I’d say 1 yr. probation, public humiliation and i’m sure there will be some action by the school board as sufficient punishment.

I’m not sure what the normal sentence is for shoplifting but since they accepted a plea agreement I’m sure probation fits that crime. I’m just as upset with our local newspaper for not covering this. It will be interesting to see if they have anything in tomorrows paper.

After watching News channel 15 (because our newspaper is to chicken to cover this story) I was not surprised that our chicken $#!* School board did not return their calls. All the school board is going to do is wait for this to blow over and act like nothing ever happened!

We’ll have to wait and see if the School board decides to take any action or not. It doesn’t really suprise me that they didnt return any calls

As assistant vice principal, Mr. Hakes is responsible for the discipline of middle school students. This is the man to whom teachers and staff send their unruly students. He can assign detention, in school suspension, even expulsion. It is my belief that Mr. Hakes has rendered himself useless in that arena. The respect he commanded has been erased and, in the student’s eyes, has been replaced with ridicule. The best thing he can do for himself and his family is transfer somewhere else…

Yeah it might be best he just move on. FYI The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette also ran the story in this mornings paper
http://www.journalgazette.net/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080724/LOCAL/807240317/-1/LOCAL11

I agree with the above–Mr.Hakes no longer has any respect with in the school system or its student body.
He will no longer be an effective Vice Principal with the choices he made.
Shoplifting is NOT an accidental crime. Mr Hakes had to plan his shopping spree–”whose around”-”who is watching” This was an intentional “mistake” he made. My gut is telling me it was not the 1st time he committed such a crime.
My main source of disgust right now comes from our own alleged newspaper. How can a town this size chose not to cover a story so big that effects so many parents? I dont care who your brother in law is. Journalist are paid to report the news. They did not do this.
Once again, if the folks of Decatur would simply do their jobs they are paid to do, Decatur would be a better place.
Thank God Mark Cook did his job last week.

What can we do? Well I for one know this has taught me to become more active with in my community. So I will be attending the upcoming open school board meeting and will ask questions concering Mr Hakes employment and role with in the school system. I have never been to a school board meeting and do not even know if there is a format on open questions, but I think just the presence of parents will shout the message that we do care about who is in charge of our children when we deliver them to school each day. If anyone wants to join me you can meet me at: The admin building
—Tuesday, August 12, 2008, 7:30 PM,
I would hope before this meeting we will finally get a statment from Mr Sirk on what North Adams intentions are with Mr Hakes.

The Decatur Daily Democrat would make a good paper for a bird cage or dog kennel. This situation is really not good for the school system or the students. I hope that the school board will make the right decision for all concerned. Remember our students are the future of the community, and need great role models to look up to, and aspire to be like.

I noticed that Decatur Daily Democrat has added a small blurb about the story to their website today. I don’t take the paper so couldn’t tell you if it was actually printed or not. Better late than never I guess.

Well it took 9 days for the paper to finally write some sort of article on Mr Hakes. Wow—thats reporting at the speed of light!!! They probably didnt even write, probably just cut and pasted it from the Journal Gazzette.
Maybe the school board will make a statement before Aug 18th.
It is not like I thought the man should get the death penalty or anything–but the signs in the walmart dressing rooms say that shoplifting is a felony–not a misdemeanor of conversion!!!

Considering it was the 1st time Mr Hakes was caught shoplifting, I suppose the punishment fits the crime. I do though hope the school board does suspend and ultimatly relive Mr Hakes of his posistion with in North Adams. I do not see any other choice.
I too am ashamed at our local papers negligence in reporting.
Funny the only reason I even found this site was because I went to do an online search looking for some sort of reporting on the matter–and boy did I find out alot about Decatur!!!

Everyone needs to go to wane.com and it will kick up their site. On the bottom of the page you can type in general comments. Do like I did and type in that you thank Drew Blair and the entire Channel 15 NewsTeam for covering what the Decatur Paper would not cover!!!

Thanks george–maybe we can attach a link to this site too.

Never mind–I went there, I thought it was a forum where you could read other peoples comments. BUt yes I will thank them for thier coverage

did anyone in decatur get a paper today?i did not go figure.

