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I was lucky enough to be directed by "Boss" during his last years at Santa Fe High School. He ran the marching band like a drill sergeant and demanded respect and dicipline from all of his students. Most of my fondest memories from high school revolve around band activities. "Boss" was highly respected and liked and will be missed dearly. My deepest condolences to his wife and family.

Kelly Trujillo, Trumpet line SFHS 1988-1991

The guy was an egomaniac and played favorites with some students while treating others "poorly." After three years in his band, I had had enough of him, and as a result, my musical ambitions ended--this was true with many other people I knew. "If only Pontsler weren't the director, I would stay in the band," was a commonly heard refrain. And for all those who wanted to pursue string instruments, For those of you who enjoyed him as a teacher, good for you--I'm glad it worked out. However, I'm sure there are many like me who will not miss him one iota.

What a great article about a great man! I was so lucky to know Boss! He gave us all such a wonderful gift with music. I will think of him every time I hear a marching band! We'll miss you, Boss! Thank You for being you!

Definitely.  One of the best ways educators could help raise some of those sagging scores would be to invest in their music programs.  Band, orchestra and choir students have higher GPA's and they get into much less trouble with drugs and gangs.  They don't have time for them! 

Keep music in the schools!!!!

(damn it).

Thank you for such a wonderful article. Class of 1978

I am always entranced by a good mime.  It is to me one of the most sublime of all the performing arts. 

You guys are just awful, but hee-hee-hee anyway. And like PC Chavez, I've never cared for mime performance. But he inspired, and was inspired by, Red Skelton, and they greatly respected each other. I saw them together on TV once, and it was really something. And Marceau was the supreme proponent of his art.

Last act ... Man in Box

A moment of silence, please . . .

Reportedly his last words were " ". His funeral will be marked by a moment of noise. A mime is a terrible thing to waste. The jokes write themselves...

May he rest in peace.  But I still wish he hadn't have revivied this form of irritating art.

I heard from my friend Leslie of Sam's passing and send many condolences to his family and friends. I knew him since the late 90s and was impressed with his huge heart and capacity to listen. He always had words of support for my projects and "told it like it was, Sam style" when I needed to get some tough love advice. I will remember him fondly and know that he would be proud of my growing business with my partner Al here in Portland, Oregon. He was that type of person -- he will be missed by many.

We were shocked and saddened to hear of Sam's death. In 1994 Sam was involved in Peggy Fino's sale of her Fino Boutique to us. He told us recently that it was his first business brokering in Santa Fe, as he guided us in selling our beloved Purple Sage to Lee and Steve Kellogg just this past spring. He was great at his work and so full of life and strong opinions and deeply held beliefs. There was no problem you couldn't bring to him and be sure of an honest response. Tough, maybe, but true. We miss him. Joan Sickler and Mike Rosow, jls@newmexico.com

My best to Mac, Kristen and Jesse and their family. Thank you for sharing some of your Dad's life with all of us.
Your friend,
Bob Zachry

My condolences to your family Mac.  I remember selling papers to your father at the supreme court building 40 years ago.

I heard Pavarotti the first time in the early 60's at a theater on Central in Albq, La Boheme I think it was, and he became a lifelong favorite that never diminished. 

Now for a story from The Newlyweds.

The husbands were sent out of the room and the wives were asked if their husbands would say they do or they do not like Pavarotti.

Three wives said no he wouldn't

The 4th said yes he would.

When asked why, she replied:

"My husband would eat anything if it has enough cheese on it!"

Scarpia does come off as oddly attractive sometimes - he makes Tosca and her lover look like a pair of idiots - I mean, would YOU have believed that story about the fake bullets from a guy like that??!!!

That role was actually a bit heavy for Pavarotti and is one of the reasons his voice didn't last as well as it should have.  The tenors with these light lyric voices can't resist moving into the big dramatic roles sooner or later and it does them in . . .ah well.

I heard Pavarotti as Cavaradossi in Tosca many years ago -- early 1980's, I think.  The role is often played too solemnly, but he gave the character a sense of humor and a gusto that made you understand why he'd appeal to a worldly woman like Tosca.  (Some of the tenors I've heard in the role are such drips that they make the villain Scarpia look attractive by comparison.)  Plus, of course, he sang it beautifully!  I think that when Pavarotti stopped singing his roles and began singing Pavarotti, his performances declined, and he was always rather stiff as an actor.  But even late in his career, when he decided to inhabit a song or a role, he could still knock your socks off.  He and Caruso are probably singing duets in Heaven right now, but he'll be sorely missed down here.

I never did care for opera until I heard ‘The 3 Tenors’ years ago, Luciano Pavarotti stood out and since then I took every opportunity to watch him on TV and on radio. He is one of the world’s great treasures and now has joined the choir of angels! May he rest in peace!

Awesome comments, Elizabeth....I knew when I heard the news you would have a great commentary about it.   Being knowledgeable about public address systems and how everyone needs them in large auditorium venues, it always amazed me that people like Pavarotti could completely fill them simply with the power of their prodigious diaphragms and vocal chords.

