Fornits
Treatment Abuse, Behavior Modification, Thought Reform => The Ridge Creek School / Hidden Lake Academy => Topic started by: Anonymous on May 16, 2009, 11:26:11 AM
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If the ORS would have stopped this madness in 2001,(that is as far back as I have documented proof) think about it, none of our families would have had to endure what they did. If the ORS licensed HLA and did their job in 2001, perhaps it wouldn't have come to this. The ORS finally licensed HLA, after repeated pressure from advocates and the impact of the class action suit, but still did nothing. In a letter from Keith Bostick, Director of the ORS, to the advocate families (to paraphrase) he basically stated that if HLA did not comply and there were still infractions, the ORS would shut HLA down. Well HLA was not in compliance and Bostick kept extending the license to this day. I repeatedly asked why the investigative findings were not posted on their web-site and was continually told it was not ready, beginning Dec.2006 and continuing into April 2007. I then requested the investigative report (redacted) under "the Freedom of Information Act"( I was a novice). I was sent a couple of pages I already had. It is now July of 2007 and Bostick sends me an email saying he does not understand what I requested and that they already complied. Citing "Georgia Sunshine Laws", The Georgia Open Records Act" , it was not until attorney David Leacock offered to help and in April 2008 as an attorney, he requested the documents from ORS attorney Nina Edidin. Under these laws a private individual is entitled to redacted (when necessary) documents. It was not until David Leacock, P.A. asserted that he would go further if the ORS did not comply, did the ORS start to comply. The cost for the records was $ 700.00 plus. In May 2008, just over 2900 pages of the 2006 ORS Investigation of HLA miraculously appeared. To reiterate, after their findings, that were damning, in early Dec. of 2006, Bostick informed the family advocates that they were going to allow HLA to continue without being licensed. Pressure was stepped up by the advocates, and, thus, HLA was to be a licensed child caring facility. We were ecstatic, but again novices. Late winter of 2008 I was contacted by the GAO agents, and among other things complied with their request for my documents. I turned the documents over to the agents investigating Hidden Lake Academy, which David Leacock P.A. generously dedicated his time to oversee, obviously leading to also investigating the ORS debacle of their so called over-sight, which as a state agency, was pertinent to the Miller Bill. This could help the committee and Congress gain a clearer understanding of how state agencies fall beyond short in their regulatory duties in reference to these schools and not just Georgia. We all know if the agency big wigs stepped up to the plate, politics aside and did their job, it may have protected children that have perished in these schools, I say 'perished' not just in body, but soul. In the case of Hidden Lake Academy, Inc. the ORS is totally responsible for what they knowingly allowed to continue at HLA. Licensing HLA after 12 years of operating under the radar and manipulating the system, the ORS took no responsibility. No one was asked to resign, no one was fired. Fortunately for the ORS, there was not a child's death at HLA due to the negligent behavior of the ORS, but we all felt it was a matter of time because of the amount of suicide attempts that were not reportedprior to licensing. Buccellato also could have prevented this by not accepting children that were not "appropriate" for the program, as it was offered. The ORS was criminally complacent. Buccellato was the "addict" and the ORS was his co-dependent, enabler,to the detriment of hundreds of families. To this date, there has been no public apology from the State of Georgia and the ORS. Did the ORS only require HLA to be licensed
to literally shut us up? Why license HLA if the ORS was not going to follow through? From this writers experience and perspective, it was not just Buccellato that appeared more crooked than a doornail. At the very least, Georgia should clean house at the ORS. I was told during the investigation that the ORS dropped the ball, and so did Georgia's State GAO, when that agency was informed. Well, all well and good, but not enough is it?
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Also, why would the ORS protect Buccellato and Hidden Lake Academy, instead of protecting the children? Honestly, just how far does this man's arm reach? How far will these connections go to abet him? Afterall, he manipulated SACS CASI and then there was Quirk and Quirk stating "HLA purchased a mobile lab", another "ground breaking" event that was a blantant lie. Are attorneys allowed to lie for their client, as Joe Farrell of Quirk and Quirk,representing Buccellato, clearly did with this one and then again with his 2004 letter to Carol Winstead of the ORS that was wrought with mistruths. Or can the attorneys fall back on "we wrote what we were told to write", which may be more in alignment with Buccellatos narcissistic behaviour.
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Maybe another call threatening to go to the press is in order. It seemed to work wonders the last time. Looking at the inspection reports where HLA was once again cited for numerous infrraction (keep up the good work boys) they are informed a follow up plan is required by 01.24.09 , and that if isnt in place the license (what license?) can be revoked. Yet almost six months later there is no record of a follow up visit?
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Creekside Wilderness Academy does not show up on the ORS facility web-site...the ORS seems to have attached Mountain Brook Academy to Ridge Creek, which I thought according to the ORS was not allowed as each facility and it's licensing was to be treated as separate entities. Is Creekside licensed by the ORS?
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The Red State of GA. This is how they look after struggling children!
A society that does not look after the best interest of children is on a fast downward spiral.
How much money is enough; ask Wall Street!
How much money is enough; ask US top law firms….
Is it all about money……….
Or this grand nation and what our Constitution stands for?
Is it about our protecting the US Constitution?……….or is it all about personal gain?
Save it or loose it???
Do you have children?
A child has no clew if they are in a Mercedes or a Ford….
Do you get it?
What is it all about?
What does tomorrow hold for your child?
Do you truly love the US and respect our incredible Constitution?
Or do you love money and have no foresight for tomorrow?
Moreover, do you love money today, yet have no respect for your grandchildren’s future?
Is it about you, the minute, or for the future of loved ones?
Are you willing to sacrifice and protect our US Constitution?
Do you have empathy for those that did?
As an American, do you get it?
Do you think Wall Street gets it? A 35 million dollar bonus, when children do without?
Can you think outside the box? What do they teach in Ivy League Schools?
Point blank……….it is over, whether higher level of education thinking gets it or not………
What is intelligence………..you money hungry guys voted for…Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld and Rove??
Thanks and God Bless America..........in a liberal meaningful way!
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I'm not really sure what you are all complaining about. I've read the ORS inspections of HLA, on the State's website and there was nothing there but documentation and record keeping issues. The only safety concerns were that kids had their own shampoo and laundry detergent in their rooms and the labels say, "Keep out of reach of children". Except for the incident that HLA self-reported after an Emergency Safety Intervetion, there was absolutely nothing that said the kids were not being cared for or that they were in any danger! As a health care professional, I have seen these types of reports numerous times in regards to hospitals, nursing homes, home health agencies and hospices. While they are critical in ensuring compliance with state laws, these types of infractions are "no harm" infractions. No one was hurt and a request for a plan of correction was made by the state to which HLA complied. That's how it's done folks, hundreds of times every year. No one looses licensure on "no harm" evaluations.
