Lincoln School Trailers

[Guest William Street Resident]

The Board of Ed placed in the street blocking traffic and in the fire zone in front of Lincoln School trailers to be used as classrooms. This latest decision shows how incompetent Peter Higgins and the puppet board of education members are. The superwide trailers eliminate at least 12 parking spaces which residents used at night; block access to fire trucks responding to the school if there is a fire; stick out into the street blocking passage of trucks including garbage trucks if there are cars parked on the right side of the street (eliminating another 12 parking spaces); are a danger to the children because they can be hit by a vehicle and/or are potential terrorist targets; ruin the look of the street and cheapen the school's appearance.

Lincoln School has an inner court. Why didn't our politically connected leaders think out a plan to build a structure (even a temporary one) inside the courtyard. What is causing all these children to come to Harrison is the free Abbott funded daycares in town. The word is out free daycare if you move to Harrison and so all the families with kids are coming. The Board of Ed need to get their act together this is ridiculous.

Do Councilman Doran and Dologhan support the placement of these trailers in the street. Isn't parking horrendous already. These trailers eliminate parking for residents. The BOE is out of control. Remove these trailers! Councilman do some work if you expect to get my vote and the vote of my neighbors. Visit William Street and see for yourself. This town has gone downhill. Mayor Rodgers would never have let this happen. He actually had a brain. McDonough has no brain but knows how to put his hand out for him and his family members.

[Guest Guest]

Think the trailers are clogging up the street now? Wait till winter when there are a few snow storms. Then there will be even less parking.

[Guest North Fifth Street Resident]

The trailers that have been placed on William Street are TEMPORARY. How does the placement of these trailers show how incompenant the Board of Education is? Would you rather the number of students in a class be 35 to one teacher? As I have already stated, the trailers are temporary and should be removed by Nov. 1st. if not, then complain to the town.

New trailers will be placed in the driveway of the school, ON SCHOOL PROPERTY, on Cross Street.

As for the trailers being potential terrorist targets, are you on crack? What terrorist is going to bomb two trailers housing 2 classes in a small town? I don't think al-Queda has moved Lincoln School up on their list of places to hit.

I passed by today and they have made the trailers look as nice as possible by adding a skirt to the bottom and concealing the underside.

If you have not noticed the side of the street opposite of the trailers has been painted yellow, and signs have been posted that say that there is no parking on that side of the street. This was the correct thing to do so that there is enough clearance for cars to pass. When school is in session Cross Street from 4th to 5th Street will be CLOSED like it was a few years back. Therefore there is no worry about the trailers being hit while they are occupied. Go ahead and complain about that, because I'm sure you and your neighbors will.

There were never 12 parking spaces in the fire zone in front of the school. At most, maybe 5...so let’s not exaggerate. The other side of the street where parking is now prohibited also never had 12 spots, maybe at most 6, again with the exaggeration. Use the driveways that are there.

Obviously the town had to approve the trailers being placed on town property, so instead of being childish and complaining about it on a website, get your ass down to the next town meeting and go cry to McDonough, so he can just tell you to shut up and sit down. Your vote really doesn't matter to the councilmen of the 4th ward, so don’t threaten them saying you won’t vote for them.

I can tell you went to school in Harrison, you don't believe in proofreading or correcting your punctuations. I hope you rewrite that letter you probably wrote to the Observer.

[Guest William Street Resident]

The trailers that have been placed on William Street are TEMPORARY. How does the placement of these trailers show how incompenant the Board of Education is? Would you rather the number of students in a class be 35 to one teacher? As I have already stated, the trailers are temporary and should be removed by Nov. 1st. if not, then complain to the town.

New trailers will be placed in the driveway of the school, ON SCHOOL PROPERTY, on Cross Street.

As for the trailers being potential terrorist targets, are you on crack? What terrorist is going to bomb two trailers housing 2 classes in a small town? I don't think al-Queda has moved Lincoln School up on their list of places to hit.

I passed by today and they have made the trailers look as nice as possible by adding a skirt to the bottom and concealing the underside.

If you have not noticed the side of the street opposite of the trailers has been painted yellow, and signs have been posted that say that there is no parking on that side of the street. This was the correct thing to do so that there is enough clearance for cars to pass. When school is in session Cross Street from 4th to 5th Street will be CLOSED like it was a few years back. Therefore there is no worry about the trailers being hit while they are occupied. Go ahead and complain about that, because I'm sure you and your neighbors will.

There were never 12 parking spaces in the fire zone in front of the school. At most, maybe 5...so let’s not exaggerate. The other side of the street where parking is now prohibited also never had 12 spots, maybe at most 6, again with the exaggeration. Use the driveways that are there.