Karma- The Decatur Daily Democrat is actually printed in Columbia City at the site of their sister newspaper. They had a problem with the printing and the papers will be late. When I called, I was told I should have my paper at 6 or 7. Hmmmm…It’s after nine…still no paper. I think what people do not realize is that the Democrat is not your ” hometown newspaper ” anymore. Sometime, Google Horizon Publications and see what dirt you bring up. It’s appalling. I wish we had a real paper. One that covers more than just high school sports and 4H. The Democrat gets smaller and the advertisements cover 50% or more of each page. Oh well, I get all my news from the Internet anyway!

I hope that the lawyer’s who represent any ‘regular’ person (without connections) caught shoplifting at the Decatur Wal-Mart will cite the case of “Indiana Vs. Hakes” on shoplifting, and ask for the same sentence of being reduced to Class A Midemeaner for Criminal Conversion. Remember, the LAW and JUSTICE in theory, are to be applied ‘EVEN HANDEDLY’ to all!!!! Our System of Justice tells us in ‘words’ that no-one is above the law!!! So, remember the new Precedent that has come out of the Chris Hakes Shoplifting Case.

Speaking

I’ve heard that about that family, someone should do something if this is true.

This type of situation is not something the school board can just have a knee jerk reaction. There may be situations the school board is dealing with that we may not know about. I am positive the school board will not let this slide under the carpet!

OTB,
Thanks for clearing up the relationships between Chris Hakes and Bob Shraluka. If you don’t know what this was in ref to you can read the comments by Concerned Mom http://wimzit.com/2008/07/16/bellmont-middle-school-vice-principal-chris-hakes-arrested/. I had to close the commenting on the other post as it was just getting too big.

I have enjoyed reading the mass amount of postings—I have learned more about my town than I think I wanted to know. But knowledge is power and for that I am grateful.
This post has made its way around many buisneses and high school sports teams. I think this is a good forum to keep folks on thier toes. I did not like the adultry comments as even though that is bad, that is also personal. The volley ball player that made some pretty big mistakes, was a kid. Kids do stupid things, I know my own kids have. Maybe her punishment or lack of was light –I know the Hall boys also have had pretty light punishments and court dates pushed back so it doesnt effect the season. Life is not fair. Never has been, never will be. Hakes was punished,it was not slid under the rug. I am positive the school board will take appropiate measures concerning his employment, they will follow the proper channels. This incident has got Decatur talking that is for sure. So maybe some good has come out of it.
I will keep tuned as I am sure there is more to come!!

Admin–can you tell how many hits this site gets a day? It would be interesting to know..

some basic stats can be seen from the Indiana Top Sites by clicking on the banner in the right hand side bar. I’m not sure how accurate they are as they are only showing around 750 this week. My other stas software shows 1350 users so far this week. This particular topic seem to have hit a nerve as my regular traffic is between 50-100 per day. But the site now has some age to it and is getting some exposure so i’m sure it will grow. It will depend primarily on the posts I make and how I decide to promote the site. This site if mainly designed for the local community with some ads thrown in to cover my hosting fees. I run others that are designed soley for making money but this isnt one of them.

What about the V Ball Coach?

Wise33 has a story today that states:
“Hakes wouldn’t talk to us on camera, but he told me over the phone that his attorney is working with the attorney for the district, to see what can be hammered out in terms of his keeping his job.”

Good luck with that mr hakes. There is also a poll on that site, asking the question should mr hakes be able to keep his job and there is a message board attached to the story.

you can find it at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25840136/

wise33 has a new story today that states mr hakes is working this his attorny to try and keep his job.

