I was sitting at home watching tv when all of the sudden we lost power and I heard the wind picking up. I stepped outside to see some of the highest winds I’ve seen pass through the area in a long time. Where I live there wasnt a lot of rain or hail but the winds were incredible. I was watching debris from all over the nieghborhood getting blown down the street. It was then I got a call from my daughter who was in Decatur doing some shopping and she informed me that McDonalds sign had just blown away. The thunderstorm soon passed and the winds calmed down so I went on a tour to see the damage. Not only had McDonalds sign blown away but the Taco Bell and Arnold Drive thru signs were also gone. During my tour of town I noticed many streets block with downed power lines and trees across the roads. A couple roof and porches on Monroe street took some serious damage as well as many street signs and lights. I passed by one house who’s metal storage shed was twisted and unwrapped like a candy bar. It was amazing the amount of damage the thunderstorm did in such short a period of time. I have heard reports that it was a tornado but havn’t been able to confirm that as fact. It looks like Decatur will be spending much of the remaining weekend cleaning up from this nasty thunderstorm. I hope the cost aren’t nearly what the water damage repairs were during the flood.
Thunderstroms Rip Through Decatur Indiana
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59 Comments
what
Rebecca,
It’s true, I had a co-worker hit me up first thing this morning when he read it in the fort wayne newspaper. I found it on wane.com the local fort wayne tv station. Bellmont Middle School’s Chris Hakes was arrested and charged with shoplifting
While I understand “Rebecca’s” emotions with regards to the incident involving the middle school vice-principal, I think the real question is how is Mr. Mr. Hakes actions have no relationship with regards to the “public school systems” with the exception that they hire men and women who are, despite their educational achievements, human. I think the real question is how will Mr. Hakes respond to this incident. I would caution our society not to judge a persons character on the achievements and failures of our community leaders, but how they respond to such. If we remove our emotions from an incident and look at our own lives, I think each of us at some point has had an event that we are not proud of or thankful that it wasn’t “revealed”. Our best course of action is to wait and see what type of person Mr. Hakes is and not judge too harshly until we see the type of person are children do in fact learn from. Just my two cents on the matter.
This is really suprising as I used to be a substitute teacher, and he helped alot with the discipline in the classes that I was teaching in for the day. I am a bit dissapointed in his actions, as I am sure that he is well compensated for his work and does not need to be taking things that are not his. Isn’t this the lesson we try to teach our children, and live by???
Decatur seems to be the place where this type of thing happens. Just a few years ago the Singleton lady and the Concession Stand money incidents, the County Clerk taking money out of the Child Support Funds for personal use, the Police Officer who was terminated for hauling young minor girls around in his squad car, the Fort Wayne police officer who was convicted of stealing from the ’stolen goods room’ at the Police Headquarters while he was married to a Decatur Police Officer who did not know what her own husband was doing, and let us not forget the Decatur Police Officer who retired after an ongoing incident with the local Lumber Company and no charges ever filed (officially that is) and cost him his marriage or contributed to his wife divorcing him. The breach of public trust is common place and business as usual in this town and it is so unfortunate that it is the way it is. How many have just not gotten caught!!!!
Michael,
You are absolutely correct how Mr. Hakes handles this situation will show his true character. I perhaps was a bit over zealous in my initial reactions. It just amazes me how in our society today more and more of our trusted educators are getting caught doing illegal activities. This should not reflect poorly on the entire public school system as the bulk of our community’s teachers are upstanding citizens. This incident with Mr. Hakes is not nearly as bad as many of the nationally reported incidents that have become come public in the past few years. We’ll have to wait and see what becomes of it but I for one am still have the opinion that If convicted of shoplifting he should definitely not be in a position of disciplining students. A man with his credentials and educational background should know that when you are in a position of authority your actions outside of the office do have a direct impact on your job.
