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Showing posts with label Bowling Brook Prep Sch. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bowling Brook Prep Sch. Show all posts

Monday, November 22, 2010

Wednesday, September 01, 2010

A curious tale of Bowling Brook & Cheltenham juvenile correction facilities

Kevin Dayhoff – http://www.thetentacle.com/ A curious tale of Bowling Brook & Cheltenham juvenile correction facilities http://tinyurl.com/2ezpm32

September 1, 2010

A Curious Tale of Unequal Treatment
Kevin E. Dayhoff
As the 2010 Maryland gubernatorial contest muddles-on, comes the curious tale of two tragic incidences at separate juvenile justice system facilities, with two profoundly different results during the administration of Gov. Martin O’Malley.

In the 2006 Maryland gubernatorial campaign, one of the several contentious issues discussed was the role and function of the Department of Parole and Probation and reform the juvenile justice system.

In the years since Governor O’Malley took office, tragedy has continued to plague the juvenile justice system; and yet, the casual observer would be hard-pressed to see it in the media as a campaign issue.

At about 7:45 A.M. on a cold February 18, 2010; the partially clothed body of 65-year-old instructor Hannah E. Wheeling was found outside a lower-security program for young offenders “at the long-troubled Cheltenham Youth Facility in Prince George's County,” according a July 28, 2010 article in The Baltimore Sun.

In a February 19th account of the tragic death, The Washington Post explained: “Cheltenham is operated by the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services… The slaying is a serious setback for a juvenile facility with a checkered past…”

Five months after the murder, a few news reports indicated that a teenager, “who was 13 at the time of the incident and turned 14 in early July,” was charged with the crime.

The Baltimore Sun reported on August 20, “Employees broke safety protocol the day teacher was killed, report shows…

“A series of professional failures at the troubled Cheltenham Youth Facility in Prince George's County left a 65-year-old teacher vulnerable to attack, according to a report released Friday by the Department of Juvenile Services, which also claims to have corrected most of the issues…”

Compare this to another tragedy on a cold January 23, three years ago in 2007, when Isaiah Simmons III, age 17, died after being restrained by staff at Bowling Brook Preparatory School in Middleburg.

Although the history of Bowling Brook extends for almost two centuries, it took Maryland officials about a month to force the closure of the celebrated facility on March 2, 2007... http://www.thetentacle.com/ShowArticle.cfm?mydocid=3938 
 
*****

Friday, February 15, 2008

20080215 19730215 The Carroll Record: The Bowling Brook Story: Benefactor Relied On Trustees' Discretion


This day in history 35 years ago:


The Bowling Brook Story: Benefactor Relied On Trustees' Discretion

The Carroll Record, February 15, 1973


In the legal confrontation last week, Judge Weant denied the petition of James J. Wolfe, a heir of Raymond Richardson, for the removal of the Trustees.

Sweeping aside the legal mask covering the actions of Mr. Wolfe, Judge Weant said, "It seems rather ironic that petitioner Wolfe is complaining that the trustees are attacking the Raymond I. Richardson Foundation while at the same time the petitioner appears to be pursuing a course which, if successful, would in all probability cause the termination of the Raymond I. Richardson Foundation.

In any event, it is the opinion of this court that the matters and facts before us to this date do not establish sufficient grounds, either mandatory or discretionary, to sustain the removal of the trustees and the petition will be denied."

The court, after vindicating Miller Richardson and the other trustees, asked for further evidence showing that the license would be revoked and that Bowling Brook would be closed by the State of Maryland if the admissions policy is not changed.

The Carroll Record, February 15, 1973.

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

20080129 Judge drops all charges in Bowling Brook death

6 were charged with reckless endangerment in death of teen last year

By a Sun reporter, 5:55 PM EST, January 29, 2008 baltimoresun.com

A Hat Tip goes to Carroll County Times reporter Ryan Marshall, who put a “breaking news” alert on the Carroll County Times web site, but did not go into details… Judge drops all charges in Bowling Brook casePosted 4:17 p.m. Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Meanwhile, the Baltimore Sun is reporting:

A Carroll County judge dropped charges today against five counselors indicted in the death of an East Baltimore teen at a school for juvenile offenders, saying a failure to call 911 promptly did not meet the definition of reckless endangerment.

