All that enables wickedness is silence and inaction by those with the power to stop it. The people who worked and were friends with the Rev. Robert Carlson and knew about his potential sex-abuse victims should be held accountable by police if they fail to admit their own complacency. There is no excuse for potentially letting children be traumatized for years. There is no excuse for knowing or suspecting and doing nothing.
Enough of remaining silent. If you received information about or witnessed criminal or inappropriate sexual behavior by Carlson and did not tell police, you displayed the same hypocrisy as the man who claimed to be a reverend. Instead of comfort, he brought torment to multiple children, as evidenced by a Maine State Police report released Wednesday.
The report details interviews police conducted with victims, the former president of Husson University, Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office employees, a Bangor police officer and a therapist who treated some of Carlson’s victims. It shows that Carlson — who was the chaplain of the Penobscot County Jail for 32 years and the chaplain of Husson for 11 years — likely sexually abused several children over four decades, until he jumped off the Penobscot Narrows Bridge on Nov. 13, 2011.
It should not require an anonymous letter to the district attorney’s office to start a police investigation into whether someone has sexually abused children.
If former Husson President Bill Beardsley — now the commissioner of the Maine Department of Conservation — received a phone call from someone about an inappropriate sexual relationship Carlson had years prior, and Carlson resigned from Husson after Beardsley talked to him about the caller, why didn’t Beardsley take the additional step and tell police what happened? Even if Beardsley had no evidence of unlawful activity, why not let police make that determination?
An unidentified therapist in the report said there were at least six victims, and other staff members at the treatment facility were working with victims as well. The therapist said Carlson used money as part of his control over some victims and that there was a grooming process. Did the therapists report the matter to the Department of Health and Human Services? If not, why?
Carlson was a widely known figure as a founder of Penobscot Community Health Care and Hope House, in addition to a church leader in Orrington and chaplain for the Bangor and Brewer police and fire departments. But society should know by now that all types of people have been convicted of abusing children, whether physically or by using or creating child pornography: a Jackman kindergarten teacher, Penn State assistant football coach, Maine state trooper, assistant attorney general. It’s time people learned to report potential criminal activity no matter what position the person holds.
It’s also time for police to say how many likely victims there are and what was done to them. There’s been too much hiding, and much of the information in the report was redacted. The truth can be made clear without identifying victims.
We hope people who know something, anything, about the allegations that Carlson sexually abused minors will tell police. We hope potential victims will be able to share their experiences with people in positions of power and be confident they will be taken seriously. We hope people have learned, are learning, that there is no excuse for remaining silent in the face of suspicions that someone abused children.
EXCELLENT EDITORIAL. THE NEW EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR WRITES SUPERBLY, AND MOVINGLY, BUT ALWAYS ANALYTICALLY. SHE’S A GEM. AT THE LEAST, THOSE WHO ALLOWED CARLSON TO DO HIS EVIL DEEDS SHOULD OWN UP TO THEIR MORAL FAILURES AND NOT HIDE BEHIND ALLEGED IGNORANCE. AGAIN, A SUPERB EDITORIAL.
Actually, the editorialist doesn’t understand that it’s not a crime not to tell police you suspect something is happening but have no evidence.
You are wrong . If a person suspects someone of crimes against crimes against children and do nothing you a worse than the one doing it at least the one doing it is sick .
There is a big difference between “suspecting” and “knowing.”
The interesting thing about knowledge is that it requires three things: 1) You must believe whatever it is to be true. 2) It must be true. 3.You must be able to show or prove that it is true. Then if you are going to punish people for suspicions you are going to be pretty busy. If you think that an individual had suspicions that something happened you would have to prove what was in that person’s mind. Not too easy. One way to do that is with “enhanced interrogation techniques” which, if suspicion is the basis for action,the use of such techniques won’t be far behind.
These people always hide behind ignorance–In the long run it simply shows just how truly ignorant they are!–Anyone,who would put their “so-called” position in society, or a job , or a chance to see themselves in the paper, before the fact that children are being raped by some preacher or priest are as low as the scum they say they are putting away!!–They didn’t put this one away!–Oh no, he had a friend that warned him what was coming down!—How do you people live with yourselves, especially when now we all know who you are??
Oncxe again, he is called” Rev.” Carlson, but was not such and does not deserve the distinction before his name, so why did you write it, Miss Rhoda?
“the alleged Rev.?” Or the “fake Rev.?”
