milos topic

If you remember my post from last week about a series of building closures on campus you will be happy to know that it has all come to an end.

Here’s a copy of an e-mail sent to all users earlier today explaining what took place yesterday.

Sent: Thursday, December 11, 2008 12:00 PM
To: allusers
Subject: [allusers] Campus Safety and Investigation Update

After intensive investigation by the Montclair State University Police Department in collaboration with the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, the New Jersey State Fire Marshall’s Office, the Wanaque Police Department, and the Little Falls Fire Department, an arrest has been made in the recent string of intentionally-set fires on campus.

The suspect, Steven Romano, a sophomore at Montclair State, is in custody and will be processed in the Passaic County Criminal Court. He was apprehended at approximately 11:45 a.m. on Wednesday, December 10, in the vicinity of University Hall moments after leaving the scene of a bathroom fire.

He has been charged with 13 counts of aggravated arson, a second-degree crime that carries penalties of up to $100,000 in fines and/or 10-12 years incarceration. He is currently being held on $200,000 bail.
We thank all members of the University community for extending their cooperation to the MSU Police Department during this investigation. The safety and security of our University is a high priority, and we rely on the cooperation of all our students, faculty, and staff to keep our campus a safe environment.

Chief Paul M. Cell
Montclair State University Police

All things considered, it didn’t take long at all to have this resolved and show that stupidity doesn’t pay. I’m glad that this is over and that people can focus on what they are here for, education and work.

This morning our campus community has been notified of yet another building closure:

From: msu-administration
Sent: Friday, December 05, 2008 8:25 AM
Subject: ADVISORY: University Hall Closed, 12/5 - 8:20 a.m.

University Hall is closed, 8:30 a.m. classes are canceled. Updated information will be provided shortly.

Over the past several weeks, a number of small fires have been set in two University buildings. The most recent incidents occurred in University Hall on Wednesday evening and this morning’s closure looks like another instance of the same.

It is sad and annoying that some moron finds this entertaining and enjoyable. This is clearly done by someone who is bored out of their mind and has never really experienced and appreciated life. If their IQ was in triple digits they would understand the seriousness of these actions and wouldn’t behave with such reckless idiocy.

I hope MSU Police and other involved law enforcement agencies get to the bottom of this as soon as possible and lock this poor excuse for a human being up.

For the up to date information, you can follow Montclair State on Twitter.

I normally stay away from sad news and events on this blog, but at times that simply isn’t possible. Today’s post is about the sad death of a Walmart employee that’s been on my mind since it happened on (in this instance appropriately named) Black Friday.

I can’t get over the fact that people have stampeded over another human being in order to get to the sales racks first. That level of selfishness, stupidity and pure animosity is something I’m having difficulty comprehending and understanding for three days now. How do you walk on someone and continue shopping; how do you destroy someone’s life and live with yourself; why do people turn into beasts when in large groups; why does the pack mentality overpower that of a sane, intelligent individual?

What’s even more frustrating, in addition to self centered animals who continued to shop is the fact that the store remained open. What was the manager in charge thinking, one of your employees has been trampled to death and you continue business as usual!? Whoever he/she is they should live in shame, embarrassment and public ridicule for the rest of their miserable life. It is also very ironic that this happened at a place of business whose part of the slogan is “Live better.”

Furthermore, I sincerely hope that surveillance tapes will bring to justice the herd who inflicted pain and ended a life of someone who was simply trying to open the doors and be helpful.

This is a very sad event in this country’s history and should hopefully make all of us stop, think and evaluate our priorities and actions as nothing should be valued more than an innocent life.

It is also sad to see how everyone has quickly turned their attention to another bogus “holiday”, Cyber Monday.