Decatur is a town where these types of things do happen. Decatur is a place where the right last name can get you anywhere. Hiring in the school systems tends to be a “who you know” not “what you know” ordeal. It is strictly political. The North Adams superintendent was fired at Monmouth and then rehired as a principal at another North Adams school, and now has made it all the way to the top; explain how that happens. If the school board and administration lack the skills to take the proper actions in these situations, then perhaps they should all resign and let people who are elected, and not appointed, do the job correctly. Chris Hakes’s true character was revealed when he was caught shoplifting, and how he handles the situation should not effect how we judge him. Chances are, this is not the first time that he has shoplifted, it was the first time he was caught, and chances are he is not sorry that he shoplifted, only that he was caught. It is unethical to let Mr. Hakes remain in an authoritive position. If he is to keep his job, it is telling our kids that disobeying the law is okay, and you will only get a slap on the wrists. No middle school child will have any respect for the man, and they shouldn’t. Why should they have to be disciplined for their actions by a felon if found guilty? Any other school district would fire the man no questions asked, but the political game at North Adams will allow him to stay. After all, it is the same school system that allows a volleyball player to cheat on ISTEP, a basketball coach to date a 17 year old player and drink with underage teens, and allows Ray Casey to teach at the school after being arrested for assault and battery. Any decent parent would question whether North Adams is an appropriate place you want to send your child. A school system is the fundamental building block of a child’s future, and what type of message are we sending our youth when they employ felons and other individuals that are allowed to teach or coach while being unethical. It is disturbing and the school system and board should be embarrassed by what they have allowed to go on.
Well put Rebecca. I totally agree with your position on this and believe Chris Hakes is a disgrace to our community.
When I said I was being over zealous I was refering more to the fact that I was condeming the entire public school system. As far as Mr Hakes character how he handles himself will going forward mean a lot in my opinion. If Mr Hakes owns up to this and takes the punishment he deserves that will go a long way in helping him to maintain what little character he has left. Everyone should be given the opportunity to make amends for the crimes they commit. I havn’t seen too much more about this in the way of public information and dont want to jump to any conclusions until all the evidence has been presented. I do stand by the fact that if he indeed was arrested for shoplifting he should immediately be suspended and if found guilty of the crime by the courts should be terminated and not allowed back into the school system.
The interactions our family has had with Chris Hakes leads me to believe he is a narcissist and above everyone even the law. If he is found guilty I hope that he is removed from his position. If he can steal from Walmart, I’m sure he has stolen elsewhere. There is a real serious problem when a man in his position would risk it all by stealing something he could easily afford. Dig deep and I’m sure there is far more questionable behavior.
Wow this post is definately digging up some dirt on the Decatur Indiana Community. I hope those reading from a far dont get the wrong impression of our fair city. While this incident and a few others mentioned in the comments have opened my eyes about the goings on of Decatur, I want those visiting to know that our lil town has some flaws but most living in the community are well worth getting to know.
I am disgusted by our school system right now. I have a child at each of the elem/mid and high school. We had I dont know how many teen age moms deliver this year. We had so many teen age girls sending topless pics of themselves around. One being the volley ball star/istep cheater. Did she get in any trouble? suspended? NO and you know what, neihther will Chris Hakes. The middle school already does not have a principal, he has retired. The new high school principal is all of 27 years old. Now the middle school VP is caught stealing?? Let me tell you, I feel sick. My family is NOT from Decatur, we moved here from FW. We thought Decatur was a warm and charming town. I wanted to be able to keep a close tab on my kids.
Mr Hakes must feel he is above the law and has no posistion being the main disciplinarian at the middle school. How much respect do you think he is going to get from his students and worse yet thier parents.
We need a complete over haul, and I hope Mr Sirk is prepared.
Fair city??!!!! Nepotism is what this city is about.
Cindy, YOU sure have that right on target!!!!! The former Mayor had his son in law as head of one of the Department’s for the entire 20 years of his administration. Nepotism at it’s best!!!!!! This town is bad and getting worse all the time unfortunately!!! With the continued loss of jobs in this town, it will be a complete Section 8 Welfare town at some point in the future!! Thank YOU Ralphy Biggs!!!! I DO HOPE that OUR new MAYOR (Shultz) does do smething to attract a large Industry Good Paying Factory to this town. Please Mr. Shultz, WE overwhelming elected you to HELP the Citizens of this Community in JOB development and growth, so please do the job for us in making it happen!!! YOU, Mr. Mayor have the experience in business to do it!!!!
I just stumbled across this site while looking for a news article on Mr Hakes. I have learned alot about this town I have been proud to call home. Like another poster I too am not “from” decatur-we made a decision to move here to raise our family. We have no family ties in Decatur but have created many life long friends here.
My heart is heavy with the recent events involving Mr.Hakes. Yes I knew about Mr Casey, and about the topless pic coming from the volley ball player who was caught cheating on the Istep and still permited to play with her state winning team. I had heard stories about the corupt law enforcement. I have seen 1st hand the section 8 apt Mr Biggs has brought into town.
