Role Models

tarar@herald-mail.com A military-style school for high school dropouts that once operated at the former Fort Ritchie U.S. Army base has filed a more than $300 million lawsuit in federal court against the PenMar Development Corp., that agency's former executive director, the Army and the U.S. Department of Labor. The suit, filed Jan. 28 in U.S. District Court in the District of Columbia by Role Models America Inc., the College Corps Management Services Inc. and the president and founder of those agencies, Robert Alexander, alleges that the defendants engaged in a "collaborative scheme of discrimination, sabotage, and conspiracy orchestrated to disrupt, discredit, defame, bankrupt and destroy" Role Models.

When my husband and I discuss a news story over dinner, I wonder how our children will respond. What questions will they ask? Do they understand the conversation or are they just waiting for a break in it to share what happened at recess? Some news stories are scary but easy to explain. This week's wildfires in California fit in that category. We've taught our children that fire is a tool to be used only by adults. When fire gets out of control, people can get hurt or may die. Even the youngest child can understand that concept.

No manners To the editor: What has happened to parents teaching their children manners, morals and respect for others? As I sat in my car in the CVS parking lot on Cannon Avenue in Hagerstown, I observed a group of children between the ages of 5 and 14 riding their bikes and skateboards into the paths of cars, and blocking the wheelchair accessible entrance and exit to the store. Two more children came from McDonald's with food and drinks. Needless to say all the trash went on the parking lot. When I asked them to pick up their trash and move out of the way so people could get through, they proceeded to curse me out and tell me they didn't have to pick up trash.

scottb@herald-mail.com Role Models America Inc. President Robert Alexander has filed a request for dismissal of a $20 million court case that the organization filed against the PenMar Development Corp., citing Role Model's lack of legal representation. He has had no attorney for the civil case for four months, Alexander said in a written request filed Monday in Washington County Circuit Court. Role Models operated a military-style academy for high school dropouts on the former Fort Ritchie U.S. Army base.

Sharp quotes from "Sharp Students" Grade 5 "Sharp Students" at Sharpsburg Elementary School recently talked about the positive character traits and behaviors that set them apart as role models for other students. "I was responsible," said Virginia Lefter, 10. "I turned in all my homework. " "I listened to the teacher's directions," said Amanda Bussard,10. "I was kind and respectful. I didn't pick on nobody," said Cody Myers, 10. "I was trustworthy," said Bradley Benedun, 10. "I made a deal with the teacher to work harder and I stuck to it. " "I was loyal.

charlestown@herald-mail.com MARTINSBURG, W.Va. - A 23-year-old Martinsburg man who died following a single-car crash on U.S. 340 Sunday in Maryland was on his way home from a party in Frederick, Md., where a friend was celebrating his 21st birthday, relatives said Monday. Derrick Jon Niewiadomsky's wife did not go to the party because she was not feeling well, said Deborah Fiol Niewiadomsky, Derrick's mother. "They have only been married a year and three months," Niewiadomsky's mother said.

scottb@herald-mail.com The U.S. Labor Department still wants Role Models America Inc. to repay $262,258 in questioned grant expenses, even though a Role Models attorney says the company has less than $200, Labor spokesman Chad Aleshire said Friday. Role Models, a military-style academy at the former Fort Ritchie U.S. Army base, was funded with a two-year $10 million Labor grant. The grant expired in May. Role Models was evicted from Fort Ritchie in July. A September 2001 Labor financial audit questioned $262,258 in expenses funded with the grant, including rent, a security deposit, furniture and a water-conditioning system at the Waynesboro, Pa., home of Role Models President Robert Alexander and his wife, Janessa, Role Models' chief executive officer.

laurae@herald-mail.com Smithsburg High School Assistant Principal Thomas Shepherd got the tip at 7:10 a.m. July 15 and within a half-hour, he was pulling up to the front gates of the former Fort Ritchie Army base with a box truck. Shepherd went there to collect items left behind by Role Models America Inc. when the military-style academy for high school dropouts was evicted earlier this month. Between eight and 10 Washington County Board of Education employees joined him in an effort that yielded hundreds of textbooks and fiction books and dozens of boxes full of science equipment.

scottb@herald-mail.com Role Models America Inc. was evicted Friday from the former Fort Ritchie base but the president of the military-style academy for high school dropouts said he thinks he can resume operations on the property this fall. "We are leaving and we will return," Role Models President Robert Alexander said. "Nothing is going to stop me. " Alexander said he has good leads on two corporate foundation grants, but he would not elaborate. Computers, books, desks, chairs and other property left behind by Role Models was put on Highway 491 in front of the base.