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Fall Storm Has Me Thundering Mad

It seems Wilton hasn’t yet learned the lessons that Tropical Storm Irene taught us.

Today is Halloween, but it’s not the holiday that has turned me into a witch. What has me riled up is how poorly Wilton seems to have weathered .

I write this column at a point on Sunday afternoon that 78 percent of the town’s residents are still without power.

And yet it took until 2 p.m. Sunday for any information to be posted on the town’s website, or for communication to reach residents desperate to know what the town was doing to help. It wasn’t until 24 hours after the start of the storm for town officials to start to let Wiltonites know what the plan was.

Were warming shelters open to house residents without heat or power? Were roads closed due to downed wires and trees? Had coordination with Connecticut Light & Power begun? Were there restoration estimates?

I understand that emergency resources during an unexpected October storm are devoted to immediate emergency needs—what roads need to be kept plowed and cleared? Are there medical emergencies and public safety situations requiring direct fire and police attention? How do town services get coordinated to keep Wilton residents safe?

However, one of the key things town officials heard from residents in the days following Irene was this: During emergency situations we need better communication from the town.

It’s a crucial part of what residents need to see happening in order to feel that the town is meeting their disaster preparedness needs. They expressed this at a community forum that town officials held post-Irene but it seems we haven’t caught up to what other towns are doing. Citizens continue to express it on Patch forums and anecdotally elsewhere, through word of mouth and on Facebook—some friends remarked how they received no calls from the town even though they were signed up for alerts; one posted his frustration at hearing “nothing but crickets from Town Hall.”

For 24 hours our town website displayed nothing but a pre-storm warning from CT Gov. Dannel Malloy. It linked to a page that said the following: “In the event of an emergency, this page will contain up to the minute information.” As of midday Sunday that only included a winter storm watch in effect for Saturday with projections for snowfall. Already 24 hours beyond the start of the storm, that info had become useless by then—and it certainly wasn’t up-to-the-minute.

In an age of social media and immediate communication, look at what other towns around us have made standard procedure: New Canaan and Weston have Facebook pages with rapid-fire updates and information. Ridgefield’s First Selectman made robo calls and sent emails during Saturday’s storm height, and information was more readily available to the local media in that town.

Two other things I was impressed to learn about New Canaan: One was that they ran robo calls from their Emergency Management team similar to Wilton’s Code Red system; but theirs is interactive—residents could hit a button on their phone during the call that would tell emergency responders if they needed assistance or shelter.

The other was that they had a Google map of New Canaan showing real-time updates of downed wires and fallen trees. This page was up and active Sunday morning.

What would it take to start a Wilton town Facebook page, when a large portion of town residents utilize the social media outlet as a prime means to find information these days? What will it take to upgrade the ability to communicate—or simply utilize our existing communication tools earlier—in an age of communication?

Using social media properly actually involves making the residents an active part of building the network of people involved in disaster response. An interactive page, like on Facebook, would allow residents to communicate with each other about “unplugged” senior citizens in need of assistance or where there were downed wires or blown transformers. This might increase the ability of emergency responders and unite the community in helping one another.

It would let the residents be part of the solution, and help Wilton take that next necessary step forward.

Even with less “modern” modes of communication, Wilton dropped the ball:  On Sunday, I called town hall and got an answering machine. There wasn’t even a special message on that answering machine directing people what to do in the aftermath of the storm.

This communication issue is more than just one of ‘inconvenience.’ It’s a safety issue as well when you look at sheltering those without power, or for residents trying to navigate roads blocked by trees and wires. For residents looking for real-time information on outages or disaster response, there are reasonable communication measures that could be adopted.

We knew this storm was coming. There was time between Irene and now to prepare better than this.

By late afternoon Sunday, information was much more complete on town websites, and robo calls from First Selectman Bill Brennan had much more thorough data about what residents could do and what we could expect in the coming days for power restoration and CL&P crews on the ground.

I sense I'm not alone in wishing that we'd had that response happen earlier.

Knowing that we’re in for a long, cold winter, is a simple Wilton Facebook page a great next step?