To me this is the final straw. The Mayor must take charge, Mr Sirk must take charge of his staff. Changes need to happen and they need to happen fast.
Decatur is a nice city. We have a lovely bike path, we have family owned buisness that are thriving. We have plenty of churches and a great hospital system. We have a lot to offer, but the negative is over shadowing our good. We need to make a stand that we dont care who you are, or what your name is–we will treat you fair. There needs to be no more favoritism, staring at the top with the Mayor/superintendant/principals down to the kids sports team.
If you do right you will be rewarded, if you do wrong you will be punished. NO matter who you are or who you know.
I think this post may have got off topic. Yes Mr Hakes shoplifting is bad, in fact it is terrible. Yes Biggs building the section 8 apt in a city that does not even have jobs to offer these folks is a down right shame. Yes there have been many police officers who have thought through out the years they were above the law.
I think we will find things like this in other communities as well.
I am wondering how long this post will still be available to view.
I hope before it gets pulled someone in the Mayors office or North Adams can read what the people really feel.
OK, I get it. Chris Hakes was caught shoplifting $100 worth of electronics from Walmart. Has it occured to any one of you posters that perhaps there lies a deeper problem? Maybe he has issues and requires treatment. Think about it. You all know that he makes very good money. Why would he do such a thing? Think about how this affects his family. His son is a freshman this year… if Decatur is so awful, why are you all still here????
Why am I still here?? Well I own a home and have kids in school and have a good job. I think Decatur has ALOT of good to offer.
Yes of course Mr Hakes has issues–most shoplifters do. He should be treated like any other shoplifter. It does not matter that he has a child or a family. He should have thought about that before he shoplifted. As I am sure this is not the 1st time. I am sure he is intelligent to know that shoplifting is wrong. He is the Assit Princ at a middle school, I am sure he has delt with kids and stealing…I am guessing he has punished them too.
So at some point in his life he should have done some self examination and realized he had a problem and got help for it. Hopefully now he will.
I think the core of this post is things need to change in Decatur. The average citizens have had enough of the coruption. It should not matter your job or your last name on what you can and cant get away with.
I just want to thank the officer who actually arrested Mr Hakes vs sweeping it under the rug.
I think we will all be interested to see what happens to Mr Hakes. If he gets a slap on the wrist, or if he will be approipatly punished.
As I-Joe Noboday- can promise–if I was caught shoplifting. I would be held accountable.
I still live in Decatur, I guess cause I am waiting for change. In order to make change or show a need, I speak up. Change in this town is like an uphill battle. Its the haves vs the have nots. I feel very sorry for Mr. Hakes family, however, the issue is his position and the fact that teachers should be held to high moral standards. I will speak to my children that making fun of his situation or his children is cruel. As for the volleyball girl who did or didn’t take naked pics, I have sympathy for. She is a child. Kids do dumb things. Some dumber than others. With role models like Chris Hakes, we should expect more theives and cheaters. If nothing is done regarding his position at the school, what is this teaching our kids? If we all stick our heads in the sand about these issues, Concerned Mom, I guess Decatur is a great city. As for treatment, consequences such as jail time, fines, probation fit the bill. I hate it when people cry mental health issues only when they get exposed.
WE also need hard hitting journalism brought back to our local newspaper to keep our Public Officials on guard against doing things outside the law or on the ‘fringe area’ of violating the laws. Mr. Schraluka used to be hard hitting back in the late 70’s and early 80’s on taking Public Official’s to task for what was right and what is wrong!!! Mr. Schraluka has been ‘reduced’ to a mere Social Event and Remember the Good Old Days style of writer now!!! Remember, a Community that has no FREE right of PRESS to keep Public Officials on the up and up will lead to corruption and violation because of no PRESS holding these people up to scruitiny to the Citizens of the Community!!!! If the local newspaper would come back to hard hitting journalism on a ‘local level,’ we would see less corruption and the former ‘retired with full pension’ Policeman who stole from the local Lumber Yard would have never of had his incident(s) covered up at the time it came to light to the Lumber Yard! Mr. Schraluka, WE, as Citizens, deserve the kind of investigative Journalism that YOU used to do so bravely and greatly back in the early 1980’s!!!!!
