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At least 67 arrests and citations at Dave Matthews concert in Darien

By Howard B. Owens

Thomas R. Allen, 28, of Elmsford Drive, West Seneca, was charged with assault, 3rd, after allegedly striking another patron in the face causing a split lip and bruising. He was jailed; $750 bail.

Dustin T. Forkell, 19, Linda Lane, Spencerport, was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, for allegedly unlawfully possessing prescription medication. He was also held on an outstanding warrant out of Gates. He was jailed; $750 bail.

Ryan J. Gill, 25, of Harvey Avenue, Lockport, for criminal possession of marijuana, 5th, for allegedly smoking marijuana in public view.

Stacy J. Gerber, 27, of Drum Road, Middleport, for unlawful possession of marijuana.

Richard M. Marchewka, 27, Drum Road, Middleport, for trespass after allegedly jumping a fence to enter the concert venue.

Sherry A. Morse, 48, of Britannia Drive, East Amherst, for trespass after allegedly jumping a fence to enter the concert venue.

Luci A. Wind, 39, of Stonecliff court, Clarence, for trespass after allegedly jumping a fence to enter the concert venue.

Gregory R. Flynn, 20, of Winbert Drive, North Townawanda, for trespass after allegedly jumping a fence to enter the concert venue.

Chad J. Schillinger, 24, of Raleigh Street, Rochester, for harassment, 2nd, for allegedly striking a security guard.

Kevin R. Ogiba, 20, of David Drive, Niagara Falls, NY, for trespass after allegedly jumping a fence to enter the concert venue.

Preston W. Washburn, 21, of Pre Emption Road, Dundee, for assault, 3rd, after allegedly punching a patron in the face causing severe bleeding.

Ben H. Swan, 19, Orange Tree Circle, Rochester, for trespass after he allegedly returned to the concert venue after being told several times to leave.

Michael A. Marciano, 26, Marsdale Court, Webster, for trespass after allegedly jumping a fence to enter the concert venue.

Jeremy J. Flansburg, 33, Heritage Circle, Farmington, for public lewdness and harassment, 2nd, after allegedly urinating in a mop bucket inside a beer stand and also punching a security guard in the face.

Patrick M. Hourihan, 19, Bramhill Court, Williamsville, for unlawful possession of marijuana.

A youth, 16, of Pin Oak Drive, Williamsville, for unlawful possession of marijuana.

The following people were charged with possession of alcohol with intent to consume under the age of 21. They were issued appearance tickets to be in Darien Town Court at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, June 29.

Tyler L. Hagan, 18, of San Fernando Lane, East Amherst

Monica  J. Leising, 18 of Niagara Falls Blvd., Buffalo

A youth, 17, of Lilly Ridge Drive, East Amherst

A youth, 16, of Pin Oak Drive, Williamsville

Patrick M. Hourihan,19, of Bram Hill Court, Williamsville

Chelsea E. Sands, 18, of Briercliff Drive, Hamburg

Taylor K. Cotter, 18, of Falconcrest Lane, Orchard Park

Stephanie A. Pembleton, 18, of South Benzing Road, Orchard Park

Hollie A. Kishel, 18, of Lawrence Place, Orchard Park

A 17-year-old of Reserve Road, West Seneca

Marissa M. Craspi, 18, of Scherff Road, Orchard Park

A 17-year-old of Edgewater Lane, Rochester

Kyle J. Steckley, 20, of House Road, Ridgeway, Ontario, Canada

Ian W. Fairgrieve, 20, of Manning Court, Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada

Thomas M. Centore, 19, of West High Terrace, Syracuse

Tyler J. Bogardus, 19, of Fern Road, Syracuse

Leah R. Kramer, 19, of South Lima Road, Lima

Tessa R. Connell, 19, of Frances Way, Livonia

Bobbi E. Mason, 19, of Pamda Drive, Rochester

Andrea M. Spena, 19, of Pinecrest Drive, Rochester

Luzgabriella Collazo, 19, of Edgebrook Lane, Rochester

Curtis L. Scott, 19, of Pin Oak Lane, Rochester

Sean C. Walgrove, 20, of Edgecreek Trail, Rochester

Brittany E. Boehm, 19, of Laurelton Road, Rochester

James R. Morana, 19, of Northfield Road, Clarence Center

Jesse D. Alt, 20, of Woodland Drive, Tonawanda

Alex T. Tubbs, 18, of Bram Hill Court, East Amherst

(name redacted upon request), 18, of Beach Ridge Drive, East Amherst

Meredith K. Petit, 20, of Hunters Glen, Getzville

Michele Y. Bauman, 20, of East Carriage Hill, Williamsville

JennyLynne K. Rizzo, 20, of Shore Drive, West Henrietta

Kyle A. Goldsmith, 18, of Hollybrook Road, Rochester

Nikalaus E. Milazzo, 18, of Staglen Drive, Henrietta

David W. Young, 20, of Springfield Drive, Tonawanda

Justin C. Galante, 20 of Ruie Road, North Tonawanda

Edward A. Spiesz, 20, of Brookfield Lane, Hamburg

Robert M. Bieber, 19, of Rogers Road, Hamburg

Eric M. Wilson II, 19, of Brookfield Road, Hamburg

A 17-year-old  of Coachmans Lane, Hamburg

Shannon N. Prozeller, 20, of Bradford Hill, Fairport

Stephanie S. Snyder, 19, of Northington Drive, East Amherst

A youth, 17, of West Chapel Woods, Williamsville

Colleen A. Mallick, 19, of Highland Ave., Williamsville

A 17-year-old of Firethorn Court, East Amherst

A 16-year-old of Lakeshore Road, Hamburg

Adam R. Coons, 18, of Westwood Drive, Brockport

Danield R. Castanera, 18, of Colby Street, Spencerport

Sara A. Runo, 19, of Autumwood Drive, Rochester

Rachel L. VanAernum, 19 of Barnell Drive, Churchville

Emily G. Capotasto, 18, of Savage Road, Churchville

Kevin T. Mahoney, 19, of Widger Road, Rochester

Richard Gahagan

Instead of arresting all these kids and ruining their lives why don't they just charge everyone that attends concerts a no arrest concert tax and use it to pay off the County, Towns, and GCASA.

Jun 3, 2010, 12:05pm Permalink
C D

Doesn't surprise me at all. I was DD for a few people and between 6 until Dave went on, there was well over 100 underage people up on the hill were walking around with a beer or playing beer pong, some that I knew to be graduating seniors at Batavia HS/came to GCC within the last year. Security didn't care and there wasn't a cop in sight.

Once they all left the hill to go to the PAC, it was like watching a herd of deer wander into an open field during hunting season.

Personally, I don't agree with the 21 age requirement. I'm not going to rat anyone out, but I'm not going to encourage it.

Jun 3, 2010, 1:18pm Permalink
Chad Flint

Only well over 100? Last year I went to Kenny at DL and on the hill there was at least 500 underage kids partying it up. The cops were there by the entrance, guess they couldn't see the kids from where they were.

Jun 3, 2010, 2:08pm Permalink
Gabor Deutsch

I got a giggle out of this: "The following people were charged with possession of alcohol with intent to consume under the age of 21". I guess they forgot to explain that they were holding it for a friend. I am very happy to see that there are no Batavia kids on the list. Must be from that "sticker campaign" on beer, or maybe they are just a lot smarter .

Jun 3, 2010, 2:18pm Permalink
Brian Schollard

Yes lets not ruin any ones life because they have no self control and should never be held responsible for their actions. That would be a great life lesson. So many have it now do what ever and let some one else take responsibility for their illegitimate children and the people they murder wile driving drunk. Thats a good thing right?

Jun 3, 2010, 3:01pm Permalink
Jeremiah Pedro

@ Richard, I hardly think that the underage drinking ticket or even a unlawful possession arrest is going to ruin someones life now a days. Unless the kid was hoping to get into some fancy pants college. Then it might have some affect.

The ones that deserve everything they get are the ones that are arrested for driving drunk. Both underage and of age.

Jun 3, 2010, 3:18pm Permalink
Jeremiah Pedro

Bob it's my understanding that they are not adults in the eye's of the law unless the nature of their crime is so heinous that the court feels compelled to treat them as adults. getting caught for underage drinking doesn't really fall into that category.

Jun 3, 2010, 9:39pm Permalink
Howard B. Owens

We've always had a policy of not publishing the names of subjects who are under age 18.

While other media in town will publish those names, the nature of The Batavian is that our stories are always available in Google.

I plan on The Batavian being around for a long time.

Google never forgets.

I cut the 16- and 17-year-olds some slack for that reason.

To some extent, the difference between 17 and 18 is somewhat arbitrary, but there needs to be a cut off of some type.

