We need to send support for this lady!

[Multidigits]

http://www.courier-journal.com/localnews/2004/09/29ky/B4-hunter09290-4523.html

Bus driver who picked up hunter supported
Man carrying gun rode with students

By Roger Alford
Associated Press
ULYSSES, Ky. — In rural Eastern Kentucky, where it's not unusual to find folks carrying shotguns during hunting season, the suspension of a school bus driver for giving a hunter a ride has many parents wondering what the big deal is.

Lawrence County school Superintendent Jeff May said he has been swamped with calls from people supporting bus driver Kathy Laney, who allowed a squirrel hunter with a 20-gauge shotgun to ride with students, against district policy.

"Ninety-nine percent of the parents and community members have voiced their support for her and are asking me to bring her back," May said. "I'm seeking advice on this one."

May said that Laney, a bus driver for about six years, stopped on her route to school Sept. 15 to give 67-year-old Ralph Music a ride past some threatening dogs that were in the road.

Laney was apologetic for what she called a lapse in judgment. But she said she knows Music and wouldn't have done anything to endanger the 10 youngsters on her bus — a group that included her own children and Music's grandson.

"I know I made a mistake," she said. "I didn't realize he had a gun. ... I thought it was a cane."

Music would only say that he was going squirrel hunting when he got on the bus.

"I want this thing blowed over," he said. "I don't want to comment on it no more."

What normally would be a no-brainer — guns and school buses don't mix — has sparked debate in this county of 16,000.

During squirrel season, hunters are a familiar sight and residents are known to take home a mess of the furry creatures to skin and fry like chicken.

Parent Ronnie Blevins said the incident has been blown out of proportion.

"I've known Ralph all my life. He's a good man, a church-going man, and he would never hurt anyone," Blevins said.

As for Laney, "I'd like to get her back on the bus. She's a good driver, and everyone likes her."

Not all parents were so forgiving.

Beth Chapman, who had three children on the bus, said she is surprised that others don't share her feelings of distress.

"I'm disappointed with the other parents," Chapman said. "She should have known better than to pick up a hitchhiker, even if he wasn't carrying a gun."

Laney reported the incident as soon as she returned to the bus garage. Until May issues a decision, she remains suspended without pay.

"Every family on her bus route, except one, has signed a petition asking for her to come back," May said.







Size does matter!

[RDL270]

Read that this morning......... what struck me, everyone signed the petion but one. I think there is a difference between a "hitchhiker" and picking up someone you know. The guys grandson was on the bus for crying out loud. What can we do to support this lady?

[Multidigits]

I hope Ronnie can send support from the LKS. He'll decide what's appropiate.

Size does matter!

[Birdman]

I'll call Jeff today and see what we need to do offically. He's a good man. I feel sure he's just doing his job BY THE BOOK.

Setters do it better.

[ksp965]

Can we start a contribution fund to help her out while she is "suspened without pay"?

[Birdman]

We need to write a letter of support for this lady. Sending copies to Jeff May, Lawrence County Superintendent, 120 Bull Dog Lane, Louisa Ky. 41230, and the Big Sandy News, P.O. Box 1447, Paintsville, Ky. 41240. I would suggest our President perform this task as soon as possible. The next paper will hit the streets Friday. I will address this for the league after contacting the directors.

[schuyler olt]

It was in today's Courier. A letter to them wouldn't hurt.

[schuyler olt]

Especially since a Jefferson County teacher was arrested at 7:30 AM on the first day of school DUI, and blew roughly twice the legal limit. Had she arrived at school drunk she would have been fired. But because she was not at school, very little was done to her from an employment standpoint.

[Xtreme]

This one slipped by me. I'll get a letter off today.

[KYCatBirdHunter]

i'm all for any help. this is ridiculous

The land belongs to no one, and is therefore borrowed by all.