WOW what a great town Decatur used be when I was a young girl. Lots of jobs, and a great place to live. Lots of activities to do. Now the jobs are no where to be found in Decatur—good decent paying jobs that you can actually live onthat is. My family moved away 4 years ago, as there were no employment opportunities to be found in Decatur or near. Bye Bye to the General Electric, Decatur Casting, Wayne Novelity. Examples. My parents worked at G.E. for over 40 years and I fully expected to stay put till my death, but no jobs to support my family, so we sold the house, that was in my husband’s family for 50 years and moved to Southern Indiana. Sold the house at a loss to unload it. I am close to where they are currently finishing up the Honda Plant. Yeah!!!
It is very hard to get a job in the school system unless you do subbing, and you will not always get picked for it either. Nor will you be picked to do a teacher’s aide position even if you sub for many years. Does depend you your name and who you know. I guess that I am glad my daughter is going to a different school system, as I worked in the local school system in Decatur, and by the time I lift town the system was net getting any better. All school systems have problems, but itis the degree of problems. It is interesting that the school lunches are less expensive in the school system in Southern Indiana. Could the free lunch program be soooooo big that the actual taxpayers haveto make up for the ones who take take take and not give back to the community???? I am very saddened by this situation with Mr. Hakes as I did have respect for him and he helped alot when the classes would not behave for me…this often happens during subbing for the teacher who is out as the kids think itis playtime…. but now the kids will have less respect for him and will not follow his discipline. I don’t know, maybe a huge overhaul is the right thing to do. We need Gary Geisler at the helm of the school, and or the school board…he cared about the school, and you obeyed Mr. Geisler…you just knew that you had to. I hope that they keep this site on,as Decatur People have a right to express their opinions. This is where they live and I really did not want to leave. But I am in a wonderful community, and would not move back to Decatur for anything. I have a lovely All American home that was built in Decatur, with a woods, and 2 and a half acres for half of the taxes that I paid on the house on Oakridge Place, and that was a nice community. Are the 17th street apt. low income apts. too. If they are, the property values probably went down further. I sold my home at a loss to get rid of it so I could move. I hope that the situation gets taken care of fairly, and that the school system is made better because of this. They need good upstanding citizens of Decatur, who care about the community to be leaders and who the kids will respect to teach the children, as the kids are the future. Sorry this was so long, but I still care about Decatur, and have a grave plot there, too. So I will be back someday…hopefully not for a long time. Please do not take this site off, as the people have the right to speak and leaders shoud read this, as YOU have put these people in office, and rea responsible to the community. The Decatur Daily Democrat newspaper once had a guest book, and many Decatur people wrote in and were mad about not having good paying jobs in Decatur, and the Decatur Daily Democrat pulled it. Tha was not fair to the people of Decatur. Thank you and I hope all is respectfully taken care of, and remember one of the 10 commandments is
“Thou shall not steal.” If you make money you should pay for what you want. I now teach preschool, and we try to instill in the 4 and 5 year olds that you do not take other classmates items, and to share in class. Sound like a life lesson to me!!!! Have a great evening and keep this site going!!!
The Middle School used to teach “Life Skills.” I think someone needs a refresher course on these. Just an opinion, but a true one. And a course in the reality store….
Georgiann, you are QUITE right about the laws on stealing should rightfully apply to all and remember that we ALL who play by the rules and pay for our good and services have to also pay in the price at the register a percentage applied as “making up for goods stolen” in that FINAL price!!! I wonder if the Citizens of this Community ever will know how much more they had to pay for their goods at the Lumber Yard because of no charges (on an official manner) ever being made by the Prosecutor against that former member of the Decatur Police Department. When you can have the option of retiring and get full benefits of a Taxpayer Paid Pension, what signal does this send to ALL members of this Community who DO play by the laws of Society???? Even though the Lumber Yard would not (officially) press charges, the State (Prosecutors Office) could have picked up the charges on that former Officer and let Justice be done!!!! Deaf Ears totally!!!!!
If he did the crime then he should do the time. This is the way others would have been treated. remember the 10 commandments. It says it all. Life Skills and Life lessons. Rmemeber Layaway…do not steal. I do not want to have to pay for what someone else took, but could afford to pay for. this is not right, and people who do this should be held accountable for this, and be made to pay for what they stole and court costs, and do public service too. People do look up to people in schools and postions of power. be honest and trustowrthy. especially for the children…be honest!