We do publish the names of under 18 for accusations of serious crimes. It's a bit of a judgment call as to what constitutes a serious crime, but that's how it goes.

In New York, any convicted criminal can be determined a "youthful offender" from age 19 on down. YO status provides, in a manner of speaking, some blindness in the court for convictions. The media, however, is not bound by a finding of YO status by a court. Media can publish the name and record of any defendant who appears in court. It's public record. Each media outlets sets its own guidelines on how to handle YO adjudication. The Batavian makes independent determinations on how to handle each case.

Jun 3, 2010, 10:10pm Permalink
Greg Siedlecki

Concert tax? Put their asses in jail overnight. Let them think about it in there. And don't allow mommy and daddy to bail them out until the following day. Most kids these days feel as though they're invincible and above the law anyway, because they have no consequences at home either and have never been disciplined.
Ruin their lives? Who's fault is that? Not mine, not yours and not the cops.

Jun 3, 2010, 10:55pm Permalink
C D

Personally, I say just let it go or throw them in the drunk tank over night. Citations, fines, and jail time is a bit overboard.

I'm not trying to turn this into a debate over the drinking age, but getting buzzed up before a concert isn't THAT big of a crime.

To illustrate my point, it's illegal to shoot off fireworks in NYS without proper certification. During 4th of July and New Year's, this law isn't enforced unless someone ends up hurt or something catches on fire. It's this kind of "looking the other way" response is what should happen here.

Don't misunderstand what I'm saying. I'm not promoting or encouraging underage parties -- that's something different. There's some kind of supervision up on the hill. A few beers/beer pong on the hill before a concert is pretty harmless in the grand scheme of things.

Jun 4, 2010, 5:36am Permalink
Frank Bartholomew

Chris,
Obviously you overlooked one little detail, this is Genesee County, all of the underage drinkers will be forced into GCASA BY THE COURTS, HOW DO YOU THINK gcasa is funded. The courts mandate an evaluation, GCASA determines there is a problem, they then hook you for phase 1, and if your not careful, they hook you for phase 2, and if you don't play their game, they suggest relapse prevention. They are unlike many other services, as if the customer isn't satisfied with the product, you can't get a refund.I challenge GCASA to put up some numbers, when I was mandated to GCASA by the courts, the counselor told our group,only 2 of the 13 "clients" in our group would be successful.Maybe in their eyes this is a good ratio, but at almost $100.00 a visit, which can be up to 3 a week, this is not a success story. I don't know if everyone is charged the same , but I know how much they milked out of me and my insurance company.
The funny thing was, I was on to how to play the game, I wasn't trying to quit drinking,I was trying to quit GCASA. I finally quit using alcohol because of a service that is free to all, AA. An addicted person cannot be forced to stop abusing their drug of choice until the person wants to stop for themselves, not for the courts, not for their families, but for themselves, and until that happens there is no way any of these services will stop them. And if pot were ever to become legal, Gcasa would be out of business.

Jun 4, 2010, 9:43am Permalink
Frank Bartholomew

Greg,
Do you realize kids, are not robots, teenagers will experiment, it is part of growing up. Oh I forgot, we don't allow that now days.You wonder where they get attitude, look at the remark you made, throw them in jail for doing the same thing generation after generation had done in the past.When I was in my teen years, I was thrown in jail,not because I consumed alcohol, but because I wouldn't snitch on the party responsible for providing it. You expect teens to respect the law, when the law is stacked against them,not gonna happen.Lead by example, follow the example.Here is a good example why there is so much disrepect of the law. A kid is petitioned to family court for being handicapped. The school screwed up, and to cover their own incompetence, they take you to court.
Can you respect that?, I can't.The district lies to the court, can you respect that? the probation dept.lies to the court, can you respect that? Then when you attempt to get a fair trial, the court threatens to lock you up in detention if you don't accept the county attorneys offer, can you respect that? In family court you are guilty until proven innocent, can you respect that? Gee, I Can't imagine why any one could lose their minds and walk into school and start shooting.Throwing kids in jail is not the answer, it will only strengthen their resolve to disrepect those in power.

Jun 4, 2010, 10:43am Permalink
Frank Bartholomew

Rick,
Great idea, but it won't work,Gcasa gets almost a 100 dollars per visit if you or your family have medical insurance. I don't think you are ruining their lives,after all , while in Gcasa you can meet more drug dealers, isn't that great.