How about “Catholic Priest” kind of like the rest of them from what I heard growing up. I always thought it was a joke hearing about this when growing up turns out it was not. Thankful my dad was an ex marine and a good old down to earth heathen
Catholic priests don’t hold a monopoly on it, Clammin, unfortunately. They and Carlson any many others commit these crimes every day. In fact, there’s one in the Bangor area I’ve suspected for many years now. They convince their brethren that they sit at the right hand of God and once they’ve got that control, they use their other hand to… Well you know.
Why not speak out on this to someone? I mean they cant just totally ignore your suspicions and help out this victim if it is going on?? I dont think that I could go around thinking that someone a child has trust in is doing this. Maybe you should think about that some??
The “not” Rev.? or the “UnRev.?”
Sad to say, but he never was proven guilty. To hold others accountable you would first have to find Carlson guilty I think . He knew he was in trouble that’s probably why he took his own life. Sad day for the victims.
True. However, an inquiry into the matter that beardsley, ross, and other police officers would show who did what and offer a glimpse into what these so-called law enforcement people did or did not do. Why would a police officer object to scrutiny if they truly believe they did nothing wrong?
An excellent editorial on the part of the BDN editorial staff. I certainly hope, and judging by the responses to yesterdays article on the Carlson matter I am not alone, that this editorial is just the start of what will be a lot of digging on the part of BDN’s journalist. There are many many questions that need answers. Among them is why it took almost ten months for the Maine State Police to complete their investigation. Why was Mr. Beardsley, the current Commissioner of The Maine Department of Conservation, allowed to avoid answering questions by the Maine State Police for nine months. Was politics somehow involved? Why didn’t the Bangor Police Department’s Bob Welch and Lt. Tim Reed, both good cops and experienced investigators, follow up on their suspicions that Carlson was doing something wrong. The excuse that it was too dark in the parking lot for a video camera to work does not pass the straight face test. If that were true then we would never hear about drug arrest, the dealers would just go to a dark part of a parking lot to conduct business. What really was the involvement of current Sheriff Glen Ross in the entire Carlson affair? Why after he promised the State Police to keep quiet did he immediately tell Carlson. He could have just as easily restricted Carlson’s entry into the jail. He has that authority as Sheriff. Why has he told different stories? How about former Sheriff Tim Richardson? If he suspected that Carlson was up to no good why didn’t he institute an investigation or at least request that the State Police conduct one? Just reading the message boards in regards to this matter one could conclude, by the comments, that there were a considerable number of people who felt Carlson was not acting appropriately. Why wasn’t a background check ever done on Carlson? He was said to show up at accidents and crime scenes almost as if by magic. I remember on numerous occasions being passed by his car with EOCC plates with blue lights flashing as if he were responding to an emergency. There are those who feel it would be best to close this case, as the Maine State Police have done, as a way of allowing the community to heal. They may be right, but it seems that there are still a lot more questions to be answered and until they are the healing really will not be able to start.
“Why was Mr. Beardsley, the current Commissioner of The Maine Department of Conservation, allowed to avoid answering questions by the Maine State Police for nine months.”
Witnesses are not required to answer any questions during a criminal investigation. Nor are suspects.
Fine. But then he shouldn’t be a public servant. He needs to lose his position, whatever it is.
Actually Ryan you are correct with one small exception. If you note in the list below #13 in the list of MANDATORY REPORTERS is school official. Mr. Beardsley as President of Husson College (at the time) falls under that description.
MRS Title 22
Subchapter 2: REPORTING OF ABUSE OR NEGLECT
§4011-A. Reporting of suspected abuse or neglect
1. Required report to department.
The following adult persons shall immediately report or cause a report
to be made to the department when the person knows
or has reasonable cause to suspect that a child has been
or is likely to be abused or neglected or that a suspicious child death
has occurred:
A. When acting in a professional capacity:
(1) An allopathic or osteopathic physician, resident or intern;
(2) An emergency medical services person;
(3) A medical examiner;
(4) A physician’s assistant;
(5) A dentist;
(6) A dental hygienist;
(7) A dental assistant;
(8) A chiropractor;
(9) A podiatrist;
(10) A registered or licensed practical nurse;
(11) A teacher;
(12) A guidance counselor;
(13) A school official;
(14) A youth camp administrator or counselor;
(15) A social worker;
(16) A court-appointed special advocate or guardian ad litem for the child;
(17) A homemaker;
(18) A home health aide;
(19) A medical or social service worker;
(20) A psychologist;
(21) Child care personnel;
(22) A mental health professional;
(23) A law enforcement official;
(24) A state or municipal fire inspector;
(25) A municipal code enforcement official;
(26) A commercial film and photographic print processor;
(27) A clergy member acquiring the information as a result of clerical professional work except for information received
during confidential communications;
(28) A chair of a professional licensing board that has jurisdiction over mandated reporters;
(29) A humane agent employed by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources;
(30) A sexual assault counselor;
(31) A family or domestic violence victim advocate; and
(32) A school bus driver or school bus attendant;
You are really an amazingly helpful force in this painful time–thank you for spearheading a drive for true justice. You’ve put in a lot of time and, again, I truly thank you.