Each had been indicted on one count of reckless endangerment in the death last year of Isaiah Simmons, 17, at the privately run Bowling Brook Preparatory School.

Read the rest here: Judge drops all charges in Bowling Brook death

Related:

Central Maryland Regional Community Rallies behind Bowling Brook

Bowling Brook: A Sad Tale

Bowling Brook Preparatory Academy

P. O. BOX 100

Keymar, MD 21757

http://www.bowlingbrookprep.org/

“Community Rallies behind Bowling Brook” Westminster Eagle Winchester Report March 13, 2007

http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?show=localnews&pnpID=978&NewsID=789755&CategoryID=18298&on=1

“Community Rallies behind Bowling Brook”

“Soundtrack” blog posts and information about support for Bowling Brook Preparatory Academy, Keymar, Carroll County MD: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/search?q=Bowling+Brook

(Bowling Brook mission statement from web site:

http://www.bowlingbrookprep.org/) “To provide quality residential and education services to male adolescent offenders while helping these same young men make positive changes in their lives. We are committed to providing an environment that is conducive to learning. Our results oriented program focuses on education and providing students with the means of creating and sustaining real life changes through behavior modification and life learning skills. This personal achievement will lead students to successful re-integration into the community.”

Letters supporting Bowling Brook can be mailed to:

The Honorable Governor Martin O’Malley

Office of the Governor

100 State Circle

Annapolis, MD 21401-1925


The Honorable Secretary Donald W. DeVore

Maryland Juvenile Services

One Center Plaza, 120 W. Fayette Street

Baltimore, MD 21201.

Tuesday, April 24, 2007

20070424 Indicted Bowling Brook counselors surrender


Lieutenant Phil Kasten: Indicted Bowling Brook counselors surrender

Carroll County Sheriff's Department

Posted Apr 24, 2007

“Indicted Bowling Brook counselors surrender; released on personal recognizance”

Apr 24, 2007 11:44 AM

Westminster, Carroll County, Maryland, April 24, 2007 ---- Through their attorneys, the six (6) Bowling Brook counselors indicted this past week in connection with the death of 17-year-old Isaiah Simmons have surrendered to sheriff’s detectives as part of the arrest process. This morning, the following five (5) counselors were processed at Carroll County Central Booking.

Mark Richard Sainato, age 36

Shadi (NMN) Sabbagh, age 33

Jason Willie Robinson, age 25

Brian Gerard Kanavy, age 31

Michael Paul Corradi, age 31

All five (5) were released on personal recognizance following a bail review before the District Court Commissioner. A sixth counselor, Dennis (NMN) Harding aged 31 has arranged through his attorney to surrender later this week. All six (6) counselors were indicted each with a single count of Reckless Endangerment, which is a misdemeanor with a maximum penalty of five (5) years incarceration, and a $5000 fine.

# # #

For additional information about the Bowling Brook matter please refer to:

"The high cost of twin tragedies at Bowling Brook" March 14, 2007 Westminster Eagle column

Bowling Brook Preparatory School web site

Bowling Brook: A Sad Tale The Tentacle March 13, 2007

“Community Rallies behind Bowling Brook” Westminster Eagle Winchester Report March 13, 2007

“Soundtrack” blog posts and information about support for Bowling Brook Preparatory Academy, Keymar, Carroll County MD.

Monday, April 23, 2007

20070417 A CC grand jury has indicted six Bowling Brook employees

A Carroll County grand jury has indicted six Bowling Brook Preparatory School employees

April 17, 2007 – Posted April 22, 2007

Bowling Brook Preparatory School administrator, Brian Hayden released a statement after the grand jury’s decision was announced. Please see it pasted below.

For additional information about the Bowling Brook matter please refer to:

"The high cost of twin tragedies at Bowling Brook" March 14, 2007 Westminster Eagle column

Bowling Brook Preparatory School web site

Bowling Brook: A Sad Tale The Tentacle March 13, 2007

“Community Rallies behind Bowling Brook” Westminster Eagle Winchester Report March 13, 2007

“Soundtrack” blog posts and information about support for Bowling Brook Preparatory Academy, Keymar, Carroll County MD.

Ari Natter, writing for the Carroll County Times and Greg Garland, writing for the Baltimore Sun, both have articles about the Carroll County grand jury bring charges of “reckless endangerment, a misdemeanor punishable by up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine,” (Six Bowling Brook employees indicted.)

