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Possible fight involving 20 males reported at Oakfield-Alabama school

By Howard B. Owens

Multiple patrols are in route to Oakfield-Alabama Elementary School for a confrontation between 20 males at an event at the school.

A director informs law enforcement that one teen has been ejected and he's requesting law enforcement assistance in ejecting a second teen and is "getting things calmed down."

State Police and Sheriff's deputies responding.

Janet Foppes

Re: JT Hunt's comment: It's
very sad that people are taking the serious situation in LeRoy, and using it to make crude, insensitive remarks. If I were a parent there, I would be frustrated and fearful, and having people joke about it and make light of it would definitely make things worse.

Feb 19, 2012, 9:30am Permalink
Judith Kinsley Bolsei

Thank you Janet. One of the many negative things I have learned from this situation is the level of ignorance in the world and how loud those people who own it can be. Really sad. But judging from the negative reactions to Mr. Hunt's comment, it is also obvious how many good people there are who are not as loud. Unfortunately, on a forum like this, some of them are scared to speak out.

Feb 19, 2012, 11:48am Permalink
Doug Yeomans

How did a report about a fight at Oakfield school turn into another post about the Le Roy tic problem? I know I'll rack up more negative votes, but so be it, JT's joke made me laugh. We've all laughed at off color jokes. Sometimes joking about it is the best medicine at the moment.

The first person that says they've never laughed at a crude joke is the first person to admit being a liar. Just because someone makes a joke doesn't instantly mean that they're insensitive or a terrible person. It means they're human and flawed, just like everyone else.

I'm beginning to believe that many of you are overly dramatic a lot of the time and it's easy to do that on here.

Neg away...

Feb 19, 2012, 6:31pm Permalink
Judith Kinsley Bolsei

LeRoy school fired a sub last week for a "crude joke" like that made during class. York High School fired a coach/teacher last week for encouraging his team to chant this "crude joke." What part of it is funny? I absolutely have a twisted sense of humor but not at the expense of sick kids. What is most interesting to me is that it is the adults that can't seem to make the distinction between acceptable behavior and not. Every kid I have talked to that knows these girls, or is involved in the situation knows it's not acceptable behavior and are compassionate towards these girls. Fortunately, it seems they don't need the adults in the community to set a good example because then we'd all be in trouble.

Feb 19, 2012, 7:20pm Permalink
Doug Yeomans

Bea, it was funny when I heard it 40 years ago. You don't have to address me in the third person, I'm right here (BTW, I laughed at your joke about me laughing at the aspirin joke)

:-)

Judith, JT isn't a teacher at the Le Roy HS. Warm hugs all around.

Feb 19, 2012, 7:53pm Permalink
JT Hunt

doug seems to be the only person on here who doesn't take this site as gospel. i wasn't ever part of the Buttavia caste system, so i speak my mind. i'm laughing all the way to the bank on a sunny day 500 miles away. live free or die :)

Feb 20, 2012, 10:20am Permalink
C. M. Barons

There is an illusion of privacy attached to communication technology. Like a cat "hiding" behind a chair with 8 inches of wagging tail protruding; some folks, either insulated within their own thoughts or seemingly alone with their computer or cell phone, do not envision the broader impact of their communication.

Doug asserts that as a community of flawed humanity, we should concede to each others’ flaws and roll with off-color or insensitive remarks. Such humor is a cathartic. He’s not far off-base.

In a closed group when an individual tells a racist joke, some laugh. Some laugh uncomfortably. Some groan. Each member of the group is familiar with the other, and, without fail, the teller of the offensive joke tells another.

The proposition of being free to make insensitive remarks suggests respect for those hurt by insensitive remarks is less important. …Likely because THAT hurt doesn’t require bandages or splints. Westboro Church. The anti-gay congregation protests at military funerals despite the impact on mourners, who for all intent and purpose have no interest in the message. We protect Westboro’s right to free speech, knowing full-well that the church’s tactic is unconscionable.

Can we excuse insensitive remarks as humor? Was I only kidding? When one tells a racist or misogynist joke, getting a laugh is the aim. Don't overlook the butt of the joke; the butt of the joke always comes up short.

Feb 20, 2012, 3:55pm Permalink
kevin kretschmer

"York High School fired a coach/teacher last week for encouraging his team to chant this "crude joke."

No, they did not. MIke Falk was relieved of his coaching duties at York but he's still teaching Math. Also, he has since issued a public apology and the district is working towards putting the incident behind them.