[twice]

I agree with the decision, If Mr. Music had slipped, been drunk, been on drugs, or whatever, and an accident occured and one or more of the children were killed or injured would you still feel the same. You cant take the bullet back. I dont care if it was God on board the bus with a gun, people you know freak out every day and others say...." he was a good man, I just cant believe he would've done something like that. Its too late after it happens. I am sure that the driver is a good person, and I am sure that the old man is also, but a mistake has consequences. If you do stupid things then stupid things will happen!!!


She gave the old man with a GUN a ride past threatening dogs.... HE HAD A GUN FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!!! They are dogs not elephants.

The crazy guy at Standard Gravure wsnt crazy the day before.

The kid at Columbine was friendly the week before.

The Indiana State trooper who killed his wife and kids was the perfect father an hour before.

Come on guys, I am trying to figure out who has more sense, you or the bus driver. Atleast you have time to think about it and she didnt.

Shit happens!!!

[ril7572]

I agree. As a parent of school age children, I know I would be Irate if their driver picked up an unauthorized rider,especially one with a gun. I think more consideration should be given to this before the LKS voices their approval of this ladies actions.

[Bowcrazy]

"twice" makes some good points.

[twice]

Thanks for your support guys, I was waiting for a bunch of derogatory remarks.

[twice]

If my little girl was on that bus, the last thing the driver would be worried about is her job!!

And the guy with the gun better know how to use it.

[twice]

I know her intentions were well, but not well thought out!

[Multidigits]

Anyone need reminding why twice got deleted when he was Tim?

The other side of the coin is IF she hadn't gave the old guy a ride, and he got killed by the dogs, they would have fired her for not giving him a ride. The mesage is that people kill people not guns and she knew the people in this case. Also the message from those in support is that hunting is not a crime and that hunters are not a danger to anyone...let alone these kids that all knew the old guy. this old boy deserved a break and the lady gave it to him.

Size does matter!

[INKYHUNTER]

What does Twice being deleted have to do with it? His initial statement has merit. This has nothing to do with being anti-hunting. In this day and age she should have known their would be some kind of consequence. However, I don't think she should be given a death sentence for her error either. I'm not sure this is a cause CyberHunters should take up.

[Multidigits]

Inkyhunter--this isn't the Cyberhunter's thread, but it is a Cyberhunter issue, as it concerns hunting. We don't mind taking on controversal issues. It's about doing what's right for this lady, a little support in the pro-hunting segment doesn't hurt a thing.

Size does matter!

[RDL270]

Twice, following your reasoning, I guess all guns should be outlawed. I'm not crazy today, but I may be tomorrow, so I better not own a gun. This issue happened in a rural community where everyone knows everyone, I guess a rement of a by-gone era, where neighbors are neighbors and do the right thing. If this was Jefferson Co, or even Bullitt where you live, I guess the whole thing would be different wouldn't it....... I guess I just miss the old days where political correctness isn't the rule and people don't carry a big chip on there shoulder.

[ril7572]

For those in support, what should the criteria be for schoolbus drivers to pick up unauthorized, armed riders? To me this is a common sence issue. In this day and age it was the wrong thing to to. I still live in the country where neighbors are neighbors but this driver made the wrong decision. I do not see where this is an anti or pro hunting issue.

[INKYHUNTER]

I don't think it is a hunting issue and we shouldn't make it one. In this day a kid can be suspended from school for having a tiny plastic pistol out of a Cracker Jack box. It's stupid I know, but she should have used better judgement.

[Multidigits]

The fact that yu don't consider it a hunting issue is the problem. I commend the lady driver for having the courage to pick up th older gentlemen, and possibly saving his life. Few step up today and help the
less fortunate. She did and should be congratulated. The children learned that doing good things for other people in todays world is a good thing, and that a hunter with a gun is not always a bad sign.
It's easy to tear down what she did, but with a successful conclusion, it's hard to fault it as being unsafe for the children. She made the right dsicision and I'll stick with her.