I’m glad everyone is making their opinions known. I have no intention of taking the site down and will always leave comments on the site so long as they are not spam or unfit for younger viewers. I’m just curious has anyone read anything about the Chris Hakes incident in the Decatur Paper or was Fort Wayne the only ones that covered it in the news. I’ve been working a lot of overtime and haven’t had enought time to see if any thing was posted in the Decatur newspaper about it. I didnt hear that there was an emergency school board meeting scheduled but dont have the details yet.
Having worked at the Decatur Daily Democrat, I can assure you that you will NEVER see anything about Chris Hakes in the paper except for whatever court records are printed. This is required by law, like sheriff sales or zoning meetings. Chris Hakes is the brother-in-law of Bob Shraluka, get it? The paper is owned by Horizon Publications out of Chicago and they are only interested in whatever monies they can squeeze from their advertisers. If any of you have a business, you know what I mean. They have gone through 3 publishers in 2 years. What does that tell you? Chris Hakes is not protected by NATA ( North Adams Teachers Association ) union, so her will probably be canned at tomorrows emergency school board meeting.
Sorry – typing too fast…so He will probably be canned….
The Democrat looks like it was put together by grade schoolers much less report accurate happenings. I have many cousins who are well known in this community and yes it is who you know that gets you anywhere here. This has done nothing for me because I have lived away from here until just recently and am not associated with the “name”, but as an outsider I definitely see that things here are not the same for everyone. From the local hospital( hiring practices) to local government it’s all in the name. If you wanted to take legal actions against one of the Elite you would have to hire an attorney from outside the area to even have a fighting chance because of the “Good ole boy” goings on here. I agree this is time for a change. Every one should be treated the same regardless of their name. If you do something wrong then you should be held accountable just like the regular “Joe”. My family has been here for generations, and I have always loved Decatur because it has meant home, but I have also seen the under the table dealings and the need for change for many years.
I did not know the connection with Mr Hakes the the Democrat/Shraluka–but n now it makes sence why FW had a story on it, yet Decatur did not.
I do know that with Joe Spaulding on the hospital pay role and the newspapers pay role, I dont think every thing we need to know about AMH gets published, except for what Mr Baird wants us to know.
I did not know about the emergency school board meeting, but can not wait to hear the results. Hopefully our fine paper will report!!
I know the teachers must sign a morality contract of sorts–then again,Mr Casey is still teaching and we all know what he did and was charged/convicted of.
So we will just have to wait and see.
Ok, now that we all agree about how things are done in Decatur who wants to write in Peoples Voice and sign their name (cause now that is required) and ask for support for change?? PS, the paper can print what they want. The paper won’t print bad news about a business that pays for advertisement to avoid loss of $, but they sure can hunt down the goods on people in the court and hospital like hound dogs. They pick and choose what they want to print. I can tell you that no one at the courthouse is on the payroll to be a messenger to the paper. Remeber when the paper used to print who was admitted and discharged from the hospital? Thank you HIPA, I don’t want people to know my medical business. The paper could have printed that the vice princ. was arrested.
Hi all – According to the July 17th Decatur Daily Democrat, the school board meeting is an executive meeting ( meaning closed to the public ) tonight at 7 PM at the administration building, to ” evaluate personnel “. I am curious about the arrest of Mr. Hakes. I imagine security cameras caught him, so the arresting officer was just doing his duty, however uncomfortable it might have been. This is all so interesting! I never thought I would be participaing in a blog like this at my age!
Concerned Mom,
Thanks for the information on the school board meeting. You’re never too old to participate in open discussions about issues in your local community. If more people took the time to voice opinions, especially in a small community like Decatur, then perhaps there would be more positive changes in the way things are run.
Well, Indiana News Center (21 and 33)and wanetv.com (15) both now know of this emerency meeting as I personally called each newsroom and talked to a reporter. I hope that they interview Bob Schraluka of the Decatur Democrat Newspaper also kn why this story has been so ‘low key’ in their media!! I wonder if the local radio station WZBD has even carried anything on it??
My concern is that if the local press is going to keep it as quiet as they have because of who he is. What happens when he gets to our local court in front of Judge Heiman who is a member of the St. Marys Catholic Church with Mr. Hakes?
HMMM ya think there are going to be any concerned parents picketing this “closed meeting”
I know my teenager asked if courts were open to the public cause he wanted to be there when Hakes goes in front of the Judge.