Jun 4, 2010, 11:02am Permalink

Sounds like a bunch of sour grapes to me, Frank. Here's a thought, Don't drink and drive! I'm glad you stopped drinking, but maybe you shouldn't complain so much. You would have never been put in GCASA if you weren't making bad choices.

I hear a lot of people complain about GCASA, or that these kids get nailed for underage drinking. You know what say? I'm glad. I hope you all pay out the can for all of it. I have watched too many people get hurt from alcohol or by some idiot on alcohol to have any sympathy for you.

If you don't want to pay, don't put put yourself in the way. The rest of it is just someone who got caught whinning about the fact that they got caught.

Jun 4, 2010, 4:45pm Permalink
Frank Bartholomew

Hey Phil,
Do you work for gcasa? where did I mention drinking and driving?I don't ask/want sympathy from anyone. But has it ever occured to you narrow minded people that alcohol is a legal drug. Believe me, I have seen first hand what alcohol can do. I went to a friends funeral recently.He was 48 years old, a victem of alcohol and another gcasa failure.As I stated, abusers don't stop until they make that decision on their own. GCASA is like putting a bandaid on a gash, and paying for surgery. Get real dude.

Jun 4, 2010, 9:25pm Permalink
Frank Bartholomew

Phil,
Let me put this in simple terms,gcasa is very expensive,ex; very little bang for your buck. The problem is when the insurance companies pay for this so called service, it raises the premiums and the cost of insurance for all. I'm not sure if you understand how they base the cost of plans. The more it is used, or in insurance terms,expirience, the more it will cost the plan, and then guess what that means Phil? Everyone in the plan gets to share the price increase. Yeah,if that's sour grapes, so be it, but don't whine when your premiums go up.

Jun 4, 2010, 10:06pm Permalink
Greg Siedlecki

Bottom line ....... Frank. Parents need to be parents instead of "friends". Very few 10-20 year olds have ANY respect for anyone. Not being taught any manners and the complete lack of discipline have caused most kids to walk all over their parents.
And don't give us the "insurance premium" crap either, they're going up regardless. Thats a cop-out argument. Auto Insurance rates go up because of drunk drivers too. GCASA (health Insurance), Auto premiums ... either way, they are going to go up as a result of illegal consumption.
CAN YOU RESPECT THAT!

Jun 4, 2010, 10:54pm Permalink
Howard B. Owens

Frank, earlier you said that it's a matter of personal willingness to change and stop drinking. Later, you said your friend was a "GCASA failure." Which is it?

If it's a matter of personal willingness/choice, then there's no such thing as a GCASA failure. Only a personal failure.

Jun 4, 2010, 11:14pm Permalink
Frank Bartholomew

Greg, if you are not your kids friend, they most likely won't confide in you, go watch how crooked our family court system is. My child was screwed by the school district, he was insulted by the very people we pay and trust to educate them, he is handicapped, and because a group of people who think they deserve respect didn't do the job they get paid to do, they cover it up, and try to place blame elsewhere. In this day and age of bottom line finances, no one wants to pay for anything that doesn't do the job it was intended to do. Remember also, because of the few who didn't know the difference between a spanking and a beating, we lost a tool of discipline as parents. That was a legal decision, and one we have to live with.Your comment sums up the result of this law.Maybe its just me,but it seems the more laws we create, the worse society gets. Like it not, we have to find a better way to reach out to kids, because what is going on now, will only get worse. We stifle kids, and then when they finally vent, no one likes it.Oh , one other thing,premiums go up as the cost of services go up.By the way ,who is us,got a mouse in your pocket.
When a drunk driver is convicted of this offense,his premiums go up, not mine.

Jun 4, 2010, 11:46pm Permalink
Frank Bartholomew

Howard,
Thank you for pointing that out. What I meant was, my friend was mandated to gcasa by the courts,and as you can see see, it was a complete waste.Thanks for helping me clear that up

Jun 4, 2010, 11:57pm Permalink
C D

Apparently, the obvious needs to be pointed out.

Drinking and driving is a separate topic. This is regarding underage drinking and underage drinking only. Also, drinking isn't a crime. Drinking underage has nothing to do with alcohol addiction. GCASA is for <b>S</b>ubstance <b>A</b>buse. Drinking underage isn't substance abuse. It's breaking a law.

I've had drinks with my 18 year old sister on several occasions and there's never been a problem. One of my friends who celebrated his 23rd birthday tonight had so much to drink he tossed his cookies at Center Street, then in my car while driving him to my place to crash, ending with my apartment floor by the living room couch he's passed out naked on.

