Blizzard out on work release program

sunset on the dock · 07-15-2010, 08:42 AM

There are three letters to the editor in today's Laconia Citizen regarding her work release.

Skip · 07-15-2010, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunset on the dock

There are three letters to the editor in today's Laconia Citizen regarding her work release.

THIS is a link to those letters.

jrc · 07-15-2010, 10:11 AM

The work release is a normal result of the sentence, which is a normal result of the crimes she was convicted of. Any blame, goes back to the procecutor not getting a conviction on the drinking. I'm not going to get into the trial again, but her punishment is related to her conviction, not her actions.

This will be a real test for her. If she has a drinking problem, she will slip and the prison will catch her drinking. If she doesn't respect the judges and MP rulings, she will operate a boat and get caught, the temptation is always in her face. If she drives her SUV recklessly, she will get caught, you know everyone is watching. This is her test.

VitaBene · 07-15-2010, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrc

The work release is a normal result of the sentence, which is a normal result of the crimes she was convicted of. Any blame, goes back to the procecutor not getting a conviction on the drinking. I'm not going to get into the trial again, but her punishment is related to her conviction, not her actions.

This will be a real test for her. If she has a drinking problem, she will slip and the prison will catch her drinking. If she doesn't respect the judges and MP rulings, she will operate a boat and get caught, the temptation is always in her face. If she drives her SUV recklessly, she will get caught, you know everyone is watching. This is her test.

The problem is that I don't want anyone to get involved in her recklessness. If I knew that every drunk operator was alone and only hit islands or trees and killed themselves, that would be OK by me. Unfortunately, we know that is not the case- it is usually the drunk who survives.

Kracken · 07-15-2010, 11:11 AM

I have two questions.

1. Can she drive a boat while she is working?

2. How do you feel about putting your family in the water, if she is out there?

jrc · 07-15-2010, 11:51 AM

She wasn't convicted of drinking, so she really can't be punished for it. I wish every drunk driver was off the road and the water, unfortunately it isn't possible.

I thought she was effectively banned from boating in NH for some time. Although there was talk of some loophole. I don't know if she is legally operating a boat as part of her job.

My only point, if she learned her lesson we will never hear about her again. If not, she should get caught. Maybe wishfull thinking.

VtSteve · 07-15-2010, 12:17 PM

I'm sure many would be outraged if they "knew" some of the people that were out on work release, but they don't. It's quite obvious why so many are outraged, the charges, followed by one conviction, followed by the storied highway stop. Some are outraged because they feel a serious case of class preference is showing. Some are outraged because of who she is. Whatever.

I haven't seen a story showing exactly why the jury didn't convict her of other crimes. I "assume" it's because the prosecution team didn't present a convincing argument. I wasn't convinced by the defense's arguments, but that's just my opinion. I put the blame on them, since I can't read the minds of the jury, but the judge's statements were pretty explicit. Whatever.

My only bad feeling in this case came from one particular photo. That's when the verdict had been rendered, and Erica and her friend were smiling as they left the courtroom. My opinion, of course. I read Erica's enormous smile as a "beat the system" devious sort of smile. I understood it when I saw it, because she did "win", if a winner can actually be declared in this mess. I would say the bar(s) that served her won as well, as they did in the other tragic boating accident.

Those that are personally involved in this matter have every right to whatever feelings they have. Those on the periphery of this matter, just looking in, only get to see the system in action, not much else. The families involved are changed forever, especially the family with a missing loved one.

Maybe the letters of outrage will change their minds on the release. I doubt it, but maybe. I've seen little reference to increased enforcement on the lake, on-water training for boaters, nor outrage over the MP budget. Hardly a mention was made either of failure to convict on a single other charge. I think that was fair game, and patently obvious.

Many people learned a lot from the accident itself, which is a good thing. Fear of tragedies like this are a good reminder, and a good deterrent. They still happen every year around the country, and always will. But at least this year there are good groups of people working on safety issues, with good intentions and open minds. This is as it should be. Good deeds and good intentions can be contagious. Rarely does anything positive come of malice, nor an us versus them grudge match.