“Those indicted, all of whom (Carroll County State's Attorney Jerry F.) Barnes said took part in restraining (Isaiah) Simmons, were Michael Paul Corradi, 31, of Middletown, Pa.; Jason Willie Robinson, 25, of Westminster; Mark Richard Sainato, 36, of Keymar; Brian Gerard Kanavy, 31, of Mechanicsburg, Pa.; Dennis Harding, 31, of Baltimore; and Shadi Sabbagh, 33, of Keyma,” (6 indicted in death at Bowling Brook.)

Neither paper uses permalinks – so if you are accessing this post at a later date and the links are dead, e-mail me at kevindayhoff AT gmail DOT com and I will update the post…

Time has not been my friend this week, however, I am writing an update to the Bowling Brook matter as both articles, albeit good articles, are lacking in a few details that are critical for the reader to comprehensively understand the Bowling Brook issues. I will be building upon two previous pieces: Bowling Brook: A Sad Tale The Tentacle March 13, 2007 and “Community Rallies behind Bowling Brook” Westminster Eagle Winchester Report March 13, 2007

There continue to be too many logical flaws – too many questions - as to why the storied institution was closed…

But first, for balance – read the commentary on the web site, “Chronicles of Dissent:” Another needless and tragic death from prone restraint 20070324 More questions than answers persist about Bowling Brook

Statement by Bowling Brook Preparatory School Regarding Completion of Grand Jury Proceedings in the Death of Isaiah Simmons

Keymar, MD - April 17, 2007 - The Office of the Carroll County State's Attorney has announced completion of the grand jury proceedings investigating the death of Isaiah Simmons. The entire Bowling Brook community continues to grieve over the loss of Isaiah, and we are disappointed to learn that our former employees will face criminal charges following this unfortunate and tragic loss. Bowling Brook maintains that this incident was unintentional and that these gentlemen have always had the utmost concern for the well being of all of our students without exception throughout their employment.

Bowling Brook administrator Brian Hayden offered the following, "All Bowling Brook team members have always kept the health and welfare of our students at the forefront of our mission to challenge young men to change their behaviors and lead positive and productive lives, and these gentlemen are no exception."

Hayden added, "Hopefully, the truth will bear out through the criminal proceedings and these gentlemen will be found innocent of all charges. We remain in full support and our prayers will be with them and their families throughout the difficult time ahead."

During the past 50 years, Bowling Brook, a nonprofit organization, has achieved an exemplary record of success while serving young men.

Specifically:

79% of students earned their high school diploma while attending Bowling Brook.

In 2006, 159 (89%) of Bowling Brook students successfully graduated from our school. Of these graduates, 49% were accepted to college or technical school, 35% were employed, and 16% transitioned to community-based educational and apprenticeship programs.

In 2006, Bowling Brook students performed over 40,000 hours of

community service across Maryland and 63 students earned Presidential Gold Service Awards for completing over 250 hours of community service.

Bowling Brook closed its doors in early March of this year, but the nonprofit's board of directors and management team remain committed to continuing to fulfill the school's mission in the future. As its path into the future is developed and implemented, the school will update all of its graduates, former employees, and the enormous contingent of supportive community members on its plans.

####

Wednesday, March 28, 2007

20070327 Community Rallies behind Bowling Brook

“Community Rallies behind Bowling Brook”

The high cost of twin tragedies at Bowling Brook

Bowling Brook: A Sad Tale

Bowling Brook

March 13th, 2007 – March 27, 2007

Re: 20070324 More questions than answers persist about Bowling Brook

UPDATE: I’m certainly encouraged by the thoughtful and responsible feedback I have received about Bowling Brook... I have written several other columns on Bowling Brook if folks would like to have more information.

For more information on “Soundtrack” please click here: Bowling Brook

Pictures needed:

I have scoured through my files and unfortunately I have not been able to locate any of my photos showing the young men from Bowling Brook in action.

As often as I was around these young men and saw them on action; for whatever reason, either I failed to take any pictures or I have filed them “in a really good place…”

If you have any photos of these young men at Carroll or Frederick County events, would you please consider e-mailing them to me at kdayhoff@carr.org and giving me permission to post them on www.kevindayhoff.net?