I also want to add that my son has been a student at HLA for 18 months and we have decided to keep him there as a post-grad. HLA has turned his life around and we can not believe the difference they have made. We would have lost him forever if it had not been for them. They are all caring and loving people who our son truly cares for and enjoys being around. His only complaint has been the food! I'm not kidding! We knew the rules before he went and we were glad to comply with the restrictive environment if that is what was needed to change his life around. To be honest, there were people inside and outside the family, including grandparents that we did not want him to talk to because they were so toxic to his mental health. And you know what?, it worked and now we are heart broken over their financial difficulties that HLA is going through, that affect our kids everyday, due to the slanderous and libel comments of posters like you. I truly do not know what happened and I personally don't care. Until someone shows me unmitigated proof that HLA was involved in any wrong doing that harmed a student any more than his or her parents did before they went to HLA, then I'll listen. My husband and I are not so egotistical that we can't accept our responsibility for the issues that our son (my step son) developed because of poor parenting, inconsistent parenting, spoiling and poor boundries. These kids were not born this way, excluding ADHD, we created them and it's our responsibility to seek whatever help we can to ensure that they have the same opportunites for a positive future that children of well balanced and emotionally connected parents have. Not only has our son learned a lot and developed deep emotional ties with his peers, but our relationship with him and with our family has never been better. We owe all of that to the dedication of the teachers, counselors and support staff of HLA.
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I also want to add that my son has been a student at HLA for 18 months and we have decided to keep him there as a post-grad. HLA has turned his life around and we can not believe the difference they have made. We would have lost him forever if it had not been for them.
Dead, insane, or in jail, eh?
Get yer glass and let's pour another round of that Kool-Aid for all concerned!
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I'm not really sure what you are all complaining about. I've read the ORS inspections of HLA, on the State's website and there was nothing there but documentation and record keeping issues. The only safety concerns were that kids had their own shampoo and laundry detergent in their rooms and the labels say, "Keep out of reach of children". Except for the incident that HLA self-reported after an Emergency Safety Intervetion, there was absolutely nothing that said the kids were not being cared for or that they were in any danger! As a health care professional, I have seen these types of reports numerous times in regards to hospitals, nursing homes, home health agencies and hospices. While they are critical in ensuring compliance with state laws, these types of infractions are "no harm" infractions. No one was hurt and a request for a plan of correction was made by the state to which HLA complied. That's how it's done folks, hundreds of times every year. No one looses licensure on "no harm" evaluations.
I also want to add that my son has been a student at HLA for 18 months and we have decided to keep him there as a post-grad. HLA has turned his life around and we can not believe the difference they have made. We would have lost him forever if it had not been for them. They are all caring and loving people who our son truly cares for and enjoys being around. His only complaint has been the food! I'm not kidding! We knew the rules before he went and we were glad to comply with the restrictive environment if that is what was needed to change his life around. To be honest, there were people inside and outside the family, including grandparents that we did not want him to talk to because they were so toxic to his mental health. And you know what?, it worked and now we are heart broken over their financial difficulties that HLA is going through, that affect our kids everyday, due to the slanderous and libel comments of posters like you. I truly do not know what happened and I personally don't care. Until someone shows me unmitigated proof that HLA was involved in any wrong doing that harmed a student any more than his or her parents did before they went to HLA, then I'll listen. My husband and I are not so egotistical that we can't accept our responsibility for the issues that our son (my step son) developed because of poor parenting, inconsistent parenting, spoiling and poor boundries. These kids were not born this way, excluding ADHD, we created them and it's our responsibility to seek whatever help we can to ensure that they have the same opportunites for a positive future that children of well balanced and emotionally connected parents have. Not only has our son learned a lot and developed deep emotional ties with his peers, but our relationship with him and with our family has never been better. We owe all of that to the dedication of the teachers, counselors and support staff of HLA.
Ms. Tami - There are over 2900 pages of documents in my possession from the ORS investigation in 2006 that you have not read as it was not posted.
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Tami said:
I also want to add that my son has been a student at HLA for 18 months and we have decided to keep him there as a post-grad.
So much for "He loved it and decided to stay." 18 years old and still can't get out from under step-mommy's thumb. How very sad for this young man.
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Not only has our son learned a lot and developed deep emotional ties with his peers, but our relationship with him and with our family has never been better. We owe all of that to the dedication of the teachers, counselors and support staff of HLA.
Mmmm. You'd be wise to reserve judgement until "your son" returns home and the brainwashing wears off. You might find yourself very disappointed.
Will he be going directly to college when he leaves HLA?
That's the MO. Part of the "warranty" is that parents send their kid to a pre-approved traditional boarding school when they leave. They don't want them going home and dashing the illusion that the program worked. In "your son's" case, I assume he'll be off to college when he departs HLA. Same, same.
You haven't spent any significant time with him in a year-and-a-half. You have NO idea what emotion state he's in. One thing for certain, he has learned to "act" well.
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I'm not really sure what you are all complaining about. I've read the ORS inspections of HLA, on the State's website and there was nothing there but documentation and record keeping issues. The only safety concerns were that kids had their own shampoo and laundry detergent in their rooms and the labels say, "Keep out of reach of children". Except for the incident that HLA self-reported after an Emergency Safety Intervetion, there was absolutely nothing that said the kids were not being cared for or that they were in any danger! As a health care professional, I have seen these types of reports numerous times in regards to hospitals, nursing homes, home health agencies and hospices. While they are critical in ensuring compliance with state laws, these types of infractions are "no harm" infractions. No one was hurt and a request for a plan of correction was made by the state to which HLA complied. That's how it's done folks, hundreds of times every year. No one looses licensure on "no harm" evaluations.
I also want to add that my son has been a student at HLA for 18 months and we have decided to keep him there as a post-grad. HLA has turned his life around and we can not believe the difference they have made. We would have lost him forever if it had not been for them. They are all caring and loving people who our son truly cares for and enjoys being around. His only complaint has been the food! I'm not kidding! We knew the rules before he went and we were glad to comply with the restrictive environment if that is what was needed to change his life around. To be honest, there were people inside and outside the family, including grandparents that we did not want him to talk to because they were so toxic to his mental health. And you know what?, it worked and now we are heart broken over their financial difficulties that HLA is going through, that affect our kids everyday, due to the slanderous and libel comments of posters like you. I truly do not know what happened and I personally don't care. Until someone shows me unmitigated proof that HLA was involved in any wrong doing that harmed a student any more than his or her parents did before they went to HLA, then I'll listen. My husband and I are not so egotistical that we can't accept our responsibility for the issues that our son (my step son) developed because of poor parenting, inconsistent parenting, spoiling and poor boundries. These kids were not born this way, excluding ADHD, we created them and it's our responsibility to seek whatever help we can to ensure that they have the same opportunites for a positive future that children of well balanced and emotionally connected parents have. Not only has our son learned a lot and developed deep emotional ties with his peers, but our relationship with him and with our family has never been better. We owe all of that to the dedication of the teachers, counselors and support staff of HLA.
I assure you Tami, you are sadly mistaken.
Take a look for yourself regarding the inspection reports.
http://www.ors.dhr.state.ga.us/ (http://www.ors.dhr.state.ga.us/)
Just run a search under Hidden Lake Acdemy. Tell us all what you find.
I truly do not know what happened and I personally don't care. Until someone shows me unmitigated proof that HLA was involved in any wrong doing that harmed a student any more than his or her parents did before they went to HLA, then I'll listen.
What in your mind qualifies as unmitigated? I can offer you my experineces if that will help. I can tell you unequivocally that HLA caused me harm. I can direct you to the numerous former students I speak with and friends I made while there who can tell you the same thing. You can look at the lawsuit petition and read it for yourself. You let me know what you think counts.
Also let me know what the current license status is for HLA and why they went so long without one.