Obviously the town had to approve the trailers being placed on town property, so instead of being childish and complaining about it on a website, get your ass down to the next town meeting and go cry to McDonough, so he can just tell you to shut up and sit down. Your vote really doesn't matter to the councilmen of the 4th ward, so don’t threaten them saying you won’t vote for them.

I can tell you went to school in Harrison, you don't believe in proofreading or correcting your punctuations. I hope you rewrite that letter you probably wrote to the Observer.

Thanks Tom,

I appreciate you coming to by Defense.

Peter Higgins and Board of Education members.

If these trailers are temporary, can I park temporarily in the courtyard because I can't find a parking spot. The trailers have occupied at least 10 spots (at a minimum) from a section of town which has no parking at night. Why not use Carbone's parking lot for trailers for Lincoln School? The town paid millions for that lot and now is placing trailers in the street. You can hire another family member to be an escort from Lincoln School to Harrison Avenue, 3 1/2 city blocks.

Who is going to repair the street from the holes placed their to secure the trailers? Taxpayers? Why didn't the Board of Education place the trailers in the courtyard over the summer? A: They are a bunch of fools. Or maybe we are the fools for putting up with this crap.

As for closing off the street, great! The residents of William street (years ago) petitioned the Mayor and Council to open the street so that they could access their homes and park their cars. DO NOT make the problem worse by closing the street. Parents are used to using William Street to drop off their kids. It is going to be an absolute mess.

The more I think about how stupid the placement of trailers in the street is the more I realize what quality of leadership I have representing me and how I wish people got educated and stopped electing people who care nothing about Harrison except for the checks (and paper bag envelopes) they can pocket from the taxpayers. Amazing!

[Guest Harrisonian_Guest]

The Observer would not cover the fact that the school administration is stupid. The Observer is too far up Mayor McDonough's butt to write a story about how stupid the placement of the trailers on the street is.

If the Superintendent of Schools, is it still DiSalvo and Comprelli both making six figure salaries for doing nothing, wanted to make more space at Lincoln School, How about vacating your offices and moving to the Board of Education office at the High School and coverting your spacious office space into a couple of classrooms. DiSalvo is too old to have been able to think of that but Comprelli still has a couple of brain cells left. How about it Mr. Comprelli why don't you move to the High School and let the teachers use your office space. The residents, parents, and students deserve better than trailers on the street blocking traffic, taking up parking spaces and otherwise cheaping the look of the neighborhood. How about renting spacing from the owner of the property on the corner of William and North Fifth. Two trailers could fit there. Earn your money, please.

[Guest Fourth Ward Resident]

The Observer would not cover the fact that the school administration is stupid. The Observer is too far up Mayor McDonough's butt to write a story about how stupid the placement of the trailers on the street is.

If the Superintendent of Schools, is it still DiSalvo and Comprelli both making six figure salaries for doing nothing, wanted to make more space at Lincoln School, How about vacating your offices and moving to the Board of Education office at the High School and coverting your spacious office space into a couple of classrooms. DiSalvo is too old to have been able to think of that but Comprelli still has a couple of brain cells left. How about it Mr. Comprelli why don't you move to the High School and let the teachers use your office space. The residents, parents, and students deserve better than trailers on the street blocking traffic, taking up parking spaces and otherwise cheaping the look of the neighborhood. How about renting spacing from the owner of the property on the corner of William and North Fifth. Two trailers could fit there. Earn your money, please.

The trailers that were put in front of Lincoln School on William Street are only temporary trailers. As stated by someone else, the permanet trailers will be placed on school property.

As far as stating that a total of 24 parking spaces was lost in ludicrous. First of all the town was generous by letting anyone park in front of the school on William Street during the overnight hours, as this is a fire zone. If people in the immediate area of Lincoln school would use their driveways instead of parking their cars on the street, the parking issue would not be as bad as it is.

The trailers cannot be placed anywhere but in front of the school. The space on the corner of William St. and North 5th has already been zoned for a two family home to be built there. So renting that property is not the answer.

Instead of bad mouthing and insulting people, let's put the students interest first. As stated before, these are only temporary and eliminate excessive overcrowing in the classroom.

Yes, it could possibly create a traffic problem during the first few days of school until the parents who drop off their children get use to it. However, there is always police presence on both William Street and Cross Street when children are either entering school or being dismissed.

I don't know if you have ever been in the Superintendent's office in Lincoln School, but it definitely is not large enough to turn that space into two classrooms. So before you shoot off at the mouth, get your facts straight.

[Guest Guest]

The Observer would not cover the fact that the school administration is stupid. The Observer is too far up Mayor McDonough's butt to write a story about how stupid the placement of the trailers on the street is.