In that light, Scott and many others have come away from this past year and this case with positive attitudes, working with the Power Squadron to assist boaters. These people volunteer their time to help people, and promote safety on the lake. I would suggest all those people with a bit of outrage and anger left, instead devote those energies to promoting good will and safety on the lake. Instead of focusing on the accident, or the legal system, instead use the accident as a reminder of why safety counts, and how these things could happen to anyone. (and they do).

Just as the NEWBIE thread was a great example of this comradere, many other threads on boating and safety could benefit far more. WBB offered up a thread on personalized on-water boating instruction, an Excellent idea. I just think it's time to divert energy towards positive results, since they're the only ones that could possibly elicit good outcomes.

Fish · 07-15-2010, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kracken

I have two questions.

1. Can she drive a boat while she is working?

2. How do you feel about putting your family in the water, if she is out there?

I have no problem putting my family in the water if she is out there. I would gladly put myself, and my children in a boat with her anytime, without hesitation.

Turtle Boy · 07-15-2010, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fish

I have no problem putting my family in the water if she is out there. I would gladly put myself, and my children in a boat with her anytime, without hesitation.

ANYTIME??? You'd let your kids out on a boat with her at 1 AM? Maybe if the whole Lakeport Landing marina thing doesn't work out for her you can hire her as a nanny (especially where NH is now a "Nanny State").

LIforrelaxin · 07-15-2010, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kracken

I have two questions.

1. Can she drive a boat while she is working?

2. How do you feel about putting your family in the water, if she is out there?

As to question 1: no I don't believe she can I do believe she lost her privilege to operate a boat for a specified period of time... I might be wrong so someone please correct me if I am.... This would include both personal and working reasons. Just like loosing your drivers license

As to question 2: I would put my family on the water, or hell even on a boat with her... I may be outraged that I don't think her punishment is harsh enough or not carried out correctly but that is not totally her fault, and doesn't really have anything to do with whether or not she knows how to operate a boat. I may also chose not to do business with LakePort landing either but once again that has nothing to do with whether or not Erica can operate and handle a boat. I just feel that she and her immediate family have chosen to live above the law, and I will not support people like that. She should have served six months in Jail, period... the only reason she is being allowed to work is that the prison is conveniently close, and someone pulled some strings.

In short would I smell Erica's breath and look for signs of Alcohol before boarding a Vessel she was in charge of, Yes probably, and if I didn't smell any and didn't see any, it would be no different then getting on anyone elses boat for the first time.

She made a bad choice, and a tragedy happened. We may or may not agree with how she is being punished. We all probably have different views on what she is guilty of. But the bottom line is this, It is what it is... and it is over.....

Erica Grew up on the lake and has been around boats for Many years, She has the skills to handle a boat safely, and will probably do so even more so once she is able to operate on legally again.

Remember what is being argued here, this isn't about attacking Erica, this is weather the punishment fits the crime. It isn't about weather Erica can safely handle a boat, it about whether the punishment fits the crime.....

Don't cloud issues with feelings, it makes thing hard to discuss..

Kracken · 07-15-2010, 04:12 PM

Interesting answers.

By the way, question #2 was not intended to question her operational skills.

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07-15-2010, 08:42 AM	#1
sunset on the dock Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 350 Thanks: 164 Thanked 108 Times in 70 Posts	There are three letters to the editor in today's Laconia Citizen regarding her work release.

The Following User Says Thank You to Skip For This Useful Post:
RI Swamp Yankee (07-15-2010)

07-15-2010, 10:11 AM	#3
jrc Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: NH Posts: 2,689 Thanks: 33 Thanked 439 Times in 249 Posts	The work release is a normal result of the sentence, which is a normal result of the crimes she was convicted of. Any blame, goes back to the procecutor not getting a conviction on the drinking. I'm not going to get into the trial again, but her punishment is related to her conviction, not her actions. This will be a real test for her. If she has a drinking problem, she will slip and the prison will catch her drinking. If she doesn't respect the judges and MP rulings, she will operate a boat and get caught, the temptation is always in her face. If she drives her SUV recklessly, she will get caught, you know everyone is watching. This is her test.