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Robert...What's up with Creekside? There appears to be no ORS license listed. Also, ORS is not showing Creekside is attached to HLA or Ridge Creek as Mountain Brook was. Wouldn't the ORS require Creekside to be licensed because of HLA's track record? It appears it is not showing as a registered entity with Georgia's Secretary of State either...
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It's worth checking into. Buchi may be trying the same tactics he pulled with HLA. Lie about its purpose to the state in order to avoid proper licensure and oversight.
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Each separate facility must possess its own license. Creekside can't operate under Ridge Creek or HLAs license. Remember, RC had to have a separate license, independent of HLAs.
This is just ORS turning their head again and allowing Buchi to run amok.
Who's regulating and monitoring ORS, is the question. The law sanctions them to license and monitor programs. But apparently there is no consequence to them for violating the law.
Perhaps another letter writing campaign to the governor. Don't bother with the AG, he defends ORS.
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Each separate facility must possess its own license. Creekside can't operate under Ridge Creek or HLAs license. Remember, RC had to have a separate license, independent of HLAs.
This is just ORS turning their head again and allowing Buchi to run amok.
Who's regulating and monitoring ORS, is the question. The law sanctions them to license and monitor programs. But apparently there is no consequence to them for violating the law.
Perhaps another letter writing campaign to the governor. Don't bother with the AG, he defends ORS.
The ORS attached Mountain Brook to Ridge Creek...it is Ridge Creek/Mountain Brook...yes the law states otherwise, on entity, one license. Basically, a year and a half of operating funds up front, etc....no AG, but there is Nahmias( Federal District Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia), although his wife is affiliated with King and Spalding...then of-course the Governor, who did forward my letter to the ORS because when the agent called me, she said my letter to the Governor was in front of her...there is always Greta Van Susteren, her Blog, her Skype....she is conflict of interest free unlike Oprah and Barbara WaWa.
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I dont see the difference whether they are licensed or not. It wont change how people here feel about the place. I have read about other programs which are licensed and posters here still want to see them shut down.
Why bother? Unless you are interested in seeing them thrive and improve?
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HaHa...the dumbass Who posting anon.
The kids at HLA are punished mercilessly for violating the "law", otherwise misrepresented as "agreements". HLA should practice what it preaches. They have shown repeatedly that they can't operate ethically and need oversight for whatever small protection it may provide the kids. HLA/Buchi is more ODD than any kid who has ever been sent there.
Being regulated- having staff with appropriate qualifications; providing services they claim to offer; refusing highly distressed and court ordered kids; ensuring a clean, safe, sanitary facility; using 'real therapy' instead of brut force and experimental/ sadistic techniques; etc. etc ad nauseum; would more likely result in closing them down rather than "thriving".
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SIMPLY STATED - TOUCHE'
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HaHa...the dumbass Who posting anon.
The kids at HLA are punished mercilessly for violating the "law", otherwise misrepresented as "agreements". HLA should practice what it preaches. They have shown repeatedly that they can't operate ethically and need oversight for whatever small protection it may provide the kids. HLA/Buchi is more ODD than any kid who has ever been sent there.
Being regulated- having staff with appropriate qualifications; providing services they claim to offer; refusing highly distressed and court ordered kids; ensuring a clean, safe, sanitary facility; using 'real therapy' instead of brut force and experimental/ sadistic techniques; etc. etc ad nauseum; would more likely result in closing them down rather than "thriving".
I think regulation would add legitimacy and allow parents access to lower interest and possibly government insured loans. This would increase the cash flow for HLA which they did not have previously. Based on some feedback on another thread it seems they have reorganized and already meet most of the requirements. It will be interesting to watch how HLA takes advantage of the emergence from Bankruptcy and which direction they take.
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Poor Cindy, too afraid to come out of the shadows. Still not above talking about a school he knows nothing about though. Buchi isnt interested in improving the school at all, he never has been. Why else do you think he lied to the state about the schools purpose for 11 years? Licensure was forced on them, by us. Licensure brings safety and oversight. The fact that HLA has railed so hard against it, and still does (they have by no means met all the requirements, look at their last inspection report) speaks volumes.
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Look at these terrible inspection itemsfrom the most current report:
1. They allowed teenagers access to shampoo when it CLEARLY states on the bottle to keep away from children!
2. They had at least 4 or 5 minor paperwork errors . Although they have probably hundreds of paperwork documents, how DARE they have even a single error, even if it was over two years ago, ITS NO EXCUSE!
They must be trying to TORTURE these kids. How DARE they!
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Look at these terrible inspection itemsfrom the most current report:
1. They allowed teenagers access to shampoo when it CLEARLY states on the bottle to keep away from children!
2. They had at least 4 or 5 minor paperwork errors . Although they have probably hundreds of paperwork documents, how DARE they have even a single error, even if it was over two years ago, ITS NO EXCUSE!
They must be trying to TORTURE these kids. How DARE they!
I guess you didn't read the other reports, like the police report about a girl being forcibly raped with a tree limb. You need to read more before you opine.
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What police report? I don't believe you. I think you are making it up.Back it up. Prove it with a case/incident/report number somewhere. Unfortunately, someone utters nonsense and its taken as gospel. It's so easy to lie on the internet.
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Check the clark poole emails and the B&M case filing. the reason clark poole left and nicole fulsang was dismissed was in part due to that very incident. That lowly tree limb is one of the original sparks that lead to hla's demise.
will someone dig those up for what?
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Nice try, Ringo/Hollowhead/Buch, but those of us who were there that night ain't buying. There were two girls, and you're attempting to make a composite of both rather than looking at each of them. Clark Poole documented and described the prepetrator, not the victim. The perp was definitely violent. Ask Richard Prow about her attack on him one night in the music room when she had to be restrained by 3 staff, and this was after the incident when she attacked the other girl. One might wonder why she was still allowed to remain a student in the school after all these acts of violence, and the answer is simple, as it usually is. Her consultant was Len's number 1 referral source, the rather rotund lady from Baton Rouge, who still continues to refer here because she knows Len will take any student she sends his way regardless of history.
The victim was attacked with a 14" tree branch, which the Lumpkin County police found in the woods just down from Bucchi's home, with blood on both ends. The girl undeniably had internal injuries as shown on the hospital report, unless Buchhi has been able to quelch that. Bill Gray got a high level job at that hospital after he left HLA, and some people here wonder if Bucchi secured that job for him so he could destroy some records while he was there. The girl had severe injuries to her pelvic region, and anyone who denies that is either uninformed or a liar. Ask Josh Watson, who was the clinical on call person who took the girl to the hospital that night. He's out there in UT with Brian Church, who can also give you some good insight into what a shithole this place is.
You can pass off your self-righteous bullshit on the uninformed, Johnny/Hollowhead/Buch, but you keep forgetting there are some of us still around you who know the truth.
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Posted: 2006-03-02 05:47
Clark Poole has just resigned from HLA. He was in the admissions dept'for 6 years and finally had all he could take. Here is his notice of resignation with a series of emails that led to it. He sent this out to consultants after he resigned, and deleted the names of the students for privacy reasons, but everybody here knows who they are, and there are many more just like them. Buccellato will take in anybody who has the money.
From: Nicole Fuglsang
Sent: Monday, February 20, 2006 12:57 PM
To: Christy Jones; John McMillon; Josh Watson; Clarke Poole
Cc: Nicole Fuglsang
Subject: HLA Student Profile.....
Please give a brief summary of the student you feel is a good fit for HLA. I want to make sure Admissions and the counseling department are on the same page.
