Online Chat
Fair Haven Grade School
March 7, 1997

[snowwhite] Maggie, there are 6 students now, they will be coming up in small groups

[Maggie] no, we don't receive video in, but I understand you will see Senator Leahy in a few moments.

[Maggie] why don't you start asking Senator Leahy some questions...

[PatLeahy] I'm here and looking forward to talking with you. Who wants to start?

[snowwhite] Dear Senator Leahy, Thank you for talking with us. My name is E.B. Sheldon and I would like to know what can be done with criminals who do not have to serve a full sentence because of overcrowding in the prisons? It does not seem right that they get to be back on the streets free.

[PatLeahy] I'm typing myself so excuse any mistakes please.

[snowwhite] That's fine, we are, too.

[PatLeahy] E.B. you ask one of the most important questions today. We have too many non-violent crimes filling up our prisons. Long prison sentences whould be reserved only for the most serious of crimes

[snowwhite] Val LaDuke feels that even individuals performing non-violent crimes must pay. How are they bewing handled if not in the priosons?

[PatLeahy] Val one thing criminals can do is to have to pay for their crimes. On some crimes it makes more sense to have the criminal out working and paying large fines or reimbursement to victims rather than have the taxpayers pay 35thousand dollars a year or more to lock them up. *** red (ircle@170.222.68.136) has joined #leahy

[PatLeahy] Today I am announcing $425,000 to Vermont on the safe and drug free schools fund. We can have criminals work to pay fines that go into these kind of funds.

[snowwhite] Christina Brown and many of her classmates are very concerned about the drug problem in this country. She wants to know if the problem is improving and what measures we are now taking to controil this very big problem?

[PatLeahy] I would like to see better education of the dangers of drugs, smoking , drinking, poor nutrition and so forth. We also have to encourage parents and their children to talk honestly and openly about this.

[snowwhite] Christina states that she has received, along with her friends, much education about the dangers and unlwfulness of drugs, but it still seems to be a major problem.

[PatLeahy] It is - the story of what happened in Massachusetts a few days ago with the overdose of prescription drugs is an example of what can happen. I have found that just as peer pressure sometimes gets young people to use drugs, positive peer pressure can help keep young people off drugs and alcohol.

[Maggie] now it is time for Senator Leahy to ask a question

[snowwhite] Our high school has a program of positive peers called SMILE working with the youth in our school. We hope that will happy al lot.

[PatLeahy] There have been reports in the Vermont press of gangs coming to Vermont peddling drugs, guns etc. Have you heard anything about this in your area? PJL

[snowwhite] The students report that there have been some members of a gang camping at Ranney's Rock here in Fair Haven. There have also been reports and press about gangs in Rutland.

[Maggie] you can go ahead and ask another question

[snowwhite] Senator Leahy, Our school nurse, Mary Waite who worked on your first campaign, would like to know if school nurses could be written into the Revision of IDEA under related services?

[PatLeahy] This is a matter before Sen Jeffords committee and I will work with him to make sure nurses are kept as an important part of reviewing students with special needs. You may be interested to know my wife is a nurse on a medical/surgical floor. I waved goodby to her a t 5AM today as she left for work.

[Maggie] we are going to have to close up soon -- how about 2 more questions?

[snowwhite] Mrs. WEaite thanks you and we would like wou to know that she is a critical member of our educational team. My names is Sue DeCarolis and I teach 6th grade and many of these students. My question is...Is the government considering subsidizing minimal wage earners so they can stay off welfare and make ends meet. As you know masny people in this state are making minimum and have two or three jobs. I personally feel they should get assistance.

[PatLeahy] There is a program subsidizing employers who hire people getting off welfare. The work I and others have done to keep a bridge Medicaid coverage is a big help also.

[Maggie] how about one last question from the students?

[snowwhite] Absolutely! First we sincerely thank you for this time allowing our students to take an active part in government. Matt Hunt's questions has to do with recent and not-so-recent bombings of public and government buildings. What is being done to protect people from such dangers and what is being done with the people who do these terrible things. Hillary Waterhouse would like to know how the government is preventing people from getting guns wityhout licenses.

[PatLeahy] I would hope that if any of the students come to Washington they will visit my office and let us show them how the Senate works - we've even had students here on a day when the President or the Vice-President have been at the Capitol and they have seen them.

[Maggie] senator leahy is now getting to the answer to Matt and Hillary's questions

[PatLeahy] In a democracy like ours we can never protect all our public buildings. What we have to do is try to catch people before they can set off a bomb and we often do. Those who do bomb buildings are terroists and should receive the most sever penalties.

[Maggie] senator leahy has to go to a meeting now. thanks for joining us!

[snowwhite] Hope it is a productive one and thanks once again for your time. Our conversation with you has made our day!

[PatLeahy] It has been the best part of my day too. Thanks for letting me come by. Hope to do it in person some time. *** Maggie (user01@199.75.225.115) has left #Leahy

[PatLeahy] Enjoy the weekend - I can't wait to get home and even do some skiing.