Ok just to let everyone know I have now set the comments to moderation mode. Any comment you post will have to be approved before it will be visible to others. I’m doing this for two reasons. 1. To keep gossip down 2. To protect the site and readers from getting hurt. Please refrain from listing people by name unless it is public information, mentioned in the post or directly relative to the topic. If you have any questions please email me and I’ll be happy to answer them. Thank you for your cooperation.

i allways thought gossip was just false information, this information is all true. and for people getting hurt, if we live our lives as we should then we would not hurt anyone. we all make choices some good and some bad. so if we choose to make poor choices and i think a good punishment is for us all to know about it.

didnt mean that things werent true I just wanted to be proactive so I could prevent things I know not to be true from accidentally getting published. I’ve yet to delete anyones comments and unless they are completely out of line rest assured they will get published

I hope that this site posts some ‘polling questions’ on how to bring Industrial Jobs of Middle Income Pay back to Decatur. I am talking about semi-skilled and skilled labor jobs that pay $15.00 and higher with a good benefit package in order to make it worthwhile for the City Administration to offer Tax Incentives to this type of Industry to move New Jobs here. I truly see this new Internet Site as being a movement site to help move mountains to make Decatur a much Better Place for ALL Citizens of this Community, if this site is used constructively.

Does everyone know that at North Adams schools a Administraitor is the Judge -Jury an EXECUTIONER..Should Mr.Hakes keep his job ? Also a few years back Mr.Hakes filed charges against one of the softball players mothers (SAYING)she poked him in the chest with her finger -He pressed this case for months and drug this woman thru the dirt telling everyone he seen she was going to be convicted of a class D felony if she did not admit to the charges against her.There were witnesses (girls from the team)wrote depositions on what they saw .Hence after almost a year messing with our city prosecutor and spending thousands of dollars this players mothers charges were dropped.. But our city prosecutor pressed her many many times to plead guilty to a lessor charge .. She didnt knowing deep down in her heart that she did NOT touch Mr.Hakes

I would also like to tell you how he became our girls softball coach.First of all he totally harassed the old coach by starting rumors about her to certain teachers at the middle school thus letting it trickle down to her knowing it would upset her..Secondly teaming up with Bellmont High Schools old Principle and the A.D. (THE CLICK)So he gets the clicks support after he does his best in getting the old coach to resign sighting family and stress.Now here is the good part- the x-coach then speaks her piece to the school board on his application to be softball coach -nonetheless he still gets the job . Then heres the kicker our X PRINCIPLE pulls the x softball coach into his office and tells her that he can Fire her for insubordination and from now on walk the fine line ! I think our school board needs to take a good look at that situtation also and get rid of our sitting A.D. AND APOLIGIZE to the X softball coach…..

Geoge—we own a small buisness here in Decatur nd have been trying to hire a skilled mechanic in wiring and diagnostic tuning of GM/Chrysler high performance cars. We have run 2 adds in the FW paper and an add in the DDD. We have yet to find one qualified candidate. All of our employees right now live in FW and Bluffton. THe gas prices are killing them, and the folks who have this skill are not willing to drive down to Decatur as we can only pay them going rate 14-18 an hour, same rate they can make working in FW.
At this time our only choice is to hire a 10.00 an hour kid and train them. As the youth of Decatur are hard working. The problem lies with those who go to school and get the skills then move out of town.

You could not fire the A.D. soon enough he has harrassed the football coach to death.School Board member, please see what the A.D. does(or doesn’t do) and fire him as soon as possible, b4 something else comes down the pike!

hey OTB you out there you seem to have the inside scoop on BHS athletics.

The respect is gone, and he committed the crime. He needs to go. (MR. HAKES) The right thing is to resign. I know adultery is not a crime, but aren’t our public officials held to a higher degree of respect. This all brings up a good point that we as a community should expect our community leaders, police force to be exceptional role models and follow the ethical codes that they have been sworn into.
If they fail to do so, they should be punished as anyone else that has committed a crime. I don’t know if all this goes on in other communities but I feel our city tends to look the other way when you don’t have a certain name, title or position. It is time to be fair to everyone, Decatur.

Besides being a thief Chris Hakes is also a racist. He fired my daughter-in-law whe is Spanish several years ago from a coaching position so he could hire one of his sweetheart friends

Evan: YOU need to file a complaint with the Metropolitan Human Relations Commission at the City County Building in Fort Wayne!!!! This needs to go on record and your Daughter-In-Law will have to file the complaint.

I have an open question. What does an AD do? I graduated from high school in another state and we did not have one. Why is such an emphasis put on athletics?

