By Antonio D. French
Filed Monday, August 21, 2006 at 7:18 AM
PUB DEF EXCLUSIVE
In a closed-door meeting on Friday, the St. Louis Board of Education voted to pay for a private firm to provide security for board president Veronica O'Brien.
O'Brien has been the target in recent weeks of several protests at her home. Earlier this month a city judge denied the board president a restraining order against fired Vashon basketball coach Floyd Irons and his friend and supporter, Demetrious Johnson.
Last week, a young man who, according to the Missouri Division of Family Services, was badly beaten by then-Coach Irons in 2000 was murdered by three gunmen. O'Brien had recently called for a federal investigation into the beating and a lawsuit was to be filed this week against Irons and St. Louis Public Schools.
"This is out of control," O'Brien told PUB DEF. "They say I'm next. Pray for peace."
She added, "I wonder what the judges are thinking after they said I shouldn't have a restraining order."
21 Comments:
And the evidence of a nexus is?
8/21/2006 9:33 AM
This lady is crazy. I hope this isn't taking away funding for our children by Veronica having security when we need security in our schools. This is crazy and I think she needs to step down from president if she is that afraid. THE CHILDREN ARE THE FOCUS OF ALL OUR EFFORTS??
8/21/2006 11:04 AM
I have kept quiet long enough. I am so tired of Veronica being told she is "crazy" about all these happenings. I must admit that I might have thought she was overreaching when she attempted to get a restraining order against Irons & Johnson. However, in light of the gentleman that was gunned down execution style, in light that Veronica received a phone call within 30 minutes of said execution telling her "she was next," in light of documentation from her neighbors that Irons was seen outside her residence early after the shooting, can you really blame her? This killing merits limited tv and print exposure while Irons' receiving a "termination" letter signed from an HR person from WILLIAMS' regime merits more? I'm beginning to wonder if all the work I do in the classroom matters if this is how adults act.
8/21/2006 11:52 AM
Let's just imagine this little scenario and see if it makes sense.
The Slay forces notice how VO overreacts, and so they start doing little things to set her off (maybe picket her house some more, rattle some chains during a board meeting, etc.). Predictably, VO goes ballistic and crosses the line. Using the Rochelle Moore precedent, a suit is filed to remove VO from the board. A friendly judge obliges. Slay appoints VO's successor (more carefully than he picked VO), and bingo, Slay has his majority back!
Hmmm.
8/21/2006 11:54 AM
Oracle:
Don't forget the pending civil action attempting to remove Vice President Purdy from the Board.
8/21/2006 12:08 PM
The 11:52 anonymous comment (which was posted while I was typing my own and before I posted) adds a couple of new twists. Antonio merely quoted VO as saying "They [whoever that is] say I'm next." But Anonymous turns it up a couple notches by stating that Veronica received a phone call within 30 minutes of said execution telling her "she was next," and that there is documentation from her neighbors that Irons was seen outside her residence early after the shooting.
I am skeptical of those charges because they don't make any sense: The shooting, and especially the fact that the victim was the same person involved in the 6-year-old Irons controversy, weren't general public knowledge just 30 minutes after it happened. And there are lots of questions about the alleged sighting outside the residence, which is on well-travelled Lindell: How "early after the shooting" was the alleged Irons sighting? Was Irons alone or part of a demonstration? Was he lingering or just passing by? Was he standing or driving?
Depending on the answers to those questions, these allegations deserve some scrutiny.
8/21/2006 12:09 PM
I agree we should be skeptical with regard to Veronica's situation. After all, skepticism is healthy, but who will investigate these allegations? The Post--they can't even practice "objective" journalism. The tv media? As I've already stated, the shooting didn't even merit the most-watched news station. If the police ARE investigating, and that's a big IF, they won't address these allegations in public, and I'm even skeptical of their objectivity given their strong ties to Slay, how will the questions, let alone the answers even get out there? The latest rumor is that Slay is having the building inspectors inspect the schools, perhaps in hopes of "catching problems" so he can say I told you schools wouldn't open on time!!! He didn't take that approach with Herr um Dr. Williams--were the schools that much better, physically, last year? What about when his golden child Roberti came in and delayed the start of school 2 weeks, and even then no "inspections" were completed regarding "safety." I'm just tired of the games and want to teach!
8/21/2006 1:10 PM
I would think that the demonstrations would start to take place at the residence of Chief Mokwa. There is a need for an honest and impartial investigation into this matter and I am sure that Floyd Irons and Demetrious Johnson would be available to lead that demonstration. I would hope that the Major Case Squad would be brought in to make sure that this horrible chain of events was cleared up. If Mrs. O'Brien feels that she is not getting justice from the Saint Louis Police, she needs to go to the Missouri Highway Patrol of perhaps the FBI. Holding interviews with snippets of conspiracy does not do anyone any good.
TimR
8/21/2006 2:58 PM
Antonio, this "article" is void of some of the detail I would expect from a "newspaper" as good as this one. Things such as: What was the actual vote? Did Veronica vote? If so, was that proper? Seems it would be a conflict.
