jail!

      Delete
  62. I would like to redirect the attention and focus of this blog subject. I completely understand the anger and furor with Ms. germaine and I am one of those individuals. However, we need to stay focused on the fact that the Springfield Select Board had blatant disregard for the safety and well being of the Springfield Residents and Taxpayers when wantonly approving this based on mere friendship and without bringing this issue as a vote to the residents.
    So with respect to each person, me being one of them, she is doing a job she believes in. That does not make it ok to try to pull a fast one over on the citizens and slide this through. EVERY SINGLE one of us should be writing letters to our elected officals in Burlington, we should be calling and writing each and every member of the town offices, select board members and the town manager to complain and we should be calling the papers and tv stations letting them know exactly what the town tried to pull over on us. It HAS to be voiced, we have to be organized and prepared. There is the possibility of a class action. There would have to be 30+ individuals to take part. Yes, a petition would serve well. If we are unhappy, then each person should help by buying a ream of paper, printing off a letter and mailing that letter to EVERY SINGLE REGISTERED VOTER within Springfield. That voter list is public information and is posted at the town hall and the library.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A Springfielder Who Is Saddened by All Of This1/17/12, 11:22 PM

      1/ I wasn't aware our elected officials were in Burlington. Mine work out of Montpelier, you know, the city with the building with a big gold dome in the downtown area, signifying the state capitol.

      2/ Mailing a letter to every single registered voter in Springfield would cost a small fortune.

      3/ A class action lawsuit will require actual names. You can't file a lawsuit and list "Anonymous" as the plaintiffs.

      4/ I strongly suggest each and every one of you who are vehemently opposed to this situation not only consider but actually file to run for town office, or is complaining behind 'anonymous' the most courage you can come up with?

      You people are amazing. You won't make yourself available as a candidate but you have no problem ripping the people that DO sacrifice their free time and work on behalf of this town. The stark reality is you all re-elect these individuals every election so if you're now saying they are corrupt or incompetent, what does that say about YOU as a voter?

      Delete
  63. I am Not Sue Church1/17/12, 10:48 PM

    The only thing the bleeding hearts can muster up is crap over people using the choice of "anonymous". Who cares? It's a BLOG. A person could just as easily put any name in there, so what does it matter?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. THANK YOU!!! It matters because they want to know who each person is so they can figure out how and what to do to them, what answers to give and who to blame. IT DOES NOT MATTER we all feel the same way quit trying to shift focus as to whether I post as anonymous or not.

      Delete
    2. A Springfielder Who Is Saddened by All Of This1/17/12, 11:43 PM

      Oh, you mean the way Will Hunter was eviscerated for giving an opinion? Yeah, you're a noble bunch.

      Delete
  64. whoa whoa whoa...Did anyone re-read the article? She is considered a town employee and I believe it was selectman swanson who serves on the advisory committee for the justice center. That is a violation of ethical conduct. Will call the state in the morning about this. If he voted for the grant then this is a done deal!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. A Springfielder Who Is Saddened by All Of This1/18/12, 12:00 AM

      I'm sure the folks in Montpelier will drop everything and look into this. It is, after all, a priority for the Gang of Eight.

      Delete
    2. ummm, i am not sure if you heard, but the capital of Vermont is Burlington, not Montpelier. I read it on this blog so it must be true.

      Delete
    3. Seriously guys..Is that all you have? Who cares whether they made a mistake about that. Really in the larger scheme of things that is not important. If you would like to debate the issue then go ahead..let me hear your stance but honestly if it make you feel stronger or more intelligent at least come back with something better. LOL hill people...gotta love your logic

      Delete
  65. Pound Sand Springfielder!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A Springfielder Who Is Saddened by All Of This1/17/12, 11:58 PM

      Debating isn't one of your strengths, is it?

      Delete
  66. While I was not at the meeting on Monday evening when the grant application was approved by the Selectboard, I can however certainly speak to the process. Ms. Germain followed the proper protocol required by the state for grant funding and it is the same process for all whether you are seeking money to repair sidewalks or run a half way house. The fact the Ms. Germain is paid through the town with funds that come from grant funding it is no different than teachers or para educators salaries being covered by grant funding through the school district. While my personal views may differ from Ms. Germain's on the rehabilitation of criminal offenders it does not give me or anyone else the right to engage in "anonymous" threats, vulgarity and slander. Ms. Germain has owned and operated a rental property in town since last year, but so do many others. How do you know that other landlords are not renting to individuals that have been incarcerated...the answer is you don't.

    I would sincerely encourage the citizens of Springfield to be involved in local goverment attend Selectboard meetings, better yet serve a term on the board then you might truly understand the process. As for the pay it is not great at $9.62 a week!

