Tragedy in Kirkwood (Northwoods: construction, move, racist)

[mvrck]

According to the news I've seen, the straw that broke the camels back, was the dismissal of Mr.Thortons lawsuit over a technicality.
While there is never (or at least hardly ever) justification for such acts. (Insert "But" here) But, anyone that has gone against the "powers that be" with-out a LOT of money or isn't part of the who you know network, can at least understand the feeling of desparate frustration. It is obvious that Mr. Thornton had ticked some one off, and felt he was being harrassed. His only recourse was to go to meetings and voice his opinion. (I thought that was what meeting were for.) If you don't want to listen to the people, with-out a snotty attitude and a power trip, don't run for office. Oh, just be quiet and do what we tell you
I don't know if Mr. Thornton was nuts, obviously he wasn't completely stable, and I'm not blaming the victims. But, there doesn't appear to be any "innocent" people in this matter accept the family members left behind. "Well, the board members didn't do anything wrong." Welllll, they obviously didn't do everything right either. I mean, who in there right mind, spends that kind of money (tax payer money), to fight someone's right to free speach at an open public meeting even if its "ode to a toilet brush" in klingon. Members of congress have done nuttier things during sessions. In part, it appears that a member or members of the local gov't. had chip(s) on there shoulder(s) and were going to "teach this SOB a lesson". It's a shame things had to (or did get) to this point. Lesson learned?????

[mvrck]

Originally Posted by floridasandy

who let al sharpton post in this forum?
ps my sympathy to the families of the victims!

This is an example of the snoddy, closed minded, better than you attitude that lead up to this tragic event and is part of the problem everywhere, no matter race. (that would be you floridasandy)
Talk about a racist statement. That is just plain rude to refer to anyone as al sharpton.
Mr. Thornton, is being depicted as a nut-job. But, by the reports I've heard, outside the problems with the local gov't. he was "easy-going" and friendly.
Just the opinion of (some might consider) a white middle-aged red-neck .

[Bobster]

First of all, I in no way condone the use of violence in resolving our differences, but I have to admit I did wonder what this guy's side of the story was.

On the Channel 5 news the next day they mentioned that he had over 100 misdomeaner charges against him. Over 100????? That does make me wonder if they were messing with him and if so, to what extent?

One of the comments above mentioned various municipal official treating people poorly, while this is not to meant to blame the victim here, I do think that people ARE getting fed up with being treated poorly by local, state and federal government officials.

I do feel for the families and friends of those shot, don't get me wrong. I also feel for the entire community, but would love to hear this guy's side of the story.

[kirkwoodginger]

What the heck are you talking about Kirkwood going downhill? It has done nothing but go uphill in the past ten years and is now one of the premier communities in the area. This incident was a random act of violence by a man who lost it. I work across the street from Kirkwood City hall and knew half of the wonderful people who lost their lives. These were salt of the earth community servants and Mr. Thorton was NOT treated any differently than anyone else who broke zoning laws. It was not race related although he spent the past five years trying to convince the world that it was.

This topic is close to my heart as this is my community. And I would appreciate that you respect the memory of those who lost their lives by getting your facts straight. These people were executed by a man who was obsessed. If you want to learn the truth behind what happened (instead of guessing) read our local paper The Webster Kirkwood Times as they have articles on Thorton going back years. Here is the most recent article by a man who knew him well:

Retired Kirkwood High Principal Franklin McCallie Releases Statement About Shooting, Cookie Thornton: Webster-Kirkwood Times

Here is the archive on previous stories about Thorton:

Webster-Kirkwood Times

[Bobster]

Kirkwoodginger: thank you for that link! I read it and it does rest my mind to a certain degree.

[Fishtacos]

Originally Posted by MoNative34

Kirkwood has been going downhill and folks should think twice before moving there or anywhere east of I-270.

This post is absurd.

[STLCardsBlues1989]

I haven't heard anything about Kirkwood going downhill. The city in general is growing again.

[Danilo-11]

I read the article and also another one from 2003 and I don't know what to think about this.
The issue between Cookie and the city comes from many years ago.
This can and could have happened in any small town in the US

Here's another good article from 2003

A Thorn in Kirkwood's Side: Webster-Kirkwood Times

[r8rfan]

Originally Posted by Danilo-11

You need to calm down,
you seem to think that I'm saying that maybe he had a good reason to do what he did.

I'm just trying to find out what happened before the incident.

You're right. I'm sorry. I was looking at your posts in a different way. When I first read what you'd said, I thought you were implying that the guy might be justfied in what he did. After looking back I see now that you weren't. So I apologize.

We'll never know for sure why he did what he did. He's the only one that knows for sure and now he's dead.

[jojojohnson76]

Why didn't this idiot move out of Kirkwood instead of killing 5 people and being killed and sent to rot in hell?