THANKS!!!!!
Sincerely,
Nicole Fuglsang, MA, NCC, LPC
Director of Public Relations/Admissions
phone (706) 867-1720
fax (706) 864-5826
From: Clarke Poole
Sent: Monday, February 20, 2006 3:44 PM
To: Nicole Fuglsang; Christy Jones; John McMillon; Josh Watson
Subject: RE: HLA Student Profile.....
One whose parents can afford the tuition.
From: Nicole Fuglsang
Sent: Monday, February 20, 2006 3:48 PM
To: Clarke Poole; Christy Jones; John McMillon; Josh Watson
Subject: RE: HLA Student Profile.....
This is not the standard we want to set!
Sincerely,
Nicole Fuglsang, MA, NCC, LPC
Director of Public Relations/Admissions
phone (706) 867-1720
fax (706) 864-5826
From: Clarke Poole
Sent: Monday, February 20, 2006 3:48 PM
To: Nicole Fuglsang; Christy Jones; John McMillon; Josh Watson
Subject: RE: HLA Student Profile.....
There are ideals, and there is reality.
From: Nicole Fuglsang
Sent: Monday, February 20, 2006 4:01 PM
To: Clarke Poole
Cc: Nicole Fuglsang
Subject: RE: HLA Student Profile.....
Clarke, make sure all your potential students are reviewed by me before forwarding them on to Len.
Sincerely,
Nicole Fuglsang, MA, NCC, LPC
Director of Public Relations/Admissions
phone (706) 867-1720
fax (706) 864-5826
From: Clarke Poole
Sent: Monday, February 20, 2006 4:01 PM
To: Nicole Fuglsang
Subject: RE: HLA Student Profile.....
I'll be glad to, Nicole; but lets be real. Len and Len alone sets the standards for admission to HLA. It really doesn't matter much what we or Counseling think. It's his call, plain and simple.
From: Nicole Fuglsang
Sent: Monday, February 20, 2006 5:28 PM
To: Clarke Poole
Subject: RE: HLA Student Profile.....
Clarke,
You are either part of the Team or you are not. You chose. There are standards whether you use them or not.
If you are having bad day or have become frustrated please forward your emails to me directly instead of sharing your negativity with all around you.
I wouldn?t take a student profile to Len that I didn?t think was appropriate or borderline appropriate, it would be a waste of his time.
He trusts his staff maybe he is putting to much trust in you if you feel you do not need to follow the standards for the type of student that is appropriate for HLA.
Sincerely,
Nicole Fuglsang, MA, NCC, LPC
Director of Public Relations/Admissions
phone (706) 867-1720
fax (706) 864-5826
From: Clarke Poole
Sent: Tuesday, February 21, 2006 10:17 AM
To: Nicole Fuglsang
Subject: RE: HLA Student Profile.....
Nicole... this deserves a thoughtful reply, and this morning I have a tour that should arrive at any moment followed by a move-in this afternoon. There is also some follow-up with the 4 move-ins I have scheduled for the rest of the week, but between now and then I will reply and we should certainly get together.
From: Nicole Fuglsang
Sent: Tuesday, February 21, 2006 11:05 AM
To: Clarke Poole
Subject: RE: HLA Student Profile.....
I would love to meet with you Clarke and discuss your concerns.
Also, do you have copies for all the files for Fridays move-in?s or do you still need some from RCI?
Sincerely,
Nicole Fuglsang, MA, NCC, LPC
Director of Public Relations/Admissions
phone (706) 867-1720
fax (706) 864-5826
From: Clarke Poole
Sent: Friday, February 24, 2006 9:50 AM
To: Nicole Fuglsang
Subject: FW: HLA Student Profile.....
Nicole,
Let me first acknowledge that I responded inaccurately to your initial request for a student profile summary of applicants deemed appropriate for admission to HLA. You asked for my opinion on appropriateness, and I responded, somewhat but not altogether facetiously, with what I see as the official view of appropriateness.
To be absolutely clear on this, I have no lack of confidence in my ability to submit appropriate applicants for approval. In fact, based on some of the acceptances I've seen in the last year or so, I am confident that my opinions on acceptances would have been far less problematic than how some of the official acceptances turned out. This might be due to the fact that my focus would be solely on the appropriateness of the student for this school, rather than concerns based on finances or consultant politics.
There is a fairly long list of students whose appropriateness I have questioned, especially in the last year or so. To point to just a few, let's look at (Jane Doe 1), (John Doe 1), and (John Doe 2).
(Jane Doe 1) had trouble here from the beginning, with most of her incidents involving violence. Finally, she was complicit in an elopement that culminated in the physical, and, by all indications, sexual assault on another student who was hospitalized for several days due to her physical injuries, especially internal injuries in the pelvic area. Then, rather than being dismissed immediately, she remained enrolled here for another month. The educational consultant who referred her to Hidden Lake was (Consultant 1).
(John Doe 1) came here with a very troubling history and equally troubling psychological evaluation. He was constantly involved in trouble including physical assaults on other students. He finally attacked and threatened to kill another student and the on-call clinical staff was called to evaluate him. She determined he was not only sincere but determined to actually try to kill the other student, and signed the order to have him committed to a psychiatric hospital. He did not return to Hidden Lake. The educational consultant who referred him to Hidden Lake was its owner, Len Buccellato.
Finally, we have (John Doe 2). Why in the name of Heaven this boy was ever even considered for admission to Hidden Lake is beyond me. He should have been in a padded cell in a psychiatric prison, and we knew it going in. It's difficult to distinguish his psychological evaluation, which was done by Len Buccellato and Brad Carpenter, from that of Hannibal Lecter's. Yet, in spite of first hand knowledge that this boy was not only totally inappropriate but dangerous, he was approved for admission and attended for a full year, interspersed with hospitalizations, until withdrawn by his parents. The educational consultant who referred him to Hidden Lake was (Consultant 2).
As an aside to this disgraceful episode with (John Doe 2), I took a call several months ago from (Consultant 3) an educational consultant in Miami. She had received from us a copy of Lakeside Reflections, in which was a photo of (John Doe 2). A month before (John Doe 2)?s family contacted (Consultant 2) for help in finding placement, they had called on (Consultant 3) at her office. She had, quite sensibly, recommended only RTC's for (John Doe 2), but there was his picture in Lakeside Reflections, a Hidden Lake student. In her excited (foreign) accent, she said "Clarke! My God, Clarke! This boy is a student there? Oh my God!" At least I was able to tell her he was no longer enrolled, but I was unable to give her a reason as to why he had ever been accepted in the first place without opening an ethical can of worms, so I feigned ignorance.
There are others, of course, who were known from the beginning to be inappropriate for placement, and I'll be glad to go into them with you, but I'm sure you are starting to get the point. Len has repeatedly said to me and everyone else who has ever worked in this department that "we do not do well with dysthymic kids", yet I have never seen a dysthymic kid not accepted for admission. If we know we do poorly with them, why accept them? At least they are not a danger to others, but they do little for our retention rate, which currently stands at 40% for the Peer Groups graduating in May (assuming none of the few who remain are withdrawn between now and then).