    People have said on this blog that they are embarrassed to say they live in Springfield, perhaps they should be more embarrassed by themselves.

    Terri L. Benton
    Selectman
    Town of Springfield

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brava Terri...as always!

      Delete
  67. A Springfielder Who Is Saddened by All Of This1/18/12, 12:13 AM

    Ms. Benton,

    Eloquent as always. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  68. Somehow the haters in opposition seem to be missing the point -- released prisoners who are from Springfield are being and will be returned to Springfield. That is happening now and will continue to happen in the future. Screaming in opposition to a halfway house to supervise them and to try to increase the chances that they will become better citizens and not reoffend will not, even if the halfway house is defeated, stop released prisoners from Springfield being resettled in Springfield.

    They ARE coming back to Springfield, with or without a halfway house. Do you think it is better to just leave them out there on their own, unsupervised?

    That seems more dangerous, not less dangerous.

    ReplyDelete
  69. I am in support of Wendi Germain and the house that she is putting together. I think that this is a wonderful thing that she is doing. And I think that before people go on this blog and talk about her the way they do, they should walk a mile in her shoes. People that are in jail are still people, no matter what crime they committed. Everyone on here is talking about them like they aren’t. Well I am here to say- THEY ARE.

    I am sober now, and I have been for years. Without the help that the Justice Center and the Turning Point offer, I would still be sitting on my butt collecting welfare, sending my children to school every day, and sitting at home getting wasted. Before I was introduced to Wendi Germain at the Justice Center and the people at the Turning Point that was what I did every day. I sat at home doing drugs, waiting for my welfare check to come in, and being a waste of space because that is what I knew how to do! I didn’t know that it was possible to change and now, thanks to Wendi and other people like her I am a hard-working, tax-paying, voting citizen of Springfield. And I cannot thank Wendi or the people at the Turning Point enough. In a way, they saved my life. I was dying because of my addiction and if I had read all these comments on here, I don’t think that I would have even tried to get sober and become a productive member of our community.

    I know Wendi Germain personally, and it is pretty obvious to me that the people writing on this blog don’t. Wendi is the most kind, caring, respectful, and just plain nice person and this work (helping people) is her passion. I would trust Wendi with my life. I think that everyone on here should actually try to get to know someone and what they do, before they make judgments about people. And that’s what a lot of the comments on here are……judgments.

    What would happen if your family or close friend got caught, and got sent to jail? It would be different wouldn’t it? You would be PISSED that they were stuck in jail with no housing and no one to advocate for them……but because it is not your family or close friend, you are treating these people like they aren’t human.

    These comments are pathetic. I know that I am out there every single day helping people to put their lives back together. What are you doing? And, yes, I am posting this anonymously because I am afraid of what will happen to my children, my job, my house, and my car. Funny thought: I am more nervous and scared of you people than I am the offenders, drug addicts, and alcoholics I work with every single day!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A Springfielder Who Is Saddened by All Of This1/19/12, 2:10 AM

      You are to be congratulated for your recovery and for your passionate defense of Wendi Germain and her dedication to her work.

      You are 100% correct about being too nervous to list your name. These people aren't playing with a full deck.

      God bless you and keep up the great work!

      Delete
  70. Ohhh man, this is so tiring!
    All of you that are whining need to actually DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!! Vote the criminals out, they work for US not the other way around.
    The funny thing is the person wanting to do something on Sunday at 2 in Riverside is ACTUALLY TRYING and you bashed them as well. If I didnt have to work to pay my bills I would be there as well.
    By the way I wont post my name, you might know me or my kids or wife and try to tar and feather us for expressing my concerns.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Vote the criminals out? You have PROOF the Springfield Select Board members are criminals or is this just another slanderous attack because you don't agree with them?

      No one has BASHED the person who suggested meeting at Riverside on Sunday. The reality is no one will show up because all the tough talking bullies on the blog will be too afraid to have their identities exposed.

      And why Riverside? A group of angry vigilantes are going to stand outside in the cold and yell and scream? Why not meet at someone's house. Nope, can't do that because that someone would have to list his name and address and we all know that ain't gonna happen. Name calling thugs are much braver when they're anonymous.

      If I didn't own a business in Springfield, I would post my name but to be very honest, I won't run the risk of having my store vandalized.

      Time to accept the facts. Nothing you write is going to change anything. You can threaten with petitions and lawsuits. You can call Montpelier and cite ethical violations. None of it will change the fact that this halfway house WILL happen.

      Delete
    2. Hey, there are not very many businesses in Springfield, so you have already been narrowed down! So save those four others around you and come clean!

