Any opinion on Matt Sullivans arrest?

[dan]

www.uticaod.com/news/x1452249832/Police-investigator-suspended-after-DWI-charge

[bobbbiez]

My honest opinion is no one is above the law. He should be treated as you and I would be if we did the same.

No excuses, because I'm sure we all could come up with some pretty damn good ones why we chose to drink and drive.

You do the crime, you do the time and pay whatever penalties comes with it.

[lucy]

I agree with you Bobbiez. I'm really surprised that another cop would do that, and not just drive him home. There are cases where a cop will call someone to pick you up and drive you home instead of you getting a DWI. I know of this happening with people that I know. No FRIENDS of mine because we don't drink and drive but I do know of cases of cops doing that. I can't help but think that there is more to this story.

[bobbbiez]

Who knows, maybe this is not his first time and it's gotten out of hand. Maybe he had plenty of chances before this. Can only help someone out so much before you become part of the crime. If you know what I mean.

[Clipper]

Well since we are asking for opinions, I have to offer one. Matt Sullivan is behind the organization and the birth of the Great American Irish Festival. Matt Sullivan got drunk (.01 more than the law allows, but legally drunk.) He was speeding, also against the law. For the OD to drag his name through the mud mentioning the Irish Festival is not proper. Why harm a worthwhile endeavor because a young man made a serious error in judgment. Let anyone who drinks or has drank in the past, tell me that they never drank and drove a car.

You want an opinion, mine is this. The man got caught drunk driving. The man's job is in jeopardy and we can offer all the opinions that we want. He will answer to the court just like anyone else. He will probably be punished more severely being a cop than the average citizen. What more can you ask. Capital punishment?

I will let you in a little secret. Matt Sullivan is my former step son. I was married to his mother for 9 years. Matt is a hard working, very smart, and very community minded individual with a degree from Syracuse University. Matt worked very hard to get to where he is. Let anyone who has never sinned cast the first stone. I have known Matt since he was a college Sophmore, and I went to school with both his mother and his father. His father was Maurice Sullivan who was also a BCI investigator, and a great community citizen, working the heart run and walk and running the boilermaker every year. Maurice (Tim) passed away from a heart attack while running with the Steuben Striders running club, training for the Heart Run.

While I am not married to Matt's mother any more, I WILL consider any attacks on him, and attack on me, and WILL delete the thread if it starts to get dirty and personal. Would anyone else want their kids crucified on a chat forum? The only reason that Donna Donovan's kid was discussed on here, was because his mother would NOT REPORT THE NEWS about it, and tried to cover it up. Matt's arrest is hardly being hidden.

Matt has arrested many drunk drivers over the years, and I am sure that the integrity of the NY State Police will not be allow itself to be blemished by letting him off easy. He will be punished in same manner or worse than any other offender.

The young man screwed up. Anybody raise any kids that haven't done that? What do ya say we see how it all shakes out before we crucify him in the press and on this forum.

Sorry if I offended anyone, but we might as well put it out there before the party starts going down hill. He was my stepson and I won't let him be torn apart on here. End of story, fair moderation or not.

Express your opinions but try to be fair and discreet. He is a good man that made a poor decision, and will pay for it. I am sure we all know how bad the circumstances could have been had he had an accident. I am sure the commander of Troop D is educating Matt to that effect as we speak.

[bobbbiez]

Clipper, no one is attacking the man. He committed a crime and that's what will be discussed. Hey, I could be related to former Governor Spritzer or former President Clinton but I can't stop people from talking just because of the relationship.

No one is without sin and I know that for a fact. Been there, done it. We can stand by our kids and give them our support when they have failed to do the right thing but there is no way we should make excuses or condone their actions. There is no helping them doing that. We can't fight the world for them and they have to deal with all the consequences that come their way.

My kids and many of my friend's kids when they were younger made their mistakes. Some had to learn the hard way and they also learned they brought unnecessary pain and shame to their families. They learned by their actions they hurt more then just themselves. I guess seeing their families pain because of their actions is what helps to turn some of them around to always try to do right.

