FW: Walsh Press Release

I received the following e mail. I thank Clay for responding and as promised I am posting it.

Stan

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From: walshclay@hotmail.com
To: stanleywotring@msn.com
Subject: Walsh Press Release
Date: Wed, 25 May 2011 11:25:09 -0400

Dear Lynn School Watch readers,

I was arrested for a crime I did not commit.  The arrest in 2008 is a part of my past and I have always spoken openly about it, including during an interview done with the Lynn Item in 2010 when I ran for State Rep.  However, I don't make it a point to bring up to everyone I meet, as I was innocent.  The fact is that I was not convicted of this crime and I have never been convicted of any crime. 

In 2008 I was arrested for a horrible crime called child enticement.  It did not reflect my actions or intentions and was thrown out of court in February of 2010.  The online article fails to mention that the individual in the case had a MySpace page which stated she was 18 years of age along with photos of her drinking tequila.  While a couple of instant message conversations did take place, it was nothing more to me than sexual banter. 

I did not know this online individual, and I never agreed to meet in person.  After my arrest, police seized every computer in my home and a judge confined me to house arrest as a bail condition.  While it was alleged that I "lured" the individual from their home the chats presented as evidence showed that I never arranged a meeting.  It was also brought to the court's attention that I never left my house or attempted to meet the online individual. 

The fact that I was put on house arrest does not mean that I was convicted or guilty.  While I do not agree with it, judges have the option to place individuals on home confinement as a condition of bail.  Ironically, the judge never ordered a dangerousness hearing, which is usually the place those decisions are made.

In regards to other rumors, I do have a facebook account and I have friends or all ages there.  I use my facebook to build my campaign and communicate with friends.  As I am single, I believe that I have the right to date or chat with females who are adults.  Any speculation otherwise is plain witch hunting.

At the end of the day, this online article from the Sun Chronicle is nothing more than allegations.  Its use to smear my name without having my side of the story is disappointing.  I appreciate anyone who shares this story so that my name is cleared.  Those close to me who witnessed my fight through the court process consider me a stronger and individual, who is very capable of fighting for Lynn's future.

Robert Clay Walsh

Strange Departure

Looking over the agenda for Thurs. night's upcoming meeting I discovered something interesting. You all know I don' have an advanced degree or much of that other fancy book learning so I am counting on you teachers and maybe some of you administrators to explain something to me.

How after less than a year in the position can the President of your union take a year off? Maybe there are legitimate reasons, but is he going to remain president? How can he adequately represent you if he is not on the job? Where will he be? Is this tantamount to union busting? Help me please

Google Digs The Dirt

The WATCH may have been too easily swayed by a FREE meal. Perhaps I misjudged the consistency of the dirt. Thanks  to Google my perception has been re-muddied. I should have went with my first impression when he forgot my name.

Police: Man sought teen for sex

BY DAVID LINTON SUN CHRONICLE STAFF

Saturday, August 2, 2008 1:11 AM EDT

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Robert C. Walsh III of Lynn during his arraignment in Attleboro District Court Friday. (Staff photo by Mike George)

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Top Headlines

Police: Man sought teen for sex

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Photo Reprints

 

NO- Police say a bartender from Lynn tried to meet a 13-year-old local girl for sex after writing explicit messages to her over the Internet for several weeks.

Robert C. Walsh III, 31, a bartender at Maddie's Sail Loft in Marblehead, allegedly tried to lure the girl out of her home to engage in sex with her before the girl told her mother, who then went to police, authorities said Friday.

After sending the girl an instant message on June 2, "there were several inappropriate conversations that took place over the next three or four days," Detective Todd Bramwell said during a bail hearing in Attleboro District Court.

Walsh asked the girl for sex and "tried to lure her from her home and tried to meet her in different locations," Bramwell said.

After the mother reported the incidents to police, investigators took over the Internet communication from the girl's computer before obtaining an arrest warrant for Walsh and a search warrant for his home.