This entire matter stinks of COVER UP AND BUTT COVERING. Thanks should go to the NEWS for doing what a good newspaper is supposed to do. When public officials, law enforcement officers and community leaders fail to do what is right to protect innocent children from predators like Carlson simply because he was a nice guy, a man of the cloth or a friend then they need to be held accountable. One former sheriff and two Bangor Police Officers , both of whom are top notch investigators,had suspicions about Carlson. Yet no investigations were conducted. The current Sheriff of Penobscot County would have us believe that he was totally unaware of Carlson’s activities. Really? Glen Ross is the top cop in Penobscot County yet he is acting more like Sgt. Schultz with his “I know nothing” routine. I hope that the NEWS, civic leaders, our politicians and the entire Eastern Maine community will not allow this matter to just fade away. Carlson’s enablers need to answer why they stood by and failed to protect little kids from this terrible beast. As Dr. Steele said this is not an isolated incident. It is going on in our community today and will be as long as otherwise good people turn their heads and remain silent. There are questions to be answered and it is our responsibility as citizens to DEMAND them.
This mislabeled.. It should read:
MRS – Title 22
Chapter 1071
Subchapter 2
Subsection 4011-A
Yes, what Pastor Carlson did was horrible, and it is a terrible thing that he was not stopped.
I don’t want to be too quick to judge people who were uneasy about his behavior but had no actual evidence of wrongdoing.
We have the benefit of hindsight, which is 20-20.
In no way am I judging anyone. But I do believe we have a right to know, especially when it involves sworn police officers and public officials, what they knew and when they knew it.
Yes.
Anybody who suspected or wtnessed something must be freaking out right now. A lot of good people probably made the horrible mistake of looking the other way. I bet they would have taken immediate action if it had been their child. Hard to prove but I would feel guilty for the rest of my life if I had any knowledge of this activity and didn’t stop it. I’m really hoping this is all hype but …….. eternal optomist.
the wvom talk morning show with Ric and George knew something I suspect
Excellent editorial. The next step should be charging President Beardsley and Sheriff Ross both for turning their heads and/or obstructing justice. The Sheriff is not a rookie….he knew better.
‘Tis best you read the law first…
I agree, and what about the Mr.s…I am sure his wife had more than suspicions! They pretty much had seperate lives, unless it had to do with Church or a Public Event where it was best for them to appear “together”. I think it was odd that in the early 80’s he always had a young 19/20 year old guy following him around, but Carlson told people he was just trying to help straighten his life out…. who would question that with no other proof other than a “gut feeling”.
That’s an excuse used by Sandusky and rejected by the court.
Was Carlson ‘gay’ or ‘bi’?
Yeah and did he drink tea or coffee in the morning, and most of all, did he pee sitting down?
I agree with this wholeheartedly and furthermore, think the person who tipped him off as to the fact there this was being looked into should be charged with impeding an investigation…even if he was an officer himself.
He isn’t just an “officer” he is the Penobscot County Sheriff Glenn Ross! He should be ousted and charged!
Yes they should be held accountable- not only for the sake of the victims- but the university could face some major law suits over this.
True. Think Sandusky. And that may explain the silence.
What about former sheriff Timothy Richardson? He apparently knew and did very little by his own admission?
Why does the Bangor Daily insist of bestowing the title “good” on Carlson? That is what “reverend” means. The evidence shows that Carlson was not good and not to be revered. So why continue calling him good?
Second, the editorial needs to understand that merely having suspicions that someone is engaged in illegal behavior is not sufficient to hold that person criminally responsible if that person did not tell the police.
Our criminal justice system requires evidence, not mere suspicion.
Merely having thoughts that something wasn’t right about Carlson is not evidence, and certainly not even remotely close to being a crime if you didn’t tell the police.