This brings us back to your question about my being or not being a part of the team. Just for clarification, you stated "You chose", indicating I have already made my decision, and the implication was that I had chosen to not be a part of the team. Perhaps you meant to say "choose", but perhaps not. I have, in fact, chosen, but not in the sense that you imply. As I said in an e-mail to you and Len several months ago, every comment and observation I have made as an HLA employee has been made with the intention of calling to management's attention practices that I believe are detrimental to the reputation and longevity of Hidden Lake Academy, as well as the safety and therapeutic well being of its students. Also as I pointed out, every time I do so I am reprimanded. I have a long list of such occurrences archived which I'll be glad to share with you and with others, should that be necessary. I am trying to be a member of this team, but I am not an automaton or a sheep. I have views and opinions which I am qualified by education and experience to express. No one has to like them or act on them, and obviously no one ever has; but I still feel compelled to state them, even if it puts my job in jeopardy, especially if I believe they involve ethical compromises and issues of student safety.
I'll be glad to meet with you and with Len to discuss these and all other issues that are of concern to you; and when we do so, I will go into a longer list of concerns of my own. I would appreciate a response to the issues I have raised here in response to your question regarding my commitment to this school, and my competence in evaluating applicants.
Sincerely,
Clarke Poole
From: Nicole Fuglsang
Sent: Friday, February 24, 2006 1:37 PM
To: Clarke Poole
Subject: RE: HLA Student Profile.....
While we will address the majority of this email not on email? I wanted to make one comment?.
This whole topic came about because of the comment you made that an appropriate student is ?one whose parents can afford the tuition?.
It was interesting to see that of the three families you discussed two were provided with significant financial aid because their families could not afford the HLA tuition.
Doesn?t really fit with your statement.
Sincerely,
Nicole Fuglsang, MA, NCC, LPC
Director of Public Relations/Admissions
phone (706) 867-1720
fax (706) 864-5826
From: Clarke Poole
Sent: Friday, February 24, 2006 1:39 PM
To: Nicole Fuglsang
Subject: RE: HLA Student Profile.....
As I noted in my response below, that comment was partially in jest. It has no bearing on the description of the students' appropriateness for this school. I'll be glad to meet with you at any time.
From: Clarke Poole
Sent: Friday, February 24, 2006 2:02 PM
To: Nicole Fuglsang
Subject: FW: HLA Student Profile.....
I have reviewed my notes for these families and I see nothing to indicate that any of them requested one cent of financial aid. May I ask the source of your information and also ask you to check this out yourself? As I indicated, it still has no bearing on anything, but I want to make sure we each have all our facts right before we go into a meeting.
From: Nicole Fuglsang
Sent: Friday, February 24, 2006 2:08 PM
To: Clarke Poole
Subject: RE: HLA Student Profile.....
I know because I was a part of the approval process while they were at RCI and then moved on to HLA.
I know for a fact the level of aid they were getting at RCI & HLA as I worked with both families directly.
I am the source of this information.
Sincerely,
Nicole Fuglsang, MA, NCC, LPC
Director of Public Relations/Admissions
phone (706) 867-1720
fax (706) 864-5826
From: Clarke Poole
Sent: Sat 2/25/2006 9:57 PM
To: Nicole Fuglsang; Bill Gray Jr.; Len Buccellato; John McMillon; John McMillon; David Reifenberger; David Jordan; Mark Keith; Christy Jones
Subject: FW: HLA Student Profile.....
Nicole,
I can understand precisely why you said you do not want to continue to address my concerns over student safety and unethical practices on e-mail. However, there are several final points I want to make for the record.
(1) You stated with total certainty that two of the students referred to below received "significant financial aid because their families could not afford the HLA tuition." Upon my questioning the accuracy and veracity of your statement, you also said "I know because I was a part of the approval process while they were at RCI and then moved on to HLA. I know for a fact the level of aid they were getting at RCI & HLA as I worked with both families directly. I am the source of this information." The adamancy with which you state your position is compelling. However, it is totally false.
I went to Bill Gray's office at 4:30 Friday afternoon and asked him to personally check the financial records for the three students in question as a means to help me refresh my memory. He did so in my presence. None of these students received one cent of financial aid. (Jane Doe 1)?s family received the Ridge Creek rebate the first month she attended Hidden Lake Academy, rather than the third month as is normally the case. However, the amount of tuition paid by her family was exactly the same as any other family. There was no financial aid requested or granted to any of these three families, period. This raises the question in my mind as to why you so steadfastly insisted that you were right in spite of my urging you to check your facts.
The whole business of financial aid was, of course, a red herring designed to deflect the focus away from the point of my letter: that the safety of Hidden Lake Academy students is being compromised by the improper and unethical admission of totally inappropriate and dangerous students. As I noted, it had nothing whatsoever to do with the concerns I had raised. Just for the record, (John Doe 2)?s psychological evaluation, conducted and signed by Len Buccellato, includes a diagnosis of Schizoaffective Disorder, Pedophilia, and Personality Disorder with Antisocial Features. I am still waiting for your response as to why this boy, as well as the others, was approved by Len Buccellato to attend Hidden Lake Academy.
(2) You are the Director of Public Relations for both Hidden Lake Academy and Ridge Creek, as well as Director of Admissions for both institutions. In this job, you are the public face and voice of both programs. It would stand to reason that we would want in this very important position someone whose integrity is above reproach, since you speak for both programs. The fact that you intentionally attempted to mislead, obfuscate, and deflect rather than address honestly my concerns regarding student safety and ethical placement is, in my opinion, an insult not just to me, but to everyone in either of these schools, students and staff alike, as well as the parents of students and the educational consultants who they hired to assist with placement.
On January 31, 2006, you sent out a notice to all staff, and perhaps others outside HLA, that the "new student riding program will be completely operational by February 1st, 2006". It was obvious to all with eyes that this was impossible, since it was nothing more than a small area of scraped dirt the day before. I sent a reply to you stating "This is exactly what gets us in trouble with parents and consultants." I never received a reply. The "riding program" is still in exactly the same shape as it was the day you sent the announcement... no horses, no program.
If this approach to "public relations" is condoned by management, then it is no wonder we are constantly losing both students and staff. It is wrong, dishonest, and shameful.
(3) I am still waiting for answers to the questions I raised with you regarding admissions policy. In my capacity as senior admissions coordinator, I have an ethical responsibility to the parents and educational consultants with whom I work to be able to assure them that their children and clients are safe in this environment and properly placed here according to their needs and our ability to successfully address those needs. I am requesting a face-to-face meeting with you and with Len Buccellato to assure me that policy will be changed and those crucial issues properly addressed. I am also requesting that David Reifenberger, Director of Human Resources, also be present. Unless I am granted this meeting and in it given personal assurances by Len Buccellato that these concerns and others that I intend to raise will be immediately and honestly addressed, I have no choice but to tender my resignation in accordance with proceedures proscribed in the HLA Employee Handbook effective at close of business on March 15, 2006.
I am copying Len Buccellato, owner of HLA; Bill Grey, Director of Operations, HLA; John McMillon and Christy Jones, Director and Associate Director of Counseling for HLA, respectively, who you copied on your original e-mail; David Reifenberger, Director of Human Resources; David Jordan, Director of Counseling for Ridge Creek; and Mark Keith, Director of Operations for Ridge Creek.
Sincerely,
Clarke Poole
From: Nicole Fuglsang
Sent: Sun 2/26/2006 9:37 AM
To: Clarke Poole
Subject: RE: HLA Student Profile.....
Clarke,
We will meet Monday to discuss your concerns.
