Von Metzke "groomed" underaged girls by texting

Mr. Bauder, Not only the Ca Attorney General received the 110 page complaint. San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer and City Attorney Mara Elliott have also received the complaint. It might be a good idea to start calling or emailing their offices asking if they are doing anything to look into the affairs (perhaps a poor choice of words) at Junior Theatre. Are they concerned about the safety of the children at Junior Theatre? They've had the complaint for a couple of months. Have they read it? Do they care? Are they more concerned about their image and affiliations with SDJT Board of Trustee members and attorneys representing the board to speak up? How would they feel if this was their daughter? Are other children not important/not their concern? Does Mayor Faulconer feel the expansion of the SD Convention Center is more important than saving a 70 year institution in Balboa Park? Is Mayor Faulconer's focus on the Convention Center more important than the safety of children at Junior Theatre? Has our City Attorney, Mara Elliott bothered to speak to the two attorneys in her office whom are on the SDJT Board of Trustees? They were there when the 2 whistle-blowers were fired from Junior Theatre last summer. Did they know about Eric von Metzke behavior? I'm sure many others have their own questions. I urge them to take a moment to contact the Mayor (619) 236-6330, [email protected] and the City Attorney (619) 236-6220, [email protected], voice their concerns and ask for answers. Thank you Don for all your hard work Best, Linda Turner
— June 26, 2017 9:24 p.m.

Von Metzke "groomed" underaged girls by texting

YetAnotherConcernedParent: Thank you for taking the time to read all the reports and getting the FACTS. I know it is a time consuming and quite disturbing read. Thank you for commenting and getting involved. Hopefully the more concerned individuals speak up, the sooner Saba and the Board of Trustees will be removed and the mess at JT will be cleaned up. The safety of the children at Junior Theatre is not something to delay. Best, Linda Turner
— June 25, 2017 9:02 p.m.

SD Junior Theatre teacher going to prison

Commenter_65 Nice try. Sorry this isn't opposites day. Read the complaint sent to the CA Attorney General, Mayor of San Diego and SD City Attorney. You'll find facts there not a spin on the truth. Best, Linda
— June 25, 2017 10:01 a.m.

SD Junior Theatre teacher going to prison

Don Bauder, Thank you for listening to and believing us. Thank you for digging deeper than we were able to. Thank you for reporting the truth. Children and parents in San Diego salute you and owe you a debt of gratitude. My very best, Linda Turner
— June 23, 2017 7:05 p.m.

SD Junior Theatre teacher going to prison

loyaltyVSintegrity, Thank you! I did exactly what you have done. Last year when Tony & Rayme were fired I knew something was very wrong at JT. I cancelled my season tickets, resigned from the auxiliary and refused to donate another dime or hour of my time to JT until Jimmy Saba and the Board of Trustees have all been removed. The safety of the children at Junior Theatre is not up for debate. A very hard working, diligent group of Junior Theatre fans have been fighting to get the truth out and to save JT from destruction. We've been called many names and even threatened. Good decent employees with decades of employment at JT resigned from Junior Theatre; employees who cared about the well being of the children. The truth is finally coming out. The facts are now in their faces. We weren't lying or exaggerating. We weren't on a witch hunt. We were trying to protect the children of SD Junior Theatre and hopefully save a wonderful 70 year institution for future generations of children. The battle isn't over. Mayor Faulconer may want to think twice about any future photo op with Gil Cabrera. Cabrera was very much involved in this mess. Mara Elliot, the SD city attorney, may want to have a discussion with a couple of attorneys in her office whom happen to be on the SDJT Board of Trustees. And the CA Attorney General needs to act on the 100+ page complaint sent in May. Thank you again speaking up. My best, Linda Turner
— June 23, 2017 7 p.m.

Brouhaha or foofaraw at San Diego Junior Theatre?

JTParent: JT employees are presented with a handbook and expected to read it. The executive director (Jimmy Saba), hired by the board of trustees is responsible for training of employees. When I was in the corporate world we had monthly training meetings and at least quarterly we were trained in mandated reporting of child and elder abuse. This should be standard procedure for an institution in the care of children. I spoke with several long term employees (over a decade of employment) at JT and they NEVER had any training in mandated reporting. NONE AT ALL. Another indication of the lack of qualifications of the current executive director and board of trustees.
— May 4, 2017 11:23 a.m.

Brouhaha or foofaraw at San Diego Junior Theatre?

shirleyberan: Oh he used his words alright. "DON'T MOCK ME!" screamed into the face of a young lady while he shock her. Understandably, she hasn't returned to Junior Theatre. But I hope she sees your post and continues to be involved in theatre. Best, Linda Turner
— May 4, 2017 11:13 a.m.

Brouhaha or foofaraw at San Diego Junior Theatre?

EdnaM: Thank you for your past support for Junior Theatre. But please withhold it until some major changes have occurred. It's not a safe place for your granddaughter right now. Please place a phone call to the mayor (619-236-6330) and the district attorney (619-531-4040) and ask them to give this their attention. My best, Linda Turner
— May 4, 2017 11:07 a.m.

Brouhaha or foofaraw at San Diego Junior Theatre?

Mr Bauder: Dont't hold your breath expecting any reply from Gil Cabrera or the SDJT Board. This is their MO--say nothing, ignore the requests, wait them out and they will just go away. But as they now have found out, we didn't just "go away" but got organized. We aren't going away. The safety of children is at stake and until Jimmy Saba is removed from JT and the Board of Trustees are replaced we're going to be here. They may want to take a look at how the recent protests around the country have gotten many who sat on the sidelines involved. When people find out the truth, they get upset and get involved.
— May 4, 2017 10:45 a.m.

Brouhaha or foofaraw at San Diego Junior Theatre?

Mr Bauder: Let's just look at the BIG PICTURE. What happens when Jimmy Saba harms another child at Junior Theatre and this time the parents don't quietly go on with their lives but sue and in doing so find that the SDJT Board of Trustees failed to report & remove him for a prior offense? Can you imagine all the defendants involved? SDJT, City of San Diego, SDJT Board of Trustees, Gil Cabrera, Edward Cramp and the office of Duane Morris & probably many more. It will most likely be the end of Junior Theatre, the longest running childrens theatre in the nation. All we are asking is the removal of Jimmy Saba and the resignations of all the SDJT Board of Trustees to ensure the safety of the children attending Junior Theatre and to ensure the future of SDJT. Also let me emphasize: None of us has any interest in or aspirations of becoming members of the SDJT Board of Trustees. But we are actively brainstorming and seeking qualified, non JT alumni and non JT parent, individuals to replace the current board.
— May 3, 2017 8:47 p.m.