I bet a lot of teenagers would be there in the open court to see Mr. Hakes. I am just very sad that this happened, and very sad for the children, who are taught to respect these persons of power. I have always thought that the children who went to the schools in Decatur were great, and I wish that my youngest could have graduated from BHS like my oldest did and I did myself. Go BELLMONT Braves and Squaws…I do still somewhat keep up with some of the sports. Fight Bellmont…win!!!!!!
As rotten as this whole deal was, maybe it will teach all the kids a good lesson. Hopefully lesson learned will be do the crime and pay the consequences. If Mr Hakes has an ounce of charecter he will resign effect immediatly.
I hope all will learn not to steal, as I don’t want to have to pay for what they take when they can afford to pay for it. Mr. Hakes do the right thing, and we all know what that is. The kids will not listen to him anymore, and will not be able to provide discipline. He should be required to set up a scholarship for those graduating seniors that want to go into law enforcement. Have something good come out of this, too. Hope all have learned a lesson not to steal or you will pay for it in the end. Sure is very upsetting when someone you look up to does this, and the kids are to look up to also.
If this goes to court, I would find out if the general public is allowed to watch the proceedings. This would be interesting to find out, as this would be for one of the high profile citizens of the town.
Well I fell asleep before the FW news came on but since I have not heard anything I am assuming no reporting was done. So does anyone know the official word from the school board meeting last night??
As far as the cop who stole from Arnolds. Ya right he is not going to come forward and give up his pension..So does anyone know the real story on the Mr Casey incident? Did he just get charged with assaulting the store clerk, or did he get convicted of it. As just like Mr Hakes, if you as a teacher/educator sign a morality contract you should be held accountable. how is it he is still allowed to teach our kids?
Chris Hakes thinks he is above the law. He is not. He has taken action on our children for stealing items from the school. He will get what he deserves from the court of law. Decatur is great town and most of the people are the best in the world. However just like any small town we have some People who run certain aspects of our city that are, well less then qualified and not Elected into their office. Our school board is Appointed. Yes Appointed.. So what does it take to get on the Board.. You must be willing to agree with certain points of view. But I digress from the real issue. Mr. Hakes has made many enemies in recent years. He has had many controversies surrounding him. Yet the school board has done nothing. So he may not be above the law. But he must have the support of the Appointed School Board. It makes me wonder what does he have on them? Or what has he done for someone on the school board? Did he steal them something they wanted? The school Board has no choice but to let him go. This story should be front and center in the Local Paper. I wonder who they know on the school board to keep this as quite as possible. I for one will make sure that everyone I know finds out about this. Chris if you are reading this. You may want do the right thing and resign. This will NOT go Away…..
PS> Last minute Update— Rumor has it he is now in a mental facility on suicide watch…..Oh theres a stable guy….We should promote him to principle….or better yet make him head of the school Board…..
karan – i am not sure what casey was charged with, but he has a winning record with the speech team and has tenure. I am sure they made some sort of deal with him – probation or something. But I saw the owner of the antique store a few days later and she looked like she went a few rounds in the UFC! I know for a fact that the kids at bellmont would yell,” Oh please dont hit me, mr casey”, when he would pass in the hall. It’s a shame…
I have heard about this thing of the teacher hitting someone. I even subbed for him, and he was nice to me. But I would not again, as I would be afraid to do so now. Remember the kids are the most important thing to us, and they are the future. They do not have to be afraid that they will be assulted by a teacher. They should respect the teacher and the substitute teachers. Get rid of him. anger management?????? I guess that I would not let my kids be in his class now. My child had him, and is very saddened by this too, as she had respected him. too bad for Mr. Hakes, as he brought it on himself. There are many education graduates and administrative graduates that can do these jobs just as well, and would love to have these jobs to earn their money to support themselves and be good for our children. Get new people and clean house. for the safety and well being of the kids and for the parents sake too. For the school’s sake too!!! the good old boy system of getting jobs in the school just because you are friends with someone in power should be stopped also. This has happened,and I saw this happen. It is not fair that when someone else from Decatur is qualified that just because you(an out of town person) are good friends with a powerful person that you are brought into the school system and bother the subs and nothing was done, as you were the powerful person’s buddy. this has got to stop. not the right thing to be doing, as subs are also important to the school, as they take the place of the absent teacher. I do not work as one now,but have lots of respect for those who do. I hope that the subs are respected by the students and the teachers, as they do put up with alot of problems from some of the students…some times..not always, but a good portion of the time.