If the orginal situation did not happen, then people would not have expressed opinions about stuff. This site had really opened up a can of worms. Looks like the people want change and equality. I am just very sad that the orginal situation happened. I hope something good comes of it.

He should not keep his job………..However, we are still in the dark ages and operate our school system with an appointed School Board….That way no one on the board can be voted out of office for being remiss in their duties. In this town that is how it works.. If go to the right church, sleep with the right people, have the right last name you are pretty much above the Law… everyone in this town could tell at least one story that is true about the favoritism that goes on here. I am not one of those in the inner circle of trust (or shall I say untrust) but I do know a fair amount of them very well. Follow the money!!! and there you will find the ones you are looking for whether it is a contract reward or having a vacation home subsidized because you steered a decision in favor of one contractor or another.. Or you had a “moment of indiscretion” and it gets swept under the rug. This is your wake up call, that is how the system works not just here but everywhere from the local scene to the Federal Government. Just follow the money and you will find the answers……If you want to change the way things work it will not be easy and we will all have to stick together to make it happen. I propose that if the school board does not fire Chris Hakes but the first day of school that everyone who can shows at the school to protest and call the Fort Wayne Media to make sure the story gets covered.. Who wants to step up and be organizer?

Appointed School Board, I agree with your statement of biased government at local, state, to federal level. You are so right on the mark. However, I’m not sure your plan to protest at school is productive for the kids. I feel your frustration. Count me in if you attend the school board meeting and need a group to be heard. I’m not sure what it takes to get appointed to the school board. My understanding is that once you toss your hat in the ring, the city council is who votes. Is this correct?? If so, this needs to change.

Cindy - I agree with you. Even though it makes me sad to think of Mr. Hakes back in his office at BMS on August 18, picketing isn’t the answer. It is VERY frustrating!

I’m not sure what the right answer would be. Kind of at a loss for words on this issue at the moment. I know that’s hard to believe:)

I for one am going to the next schedualed school board meeting, they better bring in extra chairs as I know lots of people are planning to attend. I also know of many others who say the same.
Fact is, I do belive Mr Hakes will be a North Adams employee come Aug 18 and he will be greating our children at the door.
As disgusted as I am with him, I am twice as disgusted with the prosector who accepted that plead of Misdemeanor.

My sister works for procecutor in another county. She said that is pretty much standard for “first time offenders.” That is, getting the felony dropped to conversion, a misdemeanor. Someone pointed out eariler on the blog that Walmart posts on its walls “Shoplifting is a felony.” They should put in small print, “unless its your first time getting caught.” lol What a shame for the teachers there to have to listen to this and wonder the outcome. They have some awesome teachers. Mrs Johnson, the science teacher, how cool is she?! I’ll pull my other boy out of private school just to have her for a yr. No matter what the outcome, this too shall pass. All we can do is ban together and be heard.

Next meeting is August 12 at 730PM at the administration building. I will be there for sure, but unfortunately my paycheck says North Adams Coomunity Schools, so I may not say anything!!!

I just wish that we had a newspaper and radio media in this County that would hold our Public Officials (whether elected or appointed) up to public scruitiny and accountability to the Citizens of this Community in general. The local paper of Decatur and Berne as well as the local radio station are not ‘tuned in’ when it comes to Investigative Journalism at all. It is a very sad thing that I had to call the Fort Wayne Media (Television and Newspapers) to cover a story that should have had total dominance in the two newspapers and the radio station that this County has.

all to often I think local papers in small towns are there just for coverage of local events and supply an advertising avenue for local businesses. Most small town papers are much the same as the Decatur Daily Democrat in my opinion. But it is a shame when they could be so much more.

What happend to the VB coach? It was deleted

I had issues over the weekend with the hosting company server crashed but I didnt think anything was lost.

Jim, which vollyball coach are you thinking about????

The Bellmont coach

concerned mom…………if your paycheck says North Adams, you know it’s illegal to picket, you are a government employee

Appointed School Board - surely you aren’t stating that this statement located on the North Adams Community Web sight has the possibilty of being false…..Nondiscrimination—North Adams Community Schools will not discriminate against any employee or student because of race, color, ethnic background, religion, sex , national origin, age, and/or disability.