The latter is substance abuse. The former isn't.

Jun 5, 2010, 4:34am Permalink
Jason Smith

I think the worst part about this situation is that these people were at a Dave Matthews Band Concert...I say drop the underage drinking charges and re-book them on charges for bad taste in music!

Jun 5, 2010, 10:16am Permalink
Jason Smith

Chris, just because you aren't intelligent enough to understand my comment, doesn't mean everyone else didn't understand it.

By the way, thank you for that little factoid about Dave being known for drinking while performing...All this time I thought he was only known for making terrible music, since 1991.

Jun 5, 2010, 11:40am Permalink
Frank Bartholomew

Chris O.,
I am still trying to figure out where drinking and driving came up.My mention of it was about insurance costs, not for debate purposes.Alcohol is a substance of abuse,and it doesn't care how old you are. Underage drinking is a hot topic, on the one hand, if an 18 year old is old enough to go to war, and is also expected to kill the enemy, It is my belief he is old enough to drink, and it should be his decision.I am not certain why the drinking age in New York was changed to 21, but am certain it probably had something to do with the feds.Believe me , I am by no means pro alcohol, but feel strongly that when you are old enough to serve your country, you are old enough to consume alcohol.

Jun 5, 2010, 12:36pm Permalink

Frank,

I don't work for GCASA. I'm just tired of hearing people who make crappy life choices bitch about the consequences of their actions. Is it expensive? Yes. Does it raise my insurance? Yes. Does that me have even less respect for your actions? Yes.

I don't care if you dislike GCASA. I don't care if everyone thinks it's a rip off that people who get caught underage drinking have to go there. It's called accountability.

Frank there are a lot of things that are legal, but too much alcohol makes people act like idiots. Didn't drink or drive? OK, well you did something dumb enough to get mandated to go to GCASA, didn't you? Well get over it.

Last, if a kid is 18 and can die for his country, like I was, then I have no problem with them kicking back a beer, but like I say everytime this argument comes up. These kids aren't in the service. They are a bunch of 16-19 kids, screwing off at a Matthews concert and breaking a law. Oh well!

Jun 5, 2010, 2:31pm Permalink
Timothy Paine

The government tells an eighteen year old you can enter a booth and pull a lever to decide the fate of our country. You can enter a battlefield and pull a trigger to decide someones life, but to enter a concert and pull a can tab and you can go to jail? Does anyone really wonder why our youths distrust adults? If you carry military ID you should be able to have a drink. I'm not saying that an M-16 and a Colt 45 are the same. However, if the govt. says that your age makes you responsible enough to empty one, shouldn't you be allowed to empty the other?

Jun 5, 2010, 2:55pm Permalink
Dave Olsen

The drinking age, if I remember correctly was raised in the early 80's because the fed's tied it to highway funding, just like they did a few years later when the legal limit was lowered to .08. Politically, I doubt any congressman or senator is going to sponsor lowering it. The Mad Mothers et al would have a fit.

Jun 5, 2010, 3:05pm Permalink
C D

@Jason, your opinions of me nor your taste in music help your logic. Not only were both your comments off topic, you yourself can't explain your first comment in relation to the topic at hand. All you have are childish comebacks. Least when people post idiotic crap on this site, your real name is attached to the comment for the whole world to read.

@Frank, "Posted by Phil Ricci on June 4, 2010 - 4:45pm
Sounds like a bunch of sour grapes to me, Frank. Here's a thought, Don't drink and drive!" That's where drinking and driving came up, which is getting off topic.

@Phil, GCASA stands for Genesee/Orleans Council on <b>Alcoholism and Substance Abuse</b>. Underage drinking is not alcoholism or substance abuse. It's breaking a (pretty insignificant) law. Sending anyone under 21 to GCASA for underage drinking is pointless and a waste of money.

This is where I reiterate what I said earlier about throwing people in the drunk tank or just letting them go, least at the PAC concerts. Those are two ideas off the top of my head and they're by far more productive than mindlessly throwing everyone in GCASA.

Jun 5, 2010, 3:13pm Permalink
Timothy Paine

Dave, just more proof that politicians are only concerned with re-election over anything else. I'm not asking them to lower it. Just exempt those serving the country in the military. I doubt that one would get as much resistance and might actually help in passing laws that don't only take away rights. I think it went to 19 in 1983 and to 21 in 1985. If I remember correctly I beat by just a few days each time.

