Protest the purchase of Kemper by WWASP

[cherish wisdom]

I just sent a letter to the editor regarding the purchase of Kemper Military Academy by Lichfield of WWASP.  I'd encourage all to do the same.  Here is a copy of my letter - you can use it as an example for your own....

BEWARE OF WWASP AFFILIATES

April 6, 2005

To the Editor:

There have been thousands of victims of the teen industry and WWASP programs. They include former students/patients, their parents and family members.  My child was severely abused in a Utah program.  As a result, potentially thousands of people from all over the country have been reading about the develpments surrounding the purchase of the miltary school  in your community by affiliates of the WWASP network.  So don't be surprised when people from other states send you their oppinions.  

In your article it was indicated that Randall Hinton once worked at WWASP schools in Jamaica and Mexico.  Tranquility Bay in Jamaica and Casa by the Sea in Mexico are both reportedly abusive facilities.  Casa By the Sea was recently shut down by the Mexican authorities because several children showed signs of emotional and physical abuse.  Potentially abusive behavior modification techniques and extreme punitive measures are often used in programs associated with WWASP. Several former staff members from a program in Utah, Majestic Ranch, reported extreme chid abuse and endangerment such as forcing children to shovel manure with their hands, sitting out in the cold for several hours as punishment, and bolting the windows shut to prevent escapes. In most WWASP programs children are not allowed to communicate or see parents for many months.  They are not allowed to use the telephone and their mail is censored. They are severely punished for speaking negatively of the program.  Prolonged isolation in cold, uncomfortable chambers is routine. Former students have reported being hog-tied for hours at a time.  One administrator admitted that one girl had spent 18 months in isolation at Tranquility Bay.

Children are essentially controlled completely in most WWASP affiliated programs.  They are essentially denied the most basic civil rights of speach, movement and mail.  I became concerned when Hinton indicated that the students would not be allowed to leave campus. This is a huge red-flag indicating that this will be another lock-down where children wiil essentially be cut-off from the outside world and punished with impunity.  

The people of this community must beware!  Please do a complete inter-net search regarding this industry before allowing this reportedly abusive network to purchase this building.  I'd suggest one read the recent report regarding  WWASP affiliate Majestic Ranch at http://www.kidsincaptivity.com.    Also read some of the reports about other WWASP affiliated programs on line at http://isaccorp.org

The mystery of the beginning of all things is insoluble by us, and I for one must be content to remain an agnostic.
--Charles Robert Darwin, English naturalist

[cherish wisdom]

Following is the e-mail address of the journalist who has been reporting this:

jsullivan@tribmail.com

Letters can be sent to him.  Make sure that you include identifying information:
full name, address, phone number

Also - keep it brief - ususally under 250 words or it will get edited or tossed...... :wink:

Immortality: A toy which people cry for, And on their knees apply for, Dispute, contend and lie for, And if allowed Would be right proud Eternally to die for.
--Ambrose Bierce

[Anonymous]

:tup:

http://www.kctv5.com/Global/story.asp?S=3170689

http://www.columbiatribune.com/2005/Apr ... ews002.asp

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascit ... 311239.htm

Boonville considers military school sale

By STEVE ROCK

The Kansas City Star

BOONVILLE, Mo. ? Most of the buildings that constitute Kemper Military School are dilapidated and run down, living proof that they've been virtually abandoned for nearly three years.

And yet, this campus of seven historic buildings has become a contentious topic around town as city officials wrestle with an offer to buy and reopen the school.

The prospective buyer is a group led by Robert Lichfield, founder of a controversial association of boarding schools called World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools.

Kemper, the oldest military academy west of the Mississippi River when it closed in 2002, has been owned by the city since April 2003. The proposed sale was on the agenda for Monday's City Council meeting, with all of it discussed in closed session.

Earlier in the day, the chairman of the Friends of Kemper Foundation Trust issued a statement to The Kansas City Star expressing his group's opposition to the sale.

?We do not feel it is in the best interest of the city of Boonville to accept the proposal at this time,? the statement said. ?.? (We) do not see this proposal as a solution to the city's problem of what to do with the former Kemper campus, or a befitting end to the Kemper story.?

Stephen Read, chairman of the trust, said the trust's primary concern stems from reports involving other schools affiliated with the boarding school association. The World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools, based in St. George, Utah, offers services and guidance to a network of seven schools in the United States and Jamaica.

Some schools affiliated with the association have been the subject of abuse allegations, and one congressman asked the Justice Department to investigate. In a November 2003 letter to then-Attorney General John Ashcroft, California Rep. George Miller wrote: ?There have been serious allegations that hundreds of children have been mistreated or neglected.?

Ken Kay, president of the association, has denied the allegations and said the association's first priority is ?the safety and well-being of the children.?

Randall Hinton, who says he would help operate the new school, has said that Kemper would not be part of the formal World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools network. He said Kemper would operate independently.

That doesn't assuage James Oliver, a longtime Boonville resident who can see the Kemper campus from his front porch. He said the school under Lichfield's ownership would target ?troubled? teens and wondered whether that was a better alternative to the white elephant that sits across the street.

?I wouldn't be too thrilled about it,? Oliver said. ?And I know a lot of people around here don't like the idea.?

Many alumni, though, would like nothing more than to see the school back up and running.

Hinton has said he would like the school to operate much as Kemper Military School did, with a military theme and uniformed students adhering to a regimented schedule. That prospect excites Ray Kendeigh, who went to Kemper from 1977 to 1980 and now sends an e-mail newsletter to more than 200 alumni.

?We're kind of hoping this goes,? said Kendeigh, who lives near Pittsburgh. ?It would be great to get this thing back open before the school becomes a dinosaur.