Ken MacCallum October 31, 2011 at 06:19 pm
Many thanks tot he National Park Service employees at Weir Farm who just removed the tree blocking TallOaks Road and which rendered it impassible.
No so much in the way of thanks to DPW, who hasn't heeded - or l;acks the resources to heed - Bill Brennan's statement of this morning that "our first priority is to clear streets that are blocked so that emergency equipment has access" - and the only DPW folks I have seen since dawn yesterday is the plow driver who plowed 3 feet of snow in front of the tree that boicked the road. PS - don't put too much faith in the list of road closures on the Wilton PD website. Its better than what we did not have until yesterday aftrernoon, but it is incorrect as to every street in my area of north Wilton. It says my street is passable (it was completely blocked) and has wires down (in an are with unerground utilities and no wires).
Michael Perrella October 31, 2011 at 06:56 pm
Wilton 42, your comments are right on the button. Too many complain after the fact, but are apathetic before, I admit that more often than not, at times it incudes me. Though this time with Irene in recent memory I was better prepared. Yes, to a degree we must have our own family advance planning. If we live north of Wilton Center we are no longer suburban but exurban, be alert.
Boy Scout Troop 125 - Wilton October 31, 2011 at 07:06 pm
Really? Day 2 and you all are at each others throats trash talking?? I can't wait to see your reactions by Wednesday! Cheer up - The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow! Heather - rather than stirring up the masses with your venomous chatter as almost a force for evil- How about using your platform to thank the Brave Wilton Police and Firemen who spent the better part of Saturday and Sunday out doing heroic work! Tell one of their stories. How about writing a column on Wilton's CERT who has manned an emergency shelter around the clock since Saturday. How about thanking the Wilton Key Club and folks like Dave Hapke volunteering their time to help the Town's efforts on Hazardous Waste Removal Day on Saturday during much of the worst part of the storm. How about highlighting the Kiwanis Club's huge public service of actually setting up an email alert system to inform any Wiltonian who bothers to sign up at the Wilton Kiwanis website www.wiltonkiwanis.org and can get the alerts many of you are clamoring for. My home phone goes out when we lose power so the NC Robo calls really wouldn't be doing me much good ...
Boy Scout Troop 125 - Wilton October 31, 2011 at 07:08 pm
Heather you have the opportunity to change the world for good - yet you choose to let your inner Woodward and Bernstein investigative journalism prowess look under the cracks and crevices of our town to childishly attempt to blast well meaning public servants unable to prevent a snowstorm and the damage it causes and a Utility Company overcome - in the short-term - by the destruction caused. Perhaps it is time to go back and write articles about what your kids bring to playdates and leave the other issues to someone else. I imagine if Bill Brennan could re-wire a telephone poll or Gail could remove each limb down in your neighborhood or Ted Hoffstatter could install generators - they would. Give them a break. In fact give them a pat on the back for doing what you didn't do - run for office.
MrsT October 31, 2011 at 08:08 pm
Saturday's storm is not a fluke; we're in for much more of this. I too am really upset by the non-reponse of our town officials: when the power was out for more than a week following Irene, it was bad but at least it wasn't freezing. When I left for work this morning, the temperature inside the house was 48 degrees. We have no power which means no heat, no water, no septic, no hot food. And I'm sure most of my fellow Wilton residents dont have any of these either. I tried calling Bill Brennan yesterday, left a message asking that he call me back--still waiting; I left another message for him this morning, I'm still waiting.
These fluke storms will keep happening and will be more frequent--some long-range planning is needed. CL&P needs to address these power outages with a solution rather than trying to fix a broken system when there is a problem.
MrsT October 31, 2011 at 08:12 pm
You should do it.
MrsT October 31, 2011 at 08:15 pm
Yeah, that's anothing thing that we're without when the power goes off: phone service! Since we don't have cell service (unless we climb on the roof of the house) when the power goes off, we are completely stranded. What's with all the "dead zones" in Wilton.
happy October 31, 2011 at 09:20 pm
can anyone tell me which gas stations in Wilton are open for business and selling gas? where we can buy firewood? water? agree with many comments that the town of Wilton should be doing a much better job on their website giving us practical information and more specific restoration expectations...which areas are hardest hit in town? are those that should plan for a week? etc etc