If the Superintendent of Schools, is it still DiSalvo and Comprelli both making six figure salaries for doing nothing, wanted to make more space at Lincoln School, How about vacating your offices and moving to the Board of Education office at the High School and coverting your spacious office space into a couple of classrooms. DiSalvo is too old to have been able to think of that but Comprelli still has a couple of brain cells left. How about it Mr. Comprelli why don't you move to the High School and let the teachers use your office space. The residents, parents, and students deserve better than trailers on the street blocking traffic, taking up parking spaces and otherwise cheaping the look of the neighborhood. How about renting spacing from the owner of the property on the corner of William and North Fifth. Two trailers could fit there. Earn your money, please.

Why dont You people grow up...All You People want to do is B**ch..If they rented the lot on N5Th, Street and William You would find something to B**ch about that to...Be glad they are trying to make some kind of decent class room for these kids...And this is only supposed to be temporary..So calm Your hormones down go to another site and find something else to B**ch about........as long as it is not rite in front of Your house SHUT UP>>>>>>>

[Guest William Street Resident]

The Observer would not cover the fact that the school administration is stupid.  The Observer is too far up Mayor McDonough's butt to write a story about how stupid the placement of the trailers on the street is.

If the Superintendent of Schools, is it still DiSalvo and Comprelli both making six figure salaries for doing nothing, wanted to make more space at Lincoln School, How about vacating your offices and moving to the Board of Education office at the High School and coverting your spacious office space into a couple of classrooms.  DiSalvo is too old to have been able to think of that but Comprelli still has a couple of brain cells left.  How about it Mr. Comprelli why don't you move to the High School and let the teachers use your office space.  The residents, parents, and students deserve better than trailers on the street blocking traffic, taking up parking spaces and otherwise cheaping the look of the neighborhood.  How about renting spacing from the owner of the property on the corner of William and North Fifth.  Two trailers could fit there.  Earn your money, please.

The trailers that were put in front of Lincoln School on William Street are only temporary trailers. As stated by someone else, the permanet trailers will be placed on school property.

As far as stating that a total of 24 parking spaces was lost in ludicrous. First of all the town was generous by letting anyone park in front of the school on William Street during the overnight hours, as this is a fire zone. If people in the immediate area of Lincoln school would use their driveways instead of parking their cars on the street, the parking issue would not be as bad as it is.

The trailers cannot be placed anywhere but in front of the school. The space on the corner of William St. and North 5th has already been zoned for a two family home to be built there. So renting that property is not the answer.

Instead of bad mouthing and insulting people, let's put the students interest first. As stated before, these are only temporary and eliminate excessive overcrowing in the classroom.

Yes, it could possibly create a traffic problem during the first few days of school until the parents who drop off their children get use to it. However, there is always police presence on both William Street and Cross Street when children are either entering school or being dismissed.

I don't know if you have ever been in the Superintendent's office in Lincoln School, but it definitely is not large enough to turn that space into two classrooms. So before you shoot off at the mouth, get your facts straight.

The trailers that were put in front of Lincoln School on William Street are only temporary trailers.  As stated by someone else, the permanet trailers will be placed on school property.

Why didn't the Board of Education just build the permanent trailers in time for the school opening?

As far as stating that a total of 24 parking spaces was lost in ludicrous.

If we lost 10 spots that is ludicrous. Can I park at your house in the suburbs and have you drive me back to Harrison and can you pick me up in the morning and let me borrow your car for the day. You obviously don't live on William Street or anywhere near William Street. People don't go out at night for fear of losing a parking spot and not being able to get another one.

First of all the town was generous by letting anyone park in front of the school on William Street during the overnight hours, as this is a fire zone.

Asshole, now it's the resident's fault. The parking in front of Lincoln School at night has been going on for decades. Remember there are no kids in school at night and thus a reduced need for a fire zone.

If people in the immediate area of Lincoln school would use their driveways instead of parking their cars on the street, the parking issue would not be as bad as it is.

Give me a break. Blame the residents again. People use their driveways if they have them but the majority don't have driveways and must use the street. But no longer.

The trailers cannot be placed anywhere but in front of the school.  The space on the corner of William St. and North 5th has already been zoned for a two family home to be built there.  So renting that property is not the answer.

It's not the answer because the folks I guess would not provide a political favor or kickback to the Mayor or Pete Higgins.

Instead of bad mouthing and insulting people, let's put the students interest first.  As stated before, these are only temporary and eliminate excessive overcrowing in the classroom. 

Please, do not use the kids a shield for a stupid decision. The kids would be fine in the Superintendent's office and in the courtyard if someone actually earned a part of the money they are making.

Yes, it could possibly create a traffic problem during the first few days of school until the parents who drop off their children get use to it.  However, there is always police presence on both William Street and Cross Street when children are either entering school or being dismissed. 

Ask any officer in town and see which one wants to deal with the mess you have created. It is bad enough when there were no trailers. Adding trailers is going to put the mess over the top.