Robert C Walsh III of Lynn, is arraigned in Attleboro District Court Friday for child enticement. Walsh, right, faces the judge. Left is his attorney Paul Whelan. (Staff photo by Mike George)

Walsh, who has a criminal record but without sex crimes, pleaded innocent to enticement of a child under 16, a felony punishable by up to five years in prison.

He was ordered held in jail until Monday, when he was expected to be released on $10,000 cash bail on home confinement with a series of conditions and monitoring with an electronic bracelet.

Judge Robert E. Baylor agreed to release on bail but not before court officials in Lynn can hook up Walsh with the electronic device.

Upon his release, Walsh will be prohibited from using a computer or the Internet. He was also ordered to have no contact with the victim or children younger than 17. He cannot drink alcoholic beverages and must undergo random alcohol tests and random visits from probation officials.

Bramwell, who was the lead investigator on the case, said that when police went to Walsh's home in Lynn, his parents told police he was not home.

Police seized the computers in the home, then found a wire leading from a first-floor window to a garage. Following the wire, they found Walsh in one of two offices in the rear of the garage. But the defendant's mother, Carolyn Walsh, who was in court with other family members, said that was untrue.

"I never told them he was not home. I told them where he worked. I didn't know if he was home or not. They are lying," she said.

Carolyn Walsh said the arraignment was the first she heard of the allegations against her son.

"He's my son. I love him and I don't know anything more, other than what I heard and you heard," she told a Sun Chronicle reporter.

Bramwell alleged that Walsh sent the girl an e-mail photo of himself, and that the girl spoke on the telephone with a man who said he was "Clay." Walsh's middle name is Clay.

The girl did not agree to meet with Walsh, and she did the right thing by telling her mother, Bramwell said.

"Parents should know there are dangers out there and they should be aware of what their children are doing on the Internet," Bramwell said.

The computers seized by police will be examined by experts with the Metropolitan Law Enforcement Council computer crimes unit.

Assisting Bramwell in the investigation were detectives Sgt. Thomas Peterson and Stephen Desfosses. They were assisted by members of the Metropolitan Enforcement Council computer crimes unit and the Bristol County District Attorney's Office.

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Mark Your Calenders!

In order to maintain some semblance of journalism, I am reporting of a relevant event occurring, The Committee to Re-elect Maria Carrasco is holding a fundraiser:

	Wednesday, May 25 · 5:30pm - 7:30pm
	103 Federal St. (Hibernian Hall) Lynn

What Are We Supposed To Do About Our Trespasses?

The letter from a parent published in the ITEM calling for more openness in our schools raises a couple of very good points. On one level, it's a no brainier. The land, even the building occupies that space in the universe twenty four hours a day. Why shouldn't we have access to it more than just the hours of the school day. Let's get our money's worth out of our tax dollars.

The actions of the principal as they were recounted reflect a rigid interpretation of the rules, policy, or laws that pertain to the legal definition of "trespassing" without regard to who was the violator. "If you shoot first, you won't have to be bothered with asking questions later."

I am sure it was just a coincidence that this principal just happens to be married to the LPS's attorney. We just ALL need to remember who we are here for.

FW: Heart of Lynn

Thank You HEART OF LYNN! I even have to thank the ITEM for printing this letter.  Although a special measure of thanks goes to the parent who brought up these concerns. We here at the WATCH are with

Heart of Lynn

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Concept: Let kids play in schoolyard Posted: 21 May 2011 10:19 AM PDT In a letter to the Editor to the Daily Item, dated May 20, 2011, a concerned parent writes 'Let kids play in the schoolyard'. Why are some school yards not open-space, open to the public after hours?  Why do most schools have no grass fields, trees and benches?

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It's Your Party But These Are Our Schools

I got another invite. It is to attend a fundraiser to Re-elect Dan Cahill, Councilor-At-Large. This time the invitation came in the form of an e-blast from Facebook, not the letter with accompanying comp tickets I got from Councilor-At-Large Candidate CLAY WALSH.

I don't think I will be going though and it's not just because my fragile ego was bruised. Okay, maybe a little. The real reason is that Dan Cahill should be joining me in the audience at Thursday night's long awaited  LSC meeting. Perhaps he could even ask for details on how the school department plans to spend money for next year's budget during open-mike. As a city councilman he should be concerned since half Lynn's city budget goes to the schools.