Why is it o.k. to spend public money for private security, when Veronica bitched & moaned about Dr. Williams use of a public school safety officer? Why is this allowed when two judges have already ruled that she did not deserve an "order mof protection".
8/21/2006 5:19 PM
OH MY GOD! And the drama continues. This woman needs professional help. The attention is redirected to her and not the children.
8/21/2006 8:37 PM
Why does she need professional help? What she needs is protection. Anyone would be concerned for their safety with the way Floyd and his supporters have been acting. Now the poor young man who was going to file a civil suit against Floyd has been killed. Ms.Obrien was denied a restraining order to protect herself and her family..what do you expect her to do..NOTHING? If I were she, I'dmuch rather be SAFEthan SORRY.She or her children shouldnt have to die also to prove she was right.
8/21/2006 9:15 PM
No matter what one thinks of O'Brien, this assassination in one of the northside's quietest neighborhood should raise many doubts about Irons and the company he keeps.
The man is dangerous. Is he a killer? We should find out!
8/21/2006 9:26 PM
Okay Star Jones is Ron Jackson and the St. Louis Oracle is Bob Archibald. Try looking and the security bill that the district footed for Clinckscale and the bill the district footed for all the times Jackson has been sued. It is clear that those against O'brien on this blog are Slay supporters and you all fear this woman as she makes a lot of sense. At least she has guts and the public loves her.
8/22/2006 12:36 AM
Folks leave this lady alone. You all are awful. She 's done nothing to you.
8/22/2006 8:51 AM
Taking issue with the last poster:
On the contrary, she's done something to everyone with a child in the SLPS and something to everyone who hoped to have one attend.
8/22/2006 9:11 AM
This has gone to far, if O'Brien has a beef with Irons, let them settle it like adults. The children or our concern. When we had other presidents in the hot sit, they settle it behind closed doors with each other. I know this for a fact, my mother and Mr.J.Dix, and my mother and Mr.W.Kottmeyer, and my mother and Dr.Shepard. They didn't go after each other like this. Remember the children or our concern. Stop, Look, and Listen at what is being said about each person. Get it together please.
8/22/2006 9:35 AM
Let me remind folks that the $20K the school district is paying for Veronica's protection is for one month. Will she be safe after one month? Two months ($40K)? Six months ($120K)? Will she need protection for a year? That will cost $240K. Is a quarter-million dollars a year the price we pay to protect Veronica? These are our tax dollars, folks. Shouldn't they be going into the classroom instead of being thrown at Veronica's overblown ego?
8/22/2006 1:15 PM
Veronica, we thought that you were there to help the children to receive a better education, you are out for yourself. You started this mess, so clean it up yourself. Our tax dollars are suppose to be for the children, not for YOU. Get you a gun permit and protect yourself, if you are that scared. We were always told as children by our parents, you made your bed now sleep in it. The word is that a lot of parents are talking about not sending their children to school the first day, and not sending them until they get rid of you. Is this what the board wants? I don't think so, get on with your life and stop looking at someone to blame for your mistakes. Life goes on, go on with yours.
8/23/2006 9:18 AM
***UPDATE***
"The $20K isn't just for Veronica, anybody can use it. She just happends to be the first one" The SLPS is dummer than I thought. Did they forgot they already told everyone that is was for her 24 hour bodyguard. Now since they forget that School Security is for the Schools not for some crazy "wanna be a star" borad member, the story has changed. The SLPS is a mess. If that's true, then I want security for my child on the first day of school because the feel unsafe at the bus stop. Sounds crazy doesn't it...because it is just as crazy as V.O. needed security. Not only is Veronica crazy but the entire board including Diana B (this b stands for something else in my book)
8/23/2006 10:47 AM
Darnetta Clinkscale had 24 hour security. Ofice installed at her home and an expense account. Doing a sunshine request. The district paid Wiliams 5,000 a month to include a car but yet he was driven around 7 days a week 24 hours a day and so were his friends. Apparently, there was good reason to give her security and I am sure the police would agree. What if the police have proof of threats. You all are hateful and I hope you don't come to board meetings and I fear you might hurt someone with your hate.
8/24/2006 12:35 AM
Apparently, Irons is many problems with the law and that's why he is not with the district. Try checking the county court records. Irons was also charged by the state for cheating with his basketball team many years ago. He did the same stuff to people then. He lost. You folks that are talking are dumb kids representing Slay and not old enough to know the history of Irons. If you knew Irons was charged with beating a child would you want him in the class with your kid or is it okay since he is only around little black kids. Yeah let's give Irons his job back, somewhere in the 16th or 23rd ward. Let's hear your response then. Irons is bad and the police know it. He is being watched very carefully by the law. Hey if he is so good why is it that no one shows up for his games. Beat a kid and file a work Comp Claim against the district because you beat him so hard you hurt yourself. People you are all said. This school board is on the right track, as they are cleaning up this district.
8/24/2006 12:45 AM
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