      This blog subject is great, the best I've followed on here. Funny thing is, everyone's opinion is right because it is their opinion. The bigger picture here is everyone is getting pushed to their edge as Springfield becomes higher taxed, in decay and seems to have no answers to recover. Sadly we do not stand alone, we are just wallowing in what we live in. Start looking around and you will find thousands of towns in America just like us. Maybe we could move Springfield to China then our ecomony will improve. Hey that's the ticket! Maybe we can just annex China. Let's have a rally on Saturday at 6pm in front of Pebbles and get this going, I have an eight year-old that can start working tomorrow!

      Delete
  71. To all you bleeding hearts in support of the halfway house, enriching criminals lives, providing a solution for criminals early release, saving the money for the DOC, Perhaps if you didn't interfere with a judges sentence and let the criminals follow through with their responsibility, they actually might learn something. And if not, provide a program for them to attend upon their release and Ms Germain can personally host. We have HCRS, welfare, section 8, food and health blah, blah, blah. If you we provide more services for them it should be room service.

    When a halfway house becomes an escape from an imposed sentence; it is wrong. Tax payers pay for a crime from being to end that is the bottom line. Why not follow through?

    As for Ms. Benton, I don't thinks it's wise for you to engage in assuming the public will not know in regards to landlords. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure it out. As for your pay, we need to make cuts because I am embarrassed for you. You’re walking the line and may need a refresher on professionalism. I'm just Joe Public.

    I believe criminals need a chance including the ones with 1, 2, 3, and 10 convictions. BUT, they will NOT get BETTER until they are ready and those who play "bleeding hearts" are only spinning their wheels. Maybe grants are becoming a thing of the past for the RJC and new ways need to emerge so Ms. Germain remains employed. If that is the case, Kudos to you for being creative, however, wearing blinders to the community interest is NOT a solution.

    I feel for the victims, who hear this damning news; I'm sure they will be thrilled. I have sympathy for the criminal’s family who support the convicted, but I ask myself, why does Ms. Germain have such a great interest above her professional work ethic? I rarely hear of any 'woman' being helped, please enlighten me. Where we the statistics for her programs being a success? Failures? Somehow, I missed this information.

    I would say from previous readings of our local paper that I am utterly confused. How do we go to having a drug and gang problem within our town to a halfway house that will generate many inmates reintegrating back into the community throughout the course of a year?

    More so, you could publish their names upon their release to your 'halfway house' but I believe you said they have rights. Well, I will continue to exercise mine as well.

    Ms. Germain, you can do so much better for everyone with concerns. Your motivation is a red flag. Why put innocent people through that? Can you not think of something more constructive to do with your grant monies? With all the possibilities this is what we are reducing to? Way to think big. The good news is, the criminals if they do reoffend, will not bother you, just us. And you will ALWAYS have job security.

    Prove me wrong and I will be the first to step up to bat for you, but until then, I haven't heard anything to substantiate releasing criminals early.

    The final word is, they made bad decisions and must be held accountable and learn to deal with the effects of those decisions. There are many people who choose to make good decisions because they choose not to cross the line. You might ask yourself this: Are you helping or hindering?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are eloquent for someone who is either unable or unwilling to read or understand what you read. Do you not understand that very few criminals serve their full maximum sentence? With or without a halfway house? That judges sentence the convicted to flexible terms, like 8 to 12 years? The DOC has vested interests in releasing prisoners before the end of their maximum term -- 1) It reduces the very high cost/year of keeping them in jail; 2) it means the justice system still has the right (and duty) to keep tabs on them, supervise them and even help them, until the time for the maximum sentence has passed. It's what the concept of parole is all about.

      Do you not understand that prisoners are NOW being released earlier than their max sentence date? Starting a halfway house to try to improve on the results does not and will not mean earlier release for prisoners. The DOC is already releasing them, but the results are discouraging. We need more effort against the problem to keep our community safer.

      Yes, yes, I understand that your recommendation is to keep them in jail as long as possible, to the end of their max sentence time, because they made bad choices. Sure, but that doesn't happen NOW. Why don't you and your allies attack the DOC and the parole system for these early releases instead of making misinformed and frankly embarassingly stupid personal attacks on people who are trying to improve the system and the results.

      Your continual questioning of Wendy's motivation is sickening. You should understand that it provides a window into the kind of selfish, self-centered focus of your own thinking and motivation. It's a shame that you are unable to believe that others aren't as self-focussed as you are.