Michael Dinan (Editor) October 31, 2011 at 09:30 pm
Free delivery of firewood listed in "Post It" edition here, just scroll through: http://patch.com/A-npn1
Lesley October 31, 2011 at 09:47 pm
The Wilton Library keeps it's website up to date. The Wilton Library is open earlier and stays open later to have internet access, warmth, electricity and Halloween candy available to it's patrons. Wilton Library-the heart of the community
Michael Dinan (Editor) October 31, 2011 at 10:12 pm
Agree re Library. @Happy: also hearing water being given out at the HQ fire station next to town hall for people without water, and residents need to bring their own containers.
Emily Humiston October 31, 2011 at 10:58 pm
BP has gas
Emily Humiston October 31, 2011 at 10:59 pm
Tall Trees Landscaping has firewood. 762-8183, free delivery and free kindling!
Michael Perrella October 31, 2011 at 11:48 pm
Regarding the complaints that First Selectman Brennan is derelict in responding to citizen inquirie my personal experience runs different.. I would suggest to e-mail rather then telephone. You should get a response within 24 hours.
Heather Borden Herve November 1, 2011 at 12:52 am
Jonathan, I’ll grant you this: I should have been more gracious in my thanks to town employees, first responders and emergency personnel out working the roads and working hard during the storm. I have acknowledged that previously in print. If I’m not on the record as saying something else in prior writings, I say it now: these people deserve more than our thanks—they deserve the grace not to have people question their compensation and benefits.
My storm column was critical of one particular issue—the town’s handling of communication. It’s an issue of both general and immediate concern: not only did officials fail to heed what residents asked for after Irene, there were immediate safety issues posed by lack of town communication to residents and clear means for residents to communicate with the town. I wrote about what I heard a great number of people say and it’s what people were talking about in the storm’s aftermath. You might be happy if I went “back to writing about my kids’ playdates and leave the issues for someone else to write.” (Why, can’t my mommy brain handle the bigger issues?) I think that’s a not-so-subtle crack at every woman in this town, let alone just me. But perhaps that’s easier to do when you don’t ‘man up’ with your last name attached to the comments you write. (more)
Heather Borden Herve November 1, 2011 at 12:53 am
‘Childish’ would be name calling and insults. My column on Monday didn’t do that at all (for instance, I never called anyone venomous or anything similar, but no worries, no hard feelings). In actuality, I HAVE put my column and other articles I’ve written to use for doing good in town many times: I’ve profiled a police officer, I’ve written about the work our dedicated volunteer EMTs and ambulance corps do and their financial needs; I’ve photographed town clean-up day, I’ve reported on new businesses in order to help them get the exposure needed to try to gain a foothold; I’ve publicized various individuals in need of bone marrow donations or attention to charities that they’ve started, like the SMS Research Foundation; I’ve written about HPV and breast cancer awareness; I’ve written about the schools and bullying and so many other important issues in town, and yes, I’ve written about playdates. Hopefully some of what I’ve written has just been good for giving people a good laugh to start the day.
As far as running for election, I have to say thanks for suggesting it, but I think there’s also a need for people in media to raise questions and start discussions that other people might not feel comfortable raising. I hope my column contributes that effort to the process and it brings some value to some part of the discussion.
Eve Donovan November 1, 2011 at 01:02 am
All,
Again, Heather is emphasizing communications issues - a very fair critique. This critique is well deserved considering that during the public hearing about Irene last month, our town officials seemed to be genuinely interested in improving communications and hearing both suggestions and examples of how neighboring towns are doing it well - with early and frequent communications and use of social media. This meeting was well represented by our local officials, Dept. of Public Works and CL&P. It was NOT well represented by our citizens, there were only about 12 of us there and many of the people who did show were senior citizens - who deserve to receive rapid information about resources, shelter and restorations. So, a major FAIL by both the town for not improving upon the communications from only two months ago and by the citizens for not showing up and voicing the type of complaints you are all sharing here. It's so easy for people to complain in forums, but it's far more effective if we have many more voices speaking directly to our officials. Selectman Brennan is running unopposed, so the elections are not going to send a "message." If there is a real lack of confidence in our town leadership as suggested here and in other forums - both on- and off-line, I suggest that more people find ways to make their voices heard. Amplify the issues - too frequently it's left to just a few vocal citizens.