As of March 13th, 2007, “Community Rallies behind Bowling Brook” is on my blog, “The Winchester Report” on the Westminster Eagle’s web site.

Another post is on www.kevindayhoff.net here: 20070305 Bowling Brook student death ruled a homicide.

On March 14th, 2007 my column on The Tentacle and in The Westminster Eagle will be on Bowling Brook. (It should be on the front page of the web site – or scroll down the left hand sidebar and click on “Opinion” and then click on my name. Or click here.)

The March 13th, 2007 Winchester Report blog post – “Community Rallies behind Bowling Brook features quotes from Delegates Nancy Stocksdale and Donald Elliott; Tom Welliver, the Carroll County Ag Center’s Larry Collins, Perry Jones, and The Junior Woman’s Club of Westminster.

It begins:

“On March 2, Bowling Brook Preparatory Academy in Keymar announced that after 50 years in operation, it would close on March 9.

“The closing comes in the wake of the death of one of the students on January 23.

“Since the closing was announced, many Carroll Countians have rallied in support of the academy suggesting that it would be better to meaningfully address and correct what precipitated the tragedy than close the academy.”

It ends:

“It is rare that a community rallies to have a juvenile facility in their own back yard. But all of us have a stake in saving young men for a productive future and in those efforts; Bowling Brook is part of the answer.

What is now necessary is for Maryland Juvenile Services Secretary Donald W. DeVore and Gov. Martin O’Malley to hear from Carroll County citizens who care about Bowling Brook and the future of the young men this facility worked so hard to help. Encourage them to take fresh look at re-opening Bowling Brook.

Please review the letters from the Delegate Nancy Stocksdale and the Junior Woman’s Club of Westminster and then find a moment of your time to write to: Governor Martin O’Malley, Office of the Governor, 100 State Circle, Annapolis, MD 21401-1925, and Maryland Juvenile Services Secretary Donald W. DeVore, One Center Plaza, 120 W. Fayette Street, Baltimore, MD 21201.

Delegate Stocksdale’s and the Junior Women’s Club of Westminster’s advocacy letters are posted at the end of the Winchester Report blog post.

Letters to editor are very important in addition to letters to Governor O’Malley and Secretary DeVore.

Letters to the editor can be e-mailed to: jjoyner@patuxent.com

Mr. Jim Joyner, Editor

The Westminster Eagle

121 East Main Street

Westminster, MD 21157

jjoyner@patuxent.com


I would love for The Westminster Eagle to have a page or several pages of letters to the editor …

Please pass the word. We need as many thoughtful, respectful, and polite letters as possible to go to Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley and Maryland Juvenile Services Secretary Donald W. DeVore.

I have assured many folks that the letters need not to be long. Push comes to shove, a hand written note with several sentences expressing support is really all that is needed.

On another note, the electronic geek in me loves letters transmitted by e-mail but I gotta tell ya, from my experience as an elected official, nothing beats a stack of polite, well-written and legible – and short, (I can’t stress the short part enough,) letters delivered by mail.

The addresses once again:

The Honorable Governor Martin O’Malley

Office of the Governor

100 State Circle

Annapolis, MD 21401-1925

The Honorable Secretary Donald W. DeVore

Maryland Juvenile Services

One Center Plaza, 120 W. Fayette Street

Baltimore, MD 21201.

Thanks to everyone who was so patient and helpful with me as I was constructing the columns. Thanks in advance for everyone circulating this information.

Kevin Dayhoff

The writer is the former mayor of Westminster 2001-2005.

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA.

www.kevindayhoff.net and www.kevindayhoff.com

E-mail him at: kdayhoff AT carr DOT org or kevindayhoff AT gmail DOT com

His columns appear in The Tentacle, www.thetentacle.com; Westminster Eagle Opinion www.thewestminstereagle.com and Winchester Report.

Saturday, March 24, 2007

20070324 More questions than answers persist about Bowling Brook



“There are more questions than answers remaining about Maryland’s Juvenile Services”

March 24, 2007 by Kevin Dayhoff (693 words)

Thursday March 8, Bowling Brook Preparatory School in Carroll County closed in the wake of the death of Isaiah Simmons at the elite private juvenile services facility on January 23. Almost two months after his death, there remain more questions than answers.

It was an ignoble end for a storied highly touted facility of fifty years in an otherwise discredited juvenile services system in Maryland. Since it closed, many have rallied for it to reopen.