BTW--IF and when we err in supporting an issue, it will be on the POR-huting side, not the anti. In this case, it wasn't an error to support an issue that turned out well.

Size does matter!

[BOBCAT]

The lady did the wrong thing. Period. End of story. I have a 3 year old who will soon be boarding a bus bound for school and I don't want to have to worry about someone making a judgement decision that would effect my daughter. That is why we have rules and regulations and the driver should have followed the rules. The man had a gun so the dogs shouldn't be a problem and if they were a problem it wasn't the drivers place to assist it was the DOG OWNERS RESPONSIBILITY !!!! The story didn't follow up on him or his possible violations.

also, no we don't have to be reminded about the sensorship by some of the Mods' concerning Twice. It is, by the way, a PUBLIC forum and as long as its within the moral framework of this forum it should not be sensored. IMHO!!

WESTERN BOBCAT

[INKYHUNTER]

Multi, she wasn't suspended because her supervisor thought he was a hunter, it was because she allowed someone with a firearm onto a school bus. I am very pro gun and pro hunting, but this shouldn't be turned into a hunting issue. What do we have to gain by making it a hunting issue. Their,s nothing wrong with individuals trying to convince her supervisor to go lightly on the suspension.
We are not living in the day when I was a kid and a eleven year old could walk down the street with a shotgun and go unnoticed for the most part. Today the police would be informed in short order.
In my opinion your are wrong on this issue.

[goldenboy]

listen guys and gals, I went all through school not to long ago. Still in college to be exact. I am a young hunter and believe to be one of the few that has interest in the hunting community. I believe the lady was morally right. I know if I saw my grandfather or close member to my family threatened by dogs or anything else for that matter I would pick them up gun or not. A gun is not a bad thing. The man could have just as easily been carrying a pocket knife. That is also against the law in schools, but noone would have ever known about that story. So if you anti-hunting class of spectators want something to complain about why don't you go after drunk drivers or even the road dept. for poor road conditions because in my mind they were just as much hazard to these kids as Mr. Music.

[CPA Hunter]

Talking about walking down the road with a gun. I used to have to walk almost a mile down a very busy road (about 20 miles from downtown Memphis) to go hunt a farm and of course I carried a gun, but this was 23 years ago. Never once was I harassed and often got rides from people we knew. I’m sure police drove by (don’t remember – I was not worried). How sadly times have changed[V]. I would not even consider doing this now-a-days. Sorry for the tangent, but it seemed noteworthy.

[RDL270]

CPA, reminds me of story too. We just bought some land in Columbus GA, my uncle who lives there hunted the place, got turned around and came out on the expressway that links Atlanta to Columbus, I80. He crosses the xway and starts hitchiking the wrong way (towards Atlanta). He is carrying his deer rifle and is dressed in camo. He gets picked up by a passerby who turns around and takes him back to Columbus and drops him off at his resturant. That was about 15 years ago.

[Multidigits]

I guess you had to be there. Rural Lawrence Co. and an old man(67 yrs. old), known to the driver and some of the kids, several who were siblings of the driver. This wasn't downtown Louisville or the West End of Louisville. Bottom line the lady did an wonderful thing and I applaud her for doing so.

Bobcat--twice (Tim) was censored by the web site adminsitrator for good reason. He knows why and it was justified. As in this thread, he's always looking for a fight.

Size does matter!

[twice]

The reason I got censored was because of people like you who want to make this a personal issue. Did I say anything about Multi. NO. Leave me alone. Its not about me. How come you are not bashing these others with the same opinion. How come you keep dragging me into this. Its your fault that I become the way that I do. Do you expect me to sit here and listen to your mouth when I was only expressing my opinion which is just like others on here. It was probably you who called Chad on your personal hotline to get me off of here.


You are just waiting for me to say something so that you can run with it. I didnt pick up the old man or expell the bus driver. Either way you shouldnt have any complaints about me!!!!!!!

I would think that you would act like your 51, not 15!