Again, email is not the appropriate place for this conversation as things are easily misconstrued. It concerns me that you are so willing to slander those around to try to prove your point. I understand that you are frustrated and apparently angry but is unprofessional to continue this email banter. It seems as though you just want to do this to get what you "think" in writing.
As to your statement below.... I expressed my understanding of the situation. If it was wrong I will correct it. Jumping to the conclusion that I "intentionally attempted to mislead, obfuscate, and deflect rather than address honestly my concerns regarding student safety and ethical." is completely false, slanderous and is absolutely insulting. Again email is not the place for this conversation as thoughts and tone of an email may be misconstrued. We will meet on Monday to discuss your concerns.
Nicole'
From: Clarke Poole
Sent: Sun 2/26/2006 10:12 AM
To: Nicole Fuglsang
Subject: RE: HLA Student Profile.....
For the record, Nicole, the definition of "slander" is to utter a false report. Unlike your e-mails, mine contain only facts which I or anyone else can verify. I will be in my office by 8:30 tomorrow morning, and I will be ready to meet with you and the two others at that time.
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What police report? I don't believe you. I think you are making it up.Back it up. Prove it with a case/incident/report number somewhere. Unfortunately, someone utters nonsense and its taken as gospel. It's so easy to lie on the internet.
Bet you didn't want to find out what you just did. Raped with a tree limb in the care and custody of HLA. And this is just one in a loooong series of incidents HLA would like you not to know. Do you still want to deny child abuse at this facility? What's your motivation to avoid these facts? Work there? Kid there?
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After reading these long diatribes and analyzing every hard report mentioned, I'm still awaiting something that indicates that HLA is some evil, masochinistic school. The above allegations have not been determined to be fact in any police report, inspection report, or court of law that I'm aware of. I haven't seen a "smoking gun" in any attainable documentation mentioned. Accusations must be proven to become fact. WHAT has been vetted in a courtroom? Are there some hard docs available somewhere that I'm missing? Someone originally mentioned some police reports, but then went off in another direction with these e-mails. WHO has given sworn testimony or an affadavit that these accusations occured. If so, were they proven in a court of law? One sided, subjective, unproven e-mail allegations don't mean squat. Discussion group banter doesn't mean squat. Unproven allegations don't mean squat. He said/she said type opinions don't mean squat. I've seen enough opinions both ways to make my head spin. I don't buy into this "major conspiracy" bull, either. Maybe HLA is still in businees because there's NOTHING HERE, after all. In God we trust, all others must produce evidence. HARD evidence. (Some post-2006 stuff would be helpful, too.)
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Still at it Cindy? I hate to indulge your masochistic fantasies, but I do enjoy makng you look stupid, and you do give us good reason to highlight how abusive these places are, so I'll bite.
Would a lack of documentation interest you?
Explain to me why HLA operated for 11 years without proper licensure? Why did they tell state officals they were a traditional boaring school, yet advertise as a theraputic one? Why did they attempt to avoid proper licensure even after state officals were notified and began an investigation, and determined the school had been lying? Do you consider inmates at HLA not having proper case plans in a theraputic boarding school being appropriate? What the hell are they there for then? What is their status currently?
What about the starvation diet we were all fed, which was verified several times over?
Have you read the ISAC report?
Have you read the lawsuit?
What about the girl who attempted to kill herself in the school and is now a vegetable?
Why did Charles Cates state that CPS had been sent out to the school, and what was the result of their findings? You let me know Cindy, I'll look forward to you ducking these and all other hard questions.
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After reading these long diatribes and analyzing every hard report mentioned, I'm still awaiting something that indicates that HLA is some evil, masochinistic school. The above allegations have not been determined to be fact in any police report, inspection report, or court of law that I'm aware of. I haven't seen a "smoking gun" in any attainable documentation mentioned. Accusations must be proven to become fact. WHAT has been vetted in a courtroom? Are there some hard docs available somewhere that I'm missing? Someone originally mentioned some police reports, but then went off in another direction with these e-mails. WHO has given sworn testimony or an affadavit that these accusations occured. If so, were they proven in a court of law? One sided, subjective, unproven e-mail allegations don't mean squat. Discussion group banter doesn't mean squat. Unproven allegations don't mean squat. He said/she said type opinions don't mean squat. I've seen enough opinions both ways to make my head spin. I don't buy into this "major conspiracy" bull, either. Maybe HLA is still in businees because there's NOTHING HERE, after all. In God we trust, all others must produce evidence. HARD evidence. (Some post-2006 stuff would be helpful, too.)
What's your stake in all this? You don't sound all that much like a concerned parent, or even a cynical fence-straddler. In fact, you sound kinda like a potential investor, or like you're just fishing on behalf of Buccellato's current legal representation...
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Are there some hard docs available somewhere that I'm missing?
Is it just Dahlonega? Or is it that part of Georgia? I wouldn't know... But it certainly seems as though an awful lot of documentation or investigation simply just doesn't occur the way it's supposed to. Even for relatively benign and inconsequential stuff.
Do also check out the Quick Links (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=20060) thread for some more information, if you haven't already.
Here is another description of the tree limb incident, posted in an HLA MySpace group; emphasis as per the original (http://http://forum.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=messageboard.viewThread&EntryID=16905748&categoryID=0&groupID=100144848). Not up to your "standards of evidence," to be sure, but it should give you some pause, none the less...
Posted: May 12, 2006 5:53 PM
i could throw up
Where is the ORS, GOA, LUMPKIN COUNTY CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES,DAHLONEGA POLICE DEPARTMENT OR LUMPKIN COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT(WHICHEVER TOOK THE 911 CALL IN THE FALL),
LOCAL NEWS,DAHLONEGA NUGGET, ER PROVIDERS, STAFF..??Do all these entities not have a duty under the law to report a crime against a child?
Not to mention, a moral obligation....Apparently, a young female student
was raped by another female student garnishing a 14 inch tree limb..The young girl was sodomized and her injuries were so extensive to her pelvis, that a pelvic exam could not be performed. 911 was called, she was transported by abulance,and the ER had a duty to inform the proper authorities of the incident..The police arrived at HLA and were not allowed in??Come on...No report was filed...no local news, no articles in the paper.. The injured young girl was removed from HLA, while the alleged perpetrator stayed another month at HLA...as violent as she was..no criminal charges..everything hidden under the carpet..An assembly was called, and Headmaster Charles Cates,informed everyone that the injured girl,
did it to herself ...Nice guy...I imagine the parents were paid handsomely for that...[/list]
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Report this postReply with quoteNew "School" Construction by HLA Owner Killed by County?
by Deborah » 20 Aug 2006, 04:42
More details on why the Commissioners refused to give HLA a tax abatement for MBA. Of particular interest are the calls to 911.
November 9, 2005
Hidden Lake responds to opposition
By Sharon Hall
Hidden Lake Academy presented its side of the argument to the Lumpkin County Board of Commissioners over whether tax abatements should be given to a proposed new project at a work session Nov. 1.
The proposed project, Mountain Brook Academy, faced heavy opposition from homeowners in the Hightower Church community, where the new academy would be located, at October's board meeting.
HLA is asking for a five-year tax abatement and five years of graduated taxes at 20 percent over the next five years.
The privately-owned therapeutic boarding school made the request at the October development authority meeting, where members of the authority voted to recommend the abatement to the board of commissioners.