07-15-2010, 11:11 AM	#5
Kracken Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Alton Posts: 223 Thanks: 46 Thanked 130 Times in 50 Posts	I have two questions. 1. Can she drive a boat while she is working? 2. How do you feel about putting your family in the water, if she is out there?

07-15-2010, 11:51 AM	#6
jrc Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: NH Posts: 2,689 Thanks: 33 Thanked 439 Times in 249 Posts	She wasn't convicted of drinking, so she really can't be punished for it. I wish every drunk driver was off the road and the water, unfortunately it isn't possible. I thought she was effectively banned from boating in NH for some time. Although there was talk of some loophole. I don't know if she is legally operating a boat as part of her job. My only point, if she learned her lesson we will never hear about her again. If not, she should get caught. Maybe wishfull thinking.

07-15-2010, 12:17 PM	#7
VtSteve Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 1,320 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 230 Thanked 361 Times in 169 Posts	I'm sure many would be outraged if they "knew" some of the people that were out on work release, but they don't. It's quite obvious why so many are outraged, the charges, followed by one conviction, followed by the storied highway stop. Some are outraged because they feel a serious case of class preference is showing. Some are outraged because of who she is. Whatever. I haven't seen a story showing exactly why the jury didn't convict her of other crimes. I "assume" it's because the prosecution team didn't present a convincing argument. I wasn't convinced by the defense's arguments, but that's just my opinion. I put the blame on them, since I can't read the minds of the jury, but the judge's statements were pretty explicit. Whatever. My only bad feeling in this case came from one particular photo. That's when the verdict had been rendered, and Erica and her friend were smiling as they left the courtroom. My opinion, of course. I read Erica's enormous smile as a "beat the system" devious sort of smile. I understood it when I saw it, because she did "win", if a winner can actually be declared in this mess. I would say the bar(s) that served her won as well, as they did in the other tragic boating accident. Those that are personally involved in this matter have every right to whatever feelings they have. Those on the periphery of this matter, just looking in, only get to see the system in action, not much else. The families involved are changed forever, especially the family with a missing loved one. Maybe the letters of outrage will change their minds on the release. I doubt it, but maybe. I've seen little reference to increased enforcement on the lake, on-water training for boaters, nor outrage over the MP budget. Hardly a mention was made either of failure to convict on a single other charge. I think that was fair game, and patently obvious. Many people learned a lot from the accident itself, which is a good thing. Fear of tragedies like this are a good reminder, and a good deterrent. They still happen every year around the country, and always will. But at least this year there are good groups of people working on safety issues, with good intentions and open minds. This is as it should be. Good deeds and good intentions can be contagious. Rarely does anything positive come of malice, nor an us versus them grudge match. In that light, Scott and many others have come away from this past year and this case with positive attitudes, working with the Power Squadron to assist boaters. These people volunteer their time to help people, and promote safety on the lake. I would suggest all those people with a bit of outrage and anger left, instead devote those energies to promoting good will and safety on the lake. Instead of focusing on the accident, or the legal system, instead use the accident as a reminder of why safety counts, and how these things could happen to anyone. (and they do). Just as the NEWBIE thread was a great example of this comradere, many other threads on boating and safety could benefit far more. WBB offered up a thread on personalized on-water boating instruction, an Excellent idea. I just think it's time to divert energy towards positive results, since they're the only ones that could possibly elicit good outcomes.

The Following User Says Thank You to VtSteve For This Useful Post:
LIforrelaxin (07-15-2010)

07-15-2010, 04:12 PM	#11
Kracken Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Alton Posts: 223 Thanks: 46 Thanked 130 Times in 50 Posts	Interesting answers. By the way, question #2 was not intended to question her operational skills.