We can't stop people from talking especially on a forum. We always have to remember that any one we talk about on any forum is someone else's family member. We might not be affected by the talk but others are. We learn that when it becomes one of us with a family member with a problem. I'm sure the people here will always keep the discussions in a decent manner.

Remember one thing my friend, "sticks and stones can break my bones but names will never hurt me." We've all have to endure problems with our kids in one form or another and some have made the news in a not so good way, "but," that to will past. Tomorrow someone else will make the news and all your way will be forgotten. Don't concentrate on what others think, concentrate on your family member who needs your help.

You have my prayers to ease yours and your families pain during this trying time. Stay strong my friend.

[lucy]

Do you know that the first article didn't have his BAC? After reading the second article I don't understand why they would charge him with a DWI??? Just being over by .01? It honestly doesn't make anysense to me. Here is a new article that the OD just published. And it seems to be that they are having a field day with this.
Clipper I have my own opinions about drunk driving for the simple fact my father is an alcoholic. I don't speak to him but that is neither here nor there. I have never been against the person who drinks a glass of wine, or beer with dinner then drives home
But this is something different if his BAC was only .01 off then why do all of this to him? Unless there was somebody out to get him for whatever the reason is. It almost seems like a setup.

www.uticaod.com/news/x494344499/State-police-withhold-Sullivan-incident-report

[Clipper]

I am not close to my former step son, but he has enough problems dealing with his arrest without the OD smearing him in their disgraceful excuse for a frigging rag.

He was a step son so I don't need any damn lecture about MY kids and their errors. If anyone elses kid ever showed up in the newpaper, I sure would not even think about bringing it to the forum, if I knew it was someone of the member's kids. I know that his status as my former step son was not known when the thread was posted by Dan, but believe me when I say, it is NOT going to get wild and nasty.

He sure did screw up. He sure WILL pay. He may lose his job and his retirement, but in the mean time, the OD was even good enough not to put a comment section connected to the news article.

This is a sad time for him, for his wife and kids, who will suffer whatever consequences he may be saddled with when the case is adjudicated, and sentence or penalties are imposed.

I won't take down the thread. I panicked when I read Dan's post. But I will remember who posts what and will remember it well should one of theirs end up in the news. Courtesy is all I ask. Common courtesy for me, and his wife and kids, if you feel inclined to condemn a fine police officer for a one time, first time DWI and the ensuing charges.

[bobbbiez]

Lucy, it all goes back to the same old bull sh*t thing.......................when a cop does good, it's small news but when they make a mistake, it's big headlines. It never ceases to amaze me.

The public has always got to remember. Cops are people to. They are freaking human!

The public must stop showing this attitude........a cop is only good when you need them.

[dan]

Well, I certainly didn't know that Matt was a relative of anyone here when I asked the initial question. Not that I would have NOT asked, just that i would have been prepared better. My only reason for bringing the subject up is my direct involvement and my families involvement in the GAIF and the Irish community in general. I've met Matt a couple of times and spoken to him maybe once, so I don't know him other than by his working for the Irish community. While he has been the head of the GAIF, my Dad was the head of IPPCH, an organization that brought Irish kids to the States for summer vacations for the last 10 or 12 years. I know Matt had some dealings with them too. My Father is still associated with the AOH, even though IPPCH has run it's course and is no longer bringing the kids over for the summer. My only reason for asking the question is because our paths have crossed before and I didn't really have a good feel for him. I hope I didn't offend anyone by asking the question.

[bobbbiez]

Dan, I'm sure you didn't offend anyone.

Our friend Clipper was just upset about what happened to his stepson and needed to vent as we all do once in a while.
Tomorrow will be a better day for him I'm sure.

Don't fret. You were just bringing up a topic and we know you didn't try or mean to offend anyone.

[Clipper]

Dan, My apology for going into panic mode. I had only just finished reading about it myself, when I saw it hit the forum. I DID panic, and I DID over react. I am quite fond of the young man, but he put himself in a position, and he will have to suffer the consequences for his actions. As I stated before, he is but a "former" stepson, and I divorced his mother in 1996.