Residents in the neighborhood of the proposed academy, however, not only objected to the tax abatements, but oppose the presence of the facility in the community.
?We were hit with something we weren't prepared for,? said Herman Essert, HLA consultant on the project.
HLA was scheduled to present its case at the board meeting, but asked to be removed from the agenda after viewing a handout concerning information on 911 calls and Lumpkin County Sheriff's Office case numbers purportedly involving HLA students.
?There's a lot of stir in the community about what Mountain Brook is and isn't,? said Bill Gray, business director of HLA and Ridge Creek, the boarding school's wilderness leadership program, ?a lot of rumors flying around.?
HLA returned to the commission after researching some of the information contained in the handout to ?clear up some of the issues brought up,? Essert said, and to dispel the rumors.
?One rumor is that Hidden Lake is building a prison,? Gray said. ?That's not what we're here for. There will be no barbed wire, no guard towers, and we're not getting ready to sell it to the state for a prison. It looks like a school. The difference is the kids will be staying on the property, with boys' and girls' dorms. We don't work with criminals. We work with kids who have academic problems. Mountain Brook is for kids who are further behind in academics and who have emotional development problems. They will be staying on campus more than Hidden Lake kids because they need to focus more in order to catch up. Mountain Brook is not a lock-down facility, but the difference is we can physically detain students there. They won't be walking down your roads.?
Essert addressed specific information contained in the handout passed out at the Oct. 21 board meeting. One of the incidents reported was a call to LCSO concerning ?shots fired.? That call, Essert said, was made by HLA.
?It was a Lumpkin County resident shooting at the side of our dorm,? he told the commissioners.
Another call mentioned in the handout was of a bomb threat. That call was made by HLA because the school ?received a call from a young man in Tennessee who found out his parents were sending him to Hidden Lake.?
A number of ?unruly juvenile? incidents were listed on the handout. HLA researched the records, and found that from 2002 until present, calls about unruly juveniles from HLA and Ridge Creek (HLA's second school) account for only 2.5 percent of all such calls in Lumpkin County - 7 out of a total of 282 calls.
The handout also stated 38.5 percent of all runaway calls to LCSO were received from HLA, and that each case requires two to 20 man-hours from the sheriff's office.
While the number of runaway calls from HLA is high, Essert said, ?that doesn't paint a true picture. We have an obligation to parents and kids to call Lumpkin County Sheriff's Office when a child leaves campus. Sheriff McClure said that less than half the calls ever get assigned to an officer. Many of the kids get about half way down Wahsega Road - the store - and turn around and walk back.?
The total number of 911 calls between 2002 and present were 85,981. Of those, Essert said, 102 originated from HLA or Ridge Creek.
[2.8 per month]
?That's less than one-half of one percent. I don't think we're that big of an influence on Lumpkin County Sheriff's Office.?
Essert added that in all instances of property damage caused by HLA students restitution was made.
Essert also presented the ?dollars and cents and economics? of HLA's request. In hard money, he said, HLA's economic impact on the county during 2004 was $12.3 million. The major portion of that figure was payroll for HLA's faculty and staff, 70 percent of whom live in the county.
HLA also contributes ?soft money? to the county, which is harder to estimate, Essert said. This contribution is made up of employee and visitor spending.
Parents of HLA students are required to attend meetings quarterly, and while here stay in local motels and eat and shop on the square and in the county, he said.
Mountain Brook Academy plans to hire 80 additional faculty, plus food service staff.
In addition, parents will be required to attend monthly meetings at the school, for an estimated economic impact of $11,000-plus in 2006 alone.
In addition, Essert said, Mountain Brook is an ?environmentally soft industry that compliments the area.
?We are asking for a $71,000 tax incentive, but that's $71,000 the county can only collect if we go ahead and build Mountain Brook in Lumpkin County. We're asking the county to help us to bring an $11,000 economic impact here.?
A number of audience members spoke in favor of tax abatement for the proposed project.
?I was on the development authority in an Ohio town when tax abatements were initiated there,? Fred Fister told the commissioners. ?I got in touch with the city manager there to ask him how they had worked out. He told me they have had 30 projects since tax abatements were started, and they have had a great effect on the economy, especially on the school system.?
Dahlonega Mayor Gary McCullough pointed out that the only real tax abatement would be the amount of taxes currently paid by HLA.
?I was against it until I looked at the numbers,? he said, ?but all you're really giving them is $6,500 a year. I'd love to have industry like that in the city.?
Development authority member Don Trice told the board he voted for the abatement.
?I have experience with public/private partnerships. This is abatement of taxes that won't be here if they don't build the facility.?
?I think this is something we should do for other businesses coming in,? an audience member told the board. ?For every dollar of income the county gets in new taxes, it puts out 35 cents for services for businesses and $1.05 in services for residences. We need more businesses to help balance the tax base.?
?If you think you have to spur growth in Lumpkin County, just take a look down 400. You don't have to give tax incentives to spur growth,? Hightower Church community resident Billy Wells told the commissioners.
?Where do you draw the line?? asked Bernice Ricketts, co-owner of Moore's Hardware. ?We are a struggling business, and we could use a tax break. If you do it for this business, I'm going to come see what I can do, and I think a lot of others will too.?
Several people also spoke favorably of their experiences with HLA students.
One lady who works with the youngsters at her church said, ?They are the best troubled kids I've ever worked with. They are setting goals for themselves, they want to heal their relationships with their families. I'm in support of more facilities like Hidden Lake.?
One HLA employee told commissioners that 100 percent of HLA students are accepted to college, and the youngsters have donated many hours in community service.
?How can one call these people criminal? Facilities like this are sorely need in this country. Hidden Lake Academy deserves every consideration.?
Steve Churchwell of St. Luke's Catholic Church said he visits HLA monthly.
?One of the high points of my living here is my association with these kids.?
A member of HLA faculty said she had taught ?unruly kids in Fulton County, and I was an unruly kid. I would take any Hidden Lake Academy student home with me or to my parent's home without a second thought. These kids do have problems, but they are not kids who are going to attack you.?
?I think fear makes cowards of us all,? District 1 Commissioner ?Dr. John? Raber told the crowd. ?I think we all have fear of someone new coming to town, but that's not the case here. My wife is a high school counselor, and I asked her about what kind of kids are at Hidden Lake. She said, ?What do you mean? You raised two of them.'
?When you have 60 percent of your ad valorem taxes coming from residential and 40 percent from commercial enterprises, you're bleeding.
?When it's 90 percent from residential, you're hemorrhaging.
?Folks, we're hemorrhaging here in Lumpkin County.?
?I have the fear of a sucking sound going down the road to the new Wal-Mart in Dawson County,? one man replied. ?Wal-Mart is the largest taxpayer in Lumpkin County. We have to do everything we can to keep businesses like Mountain Brook here.?