Michael Kennedy November 1, 2011 at 01:29 am
My concern goes beyond this event or the last event, but if we experience another storm of this magnitude in January with Ice, and we lose power for 48 hours or more, the results are not going to be as kind when you have temperatures above 32. How do we prepare for a possible storm like this in the future and keep our homes and families safe (without spending thousands on a generator). Great that the state and CL & P have all this great advice on their websites on how to prepare for such an event, but have no idea how to prepare in advance. And why is it that NY was hit as hard as CT and they are up and running already!!
Boy Scout Troop 125 - Wilton November 1, 2011 at 01:53 am
Heather - Really ?? Again an opportunity to.breath some fresh air and you go negative ??! Big Utility company bad. Elected Town officials bad ... Are you ok with school lunches ?? Mr Rchards announcing ahead of the curve that school is cancelled tomorrow ? Water is available at the Y (along with showers) ?? Your library is making sure to support it's town in need by early and later hours ?? I have not seen a picture of Bill Brennan or a senior CL & P employee kick a puppy yet. We are in the midst of a "situation" .. Help or shut up. You can Monday morning quarterback next week. For now, we all are just trying to get our families through it. Get on the team or off the bus !
Cathryn J. Prince November 1, 2011 at 03:10 am
I don't know @ Wilton service stations (sorry) but Weston service center is open and has gas.
Elyse November 1, 2011 at 03:40 pm
I dread Thanksgiving. First we get Hurricane Irene for Labor Day, now a snow storm for Halloween. What next? Earthquake? Gah...
Anyway.... I saw a snowplow out the first day, and all I could think of was that the snow removal budget is going to be devoured this year. I saw a police vehicle on Saturday night, but not on our road. I saw no emergency vehicles of any kind on Sunday. I placed my own yellow tape on tree so no one would drive into it. On Monday a.m., a police vehicle came by to assess the situation. Later in the day, CL&P and AT&T came by (the latter 2 at the same time). We have a HUGE tree that snapped at the base from the sheer weight of snow & ice on its leafy canopy-it came down right on top of the wires. Ripped the wires off 1 house, has entirely blocked the driveway of another house, and 4 phone poles are cracked at the base, which means they all have to be replaced. CL&P told me it would take a week for full restoration. I'm hoping it's sooner. As for the website, I only saw it today because no power, no internet. I can view it at work. The 1st place I went when I could get out of the driveway was the library, because they're the center for all the info & it's posted right on their door. The YMCA is offering free hot showers again as well as free water, the Fire Dept is offering water as well. I'm hoping that the town will offer free drinking water like they did last time as well. Hope power is up by Halloween as I have too much candy in the house.
Kelly lash November 3, 2011 at 04:53 pm
Listen we all complaining now but soon we will all get back to our normal lives and let all this happen again. I have sent numerous emails to Mr. Brennan and our the department of public works begging for them to clean up the steers of what was left from Irene. Nothing, no response, no action. Has anyone taken a look at the mess on Olmstead Hill Road? prior to the latest storm trees were down and dangling, branches littered the roads. Now it looks like a war zone. Not only did the lack of tree maintenance over the past decade add to the current mess but certainly caused the week of no power on Olmstead. Our road is a complete embarrassment.
jennifer iannuzzi November 4, 2011 at 11:46 pm
I have finally had a moment to breathe and catch up on some current events and not only read the article but all the comments as well. it is almost a week after the storm and slowly but surely we are all coming out of the dark. Heather, I couldn't agree more that Wilton needs to update it's communication methods, and I think that was really all you were trying to say. I find it amazing how your article got so twisted around like a very ugly game of telephone:) Clearly this storm was faster, bigger, and more damaging than anyone could have anticipated and I think the cleanup process took on a life of its own. Hopefully we have all finally learned, including wilton, how to prevent some of these issues from happening to us again. First and foremost emergency communications!!