There is a mandated reporter statute in Maine State Law that requires people in certain professional positions to report “suspected abuse” to the DHHS. It is then the responsibility of the DHHS to follow up and determine whether or not there is actual abuse. These calls can be made anonymously without retribution if the call is made in good faith. This statute does not preclude the common citizen from reporting suspicions of abuse however, it is mandatory for professionals especially those who work with children to report.
How about the BDN take some responsibility for praising this man. Your journalists such as Renee Ordway revered this man. Also, you constantly had his photo in the paper. If he wasn’t frothing over Bill Clinton at the airport in Bangor (photo was in the weekly), we had to see his photo telling us who to vote for – i.e. “I’m voting for Tom” he was in advertisements for auctions, he was always in photos for articles regarding PCHC. BDN promoted this man by putting him in their paper – continuously. Not only that, he was on tv, telling us what type of home he purchased, he was on the radio on the ‘God squad” it was a nightmare! Most likely it was not just Beardsley who received a telephone call about Bob Carlson.
We don’t need people to come out and report their sexual abuse by Carlson as much as we need to hold those who knew and did nothing to be held accountable. There are many who did nothing.
I like your comment wish I could hit *like* more then once. There is no point in anyone else coming out is there? I mean they have about made it clear that there is nothing that they can do because Bob Carlson was a coward and took his own life! Maybe it makes people feel some relief if they come forward. Cant help but wonder if someone or some of them had any part in any of this since they all kept their mouths shut. Shyt why even come forward after hes dead?? Makes them look really bad.
The first article posted regarding the report contained this sentence: “Because Carlson is dead and there is no one to charge in this case, his
home computer was not taken as evidence, Coleman said.” – not to second
guess experienced investigators but…why wouldn’t they want to look at
his computer? Isn’t that one of the methods used in tracking child
abuse/pornography rings? His computer might provide evidence of others
engaging in criminal activity involving children. I would think they’d
at least want to take a look.
There is one factor that has not been taken into consideration. Who may I ask, is going to tackle that investigation? The sheriff, the bangor Chief or the State Police?
This man was a fake Rev. None of us new this about Bob Carlson.. He was a community icon.. Nobody new what he was doing behind close doors but his wife… She must of known Somthing was going on here.. The fact of the matter is Bill Beardsley is a Republican.. That’s all that matters to the BDN and these bias news stations.. The man is dead.. The wife should of turn him in.. Let’s smear the Evil Republican period.. You people have free range to drive Bill down into the dirt, because the suspect is dead.. This is why your paper is tanking..
Whoa. Hold on there, Fishmann. Even the most political of people wouldn’t stoop so low as to make this an “us vs. them” issue. We are talking about children, here, and those who are morally obligated to protect them-that would be all adults, period.
Other then to say that Beardsley is a member of LePage’s cabinet how is anyone dragging him down. Do you really feel it is political to ask why a man who was, by law, a mandatory reporter failed to report Carlson to the appropriate authorities. Do you really feel it is unreasonable to ask why it took him 8 months to make himself available to the State Police? Why is it that out of everyone else named in this story that Beardsley was the only one listed who lawyered up? Furthermore I believe that Glen Ross is a democrat and there have been far more post on here concerning his roll in this entire mess. Take off the blinders. This isn’t about Democrats, Republicans, Independents, Greens or any other political affiliation. It is about little kids being sexually abused by a monster and you have chosen to try to make it something about politics.
The State Police have always, at least in my opinon, professed to be an agency that would not back off from an investigation involving police officers in any department. If there are allegations that former officers did not do their duty in the report of carlson’s illegal activities, then the MSP should open an investigation into those officers and let the cards fall where they may. Will that happen, I am starting to doubt it at this point? When a person warns a criminal that the police are conducting an investigation into a matter then that person is a criminal as well. What would it hurt to conduct an inquiry into that entire matter?
What you’re looking for is an Accessory After the Fact investigation as well as an Obstruction of Justice investigation. The only real question that has to be asked and answered is who is gonna do it since most of the Maine criminal justice system has been contaminiated by this due to everyone that is, or has any experience in this, involved thru personal involvement. If this evers gets to a serious level, the Maine AG’s Office is gonna have to very likely go outside of Maine to find someone that has both the experience and the impartiality to investigate so whatever comes out of the investigation is final and strong enough to withstand Court scrutiny. From this perpsective it’s beginning to look like a good idea for everyone to start getting a lawyer ’cause this one is gonna get messy !