Feb 20, 2012, 5:22pm Permalink
Judith Kinsley Bolsei

I understood the teacher had not been fired from actually teaching but from only coaching. Truthfully, I couldn't even put it in print it seems so outrageous. The fact this man is actually teaching someone's children is sickening. And if I was a parent there, no way would I be able to "put it behind me."

Feb 20, 2012, 5:52pm Permalink
Doug Yeomans

C.M., You're right, such off color jokes are one way of purging one's bowels. It was a hipshot joke and I just think people are going overboard about it...just my opinion. I do believe that people would be better off to make like a duck and let the water roll off. The butt of every joke is someone or some thing.

Should Redd Foxx, Sam Kinneson, Eddie Murphy, George Carlin, Richard Pryor, Buddy Hackett, Paul Lynde, Dean Martin, Don Rickles and so many other dirty comedians say they're sorry (if they could come back from the grave)?

I get really tired of living in a smoothed over world of political correctness and over-sensitivity. I'm sure one of you will pick this apart and call me an insensitive bastard that doesn't give a crap about anyone and that I should be ashamed of myself..blah blah blah. If you knew me, you'd know better. I'm a compassionate, giving person but I get jokes, and I get that jokes are just jokes, racist, off color, insensitive or not.

What it boils down to is how someone comes through at the end of the day, not what they said at one moment during the day. Good grief, if I had a meltdown every time I was the brunt of a joke, by the end of the work day I'd be pudding on the sidewalk.

It's Rude, it's crude and it makes light of people with erectile dysfunction. Shame on you, Buddy Hackett!

[video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ln0oWjjAW8w]

Feb 20, 2012, 7:23pm Permalink
Kyle Couchman

I can say that I have to agree with Doug on this, people can sometime be too thin skinned over humor, like some comedians say it's all about the timing. I happen to have seen a youtube series that are done by a couple of guys with Downs Syndrome that are high functioning. Called the retarded policeman. Since they suffer a condition that is classically associated with mental retardation are they being offensive? Are they funny? Maybe they are even working out their own frustrations with the treatment of their condition. I saw an interview with the the guy that plays the retarded cop....he says he isnt handicapped at all, he was born with an extra gene in his chromosome and thats his funny gene, he says he just feels sorry for us because he feels without his extra gene you dont understand his humor.

Its all in the timing, you need to have the common sense and discernment to know when and where it appropriate. Unfortuneately common sense it probably the most uncommon trait in humanity today.

Since I never have done it before I will post a retarded policeman episode just to see what people think.... offensive or no?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlUVGf8B2yc

Feb 20, 2012, 8:23pm Permalink
Bea McManis

"Should Redd Foxx, Sam Kinneson, Eddie Murphy, George Carlin, Richard Pryor, Buddy Hackett, Paul Lynde, Dean Martin, Don Rickles and so many other dirty comedians say they're sorry (if they could come back from the grave)?'
People paid to see these comedians, or chose to watch them on TV. They knew what to expect.
To my knowledge, no one paid for or expected the mocking of the situation in LeRoy in a thread about a skirmish in Oakfield.
Kyle, same for the skit you published. Two different situations. The people suffering in LeRoy didn't come on this site and make fun of themselves. They are not looking at their neighbors and joking about their condition. When and if that time comes, then there will be no complaint about people being insensitive.
Until then, they are just the butt of jokes for the amusement of people who appear to have a shortage of common sense.

Feb 20, 2012, 8:35pm Permalink
C. M. Barons

I don't want to inflate this discussion beyond what it deserves. Don Rickles was obnoxious. George Carlin didn't mock; he made us laugh at ourselves and the human condition. To evoke irony from illness, producing humor while remaining unoffensive requires two things: empathy and a deft grasp of presentation.

Feb 20, 2012, 9:16pm Permalink
Jeff Allen

C.M. you say "George Carlin didn't mock; he made us laugh at ourselves and the human condition". Must have been two George Carlin's because in 5 minutes on Youtube I found videos of George Carlin mocking fat people, stupid people, religious wingnuts, Conservatives, God, pro-lifers, redneck jack-offs, etc. If you believe George Carlin doesn't mock people, maybe it's because he mocks people you find it acceptable to mock. (I haven't been able to find any videos of Carlin talking about Steve Hawley yet)

Feb 21, 2012, 8:02am Permalink
Bea McManis

Comedians, like any other entertainer, hone their craft. It is an act, not necessarily a reflection of the person behind the mask.
I've seen Rickles on HGTV showing off his home. His "at home" persona is far different than what he presents on the stage. No doubt most of the outrageous entertainers are much different when out of character.
Which brings us back to mocking the kids in LeRoy.
Not one of them come online to poke fun at their affliction. Not one of them has said, "laugh with me, not at me". Until we are invited to do so then making them the butt of sophmoric humor is cruel.
Our resident comedians are better off keeping their day jobs; they haven't made it to the bottom rung of the entertainment ladder.