Carolina Kronqvist Corrigan November 5, 2011 at 12:35 am
Hello Wold !! I am finally catching up a lot of emails and articles and I happen to read the comment section which usually gets me in trouble. I think that there should be a disclaimer that you cannot post the same day you read the article. My main reason for this is that when you are emotional you are not rational. I believe it was a very well written article and the point was communication which seems to been a major downfall on many parties of this equation. I was very surprised about many of the comments , some not really related to the article. So now we know what happens when it snows in October, not many good things, but hopefully we'll learn from this experience.
SLP November 5, 2011 at 07:34 pm
Power finally returned. Very grateful to the tree removal and line crews who we saw working on our street very late last night. Additionally I think the Wilton Y and Wilton Library deserve a special thanks for opening their doors to the community without hesitation and at no cost to people who were non-members. I'm doubtful any of the local hotels were offering discounts for locals who may have had to put in for unknown duration thereby adding to everyone's burdens through another round of this.
On other articles I've expressed alot of dismay at CL&P's performance and it really is focused at CL&P management. Afterall the crews just have their marching orders and do their job as best they can and are supported. After Irene I would have hoped CL&P would have been alot better prepared for this. However hearing that an investigation has been opened at reports of their lack of payment to outside crews from Irene I am not surprised now. Something like this happening once is a 'freak accident' when it happens again it seems alot less 'freak' and alot more 'failure'. Last year we had FEET of snow and very very little outage. I for one experienced NONE. I am horribly concerned for the upcoming winter now.
Del Dridle November 6, 2011 at 02:17 pm
Hey... Did you get a famous Brennan letter telling you how good of a job he and his team were doing.. It should read similar to the Irene letter.... Bill just dusted it off and polished it up for this storm... Expect the exact same line for the next outage.... He's great at letter writing...What a joke...
Pats November 12, 2011 at 12:03 pm
This forum is full of losers and babies. We are from Wisconsin. Snow begins in September. Our hometown is poor. You don't see four wheel drives, McMansions and certainly, the local government is on a much smaller scale. AND PEOPLE FIGURE IT OUT. It snows? shovel. Trees come down? chain saw. No power? a fire and sweaters. Awe, kids out of school and bored? do i even need to respond.
I'm really, really stuck on this one: What in the world did those living here in the 1800s do? They must have been pretty pissed when CL and P, or their first selectmen didn't update twitter in 24 hours when the major snow storm of 1889 hit. Wilton does need more liquor. It's clear that any of the complainers above really need to sit for a minute, AND DRINK A BEER. Then, turn on the TV and watch some coverage of Turkey's earthquake recovery. Please, then, think if you need to come comment on some lame forum.
Mary Aly November 12, 2011 at 12:23 pm
Amen, Pat, Amen. Regardless of whether or not we have a state of the art town wide communication system, we won't get power back faster. So what, praytell, is this drama about? AND even if we did have a town Facebook page, it only works for folks with 4G coverage as long as their phones stay charged.
Here is the solution: we hire out of work actors, preferably petite males, to dress in kelly green elf outfits with boots with pointy toes and jingles on them. Then, when we have a storm, they can go from door to door and say things like, "Bill Brennan is having coffee and hoping to hear from the ...." and "Sharon is making Jiffy Pop over her fireplace..." OR maybe the 4G folks could be battery operated shimmery stars on their house and we could go to them in a storm, like mecca, for updates and inspirations and, well, maybe even cookies. Pat? Next storm, let's get together and play boggle or Scrabble and make burgers on the grill. What say you?
Michael Perrella November 12, 2011 at 05:56 pm
Could not have said it better myself. There is a mentality found not only in Wilton but in all corners of the USA, "That how dare my comfort and ease be disturbed and if it is, it's someone elses fault and that someone must correct the situation". The frightning fact is that this Me, Me attitude may very well be passed on to their children. Get off your butts, act like adults and get on with it.
wilton42 June 19, 2012 at 02:07 pm
Hopefully everyone is participating in hurricane preparedness week? This is what everyone was clamoring for?!?