Jun 5, 2010, 3:38pm Permalink
C D

@Phil, and I say it's pointless and a waste of money.

I'll probably never be able to prove it, but I wouldn't be surprised if this is one of the ways the county funds the budget. It's a pathetic and lame tactic if it is.

Jun 5, 2010, 4:07pm Permalink

@Chris, We will never agree on this which is just fine.

I'm still going to stay with personal accountability. I actually think it's great that costs so much money. I also think it's awesome that either the kids or the parents pay for it. The classes that they are mandated to go to have to be paid out of pocket. They are not insurance based like the treatment is. I hope that it really hurts. That's called learning a lesson. Is that extreme? That's up to each person I guess.

This country has become a nation that makes excuses for everyone. Maybe the current system isn't effective to you, but I'm fine with it. Here's why: I am responsible for my choices. I don't go out and get hammered at bars, then get behind the wheel, or get into fights or beat my kids or whatever other reason lands you in these programs.

I came from the home of an alcoholic. I experienced horrible conditions and was subjected to things that kids shouldn't be in. Alcoholism is a disease, but only after you chose to start it. People don't become Alcoholics after their first drink, it's years of choices.

I wish for every person to get better from this, but I also don't care if it costs them money to do it. Is that selfish? Maybe. Is it cold? Yes, but that is my take on it; and I'm certainly not a little bitch for thinking it.

Have a great weekend, Chris!

Jun 5, 2010, 4:29pm Permalink
Frank Bartholomew

Phil, I believe you used the term bitching first. What you gonna do , beat me up for disagreeing with you. I doubt that would happen.I got over it about 10 years ago. And thanks to our city court judge, my life has become meaningful again.This judge sent me to the rooms of AA, where I learned to live my life without alcohol. This was, and has been my point since we started this debate. You're damn right I don't like gcasa, as I stated previously,a person who has an addiction will not stop until they want to for themselves.You came out defending gcasa,you accused me of sour grapes, now you you want to turn this into an in your face debate, grow up killer.

Jun 5, 2010, 4:30pm Permalink

No Frank,

I'm not childish enough to start name calling or get into a fight over a comments board. I just find a distinction between saying someone is bitching and calling someone a little bitch. Sorry if you don't see that.

I'm glad that you are better. I also did not defend GCASA. Maybe you should re-read what I wrote. I said that I was tired of people bitching about how their choices cost them money. Not that I felt GCASA was the right program for you, or anyone.

As far as growing up, I'm just fine thanks.

Jun 5, 2010, 4:49pm Permalink
Gabor Deutsch

Someone needs to wake up Howard so he can stop the personal attacks. I haven't heard a siren or the scanner lately and I definitely don't see anymore pictures... (teehee).

Jun 5, 2010, 5:14pm Permalink
Frank Bartholomew

Phil,
You accused me of bitching on your very first comment. You also suggested I was whining. So you called me a bitcher and a whiner because you disagreed with my comparison of a service that actually works, verses a service that is nothing more than a money sucker.My point is, many who end up mandated to gcasa will not recover....Cost versus effectiveness. You seem hell bent that anyone who was mandated to gcasa deserves to pay out the can. To me, that was a very shallow remark. These services were not meant to be a punishment, they were intended to help those who at that point in their lives, were out of control.Addictions and alcoholism are illnesses, and for any one to suggest punishment for illness is off base. Those afflicted with these illnesses come from all walks of life. There are many factors involved as to how they arrived at having either problem. It isn't always about poor decision making as you suggest. Narrow minded thinking and stereotyping will not solve these issues, as I have found in life ,we all have our own burdens, some of us are strong enough to handle them, and some of us are not.

Jun 5, 2010, 5:23pm Permalink

Frank,

My mother died of Alcoholism. I lived my childhood in the shadow of it. I know first hand the affects of this disease. I wish that someone had mandated my mother to get help.

Alcoholism is a disease. It however starts with a series of choices to drink. To put yourself in bad places with a substance that has a history of causing great pain.

Alcoholism is not cancer which can come out of no where to kill you, regardless of your life choices. You chose to drink. Like I have said, you do not become an alcoholic after your first drink, but after years of those choices.

As far as my narrow minded view. That's fine. I think that kids who get caught underage drinking should have to pay for these classes. As far as people who are full blown in the disease, that is why there are programs to help pay.