Sylvia - uhhh… I never said I would be picketing. If you read my prior post, I said picketing is NOT the answer. I am fully aware of my rights/responsibilities. Thanks anyway.

Everyone who is writing please take time to read this. You really shouldn’t be so quick to judge.

Saints & Sinners

When someone yields to temptation
And breaks a conventional law,
We look for no good in their make-up
But God! how we look for a flaw!
No one will ask, “How tempted?”
Nor allow for the battles they’ve fought
Their name becomes food for the jackals,
The “Saints” who have never been caught.

“They have sinned!” we shout from the house-tops,
We forget the good they have done,
We center on one lost battle,
And forget the times they have won.
“Come, gaze at the sinner!” we thunder,
“And by their example be taught,
That their footsteps lead to destrustion,”
Cry the “Saints” who have never been caught.

I’m a sinner, O Lord, and I know it,
I am weak, I blunder and fail.
I’m tossed on life’s stormy ocean
Like a ship that is caught in a gale.
I am willing to trust in Thy mercy,
To keep the commandments Thou’st taught,
But deliver me, dear Lord, from the judgement
Of the “Saints” who have never been caught.

Now after reading this, can you look within yourself and honestly say you’re not a sinner?

Nice poem and it is very true–we are all sinners. I think our point of contention concerning Mr Hakes is he is not being held accountable to his “sins” He is stating he is working with his attornies to try and keep his job–is that best for the kids he is paid to mentor? How will the respect be there for him in that role—where are the people he has “helped” in the past, why are they not posting all the good he has done. Mr Hakes did not wake up in July and decide he wants to be a shoplifter today, this was a demon he has been fighting, has he taken any resonsibilty in getting help for this demon?
Yes we are all sinners, and we should not judge, but does that mean we are to sit back and not voice our opinion concerning the man paid to mentor our children?

But the way you are going about it is not right! You are blasting this poor man and picking at his every flaw. Would you do that to a recovering alcoholic or someone with another problem? If this is your way of expressing your opinion it is no better than shop lifting. What you are doing can affect a person forever. Yes, he broke a conventional law and God’s law, but doesn’t God teach that we need to be repentful? Doesn’t he also teach that we need to help those who are having hard times? What about the sinner who washed Jesus’s feet? He forgave her, and was given a second chance. This man is probably at his lowest, and right now is when he needs the most help. We are taught to come together and help those in need and right now he is in great need. We could help him over come this and make him a better person. And maybe he won’t have all the respect of the children but the mature responsible ones will say, “Yes what he did was wrong, but we can learn from are mistakes”. I’m sure all of us have demons, and in time we will face them. He just happened to be a public figure so everything he ever does is scrutinized.

Sure we can help him , forgive him and recognize his flaws are no worse than our own but this does not mean he needs to be left in a place of authority over children. When Christ was in the Temple and threw out the moneychangers did he go back set their tables upright and allow them to continue their business? NO he threw them out. The public school has thrown the Bible out of the classroom long ago and it should not be used as a defense to keep any teacher or admin in their postions. Just my opinion on the matter.

While I believe some of the comments may be a bit to personal the incident has raised some good questions.

1. would everyone in town get a Felony decreased to a lesser crime? 2. If it was you or I wouldn’t It have made the local paper? 3. Is is morally ok to ask someone to step down or fire them when they commit a crime?

I think there are a couple good things that can come from this discussion.
1. Maybe people think twice about what they do.

2. Perhaps the community will become more involved in the local politics and their school system.

I dont think the best way to help him is to let him back into his role of Assistant Principal—how would that be helping him??? If he was a banker and was caught stealing money, would the bank let him keep his job? If he was an plumber and was caught stealing pipes would they let him keep his job?
He is paid to do a job, that job is to mentor/educate children. Children in my opinion at the most vulnerable time in thier lives, 6-8th grade is when they really find themselves, those are the ages where they become the kids they are going to be in High School. No one here is saying Chris Hakes deserves to be burned at the stake, or that he shall be banned from all forms of gainful employment. But he should not be mentoring our children. Obviously Chris Hakes has some demons inside…these issues are not going to be resolved in 6 weeks. He is in no posistion to walk right back into his former life being the Vice Principal right now—maybe some day, but not this school year. He needs help, and he needs the time to find that help. It is not an easy fix.
I hope he finds another job and can support his family, but not at my childs expense.