What's more important, an evening of appetizers and long-winded conversation or learning what "GQ" is wearing as he champions the fight for more administrators? Priorities people!

Coming To A School Near You

I talked with a parent today who was expressing her frustration that because of where she lives that her child was going to have to go to Marshall next year. She was really infuriated that she was probably going to have to pay to have her child go to St. Pius and at the same time continue to pay the taxes that supported Marshall. What she doesn't realize is that we have gotten so good at being bad is that shortly Marshall is supposed to be hopping the "Level 4" money train and things will be all different soon that is until the money runs out. We need to make systemic changes that are sustainable over the long term. Marshall is in the pipeline for a new school in the future from MSBA. All aboard!

It's All In How You Look At It

My son got two hits and scored two runs last night in his Little League game. I'm sure you're thinking, "That's nice, but what does that have to do with schools? I think you're just trying to plug  your son."

You are partially right and completely wrong. I am proud of my son's accomplishments like most parents but more and more the burden for our children's development has fallen upon our schools. The better coordination we have between what may be considered non-school related extracurricular activities and our schools only makes for a better well rounded child. I would venture a guess that the better rounded a student is the better their test scores. I am getting precariously close to sounding like a "math" person. Someone, please rescue me from the dark side.

Another interesting thing was how one of the coaches was lamenting the fact that it was the first night game in Lynn (I expect for the season) and that there was no media coverage (he didn't know who I was and what I do). What this coach is pointing out is that we are living in a society that concentrates too much on our opportunities for failure and does not place enough value on what we have accomplished. Of course, then we can debate the definition of just what an "accomplishment" is, but that's another slippery slope.

Take My Job, Please!

It's budget time. Looks like we are finally going to have a LSC meeting this Thursday. It's about time because it is time. We need to be tossing out ideas and setting priorities. You know I am going to call for the restoration of the REAL librarians.

The kids have been great but I am a writer and a reader, I don't do well with shelves. I look forward to the day we put reading back in learning and pay due reverence to our libraries establishing them as our shrines to education.

Besides if I wasn't spending time volunteering, I would have more time to understand how adding another $140,000 a year deputy would help in reducing class sizes or in adding some reading teachers. I would also have more time to perhaps better understand why I didn't even get ACKNOWLEDGED in my one man campaign to get the PARENT LIAISON job.

OOPS! Another Scoop?

Last night students from all over the city met last night with Councilmen Creighton, Collucci, and Crowley to discuss their role in their vision for the future at North Shore Community College's STUDENT LEADERSHIP AMBASSADOR PROGRAM. The program is sponsored through Diana Kerry and the Public Policy Institute. I am sure when the ITEM covers the story they will give you ample details. I only know that four students got to address the councilmen and one of them was my daughter, Asiah.

FEED ME! I am HUNGRY

FEED ME! I am HUNGRY for stories! I've got business cards and a T shirt due any day. The WATCH is SERIOUS.

Civic's Lessons Writ Large

I learned about the importance of voting and my civic responsibilities in SCHOOL back in WV. Restoring voting back at the Ford School is the right thing for a number of reasons.Today along with some other citizens from the Highlands neighborhood filed complaints with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination. I will leave it to the ITEM to flesh out the details and the city's attorneys to respond to our complaint but I GOT THE SCOOP. 

What Was In Our Wallet?

We are about to go through the budget process for next year. There will be meetings, discussions and even media coverage about plans, hopes and dreams about where we want education to go next year, This all fine and appropriate.

Upon closer examination a budget is not really much more than a wish list, more akin to sitting on Santa's lap and reciting our desires than what actually appears under the tree on Christmas morning. Now is last year's Christmas's morning for last year's budget. Let's see what we got.

After all Uncle Sam gave us 4.5 million or so dollars to buy some new educational toys and Uncle Deval chipped in another 4 million. All of this was AFTER we gave our wish list to the LSC. Let's see what we got. How can we know what we want or need if we don't know what we got?