?If this is a good group, I personally hope it works out.?

The City Council emerged from its closed session Monday night with a declaration that the sale be discussed next Monday in a public hearing at City Hall.

?It's just part of the process,? said Russell Hinton, who would help operate the facility with his brother Randall.

?We know there are going to be questions. We know people are going to want to know who we are.

?We are definitely looking forward to it.?

Hinton has said renovation costs could exceed $5 million.

To reach Steve Rock,

call (816) 234-4338 or send e-mail to srock@kcstar.com.

[Anonymous]

Hmmm ... is this the SAME Randall Hinton affiliated with White River Adventures?

http://www.teenhelponline.com/

Perhaps the journalist would like to do some digging?

 :eek:

[Anonymous]

I'm sorry, four:

http://www.boonvilledailynews.com/artic ... /news1.txt

Questions mount

By Theresa Schweitzer Krebs--Staff Reporter
With last week's announcement of a "serious offer" on the table for the Kemper property, details of the proposal are slow in coming from Boonville city officials and city's Industrial Development Board.

"We want to handle this matter quickly, but also correctly," said IDA president Ned Beach.

With many questions surrounding the status of the city-owned property, Beach said that no details can be disclosed until the matter is discussed with the city council.

A fax from Boonville's Economic Developer, Sarah Gallagher, confirmed that "answers will be released at the he appropriate time as the process proceeds." According to Gallagher, the IDA "is acting as the agent of record for the city council for the City of Boonville. We have an obligation to the council to brief them prior to releasing additional information."

Beach said he had hoped to make a presentation to the city council at the next regularly scheduled council meeting on Monday, April 4, but this plan may be delayed. "We (the IDA board) would also like to hold a public meeting before going to the council," Beach said.

Confirming that the Boonville Police Department will be responsible for a due diligence involving a "through review of the contract and background check of the parties involved," Beach said he hasn't received a recommendation at this point, but it will be discussed with the city council.

An article published this morning by the Kansas City Star connects Golden Pond's bid with Robert Lichfield, founder of a network of seven schools in the United States and Jamaica which provide service and guidance to troubled teens.

Based in St. George, Utah, under Lichfield's oversight, the World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools (WWASPS), has attracted much controversy, including a report of abuse allegations to the Department of Justice by a U.S. congressman.

The Star further reports Lichfield would sublease the Kemper property to Randall Hinton who would operate the school independently as a military-style academy. Hinton has told the Star that he is not associated with WWASPS.

Hinton, who could not be reached for comment, resides on McRobert Street in Boonville, at a property owned by Beach Family Partnership LLC.

Questions mount

With last week's announcement of a "serious offer" on the table for the Kemper property, details of the proposal are slow in coming from Boonville city officials and city's Industrial Development Board.
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[cherish wisdom]

even though reporters are "on this" letters to the editor make a huge impact. This is where public sentiment is demonstrated. Members of the City Counsil will most definitely read them. I'd suggest sending them to every paper making reports on this issue.  Do so as soon as possible since the meeting is next monday....

"I predict, Sir, that you will die either by hanging or of some vile disease."
 "That all depends, sir, upon whether I embrace your principles or your mistress."
--Disraeli to Gladstone

[Anonymous]

Good letter. Thank You.

[Anonymous]

They should sale Kemper Military on Ebay.

someone will buy it, take good care of it and make the Kemper people proud.

[Anonymous]

Cherish Wisdom - Looks like your child went to a WWASPS school.  Was that intentional to throw them off?  Interesting how those that have no experience of WWASPS are off writing letters to the editor.   :lol:

[Anonymous]

Anon,

Anyone who has read the long history of closures,history of allegations of abuse or spoken with a child who has attended a WWASP facility,could easily come to the conclusion the WASP is not a HEALTYH options for any living being.

I challenge YOU to come out of your WWASP box
and think that the allegations may be true. If so it is not acceptable.

Are YOU making money off of referrals?
Just curious.

From my personal experience CW was right on.

[cherish wisdom]

No - did not send child to WWASP - Provo Canyon.
WWASP uses similar abusive tactics.  I have been horrified by the survivor stories and reports of former staff members who have worked for WWASP facilities.

I'd like to suggest that all of you send e-mails to the City Counsil members of Boonville Missouri. Here's a link where their e-mail addresses can be found.   :wave:

http://boonville-mo.org/city.html

All of these comforting and reasonable things were taught by the ministers in their pulpits -- by teachers in Sunday schools and by parents at home. The children were victims. They were assaulted in the cradle -- in their mother's arms. Then, the schoolmaster carried on the war against their natural sense, and all the books they read were filled with the same impossible truths. The poor children were helpless. The atmosphere they breathed was filled with lies -- lies that mingled with their blood.
--Robert G. Ingersoll, American politician and lecturer

[Anonymous]

Here are some email addresses for members of the City Counsil involved with the sale of Kemper:

Julie Thatcher: glenlee50@yahoo.com
Daniel Blanck: get_hurt@msn.com (space is underscore)
Bob Irish: mpcarter@socket.net
Frank Shore: gfshore@yahoo.com

I'd suggest you send them some information about Lichfield, WWASP, and Randall..... Do so asap - they will reconsider the sale this coming Monday.... :wave:

[cherish wisdom]

to the top.....

Our nada who art in nada, nada be thy name. Thy kingdom nada, thy will be nada as it is in nada. Give us this nada our daily nada and nada us our nada as we nada our nadas and nada us into nada but deliver us from nada; pues nada. Hail nothing full of nothing, nothing is with thee.
--Ernest Hemingway, American author

[Dr Fucktard]

That's where SIBS is going..to the top of the drug treatment industry!

[Anonymous]

I just tried and every single one was sent back to me.