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Just a short thought to get the word out quickly about anything in your neighborhood.
Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
Publius Redux June 18, 2013 at 08:28 pm
Liz: It should be "...Crush List that lets users...". When you type 'let's', it means 'letRead More us'.
Liz Mitchell Worthington June 19, 2013 at 07:54 am
Hey Publius! Thanks for the catch. I posted this yesterday with the very cool Patch app but it mustRead More have auto corrected on me. I've made the change and appreciate you letting me know.
Sanchez June 19, 2013 at 07:51 am
Mad Mothers is a great moniker. Illegals from Mexico have a much much higher incidence of drivingRead More drunk than any other group. Drunk driving is a way of life in Mexico and they bring that here with the deaths and injury that follows. Truly Mad Mothers.
Milton June 19, 2013 at 11:07 am
Very sad indeed. MADD has done great work. It is a real shame that they would let politics trumpRead More protection of our children from drunk drivers
Sanchez June 19, 2013 at 01:53 pm
Milton, it is the same with the environmental groups. they want to protect the snail darter but doRead More not want to get involved with the illegal immigration issue. Why should they you may ask? google images of "border trash" and see why these groups should be concerned.
Thomas Paine June 18, 2013 at 01:29 pm
And here's more about the article:Read More http://pjmedia.com/tatler/2013/06/18/ms-magazines-my-month-with-a-gun-story-shooting-blanks/?print=1
Thomas Paine June 18, 2013 at 01:32 pm
The concluding paragraph from the item above: "Hopefully her 30-day experience will remove herRead More fear of firearms and help her recognize that the vast majority of American firearms owners have taken to their responsibility with the necessary seriousness and gravity required. Maybe she’ll also learn that no matter how many laws you pass, you can’t regulate irresponsibility out of existence. Grown-ups still have to be grown-ups. Maybe she will also learn how the Bill of Rights is supposed to work, and how one amendment strengthens another. At a minimum, people like Heidi Yewman should be passingly familiar with the Constitutional rights they’re agitating to take away from their fellow citizens."
Thomas Paine June 18, 2013 at 01:44 pm
PR - I am out of town Thursday evening but you should attend this one:Read More http://weston-ct.patch.com/groups/announcements/p/gun-violence-panel-at-trinity-episcopal-this-thursday_087922d8
Bethlehem Lutheran Church June 17, 2013 at 02:36 pm
Photo did not post successfully.
Publius Redux June 17, 2013 at 03:38 pm
A simple truth: when those who call Christ as King do that which He has commanded, we realize thatRead More none of us need the government's handouts, which is just a 'slave to the lender' mindset.
Ronnie Raygun June 17, 2013 at 09:32 am
never forget Newtown...!! (RNS) Each Father’s Day, Neil Heslin and his son, Jesse Lewis, usedRead More to go to a car show. But that tradition died when 6-year-old Jesse was shot and killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. This Father’s Day, Heslin, who has been active with other Sandy Hook parents in pushing for gun control legislation, is giving his support to the No Father’s Day campaign. Speaking at a media teleconference to launch the campaign, Heslin said, “Jesse was my only child, my only immediate family. I don’t have a father to share Father’s Day with.” Initiated by PICO National Network’s Lifelines to Healing Campaign, the campaign asks participants to send e-cards to Congress, urging passage of legislation to create universal background checks and end gun trafficking.
Ronnie Raygun June 17, 2013 at 09:32 am
(RNS) Each Father’s Day, Neil Heslin and his son, Jesse Lewis, used to go to a car show. ButRead More that tradition died when 6-year-old Jesse was shot and killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. This Father’s Day, Heslin, who has been active with other Sandy Hook parents in pushing for gun control legislation, is giving his support to the No Father’s Day campaign. Speaking at a media teleconference to launch the campaign, Heslin said, “Jesse was my only child, my only immediate family. I don’t have a father to share Father’s Day with.” Initiated by PICO National Network’s Lifelines to Healing Campaign, the campaign asks participants to send e-cards to Congress, urging passage of legislation to create universal background checks and end gun trafficking.
Sanchez June 17, 2013 at 10:27 am
Exploiting dead children for your political points is disgusting and vile. Given the poster thereRead More can be no surprise about such.
Publius Redux June 14, 2013 at 11:17 pm
From linked article_______ "The victims “have a financial uncertainty, they need theRead More money,” Feinberg said. “You have to say, ‘Here’s the money, here’s what we’re doing with it.’” Some Newtown families say that didn't happen in their town. Lafferty-Hassinger posted to Facebook her frustration about the United Way requiring "proof of hardship" to determine how to distribute funds: "We shouldn't have to fight for what is rightfully ours, but we won't be taken advantage of in our darkest hour," she wrote. "We've all been walking a fine line between not wanting to profit from the death of our loved ones and not wanting someone else to profit from our source of grief. We went down when we were kicked, but we are Sandy Hook. It's time to stand back up."___________ I reckon my questions are thusly: What financial uncertainty is there in the death of a child, AND since when did money that is donated privately become something that is 'rightfully' belonging to someone else due to a tragedy that is not a natural event like a tornado or hurricane?