I don't know if you have ever been in the Superintendent's office in Lincoln School, but it definitely is not large enough to turn that space into two classrooms.  So before you shoot off at the mouth, get your facts straight.

The space is big enough for at least 1 classroom. Do you agree that if there is a lack of classroom space at Lincoln School that the Superintendent should be moved one and a half blocks over to the Board of Education office or into a trailer at the millino plus parking lot of what used to be Carbone's restaurant.

[Guest Guest]

There must be someone in town who is "Related" and owns enough property where the trailers would fit. That would free up William St and generate enormous rental income for "Their Renter."

[Guest State aide]

Complaining on this web page is fine, but is meaningless. To get your voice heard and to really have an effect, there are two ways.

1). Come out and vote on election day 2006 (PRIMARIES) and vote a whole new line. It doesn't do any good if you only change one name, even if it is the Mayors.

2). Take five minutes and complain to your state officials.

Contact Your Federal Representatives Below

Senator Jon S. Corzine (D - NJ) - 1st Term

New Jersey Offices:

1 Gateway Center, 11th Floor, Newark, NJ 07102

(973) 645-3030 - Fax (973) 645-0502

208 White Horse Pike, Suite 18, Barrington, NJ 08007

(856) 757-5353 - Fax (856) 546-1526

Web Site: corzine.senate.gov

Email: Contact via "Web Form"

http://corzine.senate.gov/contact.cfm

Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D - NJ) - 4th Term

New Jersey Office:

506 A White Horse Pike

Haddon Heights, NJ 08035

(856) 546-5100 - Fax (856) 546-9529

Web Site: lautenberg.senate.gov

Email: Contact via "Web Form"

http://www.lautenberg.senate.gov/webform.html

Rep. Robert Menendez (D) - NJ 13th District - 6th Term

New Jersey Office:

911 Bergen Ave.

Jersey City, NJ 07306

(201) 222-2828 - Fax (201) 222-0188

Web Site: house.gov/menendez

Email: menendez@mail.house.gov

Hudson County Executive

Brennan Court House

583 Newark Ave

Jersey City, NJ 07306

201-795-6200

Co Exec - Thomas A. DeGise

District 32

mail all three: http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/SelectRep.asp

Senator NICHOLAS J. SACCO - Democrat

District Office: 9060 Palisade Ave., North Bergen, NJ 07047 (201)-295-0200

Assemblyman ANTHONY IMPREVEDUTO - Democrat

District Office: 400 Plaza Dr., Secaucus, NJ 07094 (201)-864-3232

Assemblywoman JOAN M. QUIGLEY - Democrat

District Office: The Hamilton Park Foundry, 242 Tenth Street, Suite 101 , Jersey City, NJ 07302 (201)-217-4614

IT'S THE ONLY WAY TO TRUELY MAKE A DIFFERENCE

VOICE YOUR OPINION

Let them know if they don't do something about this you will on election day

[Guest Resident]

What do federal authorities have to do with a local issue?

Let's ask Mayor McDonough, Councilman Doran and Councilman Dolaghan what their position is on the trailers.

Should they be removed immediately from the street and placed in the court yard?

What is your answer Mayor, and Councilmen?

[Guest Firefighter]

What do federal authorities have to do with a local issue?

Let's ask Mayor McDonough, Councilman Doran and Councilman Dolaghan what their position is on the trailers.

Should they be removed immediately from the street and placed in the court yard?

What is your answer Mayor, and Councilmen?

The person you should be asking is Fire Chief Dologhan. Is the placement of trailers in a fire zone allowed by State law and isn't that placement putting in danger the children and teachers in case of an emergency?

It is amazing how politics (and a pay raise) allow anything to go in local politics. If there is a fire and someone is injured or dies, the Fire Chief should be charged because it is his sworn duty to uphold the fire code and he is clearly ignorning a violation that is sitting out in plain view. Chief do your job and forget the politics if anyone is injured or dies it is on you.

[Guest Guest]

Are you crazy? Asking a Harrison Fireman to have some balls and do some work for their grossly inflated salaries. The trailers will stay as long as the politicians say they will no matter what you can come up with. Just shut up and follow as usual.

[Guest Guest]

What do federal authorities have to do with a local issue?

Let's ask Mayor McDonough, Councilman Doran and Councilman Dolaghan what their position is on the trailers.

Should they be removed immediately from the street and placed in the court yard?

What is your answer Mayor, and Councilmen?

The person you should be asking is Fire Chief Dologhan. Is the placement of trailers in a fire zone allowed by State law and isn't that placement putting in danger the children and teachers in case of an emergency?

It is amazing how politics (and a pay raise) allow anything to go in local politics. If there is a fire and someone is injured or dies, the Fire Chief should be charged because it is his sworn duty to uphold the fire code and he is clearly ignorning a violation that is sitting out in plain view. Chief do your job and forget the politics if anyone is injured or dies it is on you.