It is not appropriate to single out Bill Beardsley in this matter. Others had reason to suspect abuse, yet failed to act. Even a highly regarded police officer like Bob Welsh let the matter slide though aware of Carleson’s car parked regularly in a dark parking lot. Bad decision, yet one I pray I must never face.
As for the BDN’s assertion: ” If you received information about or witnessed criminal or inappropriate sexual behavior by Carlson and did not tell police, you displayed the same hypocrisy as the man who claimed to be a reverend.” BALONEY! Carleson was an out-right fraud as a human being. People like Beardsley, Welsh, and others are highly regarded for substantiated reasons, yet fallible like all of us.
You are over the top in your moral outrage here, BDN. Settle down.
So there is a limit to moral outrage? I wasn’t aware of that. The BDN should be “a little angry”, apparently, but not “too angry”? Keep going, BDN…..you’re JUST GETTING STARTED!!
Odd coincidence that Commissioner Beardsley is a member of the LePage Cabinet and, despite the many people who suspected yet remained silent about the abuse, as reported by the BDN itself, Comm. Beardsley is the ONLY ONE named in this editorial.
The BDN loathes LePage. Look at the big picture and tell me if you think you see any agenda here on behalf of the BDN because I sure do. Please do a little critical thinking before replying.
There is a lot of speculation coming from people regarding this case. I can tell you first hand that if the Bangor Police Department, especially Lt. Robert Welch, had enough probable cause to prosecute Robert Carlson they would have. I applaud Bob for stepping forward with the info after the whole thing blew up. As a former cop things can look suspicious all day long, people can feel there is something wrong (Gut Feeling) but if there is no reasonable suspicion you can’t just go up to someone and say “Are you molesting children”. It’s a long process with specific guidelines. As a Judge in Bangor used to tell Defendants “Just because you were found not guilty does not mean you are not guilty, it means the State did not prove their case today in this courtroom”. Meaning, he knew they were guilty but the evidence was not there.
Until someone comes forward and makes an actual complaint with factual information nothing criminal can be done. But, based on his reputation and the suspicions around him within the area there was no reason for this man to be around any type of Law Enforcement function. This man was not qualified or trained at the level of being a Captain at the Penobscot County Sheriffs Office. He was not qualified to be responding to any form of complaint at all. The only time he did was when it was personal to him or to get media attention out of it. I never observed this man take any updated training in the almost 20 years I worked on the street. What I do know is this, he was a prime supporter of the Baldacci Administration which also backed up Sheriff Glenn Ross. So it is not hard to figure out why he was around so much when you’re dealing with politicians. Carlson was given the the position of Captain because he got support for Glenn Ross. Ross pays back the favor by giving him a position of authority and access to the jail. As a cop you respect those that have worked the streets, different divisions, mentors and trains new rookies and leads by example. Carlson was none of these but was a Captain of the Sheriffs Office.
As for the Sheriffs Office, these are some the best and hardest workers in LE. The only place you need to look is at the Politician sitting in the big office that states Sheriff. Det. Tim Jamison and Det. Rick Canarr are professionals. Before Tim died of cancer he was responsible for a majority of sex crimes in the County. He developed the system with the DA’s Office that is highly respected by local and state officials for sex crimes and the prosecution of such. Rick Canarr has since taken those duties over and is doing an incredible job. They did the right thing, brought it to the attention of their superiors. It’s not up to them as to what happens after that. Again, suspicious that Carlson wanted access to video’s, but yet not a crime. Def raised eyebrows since they went to their superiors to inform them of the request by Carlson. Superior, maybe Ross heard about this. Who knows.
Chief Deputy Troy Morton is an excellent leader. There is no question that Troy would have dropped the hammer on Carlson if this had come to his attention. I will tell that he would have lost his job over it prior to it coming to an end. So just remember, you can’t lock someone up for suspicion but you certainly could have stopped his involvement within some of these agencies. It would not have stopped the abuse or what happened in the past. Oh one last thing, did anyone everrrrr do an actual background check on this guy, NO. No record what so ever of anything on his resume. Unbelievable!!
Based on the information contained in the MSP report, I would think there were enough questions raised about Carlson’s behavior that an investigation would have been warranted. How do investigations begin? Isn’t it from some kind of complaint or suspicion? Investigations into illegal drug activity usually begin with someone’s suspicious activity being brought to the attention of law enforcement, correct? In my opinion, the MSP report shows there were enough suspicious activities to warrant at least a preliminary investigation.