Mr. Simmons died while being physically restrained after it is alleged that he threatened another student. In a January 27 Bowling Brook press release it was revealed, “When Isaiah became threatening, our staff responded for his safety and the safety of others… (H)e was restrained humanely consistent with state-approved discipline policies and counseled throughout to de-escalate the crisis.”

A transcript of the 911 tape reveals a Bowling Brook employee saying, “It was the same thing we do all the time when we have an aggressive kid. I don't know what happened. He was in a restraint, and then he stopped responding.”

This tragic death is horrible but nevertheless situational – not systemic. Carroll County deputy state's attorney, David Daggett, has been quoted in published accounts to say “… it seems that clear(ly) no one intended to kill Simmons…”

As the number of juvenile offenders has exploded in recent years, Maryland has struggled to address the challenges of how to rehabilitate the young men into productive citizens.

In the face of a federal lawsuit and the outcry of juvenile advocates, facilities such as the widely discredited Charles H. Hickey Jr. School were closed as recently as June 30, 2005.

However this only exacerbated the Maryland juvenile services capacity problems. One answer was to put increasing numbers of the juveniles in Bowling Brook – a “highly touted private residential treatment facility for aggressively adjudicated young men” according to the 2004 – 2005 annual report of the Office of the Independent Juvenile Justice Monitor. The state poured $737,000 into capital improvements for the facility which housed 170 students.

Gov. Martin O’Malley’s answer to the crisis in juvenile services was to close Bowling Brook and announce in his supplemental budget, $6.8 million to re-open Victor Cullen just several miles from Bowling Brook; for only 48 students. That discredited facility has remained “temporarily” closed since April 2002 due to budget constraints. Where did Governor O’Malley suddenly find $6.8M?

At a time when Maryland continues to face a structural deficit, it has been reported, “The cost of the nonprofit (Bowling Brook) school is $41,000 a year per student – less than the $65,000 a year the state spends to keep a youth at Hickey.”

Why have folks, who once praised the facility, quickly change their tune and sing that Bowling Brook was a victim of its own success and had grown too large?

If the “successful” Bowling Brook School grew too large, then doesn’t it seem more effective public policy to reduce the number of students at Bowling Brook rather than close it?

Why did the Maryland General Assembly overwhelmingly pass House Bill 1148 and Senate Bill 503 in 2005 exempting Bowling Brook from 2004 legislation mandating a capacity limit of 48 for juvenile facilities?

Governor O’Malley’s “Transition Committee for Juvenile Services Report,” issued on February 21, 2007 “strongly recommend(ed) that the new administration proceed quickly with making strategic, evidence-based reforms … addressing problems proactively.”

Is closing the highly acclaimed Bowling Brook, within days of the issuance of the report, “addressing problems proactively” with “strategic, evidence-based reforms?” Exactly why did Mr. Simmons die while being “restrained humanely consistent with state-approved discipline policies?” Why not address that problem proactively?

How are juvenile facilities to appropriately restrain a juvenile offender who is physically threatening other students? Do the state-approved discipline policies for restraint need to be changed with “evidence-based reform” to avoid another tragedy? Why not spend some of the newly minted $6.8M for additional study to change the standards and provide additional training.

How often does a community rally to have a juvenile facility in their own back yard? Many hope that Governor O’Malley will address the challenges of Maryland’s juvenile services with evidence-based reform by re-opening Bowling Brook.

Kevin Dayhoff

The writer is the former mayor of Westminster 2001-2005.

His e-mail address is kdayhoff@carr.org

####

Sunday, March 25th, 2007 UPDATE: I’m certainly encouraged by the thoughtful and responsible feedback I have received on this post in “comments.”

(For more posts and information on “Soundtrack” please click on Bowling Brook.)

Please keep in mind that letters to editor are also very important in addition to letters to Governor O’Malley and Secretary DeVore.

Letters to the editor can be e-mailed to: jjoyner@patuxent.com

Mr. Jim Joyner, Editor

The Westminster Eagle

121 East Main Street

Westminster, MD 21157

(410) 386-0334 ext. 5004

jjoyner@patuxent.com

I would love for The Westminster Eagle to have a page or several pages of letters to the editor …

Please pass the word. We need as many thoughtful, respectful, and polite letters as possible to go to Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley and Maryland Juvenile Services Secretary Donald W. DeVore.