TO ALL THE FORUM MEMBERS, I AM SORRY TO HAVE OVER REACTED.

The topic IS open for discussion, and I WILL NOT take it down or delete anyone's posts.

That is what we have THREE MODERATORS for. I profess that the forum belongs to ALL of you, and not to ME alone, and I can't speak those words out of one side of my mouth, and censor someone for discussing a topic that is not appealing to me out of the other side of my mouth.

Anything that I don't find proper, I will discuss with Ralph and Kim, and a FAIR assessment will be made. I won't delete anything myself, unless it is clearly out of line and offensive under the rules of the forum, or "T.O.S" as some call the rules, and even then it will be discussed with the others.

We live and learn, and as for myself, I have had to grow WITH the forum. After meeting with the folks that came to the gathering at Christmas time, I really feel a family like atmosphere here, and being the miserable old fart that I am, I have to be careful not to tarnish that atmosphere with my cranky old opinions, or do anything brash that I will regret, LOL.

[Swimmy]

Feb 9, 2009 15:58:48 GMT -5 lucy said:

I agree with you Bobbiez. I'm really surprised that another cop would do that, and not just drive him home. There are cases where a cop will call someone to pick you up and drive you home instead of you getting a DWI. I know of this happening with people that I know. No FRIENDS of mine because we don't drink and drive but I do know of cases of cops doing that. I can't help but think that there is more to this story.

That happened for me. I was a sophomore in college. Started driving home and then quickly realized I should not be behind the wheel. I pulled over to the side of the road immediately and camped out with my hazards on. The police pulled up behind me, woke me up, and after I explained what happened, what I did, and how annoyed with myself for being stupid and thinking I was ok to drive, they split up and drove me and my car to binghamton campus with a stern warning that it was a one time deal. i assured them that after nearly battling with a guard rail that they would never hear from me again. Since, if I have even the slightest buzz, I either wait it out or call a friend or cab.

[Swimmy]

Feb 9, 2009 18:26:41 GMT -5 Clipper said:

WILL consider any attacks on him, and attack on me, and WILL delete the thread if it starts to get dirty and personal. Would anyone else want their kids crucified on a chat forum?

That's a little harsh don't you think? Besides, this forum has exceeded any expectation of civility on an Internet forum. I almost want to say that I am insulted you would feel the need to make such a statement considering the membership and overall high quality posts.

The anger and insulting comments posted in relation to andrew donovan were not directed at andrew as much as they were directed at donna who unethically exerted her influence as editor of the paper to get her son off with a wrist slap. In a zero tolerance state for underage drinking, the kid should have lost his license and been prosecuted for leaving the scene of an accident. That would have happened to any OTHER person not in league with donna.

While I'm no saint, I do take issue with a law enforcement officer breaking the very laws he has enforced multiple times. It's what gives the illusion that law enforcement feels to be above the law. When you hold yourself out as a better person, you are expected to be a better person. Spitzer learned that the hard way and lost his political career because of it.

To me, this is no different than that new hartford officer who was only ticketed for "failing to keep to the right" when he was intoxicated from celebrating the conviction of Officer Corr's killer. It is a disgrace.

I find it extremely interesting that the State Police refuse to disclose the incident report on this matter. By refusing to disclose the report, I think the whole thing is suspect.

However, as most of you know, I'm the most outspoken critic of donna's hypocrisy when it comes to DWIs. There is a reason most of the articles have their comment sections disabled: me! Thankfully, no one was killed or injured in this DWI. But don't let donna's hypocrisy get you down. I will still exploit every opportunity to point out her hypocrisy with every chance I get.

[Clipper]

Hey Dan! I am quite fond of my stepson from afar, ( we were never really close, because he HAD a father and did not live with us) and I am quite fond of YOU also. I have known your dad for a while, and you and I have been friends since the OD forum days, when we used to email back and forth with Eddie. No offense taken. The topic is open for discussion, AS IT SHOULD BE.

Have a good day Dan, and yes, Bobbbiez, I appreciate YOUR PM's also, and I AM having a much better day today.