The commission will vote on the tax abatement issue at the monthly board of commissioners meeting Nov. 17, 6 p.m. at City Hall.
http://www.thedahloneganugget.com/artic (http://www.thedahloneganugget.com/artic) ... antion.txtgt;>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Hidden Lake Academy, after operating 12 years unlicensed will now be monitored by the state. Access information on the Federal Class Action lawsuit against HLA here: http://www.fornits.com/wwf/viewtopic.php?t=17700 (http://www.fornits.com/wwf/viewtopic.php?t=17700)
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C'mon folks. Toss me a bone with some meat on it! I'll give fornits credit for a couple of previous employees with questionable credentials, but the rest is just fornits referencing fornits, other discussion groups, and one person's subjective, opinionated e-mails as "facts" and then making blanket accusations based on these so-called "facts". Sometimes, it's just childish name calling. Sorry, that'll immediately cost you a few points in critical analysis. The inspection reports have no smoking guns. NO abuse mentioned ANYWHERE in the lawsuit, a lawsuit that had not just accusations, but also countered responses. settled out of court. Conspiricies galore for the reasons why nothing is documented anywhere but fornits. I'm also still waiting for ANYTHING post 2006. Maybe... just maybe... its just simply all about the 400K settlement money with certain parties wanting HLA shut down for any reason so they can collect when the property sells. However, don't take anything I say for a fact. Like everyone else on this board, its just an opinion!
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For anyone who is truly concerned about their child's well-being, there is ample evidence of HLAs true nature in the archives of this site. Anyone who wants the scoop on the 911 calls from HLA, which they don't deny, can acquire them from law enforcement. It's all in how you present the statistics.
Not sure where HLA got that 85,981 number, but at best, seems they were attempting to compare apples to oranges. Lumpkin Co received an average of 129 calls for violence and accidents per month at that time.
http://www.dca.state.ga.us/development/ ... ityFac.pdf (http://www.dca.state.ga.us/development/planningqualitygrowth/programs/downloads/plans/LumpkinComp7CommunityFac.pdf)
With 8400 households, that's .015 calls per month per household.
HLA had 2.8 calls per month.
Even if you consider HLA to be equivalent to 25 households, LE would be called to HLA 7.5 times more often.
If LE made 2.8 calls per month to every 25 households in the county, that would be 940 calls. Compare that to 129.
But let's ignore the facts and focus on how much $$ HLA pumps into the podunk town.
You can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink. Some parents will send their child to HLA no matter how many reams of evidence you produce. Nothing that can be done about that.
So, those who care, try in any possible way to ensure the saftey of those who will land there. Licensure doesn't ensure their safety, but with licensure in place it is much easier to bring civil action. There's also the slight chance that from time to time and ethical regulator will accurately cite and report HLAs violations and deficiencies.
As for you, what?, I firmly believe you should send your own child to HLA and learn first hand. Afterall, one person's sadism is another's "therapy". I think it might be right up your alley. While your kid may suffer, and that would be a shame, you would reap what your sowed. And deserved.
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He can't. He already sent his daughter to two seperate gulags and she no longer speaks to him. He's out of kids at the moment. Until then though, he's content to go on talking about a school that he still to date knows nothing about.
Same questions as before:
Would a lack of documentation interest you?
Explain to me why HLA operated for 11 years without proper licensure? Why did they tell state officals they were a traditional boaring school, yet advertise as a theraputic one? Why did they attempt to avoid proper licensure even after state officals were notified and began an investigation, and determined the school had been lying? Do you consider inmates at HLA not having proper case plans in a theraputic boarding school being appropriate? What the hell are they there for then? What is their status currently?
What about the starvation diet we were all fed, which was verified several times over?
Have you read the ISAC report?
Have you read the lawsuit?
What about the girl who attempted to kill herself in the school and is now a vegetable?
Why did Charles Cates state that CPS had been sent out to the school, and what was the result of their findings? You let me know Cindy, I'll look forward to you ducking these and all other hard questions..
Further, your comment about post 2006 is a valid question, hoever aren't the same people still at the helm?
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It turns out that The Who's story about his 'daughter' are, in fact, untrue. He had two sons, one of which was forced into SUWS and ASR, but now he's dead. Killed himself. About right, Whooter?
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Is that right Cindy? You forced your son into these abusive places, he killed himself, and you still support them?
I guess we were right when we made the comment about you not loving your children.
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RB - you know Cindy won't reply. He continues to live with his head in the sand and with the industry up his ass.
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That's not the only thing.....
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The Judge issued an order basically deciding that attaching the settlement to the foreclosure proceeds was a moot point now; however,surprisingly pounded Buccellato for not turning over his financials and gave him 15 days to do so - that was on the 18th. The Judge could have held Buccellato and company in contempt as he already ordered disclosure, instead he chose to castigate them. The Judge also asked if Buccellato's deposition had been taken yet - still to no avail. That is one depo worth paying to sit in on. The Judge could have also ruled that the settlement be paid "personally" by Buccellato since Buccellato signed an affidavit personally guaranteeing the settlement, but that would have been too easy,thus ending this charade...
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Len likes it rough and needs to be humiliated, so this is right up his alley (no pun intended).
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I think the ORS has some explaining to do...
http://www.mountainbrookacademy.org/program.html (http://www.mountainbrookacademy.org/program.html)
http://www.ridgecreek.org/ (http://www.ridgecreek.org/)
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THE ORS HAS MORE EXPLAINING TO DO: I heard from an organization today that has requested ALL Hidden Lake Academy documents which includes Ridge Creek Wilderness... The ORS told the organization that there were only 100 pages of documents which would cost about $230. Now I have up through April of 2008 at 2,919 pages that cost $740. A little problem? Caught with their pants down. Ethics?
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http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/cgi-bin/g ... &invol=419 (http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/cgi-bin/getcase.pl?court=US&vol=2&invol=419)
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It seems they lucked out...
Suing the State of Georgia
Ante litem notice requirements for the State of Georgia are much more detailed and complex than the requirements for suing a municipality. Under the State Tort Claims Act, you have 12 months from the date your injury was discovered, or should have been discovered, to give written notice if your claim to the state. You may not sue the State of Georgia until you have given that written notice, and if you sue later, you must attach a copy of your written notice and a copy of the delivery receipt. The state Department of Administrative Services has 90 days to deny or accept the claim. If you don't come to a settlement then, or if the department misses the deadline, you can proceed with your lawsuit.
In order to be considered, you must include the following information in your written notice:
1.The name of the state agency that you believe injured you.
2.The time and place of the incident.
3.What kind of losses you suffered.
4.How much you're claiming in damages.
5.The actions or lack of actions by the state agency that you believe hurt you.
You must submit that notice via certified mail, statutory overnight delivery with return receipt or personal delivery with receipt, to the Risk Management Department of the Georgia Department of Administrative Services. Another copy must go to the correct person at the agency you're suing, via personal delivery or first-class mail. If you fail to meet these or any other requirements, a court may simply decide your claim isn't valid. If you're past the one-year deadline by then, you may lose your right to sue at all.
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THE ORS HAS MORE EXPLAINING TO DO: I heard from an organization today that has requested ALL Hidden Lake Academy documents which includes Ridge Creek Wilderness... The ORS told the organization that there were only 100 pages of documents which would cost about $230. Now I have up through April of 2008 at 2,919 pages that cost $740. A little problem? Caught with their pants down. Ethics?
100 pages [/u Correction approx. 400 pages
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Sorry, above post was mine re: 400 pages.
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THE ORS HAS MORE EXPLAINING TO DO: I heard from an organization today that has requested ALL Hidden Lake Academy documents which includes Ridge Creek Wilderness... The ORS told the organization that there were only 100 pages of documents which would cost about $230. Now I have up through April of 2008 at 2,919 pages that cost $740. A little problem? Caught with their pants down. Ethics?
But then we always knew Buchi had ORS in his pocket. They haven't handled HLA according to state law since this all began so many years ago.