Well, John, divos are divos - what can one do?  I worked for Columbia Artists (the classical music management folks not the record label) in an opera division many years ago in my salad days and managed to hear Pavarotti (and many others) frequently at the time . . . the instrument at its freshest and best was a rare one indeed.

He didn't always show the greatest muscianship and sang everything pretty much the same way, but he infused it all with so much passion I didn't care.  One of my favorites is his youthful rendition of Che Faro. . .the big hit tune from Gluck's Orfeo - yikes it just melted the knees.  As we used to say in the old neighborhood - you could plotz right there. . .

I've had occasion to work with him at least three times after his career left the opera production stage to the arena stage.  He was a star of the first magnitude, exuding a combination of charisma and talent that is rare indeed.  He was also a diva of the first magnitude requiring a golf-cart and driver to take him to and from his dressing room to the back of the stage, the right kind of cheeses for his snack tray etc.  His demanding standards for state-of-the-art amplification systems for his arena concerts led to phenomenal improvements in the process that we all enjoy today.  If you ask a classical musician about amplified opera singing you'll get a mixed review.  Some will say that if you listen to the great Pavoratti through a microphone you don't really know get a sense of his wonderful vocal instrument, while others say the microphone enables him to reach tens of thousands more than would be possible in a concert hall.  Like Kenny G's impact on jazz, Pavoratti's contribution to the classical opera world brought millions more people into their respective worlds.  His critics make the point that Luciano stopped being creative when he went 'commercial'.  In the music business art and creativity is about looking forward and it's a fair criticism that Pavoratti got real comfortable with replicating his past performances, although I don't think it's his fault necessarily that most people need mass-marketing to know what to appreciate.  Yes, Pavoratti exploited that but in doing so he brought such joy and beauty to the lives of so many.  We'll miss him terribly. 

Con Te Partiro

Addio, Luciano.  Thanks for all that beauty . . .

Pavarotti was the only one of his kind, and we're fortunate to have been on the planet at the same time as he. An era has ended.

I couldn't put it better, Khal. The world is a little worse place today.

Arrivederci, Luciano.

We were blessed to have Pam Minzner among us. As a practitioner in front of Justice Minzner, I was always delighted by her kindness, graciousness and amazing intellect. As a friend, I was delighted by what a vivacious, giving, wonderful person she was.

My prayers go out for her family and friends - and I look forward to meeting Justice Minzner again in Heaven someday. God truly blessed us with her beautiful presence, and I'll always be grateful for that.

Thank you, Justice Minzner, for being the wonderful person you were. You made me want to be a better person.

Losing someone who service is to others is so sad and so humbling. In the line of duty....my prayers to Officer Casey's family and friends. Sounds like you were a fine man to know.

You guys are all nuts! How did these posts get filled with ANYTHING but remorse for this family. A Police Officer died.....i don't care how or why or where.....a man who wore a uniform and swore to protect ALL lives is gone.

My condolences to his family and to the communities that will miss his service.

I never intended to eulogize, only to refocus attention on the real tragedy covered in this article - the untimely death of a local police officer. I believe that I made a valid point and for me to add any further, would detract from the original intent. Like Graham, I will now shut-up.

What is your beef with people posting accolades for the Officer Roy?

This is a newspaper article not a eulugy. This tragedy occurred as a DIRECT result of a political stunt. There has not been a single remark that disparaged Officer Casey.  

Oops, you are right. Don't know how I missed that. I read the entire days comments from the first page, one after another, and never checked here for a place to delete. Guess I just never noticed it before.

Bev, I just read several comments from you someone reported, and the reporting does appear to be an act of vandalism, as it were, with no justification.

Bev, I try to avoid funerals, especially my own, but isn't there a sort of ledger or something at the entrance where one writes down their name and a few words of sympathy? I don't know what this is called, but it isn't the Santa Fe New Mexican Recent Comments page.

While I didn't say so, considering the conduct of the war in Iraq (and now in Afghanistan), I tend to feel that were George Bush such an excellent know it all, he should put on a helmet, grab his rifle and go over there and show our troops how its done, win the peace, stamp out terrorists, establish democratic governments; instead of gallivanting around the country trying to make people think he is something he isn't and trying to help fellow double talkers in Albuquerque. Who needs that? Obviously Bush needs to do more than talk. And for this talk, an officer of the law was put in a position to have an accident and die. No Bush didn't cause the death, he caused the circumstance that resulted in death, just as he has caused the circumstances that result in many more deaths in Iraq.

No Bev, this isn't a funeral parlor. It's a bit much to expect people in a political town such as Santa Fe, not to find political ramifications in this, The Republicans have made this sort of thing a matter of honor, Destroy and vilify the opposition any which way and place you can. We tend to respond to Republicans and Conservatives in the only language they understand, and if you ask me we are being far, far too nice about it.

This is what I think many of the posters here today are thinking. If we cannot comment here, where can we before the topic gets cold? The other side, in the belly of the beast?