YOU CAN NOT TEACH A CHILD RIGHT FROM WRONG IF YOU DONT KNOW YOURSELF!!This man does not belong in our schools teaching, disciplining, coaching or any other position that puts him in authority. Im all for him working and supporting his family but he needs to do it somewhere other than a school.

Needless to say I was a little upset with the outcome of Mr. Hakes court date. While doing some research, I discovered that Indiana is the only United State that does NOT have a minimum dollar amount for it to be considered a felony! So, in other words stealing a pack of gum is a felony in the state of IN!!!!!!!! Stealing is a crime no matter the amount, letting him get off with a misdemeanor is a shame.

A few years ago Hakes made it perfectly clear to the media, and was printed in the paper “I am the right person for the job” (Softball Coach), it is also my understanding that No Admin. personel was to have any coaching job, but the school board voted for this man anyway, with the exception of ONE GREAT MAN “Gary Geisler”. Hakes thinks he is the right person, when he is only a “THIEF” this is NOT the right person for any Coach or Teacher, or Asst. Principal. HAKES MUST BE FIRED, if not he will go to another school an do the same thing, mentally hurting the kids, I am all for the kids, and any person that places the wrong thing in there minds “being a thief” is not THE RIGHT PERSON FOR THE JOB!!!!!!!!!

I think the school board is on the right path to doing what needs to be done concerning “Mr Takes” they cant just out and out fire him today, there is a process and they must make sure all the i’s are dotted and the t’s crossed.
As we all too well know that “Takes” will not step down graciously–he will, has stated and is in the process of fighting his termination.

On a seperate yet diff note, anyone happen to see Mr Sirk at any of the registrations? I did and he looks about 20 years older, face was gaunt and eyes had bags. What a way to spend the last half of summer. “Takes” has caused grief and chaos for years—its about time something is being done…

Well, well. Being in power does have it’s disadvantages, especially when those around you create stress. However, I’m sure there are many things that the powerful has done that assited in causing his own stress. Many incorrect decisions have been made in a year by those in power.

Sylvia–I couldnt agree more, changes needed to happen a long time ago or this monster would not be the size it is.
I still wonder—how is it that Mr Casey is still teaching? What was the deal with him hitting the lady?? What did he get charged with?

Mr. Casey had charges dropped on him by the same lady who charged him. Apparently she was too busy with the former law suit that she was involved with to do yet another one. Therefore, not convicted, no crime.

I won’t defend what Mr. Hakes did. I will however, let you know that I am a former student of his when he was at the high school. He was one of my teachers for an entire year and not once did he raise his voice or degrade anyone. In fact he helped me tremendously, I was a sophemore and was not taking high school seriously and he helped me understand that I should want to be a good student and get good grades and that I needed to think about my future not what was going on “right now”. I was not headed in a good direction academically but I believe thru his teaching, mentoring, and coaching he turned my academic career around. You can clearly see a difference in my transcript where I turned things around. So I won’t defend his actions and what he did was wrong but he is not the terrible person that people think. People that don’t know him at all could be reading this and what kind of picture are they getting? I just want to make sure that people do know that he is intelligent and caring and did make a difference in my life and might have possibly made a positive difference in other peoples lives as well.

And to Karan I think you peddle forward and peddle backward. One minute it sounds like you can understand that he is a real person with a real problem and needs help and the next minute you’re like ohhh well that “Mr Takes” this and that! How old are you? 7th/8th grade?

JLG,
Thanks you for your comments. I believe you are the first to mention some good qualities about MR. Hakes and not just condem those making negative comments. I’m glad he put you on the right track academically. Unfortuneately his mistake will make it tougher for him to have that type of impact on others in the future.