I think the traffic bureau should investigate this matter and issue the appropriate summons to the moron's who placed them there!!!!!!!! Is that legal anyway? don't they need license plates?

[Guest Guest]

The trailers may be moved by November....Last year parents were told that trailers would be arriving soon to get the classes out of the lunchrooms...June came classes still in the lunchrooms....overcrowding is a problem and like I said the trailers, if new ones arrive, will be moved but thats a big IF....issue is no bathrooms in trailers....kids going in and out of building to use bathrooms in rain....did the Board hire someone to take the children to the bathroom....as all parents know the little ones do not all go at the same time...childrens education and safety should be the concern ...stop pointing the finger and help come up with a solution...parents need to voice their opinions, and not just to B**ch....get out and get involved the board and powers that be can ignore one person but they can't ignore all the parents of the 2000+ students.....and for those who work for the town and are afraid for your jobs like I said get together....its your future and children....not the powers that be...

[Guest Guest]

You will do as you are told and fall in line. Stop being stupid. Do you think there is anything you can do? You are very foolish!!

[Guest Guest]

As for the trailers being potential terrorist targets, are you on crack? What terrorist is going to bomb two trailers housing 2 classes in a small town? I don't think al-Queda has moved Lincoln School up on their list of places to hit.

Dear (ass)crack head:

Ask that question to the people in that small Russian town that just lost 350 people --mostly school children to Al- Queda.

[Guest Reaping the Benefits]

Put the trailers in Carbones lot,afterall that was supposed to be a new school until this town found a way to pay off someone. Look hard at that deal.How many "in people" made millions off of that? Who is going to make millions when they move the trailers onto private property? That's right ---private property. Who in the town has barely enough space in that neighborhood to house them????

[Guest Guest]

What i think is missing here is that the Town has failed to provide adequate space for their students. We've all heard about the new school (Both at Nicoles and the old Box Plant on Kingsland Avenue). WHY ISN'T THERE ANY PROGRESS ON THESE SCHOOLS. The trailers are a disgrace and further show how the Town has failed to make the appropriate decisions regarding the future. I place no blame on the School System, for there funding comes through the Town which controls the School board. AS A RESIDENT I FURTHER SEE WHY PEOPLE MOVE OUT AND REFUSE TO SEND THERE KIDS TO THIS SCHOOL SYSTEM. I for one will be out each November looking for a change. ALL I ask for is a secure, pleasant environment for our children to learn.

[Guest Guest]

Lets be realistic. Dolaghan does not want a new school. His brother's day care business would fold. He makes money due to the fact that the school is over crowded and resources are not in place. COUNCILMAN DOLAGHAN IS THE FIRST ONE TO GO NEXT NOVEMBER. HE HAS DONE NOTHING BUT TAKE CARE OF HIS FAMILY.

[Guest Guest]

What do federal authorities have to do with a local issue?

Let's ask Mayor McDonough, Councilman Doran and Councilman Dolaghan what their position is on the trailers.

Should they be removed immediately from the street and placed in the court yard?

What is your answer Mayor, and Councilmen?

The person you should be asking is Fire Chief Dologhan. Is the placement of trailers in a fire zone allowed by State law and isn't that placement putting in danger the children and teachers in case of an emergency?

It is amazing how politics (and a pay raise) allow anything to go in local politics. If there is a fire and someone is injured or dies, the Fire Chief should be charged because it is his sworn duty to uphold the fire code and he is clearly ignorning a violation that is sitting out in plain view. Chief do your job and forget the politics if anyone is injured or dies it is on you.

I think the traffic bureau should investigate this matter and issue the appropriate summons to the moron's who placed them there!!!!!!!! Is that legal anyway? don't they need license plates?

For your information a member of the Traffic Safety Bureau was present when these trailers were delivered and placed on William Street.

[MrHarrison]

As for the trailers being potential terrorist targets, are you on crack?  What terrorist is going to bomb two trailers housing 2 classes in a small town?  I don't think al-Queda has moved Lincoln School up on their list of places to hit.

Dear (ass)crack head:

Ask that question to the people in that small Russian town that just lost 350 people --mostly school children to Al- Queda.

The attack at Beslan’s school was not by Al-Queda; it was orchestrated by Chechens rebels who want independence from Russia. I bet you think Al-Queda took down those two Russian airliners as well? Get your facts straight before you cowardly call someone names from behind a “guest” name on a website.

[Guest Dentist 1]

As for the trailers being potential terrorist targets, are you on crack?  What terrorist is going to bomb two trailers housing 2 classes in a small town?  I don't think al-Queda has moved Lincoln School up on their list of places to hit.

Dear (ass)crack head:

Ask that question to the people in that small Russian town that just lost 350 people --mostly school children to Al- Queda.

