ITEMS

St. Anne's opinions formed without facts

Locals responding to the St. Anne's retreat trespassing incident giving their version of the facts.

St. Anne’s opinions formed without facts

To the editor:
Much has been said about the incident at St. Anne’s retreat concerning the kids and their parents. I am amazed at the number of parents who have commented about this issue, especially those who have done so without all the facts.

The fact is these kids are very good kids and have very good parents and for you to judge them as you have done is unfair. Fact-These kids know they have done wrong and so do the parents. No one “whined” to the authorities to try to get anyone off. The landowners dropped the charges completely on their own for whatever reason they had. In fact, they felt bad for what had happened to them and the landowners have actually met with these kids and their parents and he has commented on what great kids they are.

Fact-The parents only went to the authorities to try and stop these men from continuing this kind of action again, and maybe against your kids. And you can’t convince me that just because you taught them it will prevent your youth from making any mistakes or to grow through their teen-age years being perfect. If so, I want a leaf from your book. If you think we condoned their action you’re completely mistaken.

Fact-The kids showed up around 9, not in the middle of the night as so many of you think. Fact-they showed up in small groups of 2, 4, and 6 not a large group of 30 with intent to do vandalism and attack poor Mr. Jeppson. In their pockets they had gum and chapstick, hardly any attack tools.

Fact-The kids were attacked, some not even on the property yet, and were taken by gunpoint to the pool, tied up etc. You know the rest of the story. This wasn’t a necessary protection tactic, it was a very cruel one that they laughed and joked about. He told them “it was a great adrenaline rush and to run because they would love to shoot their legs off.” If this is proper treatment for citizens to inflect on trespassers, what should we (as citizens) do to other Cache Valley people who speed, beat their children or their wife, or even avoid child support. They also have broken the law and made a mistake. Is it their parents fault (maybe) and should we tie them up and shoot at them? I would hope not.

I think as parents aw need to help offer the youth wholesome activities and not sit around and judge these parents on who has taught their kids the best and most valuable lessons.

Sue Griffin
Newton

Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library, Special Collections and Archives, FOLK COLL 32

Reproduction for publication, exhibition, web display or commercial use is only permissible with the consent of the USU Libraries Special Collections and Archives, phone (435) 797-2663.

Utah State University Folklore in the news collection, 1973-2012, FOLK COLL 32

http://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv04849

St. Anne's Retreat

http://digital.lib.usu.edu/cdm/ref/collection/p16944coll20/id/40

SCAFOLK032Bx003Fd07Item0030.pdf

St. Anne’s opinions formed without facts

To the editor:
Much has been said about the incident at St. Anne’s retreat concerning the kids and their parents. I am amazed at the number of parents who have commented about this issue, especially those who have done so without all the facts.

The fact is these kids are very good kids and have very good parents and for you to judge them as you have done is unfair. Fact-These kids know they have done wrong and so do the parents. No one “whined” to the authorities to try to get anyone off. The landowners dropped the charges completely on their own for whatever reason they had. In fact, they felt bad for what had happened to them and the landowners have actually met with these kids and their parents and he has commented on what great kids they are.

Fact-The parents only went to the authorities to try and stop these men from continuing this kind of action again, and maybe against your kids. And you can’t convince me that just because you taught them it will prevent your youth from making any mistakes or to grow through their teen-age years being perfect. If so, I want a leaf from your book. If you think we condoned their action you’re completely mistaken.

Fact-The kids showed up around 9, not in the middle of the night as so many of you think. Fact-they showed up in small groups of 2, 4, and 6 not a large group of 30 with intent to do vandalism and attack poor Mr. Jeppson. In their pockets they had gum and chapstick, hardly any attack tools.

Fact-The kids were attacked, some not even on the property yet, and were taken by gunpoint to the pool, tied up etc. You know the rest of the story. This wasn’t a necessary protection tactic, it was a very cruel one that they laughed and joked about. He told them “it was a great adrenaline rush and to run because they would love to shoot their legs off.” If this is proper treatment for citizens to inflect on trespassers, what should we (as citizens) do to other Cache Valley people who speed, beat their children or their wife, or even avoid child support. They also have broken the law and made a mistake. Is it their parents fault (maybe) and should we tie them up and shoot at them? I would hope not.

I think as parents aw need to help offer the youth wholesome activities and not sit around and judge these parents on who has taught their kids the best and most valuable lessons.

Sue Griffin
Newton