4mermainer is right on the money. the first and only time i saw carlson was at the memorial for kay Liebowitz: it stuck in my mind because it was so freaky. Somehow he made the ceremony largely about HIMSELF, saying precious little about Kay… but the crowd swooned for him. it was bizarre, and made me feel uncomfortable how they fawned over his every word (largely about his own activities). these people are manipulators, and I’m sorry, but now I’d be more surprised to find a decent, honest priest or scout leader
Wonderful editorial. Right on the mark. Thank you.
I think what is being largely overlooked on this comment board is the fact that prior to the Sandusky case, this repulsive clandestine activity (sexual molestation of children) seldom made headlines. Yes, the Catholic church has been taken to task because of the dozens of cases being litigated; but just recently, Jerry Sandusky’s high-profile position at Penn State prompted a national examination of these terrible sexual violations.
We have many high-integrity professionals here in Penobscot County, in areas as diverse as law enforcement and education. It is easy to point a finger and say, “Why didn’t he come forward and say or do something about Carlson?” As some of the witnesses stated, religious figures were considered above suspicion then.
That has all changed now.
Just as Sandusky’s case set a national precedent, I believe Bob Carlson’s case sets a LOCAL precedent. From this point forward, people in both private and professional capacities will be hyper-alert to this form of deviant behavior. It is easier to take action when there is greater public awareness and accurate information made available. The BDN serves the community by striving to expose as many facts as possible; the public serves the community by educating themselves about this sick and atrocious behavior and reporting any suspicious behavior immediately.
Perhaps this is the only good that will come of the suffering of these victims and the death of a flawed and troubled soul. Sometimes a harsh light must be cast in dark places to illuminate the truth.
We went through this thirty years ago with the preschool child abuse cases, almost all – if not all – of which proved to have been fabricated by ambitious prosecutors. There’s no doubt Carlson was a pervert, but if our ambitious prosecutors start going after those who weren’t suspicious enough of him – and in the future, of other perverts – we are going to end up with a society in which sensible people will have nothing to do with children not their own, and nothing to do with those who do.
If there’s a clear case of dereliction of duty then yes, go after that person. But after that, let the matter rest.
If I was suspected of child abuse I would hope I would be investigated. I would expect not to be allowed around boy scout camp (or kids) while I was being investigated . Yes this would make my life hard . I would want all the information they had of why I was investigated to be made public. Sorry I am not man of god but if that is what it takes to save a kid I am big enough to accept that . If A full blown investigation was done on Carlson before Maybe they would not have had enough to toss him in jail . Fine but definately enough not to let him around kids . Having a son in Boyscouts I am outraged no one so much as did a background check on this man . The dirt they had on him make me sick. Did scouts give the money they made off him to victims of abuse? It seems to me more about greed .
I think we now have to play by the Sandusky rules and that’s going to involve a lot of prominent Mainers, including police. Carlson was highly respected in non-profit and education circles, and ranks far above a football coach.
So now if you hear second hand ‘gossip’ you will have to report it.
Odd internet find….hopefully a co-incidence. From a jan. 2001 Detroit GELSEN flyer:
“As we begin the New Year, we will have a speaker with an appropriately
dynamic past, present and future for our January 14th meeting. Bob Carlson’s
life experience includes many transitions that have prepared him for his current
mission of serving the GLBT community. He has retired from his first career as
a history teacher at Detroit Country Day School. Bob is a widower with two
adult children, and now as an openly gay person, he is proud of his identity.
In his busy second career, Bob is currently the Co-Chair of GLSEN-Detroit, as
well as an Executive Board Member of GLSEN-Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti. As CoChair, he is a driving force behind the founding this year of the Michigan Safe Schools Coalition.
The MSSC is a favorite of PFLAG Detroit, as we are one of
ten charter affiliates. [see the article on page 6] He also serves as Chairperson
of Scouting for Equality. Finally, Bob is a member of many professional
organizations seeking equal rights for actual or perceived GLBT individuals,
particularly in our schools. ”
Does ‘our’ Rev. Carlson have ties to Michigan? ….if there is no link, please erase this clip.
if other people knew about it, and looked the other way they are just as guilty.
I don’t understand how this man could fool so many for so long. He evidently never had a background check for any of his jobs starting with minister. That certainly would have decreased his “power” in this area as would one facility talking to another when he was terminated for suspicious actions. Hopefully we have all learned a lesson so this does not happen again on our watch.