The attack at Beslan’s school was not by Al-Queda; it was orchestrated by Chechens rebels who want independence from Russia. I bet you think Al-Queda took down those two Russian airliners as well? Get your facts straight before you cowardly call someone names from behind a “guest” name on a website.

Sink your crooked teeth into this--From the Christian Science Monitor

You are only fooling yourself if you think Al Q had nothing to do with this.

World > Europe

from the September 07, 2004 edition

RUINS: Victims' friends and relatives toured the partially destroyed School No. 1 in Beslan, Russia, following the battle there between Chechen hostage-takers and Russian forces.

SCOTT PETERSON/GETTY IMAGES

Al Qaeda among the Chechens

As Russians bury their dead, officials look at terrorist links to Chechen rebels.

By Scott Peterson | Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor

BESLAN, RUSSIA – Among the wilted flowers brought to celebrate the first day of classes in the now blackened wreckage of Beslan's School No. 1 are the abundant signs of a sophisticated terror operation. That evidence is sparking a re-examination of the long-standing Chechen links to Al Qaeda.

"They were so well trained - the highest level," says Oleg Tedeyev, deputy chief of a local police unit, who was involved in the battle Friday that freed more than 700 people, and officially left 338 dead, half of them children.

Related stories:

09/03/04

Child hostages test Russia's antiterror response

09/03/04

Putting Putin on the Spot

09/02/04

Russia terror wave exposes weak intelligence

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In recent months, radical Islamist Chechen leaders such as Shamil Basayev, along with Osama bin Laden, have been "clear" about wanting to "set Russia on fire," says Michael Radu, a terrorism expert at the Foreign Policy Research Institute in Philadelphia. "This is not an Al Qaeda operation: These are autonomous groups," he says. "It's not like bin Laden wrote the checks. But they are synchronized ideologically and strategically."

Survivors say the 30-odd attackers were mostly Russian-speaking Chechens. But as families in this small town near Chechnya bury their dead Monday, they described the end of the saga as one in which both the hostage-takers and Russian special forces were caught off guard by an accidental explosion in the gymnasium, which sparked a lethal firefight and hostage escape.

Still officials here say the evidence suggests a complex operation and the kind of preparation once given in the Al Qaeda training camps of Afghanistan.

When officials entered the school building after the battle, they found syringes. The hostage-takers weren't addicts, but they were taking drugs "to keep them awake," says Mr. Tedeyev, whose own two children escaped as the school was seized. "As a military man, I was surprised how they could position themselves so well. In minutes, in seconds, they understood [the place]. It wasn't the first time they were here."

In the smoldering school, though swept by Russian intelligence and security services, a single singed wire still hangs from a charred basketball hoop - testifying to the web of explosives rigged from the ceiling and walls of the gymnasium, where more than 1,200 agonized hostages were held for three days.

A shredded black belt and bloodied camouflage utility vest lies in the hall next to the cafeteria, where a female suicide bomber detonated herself.

And in the library, chunks of the floor have been hacked away to reveal hiding spaces, where the Chechen separatists had stored ammunition and explosives, perhaps building the stockpile for several months, during summer renovation work.

Russian media reports that as many as 10 of the attackers were Arab have also raised questions about the link with Islamic militant groups.

"I think it's Al Qaeda. I think it's Saudi Arabia, Arabs, and possibly Afghan terrorists - and terrorists who are here in Russia as well," says Soslan Sikoyev, the deputy interior minister for North Ossetia, who has offered to resign for failing to prevent the crisis. He has been kidnapped twice himself by militants in past years.

But he adds tiredly, "It doesn't matter what nationalities they are ... because they have brought so much grief."

An Al Qaeda-connected group calling itself the Islambouli Brigades, which has been active in Pakistan, claimed responsibility for both the simultaneous downing of two passenger jets on Aug. 24, that left 90 dead, and a suicide bomb in Moscow on August 31 that killed ten more.

But while President Vladimir Putin - under increasing pressure for the three attacks in 10 days that killed more than 435 Russians - has connected the jet crashes to Al Qaeda, he has not made that link with the hostage drama.

"This is a challenge to all of Russia, to all our people," Mr. Putin said in an address to the nation on Saturday. "We have to admit that we failed to recognized the complexity and danger of the processes going on in our country and the world as a whole .... We demonstrated our weakness, and the weak are beaten."

Putin has made clear that he will not temper his hard-line Chechnya policy. Chechen separatists have wanted independence for more than a decade. But since the break up of the Soviet Union 13 years ago, the Kremlin has taken a strong stance against losing any more territory.

Ties between Chechen radicals and Al Qaeda stretch back to the first Chechen war (1994-1996). A radical element - spurred by would-be clerics who traveled to Saudi Arabia to learn about the Salafi fundamentalist strain of Islam - began to develop in the late 1990s.