Feb 21, 2012, 8:36am Permalink
JT Hunt

my, quite an online donny brook has been incited. lol it's interesting to see midwest folks reactions to the Leroy tic st st story. there was a BRIEF synthetic weed/incense "epidemic" south of here. til the sheriff (who is a woman. progressive!) told the hippie store owner to stop selling the garbage to minors. problem solved til dem youngins start on a new fad drug...

Feb 21, 2012, 10:51am Permalink
JT Hunt

classy. thanks for taking time out of your busy retired life to go fishin with your son :/ ps - you got 2 grandkids now. in case you haven't heard. oh well.

Feb 21, 2012, 10:55am Permalink
John Woodworth JR

Damn Doug, I am agreeing with you on this :-) ! People are way too sensitive on this Tics matter. Why? People are still looking for a tangible answer. Like you stated, people make jokes all the time and some are very personal. The situation is fading away and people are commenting about it in their own way.

This situation of the York Coach and Substitute Teacher are somewhat different. The York Coach attempted to get his players involved in this chant. Whereas the Substitute Teacher made a comment on where he lived and why he was happy about it. Were these truly insensitive? With the coach, I would say yes (Because I viewed it as a malice intent) but, the teacher not so much. Though the coach may have been unwise to make such a chant, his students did not . People have the right to speak the way they do. The Substitute Teacher at LeRoy being fired was over the top. I disagree with MS Coxs’ decision and she would have been better off issuing a Memorandum for Record. Was it professional? No, but it did not warrant dismissal either.

Some people above believe they never did any wrongs in their life. They are too sensitive probably in more ways than one. Oh for those of you that feel these girls are still suffering a terrible illness. I have run into several over the past weeks and I spent nearly seven hours watching a Section V Indoor Track and Field Meet at R.I.T. this past Saturday, in which I did not witness a single twitch while this girl was competing.

I am disappointed that these comments were not in reference to the brawl.

Feb 21, 2012, 4:37pm Permalink
John Woodworth JR

Bea, I do not view Hunt's comment as "mocking the girls!" In my eyes he was mocking the high profile this situation has made. I have heard LeRoy referred to as "Tourettesville!" Once again this is not mocking the girls but, the high profile this situation has erupted into. Mocking the girls would be more like if, MR Hunt walked through LeRoy smacking himself all over and slurring his speech.

Feb 21, 2012, 4:49pm Permalink
Bea McManis

Mr. Woodworth, perhaps you should read all the way up the thread. I believe the first people to comment about your friend, JT's, comment were Janet, Judith and Russ.
My response was to Doug, who has and will continue to mock these children because he feels that sort of humor is cathartic. Cathartic to whom is still a mystery, but cathartic none the less.
JT's comment, on this thread and others, indicate that he has issues far beyond the brawl in Oakfield, or the situation in LeRoy. I, for one, will not waste further bandwidth to feed into his bid for attention.

Feb 21, 2012, 5:06pm Permalink
John Woodworth JR

"The people suffering in LeRoy didn't come on this site and make fun of themselves." #22

"No doubt most of the outrageous entertainers are much different when out of character.
Which brings us back to mocking the kids in LeRoy." #29

Bea, my comment to you was appropriate ma'am. Janet, Judith and Russ did not mention MR Hunt's comment as mocking the girls. Doug has said, some insensitive things, in which is his right but, is not mocking the girls but, the way this situation has been handled by the media, some of the parents and the school. It is one thing to be worried about your child, it is another when you refuse and ignored treatments and facts because; you want something more tangible for an answer then psychological.

"I absolutely have a twisted sense of humor but not at the expense of sick kids."

Judith at who's expense is your twisted sense of humor towards? Does it make any more right? Yes, Hunt is trying to get his jollies but, not at the girls expense but, yours and others who make it fun for him.

Feb 21, 2012, 5:44pm Permalink
John Woodworth JR

Apparently 20 young lads were involved in a brawl at the O-A High School. Some how LeRoy was brought into the brawl and no one had the common courtesy to tell you who won. Tammy, if you find out could you let me know who won, why there was a fight in the first place and were there any casualties?