You think GCASA is a bad program? That's fine, but I don't agree that courts are wrong for mandating it.

Jun 5, 2010, 5:45pm Permalink
Frank Bartholomew

Phil,
I share the same childhood, and my father was killed because of alcohol.Wasting money serves no purpose. If the intent is punishment, put them in jail, let them serve their time and then leave them alone.And then just keep repeating this process over and over.I must reitterate, until the person asks for and accepts help, all the wishing in the world isn't going to change a thing. No one takes that first drink and decides they may or may not become an alcoholic. Once the mind is poisoned, the damage is done. It is a slow, deceptive progression,and sometimes when the person realizes something is wrong, the alcohol has taken over their lives, and another day of drinking will remove all the guilt and shame, make it all seem normal. Yes, they make choices, but in reality, alcohol is running the show.

Jun 5, 2010, 6:36pm Permalink
Frank Bartholomew

Phil,
One other fact to consider, and this is where I guess my dislike of gcasa comes from.lets say a fellow has a drinking problem, has had some run ins with the law.The judge has finally seen enough of this person in his court.So as part of his sentence, gcasa is ordered. This fellow goes for an evaluation, and if he is honest about how much and how often he uses, the hook is set.Lets say gcasa recommends phase 1, This is usually a 3x a week visit for group therapy.Lets say this fellow has health insurance and he also has a $20 co-pay, Thats $60 a week.
Lets say the same fellow has an average job, has the average bills as most.Now throw in the current recession this country is mired in.That $60 in copays may be needed to provide for his family. Now, you have punished his family.I'm sorry, I just can't agree to this philosophy.

Jun 5, 2010, 7:56pm Permalink
Jason Smith

@ Chris, stop being all butt-hurt. I'm sorry for ruining your intellectual conversation about how alcoholism is a terrible disease and how GCASA sucks, or whatever it is that you're talking about. You say I'm off topic, but the article is about citations and arrests at a DMB concert. You're all turning it into alcohol being the downfall of society and whatever else you think your 2 cents worth of online intellect is good for. Go cry about it in your bedroom. Your words don't hurt me. Good thing my full name is on here; I wouldn't want you to send me a facebook request by accident.

Jun 6, 2010, 12:11am Permalink
Dave Olsen

Hey Frank; if this theoretical fellow's budget is so tight that 60 bucks is gonna be a hardship, then how the hell does he have money to get drunk with? I'm no fan of nanny government and their money grabs, but GCASA isn't punishing his family, he is.

Jun 6, 2010, 9:26am Permalink
Frank Bartholomew

Dave,
Let me put that another way. I should have known the sharp readers would pose that question. A young adult living at home and still covered under his parents insurance winds up in gcasa. He is told he will need phase 1, and phase 2,.again this is 3x a week and the parents have a $20 per visit co-pay.His parents have limited resources, and the kid is still in school.Group is 3x a week,for 3 of the weeks of the month, with 1 week set aside for individual counseling. That comes out to $200 a month.Then suppose the counselor tells the parents not to worry about the money, just pay what you can until it's paid off.So now they are asking someone to run up a debt they can't afford to pay off.Brilliant.

Jun 6, 2010, 3:04pm Permalink
Dave Olsen

Frank, I probably shouldn't have commented as I really have no wish to debate this. I dislike the nanny-state approach and the constant appetite it has for our money and its hatred for individualism. Anyway, it sounds like you are having tough times and I wish you well. Good luck

Jun 6, 2010, 4:07pm Permalink
rikki ettinger

that whole "hill" thing is backwards. why arent cops up there arresting everyone underage drinking? i know for a fact there was kids from batavia up there getting their "drank" on. the only reason you wont see it on here is because they are 16 and 17. how do those kids get anywhere in life after they post those pictures on facebook? thats all you see on that site, kids and their red plastic cups. it makes me sick. if i got caught doing some dumb shit like that i knew when i got home i was getting beat and i would know not to do that again. these kids dont think, they know, no sort of punishment is going to happen to them. thats why they continously break the law and have no respect for anyone. frank said "Do you realize kids, are not robots, teenagers will experiment, it is part of growing up." no its not. its a lack of parenting. im 18 years old and ive never been drunk and ive never smoked weed or even a cigerette. if i want something i know i have to work for it. did i not grow up because of this? did i not grow up because mom and dad didnt post my bail?

Jun 8, 2010, 10:22pm Permalink

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