I also grew up in Schenectady and went to Linton High School in the 70's. I was threatened and harassed by two girls who had been assigned to my locker and were stealing my belongings out of the locker. I went to the Principal and one of the girls was eventually expelled, but I still lived in fear for my life everytime I left school. When you're a teenager you don't think you can survive such fear and anxiety. You can only see the immediate trauma unfolding in your life. I really feel for these girls. I'm amazed at the adults I speak with who just can't fathom that these children would consider suicide. I've been there...it's real. It wasn't necessarily the school or the parents at fault. But I wish someone had taken the time to teach compassion to the girls who are so mean to their classmates. I made sure to teach my kids to consider the feelings of the people they belittle. "How would you feel". I had to remind them often, but I hope they remember my voice when they think about being mean or teasing other kids. Not everyone is as strong as they might think.
My heart goes out to the parents and the friends of those girls. I hope their deaths make the bullies take a good look at their actions and helps to change their attitudes. That's where the blame lies.
I hope the cavers value the lives of the bat population enough not to put them in danger. Please let the scientists do their jobs and give them and the bats the respect they deserve. I personally have a strange affection for these little guys (the bats). Maybe it's the same strangeness that causes me to keep "ratties" as pets.
Maybe we should start looking at cutting Schenectady cops instead of state workers to save money...we state employees don't get away with such craziness!
Good for you, John! I'm proud for you. City Mission is a wonderful organization. My teenage daughter and I have helped serve holiday dinners there. As a person in recovery myself, I have seen first hand the lives that are turned around by this organization. I'm so proud of the many young people who I know that are growing up with compassion, and I'm very proud of John. Thank you so much!
As a recovering addict myself, I think the police should be taking a hard look at someone who can be "flagged" down by joe schmo in the street and happens to have $2000 in his wallet! This man doesn't deserve protection. He should go to jail.
Posted on May 5 at 4:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Why don't you post a picture to keep everyone's mind fresh in case someone might see her.
Thank you.
On Schenectady woman’s disappearance still a mystery