By 1999, when Chechen warlord Shamil Basayev invaded Russian territory in Dagestan - prompting a second war - it became clear that Islamic radicals dominated Chechen rebel groups.

"Chechnya began to attract [Al Qaeda] emissaries, adventurers, and finances," says Alexander Iskandaryan, head of the Center for Caucasian Studies in Yerevan, Armenia. "After 1999, the radical tendency grew strong, and became more internationalized."

This second war burns on, and has two parts: guerrilla warfare and terrorist acts, says Mr. Iskandarian. "Over the last month, we've seen a considerable growth of the second component, terrorism."

"Russian policy in the Caucasus in the last 10 years helped a lot to separate the Caucasus from Russia," he says. "Ideology is being generated against Russia - Islamization is growing. There are more calls for sharia law, not only by radicals, but by average Muslims."

North Ossetia, historically the only pro-Russian, Christian portion of the North Caucasus - which has long-held grudges against Muslim Ingush and Chechens - may have been seen as an ideal target to spark havoc here.

"A very sophisticated group stands behind this - I don't want to single out Al Qaeda; there may be unexpected sources," says Vitaly Shlykov, an independent military analyst in Moscow. "There are some [Chechen] contacts with Al Qaeda, but to operate in real time? I'm doubtful [Chechens] receive orders and act on them. The guidance is more ideological."

Many of residents of Beslan say they are convinced that their Ingush and Chechen neighbors are to blame, and that foreign operatives would have had a hard time infiltrating in any numbers. "Of course, there was someone behind them - they were speaking on mobile phones; they had their bosses," says Tamik Granikov, a local builder, referring to people outside Beslan but not foreigners.

Russian officials say they have arrested three men on suspicion of involvement, possibly by tracing phone calls. When the crisis began, Mr. Granikov says, "we were worried about whether the renovation work was used as a cover. They never could have brought so many grenades and bullets [on the day of the attack]."

Tedeyev, the police officer - whose house is so close to the school that two bullets came through his windows - says he saw the body of a black foreigner. He also says that this group learned from past terrorist mistakes. They carried gas masks and broke windows to prevent being gassed like the Chechen separatists who took over the Dubrovka Theater while the play "Nord-Ost" was being performed in October 2002. "It seems they studied all the cases, from the Nord-Ost to those in the US," says Tedeyev. "So it becomes more difficult for the state to fight terror. TV shows everything the Spetnatz [special forces] does. We seem to teach [terrorists] ourselves, and then we suffer for it."

Beslan's families struggle to find comfort

"Christina! Christina!" the woman wailed, beside herself with grief, trailing behind with one hand high on a rich-hued coffin, as men carried it to the graveyard.

She raised her other hand, too, clawing at the edge of the wooden box. All she could manage, as the distraught family entered the mourning horror of Beslan's graveyard, was a defeated "No! No!"

One percent of Beslan's population, some 338 people, half of them children, have been killed in the school hostage tragedy, and Russia is grieving.

In this small town, families are just starting to come to terms with a tragedy that is both profoundly individual and national in its nature. The backhoes paused briefly from their graveyard digging, out of respect, as heartbroken families buried more than 100 Monday. But even as heavy rain washed away the tears, the backhoes were called into service to fill in some graves.

Zaur Gutinov, not yet 10, was buried with his small yellow truck. After many kisses, his family bid him goodbye.

People here are angry as they cope with their own family trauma. But that anger has yet to solidify into serious questions of leadership.

Of those, there are many. "We've never felt less protected," says a woman who refused to give her name. "When did we ever feel safe? We do not have any hope. People's only concern is how to bury their children; they're in grief."

"We don't know what will happen tomorrow," says Magarita Abayeva. "Who will come and say, 'We are responsible?' Those who are responsible know it, they know."

The coffins came, and came, and came, followed by distraught family members clutching photo portraits and clinging to each other.

"Forgive them their sins," said Russian Orthodox Father Vladimir Slonimsky. "And to the people who are alive, let them have enough courage to survive the losses."

The process of coping turned grim on Saturday at an outdoor facility 15 miles away at Vladikavkaz. Families wearing facemasks looked through several hundred body bags and clear plastic bags to identify loved ones.

"I've got his picture!" cried mother Lilia Zaporezhets, when she identified her 11-year-old son, Sergei.

She held his portrait, and wept. "I just gave him a new haircut before school."