I have assured many folks that the letters need not to be long or over-thought. Push comes to shove, a hand written note with several sentences expressing support is really all that is needed.

Whispers in the hallways of Annapolis are that the O’Malley administration is counting on the short attention span of folks and the Bowling Brook matter will blow away with the March winds. Obviously such is not the case. Perhaps folks have misjudged the positive impact of this facility - for fifty years - in our community.

The addresses once again:

The Honorable Governor Martin O’Malley

Office of the Governor

100 State Circle

Annapolis, MD 21401-1925


The Honorable Secretary Donald W. DeVore

Maryland Juvenile Services

One Center Plaza, 120 W. Fayette Street

Baltimore, MD 21201.

Thank you. There are many young adults that face an uncertain future as a result of being relocated from Bowling Brook to one of the failed state-run facilities. The quicker Bowling Brook is back in operation, the quicker hope may be restored to the lives of many young men.

####

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

20070313 Community Rallies behind Bowling Brook


Community Rallies behind Bowling Brook


March 13th, 2007

Cross-posted from the Winchester Report

www.thewestminstereagle.com

http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?pnpID=978&NewsID=789755&CategoryID=18298&show=localnews&om=1





03/13/07
by Kevin Dayhoff
Respond to the Westminster Eagle about this story
Email this story to a friend

On March 2, Bowling Brook Preparatory Academy in Keymar announced that after 50 years in operation, it would close on March 9.

The closing comes in the wake of the death of one of the students on January 23.

Since the closing was announced, many Carroll Countians have rallied in support of the academy suggesting that it would be better to meaningfully address and correct what precipitated the tragedy than close the academy.

Delegate Donald Elliott said the day Bowling Brook closed “was a sad day and it is my hope that it will again be restored to a place in the juvenile services system.

“Over the years we have all had contact with the young men from Bowling Brook, it was always a very positive experience,” he said. “In fact, where other places have difficulty hosting a juvenile services facility, Bowling Brook has enjoyed the affection of the community.”

Delegate Nancy Stocksdale recounted many experiences in which the young men of Bowling Brook had left a positive impression upon her and the community. (She has circulating a letter about Bowling Brook. Please find it below.)

She said that she has been “grieving just as if it was my school.”

Delegate Stocksdale added that if this terrible incident had happened in another facility… she doubted that the state would’ve closed down the whole place. “You take care of the problem. You fix it. Instead of isolating a tragic instant from the rest of the good work of the institution (the state) choose to convict the entire school.”

Tom Welliver said, “I have worked closely with these young men on numerous occasions. They were well mannered, respectful - and assisted with tremendously positive attitudes.”

For many years, the Bowling Brook students helped with the Union Bridge town hall funding breakfasts. Perry Jones, former County Commissioner and former Union Bridge mayor said, “Union Bridge had a very positive experience with Bowling Brook and I share everyone’s hope that it is able to re-open in the future and its good work continues.”

Larry Collins, Carroll County Agriculture Center General Manager said, “The young men from Bowling Brook have been to the Ag Center many times and served in many different capacities… They have been excellent across the board. It would be a shame to lose such an important resource in our community.”

The Junior Woman’s Club of Westminster is circulating a letter which cites that Bowling Brook had “an 86 percent success rate. (Please find a copy of the letter below.)

Only 14 percent of the youth were arrested or referred back to the state agency within a year of their release. … The state average for group homes is 50 percent, but we have heard as low as 10 percent success rates. … We hate to see the success of the program overrun by this one failure.”

It is rare that a community rallies to have a juvenile facility in their own back yard. But all of us have a stake in saving young men for a productive future and in those efforts; Bowling Brook is part of the answer.

What is now necessary is for Maryland Juvenile Services Secretary Donald W. DeVore and Gov. Martin O’Malley to hear from Carroll County citizens who care about Bowling Brook and the future of the young men this facility worked so hard to help. Encourage them to take fresh look at re-opening Bowling Brook.

Please review the letters from the Delegate Nancy Stocksdale and the Junior Woman’s Club of Westminster and then find a moment of your time to write to: Governor Martin O’Malley, Office of the Governor, 100 State Circle, Annapolis, MD 21401-1925, and Maryland Juvenile Services Secretary Donald W. DeVore, One Center Plaza, 120 W. Fayette Street, Baltimore, MD 21201.