Not only would I like to see next year's budget on-line but I would also like to see last year's balance sheet on-line as well. How can this present any problems? SHOW ME THE MONEY!

What Better Place To Learn To Vote?

Lynn group fights for Ford School polling

This story interests me for a couple of reasons. How can there be security concerns only at Ford School? I mean they allow voting at English, Shoemaker, and Sisson. If safety is a concern why are we putting those students at risk? Are they saying that poor, minority kids need more stringent protection?Voting occuring in a school is an important lesson in civics. Streams of citizens passing by provide for an education in democracy that textbooks can't provide.

The second reason this story interests me is the ADA angle. It infuriates me that a perversion of the regulations was used to gerrymander this district. Plus, city government is trying to put a price-tag on our civil liberties. I think MCAS still covers history, maybe some people ought to study up on it before they pass judgement.

Ford Makes The Papers

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It was GREAT to see so many kids yesterday interested in working on the school newspaper yesterday after school. Getting 25 to 30 3rd and 4th graders to spend an hour after school, especially after MCAS was invigorating. Learning the power of the written word is an important lesson.



They voted on a name, "The Ford Falcon". Working on this publication is sure to take their education to new heights.

More Monkey Business

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Spring is in the air but flowers aren't the only thing you are smelling. Last Thursday's LSC meeting was cancelled to to a sudden scheduling conflict for John Ford. I reported this days ago and no one has gotten back with me to dispute the truth of the statement. So that must have been true. I don't understand the need to cancel a meeting jut cause one member is absent. Does anybody remember last winter? We missed a lot of meetings and it made it hard for me to come up with stories.



It turns out that on the agenda for that meeting was approval for a medical leave of absence for the teacher's aide who was ARRESTED for drug's. Maybe a medical leave was appropriate for someone battling an addiction but usually an "intervention" involves family members and medical personnel and not the POLICE. When cops get involved they have another name for it, it's called an ARREST.



Looks like friends and family tried to intervene by helping getting him the job working with our kids. I suddenly have developed a keen interest in history. I wonder about prior records and documentation of an medically approved rehabilitation plan or if it was just a "seat of your pants" self regulation.



Well, like I said it's spring, time to go to the zoo to see some caged monkeys. I'm tired of seeing them run wild and doing their business.

Keeping Secrets

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I am just a little curious. Why was the position closed for the teacher's aide that was ARRESTED? Was it closed or they have just not found a replacement? Oh, I forgot it's a personnel matter no one can discuss it.



Funny though when me and a parent had a meeting with Drs. Latham and Wary, Lydia Muggeo and Sue Howell, they had planned on using that same aide position to support another student in another classroom only to discover he was no longer there. No one can accuse Dr. Latham of  secret plans.



I guess they hadn't read the police blotter.

Planting, Political......It All Starts With P

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Who is responsible for planting narcotic weeds in Ford's International garden? As Secretary of the Highlands Coalition (one of my growing collection of hats) I am deeply troubled by the renegade placement of rogue vegetation in our backyard. We are doing positive things for the neighborhood, the Ford School, and our kids. So it just cuts against the grain to try and place a bad seed in the mix.



One of the accomplishments of our group that gets touted at almost every HICO meeting is our part in closing down a local drug house and now we have had to deal with a plant from the administration bearing spoiled fruit. Just at a time when everything was put in a Rowe (darn those typos).

Can The Cameras Catch The Money?

Cameras in Lynn schools aim to protect students, staff

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Officer Ferrari for all the hard work and having the (tele)vision to establish security and safety in our schools. Questions about civil liberties are the price we pay for living in the modern world.

My biggest question/concern is if maybe Officer Ferrari could put up a few more cameras up. In fact, I would suggest he place them down at 90 Commercial St. (Administration building) so we could maybe see where that 8 million dollars in grant money received after last year's budget was passed was spent. Since I am not alleging any wrong doing, it won't be necessary to have it piped directly into the police station. May I suggest a "live" stream to the Internet so all of the "Watch's" readers can do their own snooping.

No wrong doing, nothing to hide. That was a declarative statement, not a question. We never had a test like the MCAS back in the old days in WV, but I know the difference.