Remember to get new people in to make the school better for the kids.
Georgiann–I am sure Mr Hakes kids are good kids, I have good kids too. yet Mr Hakes saw fit to go above and beyond punishing my honor roll 6th grader. This was a child who loved school, got into the 6th grade around all new people and got a bit mouthy with another class mate. A class mate who had a known sports name. Mr Hakes made my child feel like dirt, should my child have been punished for being mouthy? Of course,did it need to go to the level it rose to, no way. Mr Hakes went over the top. He had his favorites, just like the police/hosp and school board have thier favorites.
Well if this has brought one thing to light it is that the favortism of Decatur has to stop and it has to stop now!!!
I want to give Mark Cook a hug for doing not only what was right but actually doing the job he is paid to do. If more people would just follow that advice “Do the job you are paid to do” our town would thrive…
I still dont know what happend at this school board meeting, it is now Weds morning. I think we as parents have the right to know, I think we as citizens have the right to know. Why is the newspaper keeping this information from us? Every day they do not report my disgust for them grows.
Upset mother – The good old boy system is alive and well at the Decatur Daily Democrat. You will never see anything in the paper about the Chris Hakes thing. The editor is his brother-in-law…
Upset Mother,
It’s nice to hear that others in the community are finally making their way to my site. I originally created it hoping that it would give Decatur residents a place to speak their mind, inform the public of upcoming events, and help to promote some local businesses and charities. I must say I was shocked at the amount of attention this one post has brought. I hope you were told good things about the site. Just so everyone reading is aware I usually don’t bring up such emotional issues, but I was very disappointed in the lack of news coverage this was getting elsewhere. That’s not to say I won’t make other issues of this nature known to the public, It’s just not my primary reason for the site. Due to my heavy workload at my day job, I’ve had a hard time finding out any more information about this particular issue and am pleased others have contributed. If and when more news about Chris Hakes is available I’ll make sure and get it posted.
Thanks,
Admin
Wimzit.com
I too have had many people say to me “did you see the blog about Chris Hakes” I know a copy of this blog was circulating around at least two buisnesses, one being Adams Memorial.
I was upset hearing of his antics, but oh my I did not realize just how many parents in Decatur did not like that man. I think this is a great forum, I myself have found myself checking it many times a day to see what new may be posted. I have also snooped around some of your other blogs, I apprecaited the one about Scotts/Kroger and can relate. So yes I think you site will start get more “regulars” joining, togather maybe we can band togather and start a change–or at least keep each other informed of Decaturs events good or bad.
Well, my calls to wane tv paid off anyway on them interviewing Mr. Hakes! I just can not believe that Superior Court (Heimanns Court) accepted the charges being reduced to a Class A Misdemeaner instead of the Felony Stealing!!!! Hakes only gets one year Probation and HE did not say anything about resigning his position. HE just said that you admit your mistakes and go on!!! What craziness is this!! I hope hat the Citizens of this Community will be outraged on this and DEMAND TO BE MADE WHOLE by the School Board TERMINATING Mr. Hakes!!! I also wish that our NEW Mayor (Schultz) would ask for an investigation on the entire story of the Decatur Police Officer who retired (and I use the word retired loosely) in 1997 because he had the choice of retiring or face the Prison term for stealing all that lumber from the Lumber Yard!! We, as Citizens of Decatur, should not have to be made to participate in paying with our Tax Dollars a Pension to a Criminal who just had the ‘title’ of Policeman!!
When I subbed at the Middle school, I did see some favorites of this man. I even went to talk to him about a student being punished to harshly, and I was the wrong one….my plea for the kid fell on deaf ears. there are favorites at the high school too. I once had a class that was being very unruly…freshman english, and the teacher who was a basketball coach, at the time, got all of his players out of trouble as I wrote him a note and told him who was causing trouble in HIS class for me. He just talked to them, and they all got off/out of trouble. I never accepted an assignment to be in his class ever again. He took away any authority I had in that class, and subs have it hard in many classes anyway. The kids should have had to atleast had to write a paper or something. I hope the board does the right thing, and does something right. Yes kids do some really dumb things at times, but don’t make them dislike school or take authority from teachers who earn respect from the kids.
I wonder if a kid would say you admit you mistakes and go on would help to get an easier punishment from him???? Makes me wonder…..this is not right.
the kids will not listen to him now. you forgive mistakes…really bad ones…but you never forget. I remember some teachers that I had who humiliated me infront of my classmates and I have never forgotten it. I was glad to get to BHS to get away from those teachers.
