"As she reminded people at the rally to sign a petition in support of Rossi, Colleen Maher said she can only imagine that the student may have misunderstood his gesture of comfort. ?He was the type who went the extra mile,? she said."

This quote disturbs me to no end, and I signed up to voice my concern as a former Cornwall resident for many many years growing up.....

The VICTIM needs support and the outward showing of love and affection is commendable in many situations, just not this one in my opinion. I suggest to the neighbors and friends of this suspected child abuser that they also remember that children who are victimized usually never recover. So save the white ribbons and love fest for a more appropriate time and place.

And please do not misconstrue my posting as overtly negative towards the suspect. It was meant to be a show of support to the VICTIM... which this article clearly decided to leave out. Or possibly the victim and his supporters decided a court proceeding was not the proper place to gather and scream "WE LOVE YOU" to a suspected child abuser.

In this day and age, multiple texting and phone calls, and a possible meeting in a car is 110% totally unacceptable. There are many many many many many many many many many other ways a concerned teach or school administrator can do to "go the extra mile" for the children.

And who ever said that a good person who has been a good person for a long time can;t have a dark side, or couldn't have made a series of terrible choices, etc.

I am shocked also that not one mention of the victim was in this article. What a shame. My heart goes out to the victim and his family. Texting has gotten many in trouble.

I guess all of the supporters missed the article in the Times Herald Record that reported the admissions he made. I don't get it. Don't forget, most of these acts are committed by the 'wolf dressed in sheep's clothing'.
BTW, to Colleen Maher, the charges listed indicate that Mr Rossi's 'gesture of comfort' involved touching of the victim's genitals. I think I would have been pretty confused as well.

Foolish to have met a student outside of work. He lacks basic common sense which we cannot convict him on. Perhaps the truth will pervail either way. Yes there should have been a statement here regarding the victim also but then again we are all foolish for spending so much time in this class B newsfeed. LOL

I WILL STAND BY MR. ROSSI AND SCREAM "I LOVE YOU", no matter the time, the place, or the situation. Mr. Rossi is far from foolish, and to me, HE IS THE VICTIM. I always said if there were more people in the world like Mike Rossi, than more kids with no hope would be saved like me. To many of us, who did not have a stable home, Mr. Rossi was the only parent we knew. SO WHY WOULDN'T WE SUPPORT HIM?

Mike Rossi should be given the benefit of the doubt. He is an upstanding citizen who has devoted many years to his students, without ever one negative incident. There are ways that people can "create evidence" with so much technology available. Who is the "victim"? Could there be motivation on his part to make these strong allegations? Sometimes, in cases like this there is more than one victim, sometimes the the accused and their family become the TRUE victim. Mr.Rossi, I hope you know there are SO MANY who support and love you!!!

The article that "reported" the admission. This must be proof that wrong Mr. Rossi is guilty (sarcasm).i guess i was under the mistaken impression that people in this country where innocent until proven guilty. At least that is what I have been taught in my 1st year law classes.

The problem with accusations is that they can be merit less and can still ruin lives. No one knows what happened and there is still a case pending that will decide whether there was any wrong doing. The supporters of Mr. Rossi, like myself, believe in his character and can attest to many of the good things he has done.

By the way a wolf dressed in sheep's clothing, come on now this isn't a movie. One can't fake character through out a career. I was in his class for four years, many times he had the opportunity to act inappropriately and never came close to it. We came out in his defense because many, including people posting on this, have already made up their minds.

Lastly no one is attacking the victim. We don't know him or his motivations. We are just defending a beloved educator. We should be allowed to this in any way we deem appropriate, it is not up to you how we do this. I believe it is called the first amendment.

Whatever the case the courts will decide the outcome. I am sure when Mr. Rossi is found innocent everyone who talked trash will come out an apologize for their inappropriate judgment, yea right.

To Al S. :

You are correct that if Mr Rossi is found innocent, than this is a tragedy that will deserve many apologies. I will be the first to post such an apology.

If he is found guilty, I hope each and every person posting support and LOVE will send a hand-written letter to the victim and wish him well.... because chances are his life will forever be a mess.