Feb 22, 2012, 9:27am Permalink
Judith Kinsley Bolsei

I have to say (although my wise 17-year old has advised me to seek a different forum) that the irony of this thread has not escaped me. JT found it humorous to joke about other unwilling participants and TP found it humorous to joke about his son, the unwilling participant. JT found no humor in that. See how that works? And John, there are many other forms of humor than to laugh at other people. My mother taught me that at an early age, a lesson that it seems not everyone received. Nature or nurture?

Feb 22, 2012, 12:29pm Permalink
John Woodworth JR

Judith, twisted humor refers to what in your eyes? I believe that if, you were at a comedy show and the comedian was acting like a kid and was displaying himself as having DS or some other disorder you would laugh. To say you would not, would be a lie. Yes, it may be a fictional character to you but, what about the actual kids that suffer? Your are as guilty about laughing at others who suffer from type of mental or physical disorder as everyone else. Otherwise why would you have twisted sense of humor for?

Feb 23, 2012, 9:16am Permalink
John Woodworth JR

I am not sure Tammy. We got on the topic of tics because, a few people thought a comment from Hunt was insensitive and not humorous. These people probably have laugh at comedians who have made fun of every walk of life and illnesses but, now it is not right, it is mocking the children. Actually, it is mocking the situation that has gone way over board.

I haven't heard anything else about twenty kids getting into a brawl outside O-A High School.

Feb 23, 2012, 9:26am Permalink
Judith Kinsley Bolsei

Talk about banging your head against a wall but here goes . . . John, my idea of humor is NOT to laugh at other people's misfortunes. Pretty simple. Very sorry you weren't taught that at a young age, maybe it's not too late, think about it. I have no intention of arguing the point, we obviously have very different morals and I have no need or want to teach a grown man lessons he should have learned as a child. I also stay as far away from people who think that is acceptable behavior as humanly possible so may we never meet.

Feb 23, 2012, 9:40am Permalink
Beth Kinsley

John says "Your are as guilty about laughing at others who suffer from type of mental or physical disorder as everyone else. Otherwise why would you have twisted sense of humor for"? Where on earth do you get that from? I have known Judith my entire life (minus a year) and have never seen her laugh at someone with a mental or physical disorder. I can tell you first hand that her twisted sense of humor is making her drag her poor, unwilling sister to see the Rocky Horror Picture Show every month at RIT. Now THAT'S twisted. Yes, we laugh A LOT! But we are not making fun of anyone. There's a difference between laughing with someone and laughing at them. Our mother taught us that as well.

Feb 23, 2012, 10:01am Permalink
John Woodworth JR

Judith and Beth? How in the heck do you figure twist sense of humor is dragging one to the Rocky Horror Picture Show every month at RIT? Beth you have known Judith all but one year so, may I ask what comedians have you watched? Just about every comedian has joked about one's misfortune whether physical, mental or personal. So, I am saying maybe you should not be over sensitive. If, you do not like it then do not respond to it. MR Hunt got what he wanted out of you. Many people from the surrounding area are fed up with the situation and how it was handled. Good example is this bloody article has nothing to do with "TICS" yet, MR Hunt may a comment and Judith, Russ and yourself took it hook, line and sinker. What people are doing is not mocking the girls but, once again the way the situation was handle by all parties! I still would like to know what the end result of this article was? I am not agruing laughter, it is Judith own comment, "I absolutely have a twisted sense of humor." I bet if you took a survey of what people thought one meant by "Twisted Sense of Humor!" One could assume that making fun of others' physical, mental and personal issue would be cover by that subject. Hench the term "Twisted Sense of Humor and not Sense of Humor!" So, I bet you both at one time laugh at one's misfortune so, why deny it?