Well thanks to WANE tv, and shame on our school board for not returning calls. Shame on the judge for accepting such a weak plea, shame on Chris Hakes for even considering taking such a weak plea in front of a judge. Shame on Walmart for accepting such a weak plea—maybe now we can all steal from walmart, what are we gonna get? banned for life–oh no!!!
and biggest shame of all to the DDD for not even reporting news that was worthy of Ft Waynes 1st 3 minutes and we didnt even get a line in the newspaper and it was in our town, at our school???
Ya, this sucks.
and I am not good with faces, who was his lawyer??? Big Shame on him too….next time one of my kids gets in trouble, I am going to get them to memorize the Chris Hakes quote and repeat it verbatum
So thats it? Its done? he plead guilty to a mis A and the judge accepted and no more??
Is he going to have to do any type of work release or classes?? Does he have to pay any restituion or fines?
Hes off and the school board has no comment??
IC 35-43-4-3
Conversion
Sec. 3. (a) A person who knowingly or intentionally exerts unauthorized control over property of another person commits criminal conversion, a Class A misdemeanor.
After reading all of the comments on Mr. Hakes, I think there are a few things that need to be brought to light. We all agree that what he did was a crime and he should lose his job. I think that will happen, but many of you don’t realize that the school board cannot just fire him without going through the proper channels etc. It is different than a job in the private sector, where they could fire that person on the spot.
Unfortunately all of this gives the Middle School a black eye, but BMS will survive. It has many wonderful teachers, administrators, and staff that care about the kids. It is unfair that the school is being judged due to Mr. Hakes actions. After reading through this post, one thing is evident. Human beings make mistakes, even those in positions of authority. I agree that there was a conflict of interest in the fact that Judge Heimann was the judge who heard Mr. Hakes case. Judge Heiman’s daughter was hired by Mr. Hakes as a track coach and she also dealt with him at the school due to her job working with troubled kids at BMS. This doesn’t matter at this point, except we can make a difference. Those of you who are on this post and complaining about how Mr. Hakes screwed your kid and you, why don’t you get more involved in volunteering at your child’s school. You may then see the lack of discipline many of these kids have. Many of them don’t have positive role models or anyone for that matter in their lives who teach them that hard work and making the right choices is the way to live. Teachers have a very difficult job, they have to be a parent many times to kids, they hear horror stories about what kids go through at home, then when they act out and get in trouble at school, they get yelled at by parents for caring about their kids. I don’t think Decatur is any different than any other community except there does seem to be a large amount of free housing and people who claim to be disabled. But this is how these people were raised and brought up. My heart goes out to Mr. Hakes family. They did not make the choice to steal, he did, but they have to deal with all of the criticism. I think everyone needs to relax and let the school board and Mr. Sirk do their job. Remember, it is easy to sit and criticize others but do you really know the whole story? Remember about a year ago when the Decatur Police officer hit his step-daughter and was found not-guilty? He was suspended with pay. This is just how our system works. Also those of you who are praising Mr. Cook, need to know he is not as perfect as you all may think. He should have arrested Mr. Hakes, that is his job. Is adultery a crime?
I dont think anyone is saying the school board needs to just fire him. We just want a statment from the school board on thier intentions.
Should he be fired? yes, they also need to follow the proper channels which they will and that do not take that long. Mr Hakes should not contest his firing.
As far as the police man that hit the step daughter, he was ultimatly fired. He contested his firing.
Mrs Hakes had to know her husband was stealing. I know my husbands bank account and how much comes in and goes out. This could not have been the 1st time he pulled such a stunt, it was just the 1st time he got caught.
The fact that he would chose to steal from such a large store that obviously has cameras, shows his total lack in judegment. The problem wiht principals ( I speak from a long line of educators-some being in Admin roles) is they feel a false sence of “I am the king of my domain” This unfortunatly has carried over into his every day life. Mr Hakes feels as if rules do not apply to him, and trust me a wife would know if her husband had that attitude. He needed help along time ago, maybe now he will get it.
Ok I have tried to stay out of this….but DO NOT bring his wife into this…..I know she would not have just sat by and let this go…she would have gotten him the help he needs….
Lola, FYI, the last time I check adultery is NOT a crime. And don’t bring rumors up like that. That is more hurtful than any of the previous postings.