Rest well friend. Laters.
I wish ... I sooooooooo want to go there
By the way Mo, your Senator Santorum did a magnificent job today, especially in his debate with Hil.
Wasn't he GREAT .. Dang I was so proud of him
One of Philly's councilman has became a ward of the State of Fl ... He just announced that her would not seek relection ..
http://www.nbc10.com/news/2036027/detail.html
Philadelphia Councilman Longstreth Made Ward Of State In Florida
Police Investigate Abuse Allegations Against Companion
POSTED: 2:43 p.m. EST March 12, 2003
UPDATED: 8:14 p.m. EST March 12, 2003
PHILADELPHIA -- A six-term Philadelphia city councilman battling the effects of Parkinson's disease has become a ward of the state amid allegations his caretaker and fiancee battered him.
On Friday, Collier County Judge Ted Brousseau heard testimony on the allegations that Melanie Hopkins abused Thacher Longstreth before deciding to put Longstreth in the state's care.
"We need to make sure he's OK and not being taken advantage of. He suffers from dementia. He's stable, but sometimes he's there and sometimes he's in left field," Naples police detective Ed Principe said.
Florida officials said Longstreth did not suffer any physical injuries from the alleged abuse.
Longstreth is in Naples Community Hospital recuperating from flu and pneumonia.
Longstreth and Hopkins traveled to Florida in February. The councilman is wheelchair-bound and he suffers from Parkinson's disease. This year he decided not to seek a seventh term on the Philadelphia City Council.
Police said that an allegation of physical and mental abuse was made by a caregiver at the hospital on Feb. 25. No charges have been filed against Hopkins and she denies the allegations.
NBC 10 News reporter Monique Braxton talked to Melanie Hopkins Wednesday by phone from her Florida home. She painted a much different picture than what is presented by the charges that have been leveled.
"Never, ever, have I, or would I, hit Thacher Longstreth," Hopkins said.
Hopkins told Braxton that she has nothing but love for Longstreth.
"Thacher and I are planning to get married when he gets well. Thacher and I haven't been out of each other's presence for more than a day in 10 years," Hopkins said. "I've taken care of Thacher for a while and I've tried to make his life as comfortable as possible and as easy and as much fun, and I hope to continue to do that."
Naples Community Hospital told NBC 10 that Longstreth is listed in fair condition.
Hopkins, 62, has been barred the past two weeks from entering the hospital, where Longstreth is recovering from pneumonia.
Of the alleged battery, Hopkins said, "I smacked him on the hand when he went to grab a nurse."
Hopkins immediately amended that statement to say, "I patted his hand and said 'A gentleman from Princeton wouldn't do that."'
Longstreth is a a Philadelphia icon who was known for his trademark bow tie and argyle socks.
Hopkins said she has known Longstreth for about 15 years. In early 2001, the two moved into a condominium on the city's moneyed Rittenhouse Square and Longstreth filed for divorce from his wife, Nancy, shortly thereafter.
A divorce proceeding has been under way since then. Hopkins said she hopes to be able to marry Longstreth by late spring.
HOLY COW .. We are suppose to be in the 60's over the weekend .. YES!!!!
Kind of makes up for the snow/sleet/rain they are calling for tomorrow
That is sick .. who would do that to the poor man .. Good Lord
I noticed you didn't say "Good" morning .. smart idea
BTW .. is it over yet?