      Delete
    2. You raise some excellent points. If the complainers are reluctant to contact the DOC, they can get in touch with Alice Emmons, Chairperson of the HOUSE COMMITTEE ON CORRECTIONS AND INSTITUTIONS. She should be able to steer them in the right direction, or at the very least, explain the DOC policies. She's local so contacting her is easy.

      Delete
  72. Teri Benton obviously doesn't understand the concept of CONFLICT OF INTEREST as her flimsy defense of Ms. Germain proves. Here's another one that needs to be removed from the cabal that thinks they run Springfield. And it's hilarious that Benton can't put 2+2 together -- Germain operates a rental property in Springfield for a year and BINGO, here she is seeking additional funding that will help her put tenants of highly dubious moral character in her INCOME PRODUCING PROPERTY. And of course, the income accrues to Germain while the liability is borne by the good townspeople of Springfield. While the Board's vote was 4-0, it's obvious from Benton's self-incriminating post that she would have made it unanimous. She must be booted too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The number of concepts expressed in this debate that you obviously don't understand is staggering. How's this for a concept: try getting a life? Try to solve, to help. Drop the libelous personal slanders and get a life. Or make your scurrilous charges out in the open with your name attached, and watch YOUR own butt risk being sued.

      Delete
  73. I have to comment on several different posts. I want to address Ms. Benton first. As I read through your post there are several discrepancies that I want to point out. You commented on the amount the select board is paid. First, that wasn't the point that was made. The point was how the select board volunteers their time. You don't, you are paid for your time. The amount is insignificant. You CHOOSE to take on that position and the voters chose to pay each member for their time. So DO NOT make out as though it is not enough money or the minut amount because again this was something you choose to do.

    Second, I don't think anyone questioned the grant process that you wasted breath talking about. What exactly was questioned were two things:Because she is a town employee are these people going into her own rental. That clearly would be a conflict of interest because she would have a financial interest in it as defined by the STATE. Second, the question of whether ethical standards were followed by the select board. If I am not mistaken a vote came from one of the select board members who also sits on the advisory committee. That very much can be construed as a conflict of interest.

    Third: I do not believe that your response was eloquent as one post responded. You were very condecending and you were attempting to bully and intimidate the residents, who have a right under the constitution to voice their opinion. Your attempt to intimidate the towns people by stating that they were being slanderous and making "anonymous threats" is inaccurate. Where exactly did you feel there was a threat? By seeking legal action against you, the select board, the town or Ms. Germaine's organization? I hate to explain this to you but that is a viable option that is open to the residents at any point to take. That is not your call, and you can not and should not use your position and name to intimidate anyone because you do not like the options available to them.You singlehandedly proved WHY the residents don't list their names the minute you mentioned slander and threats. Sweety, as much as you might like you cannot alter fact based information and implying that "threats" were made shows the citizens EXACTLY where you are coming from and why they should not trust or believe in the select board.

    Frankly, it sounds as if the select board and the town are worried or you wouldn't be putting this much energy into responding and pulling everyone you can to write up support for this. The fact remains that if the residents so choose yes they can follow through with a lawsuit, they can petition a vote to have the select board removed. And for the record to the poster that claimed a lawsuit cannot be filed with "anonymous" names as the plaintiff. That was totally incorrect and many suits are filed listing "John Doe" etc for privacy reasons such as this.

    Now, I will say this in defense of the town. I think you guys try. I do. But I also believe that politics play a huge role in what you choose to allow and I think friendships and association play a role in that.

    ReplyDelete
  74. Part two above:

    I invite everyone to read http://www.sec.state.vt.us/municipal/pubs/conflictofinterest.html

    Make yourselves aware of what rights each member of the community has. I would very much be interested in knowing whether the Town of Springfield is in tune with the Secretary of State Model Policy. That does interest me. However don't come on the board and make veiled threats of slander and whatnot. It only does you a diservice not me. And to those posters who put out opinion. We should be making a distinction between fact and opinion. You have the right to opinion, these posts are all protected under the contitution, however do not set yourself up for bullying by anyone when making your statements. Protect yourself first and foremost. We do not know if Ms. Germaine is profiting from this. Ask the question. Do the research. If she is moving people into her apts that come through her agency then yes that is a clear violation. But ask the needed questions is the point I am making. I do not disagree with those against this but we have to all give respect even though it is not given back to the residents.

    ReplyDelete
  75. To TERRI: Dear Ms. You made an obvious attempt at trying to intimidate and cloud the issues raised. First, your response to the amount paid the select members was off point. You responded with what you were paid and the comment at hand was that the select board members volunteered their time. Guess what, yes you are paid. The amount is insignificant. You choose to hold that position. Do not try to downplay it with the meager amount. That was the amount YOU SET FOR YOURSELVES THAT THE VOTERS VOTED IN!