If this constitutes disrespect for the deceased, it is unfortunate, but I hardly think this is the intent. Moreover, I think this newspaper will entertain expressions of sympathy in the obituary pages for a fee. How many have availed themselves of this opportunity? Any?

We go to funerals and see many flowers that were never offered while the deceased lived. This ought to tell us something about the human nature of some.

I bet many wish they could do more than just send flowers after someone dies. And, Bev, that is why this thread has become political.

Greg, you have to go into the article just like you do if you want to post a comment to that article.  Once you pull up the article and see the comments, you will see the same blue lettering that you see in the Chat Room that gives you the option to delete.

 

Ahhhh Greg...I might see why you are not viewing the attempted deletions...they do not show-up on Recent Comments. You must scroll through the individual comments under the article. Comments that have been deleted, reviewed, and reposted by the New Mex will have that notation at the top of the comment ( in blue). I hope that clarifies and helps (you may observe a distinct pattern...at least on this article).

Greg, You are one of the most thoughtful and considerate posters on either side of this forum. I respect and acknowledge your opinion. PC said it very well. There is a time and place for everything, and my opinion is that this article is the time and place to recognize the service and the loss of Germaine Casey.

Comments on national politics do nothing to further that purpose. They take away from his service, his death, and his life. Look back through the comments, some of which may have been deleted along with mine, but following review, have also reappeared (7:11 and 8:11 are both contrary to your post). Please note that even though I cannot agree with those statements, I did not, and will not delete them - they are another's opinion)

Note: the delete option on this side is identical to the one on the other side (within the article or in Recent Comments).

Yes, PC, but how do people go about deleting her comments?  What button do you push?  She says many are being deleted and wants the coward to make him/herself known.  How do they delete?  What do they do to effect a deletion? 

On the other side one just clicks "Delete this comment immediately",  what do you click here? 

I don't think anything she says should be deleted, but suppose these deletions occurred before I got home so I didn't see them before. 

 

Greg, I agree with Bev when she posted this to Roy:

"There are so many opportunities to share you position on the political front."

So disrespectful to post any liberal, Rove, hate, blame and Bush-bashing to this tragedy.  There is a time and place for everything.  Some posters should have showed a little class and respect here.  Showed some taste.

Just out of curiosity, how does one delete comments on this page?    Someone know something I don't?

Bev, regarding this thread---I agree with Roy, I haven't seen any denigration of the police officer.  Not a single comment whatsoever.

As you say, he was on duty, doing his job.  He made an error that cost him his life.  This error was not the presidents fault, and I know of no instance in which such was stated or implied.

Bev, most deaths are unfortunate, the families grieve over this sort of thing.    They certainly have my sympathy as well. 

 

 

Bev- the comment board has went way down hill in the last few weeks. So many one liners that are pure nonsense, personal conversations, and inane remarks. Gossip and chatter like a bunch of old women or goofy grade-schoolers. As if I give a good da*n about what someones reading habits are. Especially when someone is comment about rules violations that aren't violated on this thread.

Only someone very petty would attempt to delete your posts. You made valid points in a civil manner. Too many people learned their debating skills from Reich-wing hate radio.

Khalil - I never mind opposing views...they help us to come to understanding or respectful disagreement, based on our convictions. On the other hand, if the convictions are THAT strong, then so should be the courage to articulate the reason. WebEd took care of it, and if it continues, I believe he will follow-through.

Some of these posts are so disrespectful.  And on purpose, too! 

Nobody did this in the Chat Room.  True colors were really shown on this side with the blatant lack of respect some showed to such a tragedy as this. 

Bev, it seems to me that the Webmaster had better start blocking those who abuse the privilege of reporting posts. This is getting absurd.

Who is, and why are you so threatened by my posts regarding respect for this officer, support for his family, and his department?

I do not understand why several of my comments have been deleted...he died valiantly trying to serve...please step forward with the courage to explain.

So many officers around the country  risk their lives to keep our community safe, the risk now is even greater than years past. To lose one officer is one too many they are an asset to the community. My Heart felt condolences to the family and friends and of course the Rio Rancho Dept.

I automatically skip comments that are written in bold. and in fact, i thought it was against forum rules. item number three, i believe.

Prec - On one hand your argument has merit. But, there is another side. The visit of any dignitary (president, past-president, first lady or gentlemen, religious figure, parliament, or monarch)...no matter what the PURPOSE...brings with it a compromise to public safety. Certain disruptions occur that fall within the realm of public safety (crowd-control, traffic control, threat/risk assessment) and all of the planning/logistics that are associated with such things.

Even if the focus of the visit is private or partisan, it doesn't eliminate the other factors. Federal and local law enforcement must, as a part of their duties, deal with all of those factors to protect the "dignitary" and the public. If Any time the jurisdiction is disrupted, it is law enforcement's mission to deal with that...and all of the associated challenges. It is not a choice, but a harsh reality,

Again, many may disagree, but in reality most agree as long as the protectee is popular...the argument usually arises when there is contention. That contention does not relieve law enforcement of the responsibility, no matter the identity, or role, of the protectee.

Any word on a cause yet?