Expert has advice in wake of local death
To the editor:
The tragic death of Brian Landry no doubt will save the lives of some of his friends who might have followed the same path. The message for parents: They cannot ignore early signs of drug abuse nor sit silently while their kids destroy themselves.
Some schools in New Jersey and elsewhere have opted for mandatory drug screening of all kids who are in extracurricular programs. This was OK’d by the U.S. Supreme Court several years ago and money is provided in the No Child Left Behind law. Regrettably, some school districts and teachers’ unions are so adamantly opposed to the other requirements in the law that they choose to ignore the grant money for drug testing of the type that might have saved Brian, since he was a lacrosse player and also on the debate team.
State laws allow charges to be lodged for manslaughter and in some cases homicide when a death results from a criminal act (distributing illegal drugs). Some prosecutors will aggressively pursue such cases, as will police departments, as they realize the time and effort is well-spent in deterring dealers who know what may happen if someone overdoses. These are not easy cases to make or try, and so many police departments and prosecutors will brush them aside and give excuses as to why it’s impossible, etc.
Don’t buy this for a minute. Mobilize other parents, get involved, write letters, demand action from your elected and appointed officials, try enlisting the services of a pro bono law firm or even a third-year law student at some local law school. Depositions need to be taken immediately after a tragic event like this, while witnesses can still remember and while they are remorseful and willing to talk.
Cell phone records and text messages for Brian and everyone on his cell phone list need to be subpoenaed for several days prior to his death. Any evidence, glassine bags, leftover drug paraphernalia, etc., need to be examined by police for prints.
It sounds to me like Brian’s dad already knows of a suspect. If I were a cop assigned to this case, I would be working on reconstructing this guy’s last 48 hours before Brian’s death. I’d be pulling every bit of info on him I could find, including his phone calls and text messages. I would be getting a warrant for his home computer and, if there’s enough probable cause, for his house, car, etc.
If this case is treated as a homicide, the prosecutor can convene a grand jury and haul every one of Brian’s pals in before the jurors and ask them questions again. If they refuse to answer, they can go to the slammer for the life of the grand jury. Cold turkey or cold facts, take your choice.
John Coleman
Fairfax, Va.
president
Drug Watch International
Editor’s note: Mr. Coleman was former director of the N.J. division of the Drug Enforcement Agency.
Thanks follow Halloween party
To the editor:
It is with great pride and pleasure that East Windsor Volunteer Fire Company No. 2 recognizes the generous sponsors of our Annual Halloween Party & Fire Prevention Open House for the year 2006.
This event would not be possible without the donations and contributions provided by our sponsors. This event opens our firehouse to over 300 children of our community, providing them the opportunity to learn basic fire prevention, initiating 911, and most importantly, they learn not to fear firefighters so that they can better cope in the times of disaster. Over 500 members of our community attended this event and shared in the pride and support of Company No. 2.
Special thanks to Mayor Janice Mironov and the East Windsor council members who joined us and showed their continuing support of our fire company. The Twin Rivers Community Trust is always our co-sponsor, providing the D.J., hayrides, handling registration of over 200 children and lending their hands.
We thank our sponsors below for their continued support, and encourage the community to support our sponsors as well, all of whom show their dedication to East Windsor Township and pride themselves on supporting community outreach programs. It is with their assistance that we were able to provide food, games, entertainment, prizes and so many fun activities, in addition to providing fire education and prevention to all who attended.
To learn more about our fire company and see photos of our Halloween Party, please visit us at www.eastwindsorfire.com.
Our sincerest thanks to: 7-11 Twin Rivers, A Better Photo, A Reason To Smile Dentistry, Attitudes Hair and Nail Salon, Brunswick East Windsor Bowling Lanes, Cheng Chen Chinese Restaurant, City Auto Body, Conair, Dairy Queen, Hights Electric Motor Service, Hudson City Savings Bank, K&S Farms, Multiplex Cinema East Windsor, Pearle Vision Center, RFW Financial Corporation, Russ Berrie Company, Shiseido America, Shoprite East Windsor, TGI Friday’s, and Walmart East Windsor.
Chief Barry Rashkin,
firefighters and members,
East Windsor Fire Co. No. 2
More gratitude as thrift store opens
To the editor:
Thanks to the overwhelming support of our community, Greater Goods Thrift Store is now officially open for business!
After years of planning and months of hands-on hard work, it is truly a dream come true. Without the encouragement and help of hundreds of friends who shared our vision, this day might never have arrived.
We are blessed to operate in a small community where good people get behind good ideas. This project has benefited from the input, guidance and sweat equity of so many people that we can’t name them all here. Almost 100 of these special people gathered recently to celebrate the opening of Greater Goods. Among our guests of honor were dozens of volunteers and donors, who helped us raise over $12,000 through summer yard sales, and who then rolled up their sleeves for the serious business of setting up shop.
Those who least expect recognition are the ones who deserve it most. Special thanks to Norman Billings, Sue Bottino, Chita St. Lawrence, and Judy Watkins, along with many others who helped transform an empty space into a department store in just three weeks.
We were also joined by our angels from local businesses, who have given us a head start beyond our wildest dreams. Mike McDonald from Shop Rite of East Windsor has amazed us with incredible operational support and personal generosity, backed by his exceptionally community-minded boss, Richard Saker, owner of Foodarama Inc. Their commitment to Greater Goods shows the depth of their concern for the community they serve.
The support of our local business community has been crucial to the birth of Greater Goods. Deepest thanks to Matt and Suzette Lucas of Lucas Electric, Ron and Diana Longo of Diversified Rack & Shelving, Mike Cocciolillo of Triangle Repro, Pat Czerwonka of Staples and Mike Vanderbeck of the Slowdown Café. And without the $10,000 boost from our dear friends at the First Presbyterian Church of Hightstown, we might have had many more yard sales ahead of us still.
Now the fun begins. Greater Goods is a special place, created by a community that has joined together for a common purpose. Stop in to see the results for yourself. You’ll find a wonderful store where everyone can shop for fun or to meet the needs of their family. You’ll also find a place where volunteering your time and talents can make a real difference in our local community.
Thanks to all who helped bring this project to life. We look forward to seeing you at Greater Goods Thrift Store, at 413 Mercer St. (Route. 33) in Hightstown, alongside Lucas Electric. We will be open Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Thursdays from 3. p.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m..
To volunteer, make a donation, or get more information, call the store at 448-2702 or e-mail us at [email protected].
Kerrie Peterson
director of operations
Greater Goods Thrift Store,
Amanda Porter
director of development
CASC