    Second: Don't come on the board and try to intimidate and bully the residents with your words of slander and "anonymous threats". Sweety, you proved single handed why the residents do not and should not trust you by making your veiled threat to them. What you should understand and somehow you keep trying to avoid is that the questions at hand were NOT about the grant process but rather the need for a public forum, whether the residents had a right to vote on the proposed plan AND whether there were ethical issues. What appears to me is that you and the town are indeed concerned and worried or you would not have even bothered to respond. I think you are in fact aware of the ethical implications. You had a board member who voted on the proposed grant, who sits on the board of the agency. You made sure you responded by saying you were not there. I think the questions asked were important. Does Ms. Germain, as a town employee, receive income from individuals who come through her program? Pretty clear. If so that would be a conflict of interest. Either you are a town employee or not. If the town pays or funds you, you ARE a town employee. I really must caution you on using your name or position to intimidate residents because you dont like the options available to them. It is not a threat saying the residents have the right to take legal action. You just don't like that option. It is their right as a citizen just as it is their right to petition a vote to remove board members if they so choose. Your response was condescending and honestly irrelavant to what your responsibility is to the residents. Your legal responsibility is to the residents of this town and that includes ensuring safety. Has the town met or exceeded the State Model Policy on ethical standards? One last mention. To the post that addressed that a lawsuit could not be filed using anonymous. Yes, indeed it can and it is done quite frequently. Usually the plaintiff/s are referred to as Ms. Doe or John Doe for privacy reasons such as the lynching that they might receive by individuals such as yourself. So dont try to stress yourself by being the pocket lawyer it isn't very flattering to you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt1/19/12, 1:41 PM

      Wow! You angry people who think people are angry need to get your facts straight on getting facts straight, before you start making ridiculous accusations about accusations being ridiculous! You are making yourselves sound foolish saying others are making themselves sound foolish. LOL.

      Delete
    2. Thank you for proving my point...

      Delete
    3. Thanks to the person who posted not only Part 1 and Part 2, but them followed it up with a third comment, all of then saying the same thing; almost word for word. That indicates there really are a very few people trying to impose their will by making it appear there are many complaining.

      On Tuesday, one member of the Gang of Eight said they were calling Montpelier the next day to report their Inspector Clouseau findings that a violation of ethical standards had taken place when Mr. Swanson participated in the vote to approve. It's now Thursday afternoon. Where is the report on the phone call?

      Allow me to explain a couple of facts to you.

      First, Terri Benton's mention of select board pay was to the point AT HAND (a phrase the two "different" posters used frequently) because select board pay was mentioned earlier in one of your many posts (but honest, they were from different people!).

      Second, veiled threats and attacks have taken place on this board, none more disgusting than the one made on the person who used his real name; a brave gesture by him but one that drew a hideous and completely unnecessary response from one of the EIGHT.

      Third, a petition to recall MUST have petitioner's names attached to it. Sorry but anonymous won't cover it.

      Fourth, a lawsuit can be filed under the name of John Doe but SOMEBODY has to pay for it. All I have read indicates a lot of anger over people struggling to make ends meet while the inmates get preferential treatment. If that is the case, which one of you EIGHT will be able to afford writing the check?

      Perhaps you can pool your loose change at the infamous Riverside meeting. Why, if all EIGHT of you show up, that should just about cover the bill, eh, SWEETY?

      Delete
    4. Adam Bates, age 36, was arrested and charged with 1st Degree Aggravated Domestic Assault and Violation of Conditions of Release following a report of a dispute at his Springfield residence January 15th. Bates was taken into custody and subsequently lodged at Southern State Correctional Facility in lieu of $10,000 cash or surety bail. He will be arraigned at a later date in Windsor Superior Court Criminal Division.

      Delete
    5. @ John Jacob

      YOU STOLE MY NAME !!!!

      Delete
  76. You are correct..I did end up posting twice. The first and second part were together. I had to split them because of the amount of characters. The first part did not post immediately so I re-typed the second. No "hidden agenda" to try to log alot of posts except a slight delay in the posting system..so sorry. So far as the ethical portions. I suggest you read the post on the Vermont State website. It is pretty explanatory and actually in simple terms that you may be able to understand. The law is pretty black and white.

    I will however address that I never said that a petition to remove anyone could be done anonymously. That in fact does require names and addresses. So don't throw that into the mix to make yourself feel more knowledgable it just won't work.