####

From: Delegate Nancy Stocksdale

Sent: Tuesday, March 06, 2007 3:30 PM

Subject: Bowling Brook Preparatory School

Dear Friends:

I am writing concerning the Bowling Brook Preparatory School which is located in Keymar, a rural area of Carroll County.

I am saddened by the loss of a student there, and I offer my sincerest sympathy to his mother. I do not know all the circumstances, but I have always believed in the school and its program. Unfortunately, the Public Defender, Nancy Forster, made a statement on the day of this tragic event that she was “closing this school down because it is not safe.” She then proceeded to remove all the Maryland students.

I have attended awards luncheons at Bowling Brook where I witnessed the tears of the mothers who were so proud of the positive changes they saw as they watched their sons receive awards for their accomplishments in the program. I have seen the many trophy cases displaying the trophies earned from the achievements of the sports teams, and I have seen the pride in the faces of the students as they moved up through the ranks and accepted greater responsibility as “thoroughbreds,” a designation for seniors.

I have had an interest in that school since I first went there in 1993 on a tour with Congressman Bartlett. As a retired teacher, I have a special interest in the educational program at Bowling Brook, and I learned that approximately 80% of the students there pass the GED test. I think this is a great accomplishment considering the fact that some students come there with a 3rd grade reading level. Professors from Carroll Community College teach on the Bowling Brook campus, and students have earned as many as 21 college credits. Other students take vocational classes at Frederick Community College learning trades such as bricklaying and landscaping.

You may have seen the students competing in sports at our local schools or working for one of the many non-profit organizations in our communities. I know they have helped the Elmer Wolfe Elementary School, Westminster Fallfest, Union Bridge town breakfasts, Carroll Lutheran School consignment sale, and I am sure there are others. The students are always polite, well groomed, well mannered, and hard working.

They have been there for us and now I am asking that you help troubled youth who may benefit from Bowling Brook’s program by writing letters of support for the Bowling Brook Preparatory School to Governor Martin O’Malley at http://www.governor.maryland.gov/mail (telephone: 410-974-3901), and Donald DeVore, the Secretary of Juvenile Services at devored@djs.state.md.us (telephone: 410-230-3101).

I would appreciate it if you would ask as many people as you know, who are familiar with the school or who have attended functions where the Bowling Brook boys helped, to write letters or make phone calls. Although it may already be too late, Governor O’Malley will realize how we feel about the successful program. While many communities fight to keep juvenile facilities out of their neighborhoods, we need to fight to keep these good neighbors.

Thank you. I am grateful for your support.

Sincerely,

/s/

Nancy R. Stocksdale

####

Governor Martin O’Malley

Office of the Governor

100 State Circle

Annapolis, MD 21401-1925

March 8, 2007

Dear Governor,

The purpose of this letter is to inform you of the importance of the Bowling Brook Preparatory School in our county. I am a resident of Carroll County and a member of the GFWC Junior Woman’s Club of Westminster. We are a part of an international non-profit volunteer organization called the General Federation of Women’s Clubs that serves the needs of our community.

Through our group’s events, we have had the experience to work on volunteer projects with the Bowling Brook students. It has always been a very positive experience working with these students. Every single one of them seemed eager to help, was extremely polite and greatly added to the efficiency of our event. Without their help – our work and time would be doubled. In our interactions with the students, they have shared their thoughts on the Bowling Brook program and how it has improved their lives.

In light of the serious issue that has occurred over the past few weeks at the school, our organization still strongly supports keeping this program open. There have been so many successes that have kept hundreds of young adults from returning to the penal system or a life of criminal behavior. On Oct 5, 2005, the Baltimore Sun quoted an 86 percent success rate. Only 14 percent of the youth were arrested or referred back to the state agency within a year of their release. They also said that the state average for group homes is 50 percent, but we have heard as low as 10 percent success rates. 80 percent of these boys are graduating from High School. We hate to see the success of the program overrun by this one failure.

Our hope is that you will see the positive impact Bowling Brook School has had on our community and reopen it with appropriate guidelines to protect the students in the program

Sincerely,

A member of GFWC Junior Woman’s Club of Westminster

Westminster, MD 21158

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