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[Guest Good GRACE]

Well, well, well............is there anything about this town that makes anybody happy? When the kids were crammed in the school, we're screaming for trailers. We get the trailers and now we're screaming about the location of them. Let's face facts, most of the people complaining about the lost parking spaces are the PARENTS that used to sit in their cozy cars waiting for their kids to come out and now they don't have that so they're upset. Too bad. Get over it. Walk. For heaven's sake, the town is only one square mile, how far away can you possibly live? If it should snow while the trailers are out there, I'm sure it will be shoveled and the mommies and daddies will have to put on their boots and come claim their kids. If certain people are concerned about the kids having to traipse back and forth to use the bathrooms in bad weather maybe they should volunteer some of their time walking kids back and forth holding an umbrella. Instead of complaining so much, do something. It's easy to sit there and complain from the comfort of your home, but to actually get up and do something positive with that negative energy and break away from that comfort zone is something else. If it's so bad here and you don't believe that your child is benefitting from the schools and the way they are run, the solution is simple. Move. Sell your home, you can get top dollar for it, and go. Since when do parking spots come before an education? Are you people crazy? If the trailers had been placed off site, people would have been complaining about that. Starting Monday when the courtyard is closed and people won't be able to cut through, you can rest assured, people will be complaining about that. How about saying something positive. My children LOVE going to school everyday. Even with it being crowded everyday and with the trailers being there, they still love it. I love that they have these really FABULOUS teachers, who give wholeheartedly and go unappreciated more often than not. So I would like to thank these people for getting up everyday and making a positive difference in the life of my children. I'm sure they don't hear it enough. Yeah, the trailers are unsightly but dangerous? I think not. l think the greater danger is the parents I see everyday who drive around with their children not even strapped in to their seats. How about this: let's try some patience and manners. The same values and qualities we try to instill in our children. Let's lead by example. You know: please, thank you, excuse me, after you. It seems to me that there is enough to complain about. Is that how you want your children to see you everyday? As a bitter, negative person who does nothing except show how unhappy they are everyday? I would hope not. These little people look up to us. Don't they see enough negativity and bitterness and hate in the world around them, do they really need to experience it first hand every time they go to and come from school? C'mon, give it a rest already. Go pick up your kid, plant a great big kiss on him/her, ask them how their day was and be thankful you have them. And if you should see a child that can't get through to their parent because of the crowd, help them out................... Remember, it takes a village.

[Guest Guest,Mother and Grandmother...]

Well, well, well............is there anything about this town that makes anybody happy? When the kids were crammed in the school, we're screaming for trailers. We get the trailers and now we're screaming about the location of them. Let's face facts, most of the people complaining about the lost parking spaces are the PARENTS that used to sit in their cozy cars waiting for their kids to come out and now they don't have that so they're upset. Too bad. Get over it. Walk. For heaven's sake, the town is only one square mile, how far away can you possibly live? If it should snow while the trailers are out there, I'm sure it will be shoveled and the mommies and daddies will have to put on their boots and come claim their kids. If certain people are concerned about the kids having to traipse back and forth to use the bathrooms in bad weather maybe they should volunteer some of their time walking kids back and forth holding an umbrella. Instead of complaining so much, do something. It's easy to sit there and complain from the comfort of your home, but to actually get up and do something positive with that negative energy and break away from that comfort zone is something else. If it's so bad here and you don't believe that your child is benefitting from the schools and the way they are run, the solution is simple. Move. Sell your home, you can get top dollar for it, and go. Since when do parking spots come before an education? Are you people crazy? If the trailers had been placed off site, people would have been complaining about that. Starting Monday when the courtyard is closed and people won't be able to cut through, you can rest assured, people will be complaining about that. How about saying something positive. My children LOVE going to school everyday. Even with it being crowded everyday and with the trailers being there, they still love it. I love that they have these really FABULOUS teachers, who give wholeheartedly and go unappreciated more often than not. So I would like to thank these people for getting up everyday and making a positive difference in the life of my children. I'm sure they don't hear it enough. Yeah, the trailers are unsightly but dangerous? I think not. l think the greater danger is the parents I see everyday who drive around with their children not even strapped in to their seats. How about this: let's try some patience and manners. The same values and qualities we try to instill in our children. Let's lead by example. You know: please, thank you, excuse me, after you. It seems to me that there is enough to complain about. Is that how you want your children to see you everyday? As a bitter, negative person who does nothing except show how unhappy they are everyday? I would hope not. These little people look up to us. Don't they see enough negativity and bitterness and hate in the world around them, do they really need to experience it first hand every time they go to and come from school? C'mon, give it a rest already. Go pick up your kid, plant a great big kiss on him/her, ask them how their day was and be thankful you have them. And if you should see a child that can't get through to their parent because of the crowd, help them out................... Remember, it takes a village.

Thank You So Much, You have said it very well.Now if People would just listen. But I dont think We should be so lucky......WELL SAID AND I AGREE WITH YOU>>>>>>THANK YOU....come on people stop complaining The Kids Dont need this as said before if it not about the trailers it would be something else ...This is a perfect solution for now...I bet the kids love it.....many other towns have trailers for class rooms.....Id rather this than over crowded class rooms....cut some slack....