    And lastly-your comment about funding a lawsuit. Well that is up to the residents. If it is class action then of course the cost recovery would come if the suit was won. However, I know my own ability to fund a lawsuit and thanks to very astute parents who planned before their demise I have a very expansive trust fund. In other words money is not an issue for me SWEETY!

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    1. Wimpy like all the Haters1/19/12, 3:02 PM

      Hey, Sweety Man (or Woman), glad to hear you're in the chips. Could you front me the bread for a hamburger -- for which I will gladly pay you on Tuesday..........

      Delete
  77. Ah, we've moved from the ridiculous to the sublime, and on to off-the-issue laughs. Thanks, everyone -- for a while I thought this was actually a serious issue to debate regarding the welfare of our town. Now I understand it's just funny -- like Coke and Pepsi ads shoothing back and forth at each other. Who will be the next greater fool?

    ReplyDelete
  78. I agree..this certainly needs to be on point. It seems we have a few individuals who either work, are married too or are friends with those pointed out in here. That is a deliberate tactic that the town uses when they have no defense. LOOK- why is it so hard to say hey we may have made a mistake, lets publish it in the local paper and lets all gather at a forum and discuss both sides of the issue and let the voters decide what they want in town. It isn't all that difficult. OWN your mistakes and be respected for that and again you are here to serve the community. So let's all seek the community approval and quit making excuses for one another. So their were ethical mistakes..big deal OWN it and let's change it. I dont think anyone is saying that the select board are not human and dont make mistakes. And yes-I am the poster from above part one and two.

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    Replies
    1. As Wendi Germain wrote, "the open select board meeting I went to regarding our grant was only attended by press. It was warned, as all select board meetings are, but no community members were there."

      So much for your suggestion that an open forum would help. You HAD a chance to object and dismissed it but now you want a do over.

      You say ethical mistakes were made but that has not been proven. It's a fact only in the minds of people, probably eight to ten, who neglected to exercise their right to complain the first time around and are now grasping at straws.

      On the subject of deliberate tactics, you and your little posse say there's a conspiracy by the town to defend their position. That conspiracy includes gathering writers to object to your baseless claims. I'd say it is you and a VERY small minority who are banding together to write comment after comment, thereby making it appear the majority of people are opposed.

      The repeated use of "their" (their were ethical mistakes) instead of "there" is a dead giveaway. I'd like to think an overwhelming number of people in this town can spell better than that.

      Delete
    2. Awwww, you ruined the running joke that is the comment section on this blog, the grammatical errors. I could care less about the subject matter, I just read to see the lack of education on display. The "their" and "there" usage is my favorite, followed closely by the "your" and "you're".

      On to the more serious topic, you are (or you're) correct, these people love to react to newspaper articles after the fact instead of getting off their lazy bums to go to a meeting and voice their concerns during the meeting. I am sure if there were 8-10 people at the select board meeting, all arguing against the proposed grant, this vote may have turned out differently.

      A suggestion for the administrator of this blog, could you post the agenda of select board meetings here? The town doesn't do a great job of keeping their agendas and minutes up to date on their website.

      Am I looking in the wrong place for meeting agendas and minutes? http://springfieldvt.govoffice2.com/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={BA6434D1-7A54-4F75-A041-097FF7134300}

      Delete
  79. Since there are so many people on this blog named "anonymous" it is difficult to know whom I am directing my response to. That being said yes I chose to put my name and title on my blog because I personally do not believe in making anonymous comments. If I had not stated that I was a selectman I am pretty sure that someone would have quickly called me out on my failure to disclose. As for the comments about pay that was in reference several statements that board members do not volunteer our time we are paid a salary. Yes we do get paid a stipend of $500 a year which is voted on by the taxpayers and as a point of reference I have always voted against it because I believe those of us that serve on the board should do so because we care about our town and not because we are paid local politicians. As for being able to add 2 + 2 believe it or not I think I can and I also understand conflict of interest. As I stated in my original blog I do not necessarily agree with Ms. Germain's position on offender rehabilitation just as I may not agree with some of yours. Yes it is slander to make statements that she is committing fraud and lining her pockets with out having the facts, yes it is threatening to state that you wished she had children so that they could be raped and murdered and yes vulgarity was used because it was removed by the owner of the blog site. If you have to engage in the personal character assassination of anyone willing to put their name to a post here then I contend that you are the one clouding the issue. Do I think that some people should be embarrassed by their posts I do so in the interest of full disclosure I will sign this post:
    Terri Benton
    Wife of a town employee
    Sister in law of 2 retired FL police officers
    Sister of a retired FL Corrections Warden
    Cousin of 2 Orange County CA police officers
    Cousin of a murder victim
    Niece of a rape victim

    So do I take all of this personally you bet I do and oh by the way I have a son in the military that served 4 tours in Iraq. You know the ones that fight to protect your first ammendment rights.