[Rob]

"Its your fault that I become the way that I do."

Multi,

You should feel really bad for making poor twice the way that he is!

That has got to be the funniest, and maybe the most sorry, thing I have heard this week!



It's hard to dance with the devil on your back...

[shogan]

sOUNDS LIKE GRANPA WAS KNOWN BY 9 OF 10 KIDS ON THE BUS AND PROPBALY KIN TO 7 OF THEM.

1 FREAK THAT WAS TRANSPORTED THERE FROM OUT OF THE COUNTY

I LOVE HOW THE COMMUNIST JOURNAL REPORTS

THEY TAKE HOME THE CRITTERS AND FRY THEM UP LIKE CHICKEN.

LIKE IT'S THE BEVERLY HILL BILLIES ((HEY MA GOT CRITTERS FOR DINNER)).

HOW HAS THIS COUNTRY BECOME SO REMOVED FROM IT'S ROOTS.

NOT TO LONG AGO I HUNTED WITH MT DAD ON WESTPORT ROAD RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET FROM HOME DEPOT AND ALSO WHERE THEY ARE NOW PUTTING THE NEW INTERCHANGE ON WESTPORT ROAD AND WATTERSON EXPRESSWAY. HOW COULD IT BE THAT MOST OF LOUISVILLE WAS FARM LAND 25 YEARS AGO AND NOW THE PAPER ACTS LIKE IT IS THE HEIGHT OF METROPOLITIAN AMERICA.

SORRY I DIGRESS

WOW MULTI IS SO POWERFUL TO BE ABLE TO CONTROL TWICE THAT WAY.

JUST LIKE THE GUN HAS AN AMAZING FORCE ON PEOPLE TO TURN NORMAL PEOPLE INTO RAGING LEUNATICS.INSIDE OF MINUTES.

IF GRANDPA OR ANYONE HAD WNATED TO COMMENDER THE BUS WITH BAD MOTIVES IN MIND ALL HE HAD TO DO WAS POINT THE GUN AT THE BUS

[GSP]

Bus driver back at work after giving hunter a ride


PARENTS RALLIED AROUND DRIVER DURING SUSPENSION, RETRAINING

ASSOCIATED PRESS


ULYSSES - An Eastern Kentucky school bus driver is back on the job after allowing a hunter to ride shotgun -- literally -- earlier this year.

Driver Kathy Laney stopped on her school route Sept. 15 to give a ride to a squirrel hunter toting a 20-gauge shotgun.

Instead of being outraged that Laney picked up a man with a gun, parents were angry that administrators in the rural Lawrence County school district suspended her for being neighborly.

Administrators concluded that Laney, a bus driver for about six years, drove the man only a matter of yards to get him past some threatening dogs that were in the road.

John Thompson, transportation director for the school district, said Laney was suspended for 30 days, then was required to go through additional training as a bus driver. She's been back on the job for two weeks.

"She's an excellent employee," Thompson said. "We didn't want to lose her."

Parents had demanded that Laney be allowed to return to her route. When administrators relented, parents plastered Laney's school bus with signs and banners welcoming her back.

Lawrence County School Superintendent Jeff May said rules forbid drivers from picking up anyone other than children.

Laney said she recognized hunter Ralph Music and was certain he wouldn't do anything to endanger the 10 youngsters -- a group that included her own children and the hunter's grandson.

"I know I made a mistake," Laney said afterward. "I didn't realize he had a gun. I knew he was holding something. I thought it was a cane."

Her suspension sparked heated debate in the rural county, where hunters are a familiar sight this time of year.

Ronnie Blevins, the parent of three children who ride the bus, said the incident was blown out of proportion. He said Music is "a churchgoing man, and he would never hurt anyone."

Thompson said the school district's central office was swamped with calls and petitions from people who wanted Laney back.

Thompson said an unblemished record during Laney's career as a bus driver made it easy for administrators to limit her punishment to suspension and retraining.

"And parents love her," he said.