Officials Call School Donation From Adult Store 'Porn Money'
School Principal Says Donation Not Acceptable
POSTED: 11:25 am EST March 30, 2005
UPDATED: 5:23 pm EST March 30, 2005
MILFORD, Conn. -- Local officials are criticizing an $800 donation from an adult entertainment store to a school, describing it as tainted "porn money."
The Penthouse Boutique is only one of two local businesses that opted to make a donation to the Live Oaks School project to build a rock-climbing wall.
"This is not going to be acceptable, and you can quote me," Live Oaks Principal Raymond Vitali said Tuesday.
Kimberley Rivera, a member of the fund-raising group who had sent the letter seeking the donation, said if Penthouse Boutique obeys the law and pays its taxes, she said, then its contribution should count.
Republican Town Committee Chairman Jack Fowler said no school should accept money from the adult industry.
"I would not take it. This is not blood money. But porn money is close enough. I don't think any school in Milford should take it," Fowler said.
Penthouse Boutique's owner, Dan Quinn, said while he is aware that the gift will spark controversy, it's all being done for a good purpose.
"I want them to have the money. Hopefully, they are going to take it," Quinn said.
A group of parents, acting outside the school's Parent-Teacher Association, has raised $4,100 for the project, excluding the $800 that Quinn pledged.
Anyone who donates $100 or more will be recognized on an engraved plaque next to the wall in the school's gymnasium.
http://www.nbc30.com/news/4330437/detail.html
School Principal Says Donation Not Acceptable
POSTED: 11:25 am EST March 30, 2005
UPDATED: 5:23 pm EST March 30, 2005
MILFORD, Conn. -- Local officials are criticizing an $800 donation from an adult entertainment store to a school, describing it as tainted "porn money."
The Penthouse Boutique is only one of two local businesses that opted to make a donation to the Live Oaks School project to build a rock-climbing wall.
"This is not going to be acceptable, and you can quote me," Live Oaks Principal Raymond Vitali said Tuesday.
Kimberley Rivera, a member of the fund-raising group who had sent the letter seeking the donation, said if Penthouse Boutique obeys the law and pays its taxes, she said, then its contribution should count.
Republican Town Committee Chairman Jack Fowler said no school should accept money from the adult industry.
"I would not take it. This is not blood money. But porn money is close enough. I don't think any school in Milford should take it," Fowler said.
Penthouse Boutique's owner, Dan Quinn, said while he is aware that the gift will spark controversy, it's all being done for a good purpose.
"I want them to have the money. Hopefully, they are going to take it," Quinn said.
A group of parents, acting outside the school's Parent-Teacher Association, has raised $4,100 for the project, excluding the $800 that Quinn pledged.
Anyone who donates $100 or more will be recognized on an engraved plaque next to the wall in the school's gymnasium.
http://www.nbc30.com/news/4330437/detail.html
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