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    1. You took the comment of of context. Nobody threatened rape. The comment you are referring to wished that she would know the pain of losing a child to rape or murder. There is a HUGE difference. So DO NOT try to spin that and make it something that it is not. That is despicable,vile, and sick for you to infer that and to me shows your true character to say or infer something of that caliber.

      I cannot speak for the comment on lining her pockets. I stand firm on my own comment if she is profiting from referrals from the agency and she is a town employee then that is an ethical conflict of interest.

      Your tone is neither attractive nor professional to say the least. I appreciate your references to your family members, I too have members of my family who are surgeons, military etc etc. Because a person has family who are one thing or another lends no credence to whether you as a person hold those projected values and lends nothing to the argument of how this was handled or what steps to take to SOLVE the issue. I am the poster above who stated about owning the mistakes and moving forward. I have a right to say I think you are insincere, self-serving or wrong however, I also have posted how is this fixed to serve the community as a whole so that the end goal of public safety and community expansion mesh to suit ALL the residents needs.

      So get defensive if you wish but that is not and does not assist is recognizing the problem, isolating the issue and ensuring that the same mistakes are not made again. I believe I stated we are all human and we make mistakes. For God's sake this isn't about burning someone at the stake. It may seem that way from some of the posts. This is a hotbed issue. The residents are tired of seeing the town run into the ground and going down the drain. If you cannot read that frustration and anger in their tone and understand it then you have no business being on the select board.

      By the way invoking my first ammendment rights-I am happy to hear your son made it home after 4 tours many did not so you are very blessed.

      Delete
    2. Terri Benton1/20/12, 2:44 PM

      I am sorry that you find my tone to be unattractive and unprofessional, but at least I am willing to own it. As for my "spinning" something, there have been veiled threats in many of these posts. Can you state for a fact that Ms Germain or her family members have not felt she's been verbally attacked or threaten by some of the comments posted here? You do have a right to state your opinion, but you also said "if she is" which is speculation. Do you have conclusive proof? Don't you think she should be given the opportunity to explain? I agree that this is a very controversial subject and and people would like more information, but when Ms Germain tried to explain or answer questions she was mocked and belittled. Am I happy about some of the changes that have taken place in Springfield in the past few years? No! I care about this town and the residents if I did not I would have said to heck with it and moved. I am sorry you think I am insincere or self serving, but you are wrong. It has become to easy with today's technology for someone to be anonymously cyber bullied and I felt compelled to speak up for Ms Germain. I understand people's anger and frustration, but I am also frustrated by people not being involved and then becoming angry after the fact. It is a two way street. And believe it or not I would support a discussion forum which would be far more constructive. So in closing you don't have to agree with me or like me that is certainly your right, but do not under estimate my feelings for this town and yes I do feel very blessed and thank god for it every day.

      Delete
  80. Well I think that if the board acted in a manner that was consistent with the State Laws we would not be going over and over a process that obviously needs attention from the state. Second, in my profession we employ someone to correct grammatical errors. Prob one of your wives. But here is a better subject. Since this subject is so over done , why don't we call out the married town folk who are having affairs on their spouse. better yet why don't we especially call out the men who are cheating on their wives with other men...LOL now that is some funny shiznit! Let's start with the ones who work at the schools...Anyone wanna take a guess??? Oh come on play along now LOLOLOL

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  81. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  82. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  83. Judging by the picture at the bottom of the blog, Admin seems to have a humorous side as well. I wont be there unless I can be home by 3, the Patriots are playing and that is more important.
    DB

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  84. To the poster who chastised Terri Benton with this ridiculous comment:
    "Nobody threatened rape. The comment you are referring to wished that she would know the pain of losing a child to rape or murder. There is a HUGE difference."

    You don't find that to be beyond disgusting? You don't think wishing someone would know the horror of losing a child to rape or murder is, at best, reprehensible? (and if you do, why didn't you state that?)

    You go on to say, "So get defensive if you wish but that is not and does not assist is recognizing the problem, isolating the issue and ensuring that the same mistakes are not made again. I believe I stated we are all human and we make mistakes."

    Why is it so difficult for you and your cohorts to understand the fact that the meeting at which this grant application was discussed was WARNED and you had a chance to speak your mind then. You chose not to. I'd say the mistake made was yours and every one of you who are coming out of the woodwork after the fact.

    YOU didn't show up to voice an opinion but it's the board who made a mistake? You and your friends are the kind of people who don't bother voting but spend the next few years complaining about the results.