Feb 23, 2012, 4:38pm Permalink
Russ Salway

John I initially read the story about the possible altercations going on in Oakfield and clicked on the comments to see if any other information about this story followed up in the comment section. I have several friends in the Oakfield area and out of concern wanted to see if there was more information. Mr. Hunts comment was uncalled for and not humorous at all. Just like you I graduated from LeRoy. What is going on there is real and painful for many families. To make any kind of joke for whatever reason at the expense of other peoples problems and pain is just wrong. You and everyone else can write volumes and you will never change my opinion on this subject. Also if it were one of my children going through this and I read Mr. Hunt's comment, Howard would probably have to do a seperate story about me. It's sad that anyone would "make fun" of a painful situation of others and its also sad that anyone would try to defend them. So I clicked on a story and then clicked on comments to see if I could find out more and I read Mr. Hunt's comment. I then said in simple english it was time for him to grow up. If you think " MR Hunt may a comment and Judith, Russ and yourself took it hook, line and sinker" that I took it any other way then what he read then your sadly mistaken. The fact that this comment section is this long is ridiculous. I ask anyone who thinks its funny to make fun of any of these kids to go to LeRoy and find any of their parents and "joke to their face". Its simple to make comments on here to get a rise out of others so they continue to argue. Anyone could do that. Mature people who actually care about others would never try to get a rise out of others...they have a life. So just wanted you to know, there is no hook, line and sinker. There is just a sad individual that lives states away and likes to stir the pot. So I stand behind my initial comment and will just tell him to "grow up". I refuse to write anything else under these comments because it only gives him what he wants....attention.

Feb 23, 2012, 11:16pm Permalink
John Woodworth JR

Russ I am not disagreeing with MR Hunt's comment was immature but, we need to stop being so, sensitive to issues and let it roll off us. MR Hunt's comment had nothing to do with the article. Judith's comment about having a twisted sense of humor is my argument right now. I asked 31 personnel this morning and asked, "What does having a "Twisted Sense of Humor" means to them." I had answers such as dirty mind, demented, sick/perverted and joking about things that are not right to joke about. Was MR Hunt's comment wrong, yes but, it is his sense of twisted humor. Like it or love it there are people like that. People in LeRoy are way too sensitive about this issue and just need to let it go. I meet more and more people who are absolutely fed up with this issue. They feel bad for the girls but, hate how the situation was handled. BTW, I have two family members (one distant cousin and a 2nd cousin) who are part of the 18 girls. My daughter also plays sports with one. I am not upset with some of these comments because, why get upset? Does it make it better if, I get upset? How does a comment like MR Hunt’s hurt me? They don't so, are you saying I should be upset for nonsense?

Feb 24, 2012, 8:54am Permalink
John Woodworth JR

"There's a difference between laughing with someone and laughing at them."

So, if someone is joking about a disability for example; a comedian is portraying a mentally handicap person, just a fictional character. How does a family who has an mentally handicap child accepted it? I am sure some laugh because, it is not attacking their child and I am sure there are those who take offense to it.

MR Hunt may a statement that DID NOT mention LeRoy or any of the 18 girls. He made a comment about “TICS!” You do not need to be taught that or be a rocket scientist to realized that point. So, where is the difference in laughing with someone and at someone? A very thin line! Kids that pick on other kids laugh and usually have others laugh with them and they are still guilty by laughing at someone!

Feb 24, 2012, 11:21am Permalink
John Woodworth JR

"What is going on there is real and painful for many families."

I do not disagree. There are families who have family members suffering from other illnesses. Alcoholism and drug addictions both are classify as an illness. It is why people seek medical help. These illnesses tear families apart and cause a lot of grief in these families yet, comedians still joke about this. Not the person but, the illness itself. MR Hunt’s comment was as I stated about tics. I did not see LeRoy or any of the 18 girls mention. One can assume he is referencing them but, it still “tics” that he is mentioning.

Feb 24, 2012, 9:18am Permalink
JT Hunt

setting my own family issues aside, i find the Leroy "situation" sad and mysterious. i took slight offense when i played the NBC news clip for my boss (who is southern) and he laughed so hard he almost fell out of his chair. the girls may be affected forever, who knows, so it's definately not a game. the cause of their ailment is mysterious, who is to say it might not surface in Joke errrrrrrrr, Oakfield or ANY other WNY town? the paranoia associated with the case reminds me of the Salem witch trials. speaking of which (witch), i cordially invite John and Doug to Aunt Bea's trailers front porch/steps/utility shed/carport for some fine homemade wine. she has lots of sour grapes eh...

Feb 26, 2012, 3:13am Permalink
JT Hunt

i have nothing but utter disdain for the entire region that held me back and never gave me opportunity. i guess i had the wrong last name. i can only smile and laugh at the deplorable, petty economic and social conditions that you so ignorantly endure on a daily basis. i take pleasure in reading of your misery. i'd rather vent and have a little fun on here than launch a personal attack against all the flesh bag minions and make national news. live free or die. sleep well peon ;)
Emperor Cuomo needs you to be productive so he can tax you more...

Feb 28, 2012, 12:40pm Permalink

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