    If this issue means that much to you, WHERE WERE YOU WHEN THE MEETING WAS HELD?

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  85. I think the original problem was letting the prison come to Springfield when so many other places turned it down. How does it weigh out now? Are the tax revenues, or the recreation center, or the jobs the prison created worth dealing with the influx of prisoner families from other places? Has crime gone up in town? It seems like that to me, but I am making that judgement from the recent spate of robberies at Rite Aid. I don't have specific figures on crime in Springfield. The other thing is how many of the families that moved to town to be near their loved ones who are incarcerated will be staying in Springfield once their family member is released? There is no backing out of the decision to bring the prison to town, so how do you deal with the problems that come with having the prison here? If some programs aren't put into place to deal with prisoners that are being furloughed, Springfield could just go into a death spiral. You can't ignore the problem, but is there a better solution to what has been proposed? It seems there wouldn't be enough oversight of prisoners who are furloughed. Also, if there will be a significant amount of prisoners who are sex offenders that does not bode well for the town. I think the memory of the Gary Schaefer killings is still too raw in all our memories.

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  86. The original argument against Germain's halfway house still stands. Due to her acknowledged recidivism rate, the neighborhood risk would outweigh that of an AIDS infected, leper colony. No responsible family would remotely consider raising children next door to an enclave of CONVICTED child molesters. Adjoining property values would plummet, further adding to Springfield's blight of unkempt homes.

    The absence of logic is mind numbing to a rational person. Springfield funnels tens of thousands a year into organizations to improve the image and prosperity of the community. Then, without thought, undoes such efforts by this action. Painfully clear, Town mgmt has absolutely no vision. Especially one that would benefit those that fuel this increasingly fetid rathole of a town.

    Town meeting and budget vote is less then two months away. The hard working, law abiding, responsible citizens of this rathole have an opportunity. We can send Wendi Germain, the most hated, self serving, person in Springfield, a clear message by voting against her pocket lining scheme shrouded as, Springfield Restorative Justice.

    Additionally, send her apologetic, missing in action, supporter, Terri Benton packing too. Benton was not so much elected to the Selectboard as allowed to serve. Due to apathy within the community, no one else filed for the available seat. The fact that her husband is employed by the town, a direct violation of the town charter was granted a wavier.

    Sentiment within the community has reached a boiling point. We have a plethora of candidates this year. Many, far more qualified then in years past. Make your vote count. We can make Springfield thrive again if we embrace a vision of prosperity. A vision that focuses on retaining and attracting hard working, responsible, young families vs. the bottom feeding, parasitic, predatory, criminals Germain chooses to surround herself with.

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    Replies
    1. If you are this towns next selectman our problems have just multiplied ten fold. You are one scary group of people. Sex offenders are scum! But you crazies SCARE me. What is next????? Tar & feathers, lynch mobs.

      Delete
  87. Go read the town charter you are wrong you will find a copy in the library. The waiver was granted to a former school board member! Trying to make fiction into fact just shows how little you really know and stupid you are.

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  88. Ms Benton never said she supported the idea of a halfway house in Springfield. She said that she did not agree with Ms Germain. You might want to get those glasses checked.

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  89. I think this thread has officially crossed from entertaining, to just plain pathetic. From the spew thrown towards Wendi Germain as an individual, to those who are clearly her personal friends sticking up for her. From the thieving ADD inflicted disbarred attorney to the huff and puff responses from a selectperson. No self respecting official should get their panties in a twist enough so to speak out - from a BLOG, that most people in Springfield don't even know exists! LOL -

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    1. You have a strange taste in what qualifies for entertainment. PANTIES in a TWIST so sexist. Yet you know this BLOG exists.

      Delete
    2. Yeah, I know this blog exists....your point? At MOST, stories on here range from zero to 10 comments. This was pasted on many a facebook page which illicited the visits you see above. DERRRRR. Panties in a twist is an expression....you have heard of expressions, right? Would undies have suited your politically correct nomenclature better? And yeah, this is entertainment - nearly 200 comments on a blog, much like youtube, does certainly qualify as entertainment. What...? did you think this was some sort of official record? But, reply back....you know you want to. Maybe I misspelled something....pick it apart....go for it....WIN THE INTERNET. LOL.

      Delete
  90. It's closing in on 2:00. Make sure you bundle up for that big meeting at Riverside. If it's too cold, maybe all 4 or 5 of you can sit in one vehicle to stay warm. I'll be swinging by with my camera. Be sure to say cheese!

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  91. Oh, Dear. NOBODY showed up for the Angry Mod Fun Run?

    Darn. Guess it wasn't so important to y'all after all.

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