Here is the first newspaper article about changing the name of a park in EASTON, CT. named after a serial violent pedophile. Toth Park in Easton CT.
Man seeks park name change
Deanna Holgerson, Editor
May 06, 2004
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Even though Michael Powel is disappointed that the Easton Parks and Recreation Commission is not changing the name of Toth Park, he plans to press forward.
However, Powel is not sure what that means at this point.
Powel asked park and recreation commissioners Monday to change the name of Toth Park because he claims the late Stephen "Skippy" P. Toth, whom the park is named for, sexually molested him as a child."I am going to continue to fight for children," said Powel, who on Wednesday added he would to talk with his attorney, family and friends before deciding whether to force the name change through legal means. "The worst part is that it is sad for the children to be playing in a park named for [Toth.]"I just don't want another child to live this horrific life that I have. I live with this everyday," he said.The Parks and Recreation Commission met in an executive session to listen to Powel, his attorney Helen McGonigle and retired Easton Police Lt. Les Eckert tell their stories about Toth and why the park's name should change.The press, residents and Powel's supporters had to leave the meeting, even though Powel asked to be heard publicly.Powel claims that Toth tied him up, blindfolded him, performed sexual acts on him and took photographs of him. Powel, who is now 45 and suffering from brain cancer, said the incidents took places in the late 1960s and early 1970s at Toth's Easton home and in the park.Powel used to work for Toth doing odd jobs around his house, like cleaning and washing windows.The park named for Toth was changed in 1985 after Toth's death. Toth reportedly devoted his time to children by serving on the Parks and Recreation Commission and volunteering with the Boy Scouts and Little League.Powel was a Bridgeport resident at the time when the alleged molestations and said he was age 9 when it began. Powel moved away from Connecticut when he was 15 and now resides in St. Petersburg, Fla.He also alleges that Carlo Fabbozzi, a Bridgeport resident and former groundskeeper for St. Theresa's Church in Trumbull, also molested him. A civil lawsuit Powel filed against Fabbozzi is set to begin May 27 in Bridgeport Superior Court.Powel said he was a cub scout at the time learning to tie knots for a badge when Toth allegedly asked him if he needed help."He was so respected in Scouting that I let him tie me up and blindfold me," Powel said. "That's when it happened and he performed sexual acts on me."I was just a 10-year-old kid. I know I am not the only one," he said.Eckert, who did not meet Powel until Monday night, said he could collaborate Powel's story. Eckert worked for Toth cleaning school buses at the Toth Transportation business. Eckert said Toth led him to a part of his home to an alcove where there a single bed. He alleges that Toth tried to molest him by tying him up."I was older, about 14 years old, so I was able to get away from him," Eckert said. "I was scared but I got away."Eckert said he never liked driving by Toth Park when he was a police officer."The name of that park always sticks in my throat," Eckert said.Clarence "Bud" Jennings, who attended Monday's meeting, said he knew Toth for many years and had a hard time believing Powel's and Eckert's stories."My sons were in his programs and there were never any rumors," Jennings said. "He's not even here to defend himself. I think that this is ridiculous."McGonigle said Powel has repressed his memories and that it wasn't until he was diagnosed and being treated for brain cancer that he began to remember the molestations."Michael reported the incidents and the perpetrators to the proper authorities," McGonigle said. "Now he would like to see the park change its name from Toth Park back to its original name of Easton Park." Parks and Recreation Commission Chairman John Cunningham said this is still an open case."Further evidence is needed," Cunningham said.Powel said he's no surprised how Easton town officials have handled his request."They have listened to me but they are dismissing my story," Powel said.
©Easton Courier 2008
Reader Opinions:
Annie Vitale
May, 20 2004
Mr. Powell & Mr. Eckert are brave men to go before the town and their committees with their allegations. If their stories are true, this town has a moral obligation to immediately remove that name from our children's park. What they claim happened to them is horrific and disgusting and I commend them both for coming forward. Personally, I will never be able to view the park in the same way.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Toth Park, Easton CT.named after a pedophile
HERE IS THE SECOND PERIODICAL ARTICLE WHERE MORE VICTIMS COME FORWARD ON TOTH AND HOW HE MOLESTED THEM STILL THE TOWN WON'T CHANGE THE NAME OF THE EASTON'S CHILDREN PARK.
Park name change saga continues
Deanna Holgerson, Editor
June 03, 2004
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Even though a third man has stepped forward to tell of alleged sexual abuse he suffered at the hands of the late Stephen Toth, town officials to date have taken no action to rename Toth Park.
The park was named after a man who previously was renowned in Easton for his work as a volunteer for the Parks and Recreation Commission, the Boy Scouts and Little League.
However, three men claim he abused them as children. Toth died in 1985.Florida resident Michael Powel asked the Easton Parks and Recreation Commission to rename the park in April. He said he's angry and disappointed with town officials' failure to do so."It's a crime what's being done," said Powel, who addressed the Board of Selectmen May 20. "I'm glad that I don't live in Easton. I wouldn't want my children playing in a park named after [Toth]."Powel said he is unhappy with the way Easton officials have treated him since he reported the alleged abuse to town police four years ago."People don't report sexual abuse for no reason because it's shameful and embarrassing," Powel said. "They [the selectmen] told me that I wasn't a victim of sexual abuse. It's inexcusable."Powel said he's grateful for the support of family and friends. He also alleges that Carlo Fabbozzi, a Bridgeport resident and former groundskeeper for St. Theresa's Church in Trumbull, also molested him. A civil lawsuit Powel filed against Fabbozzi was presented to a Bridgeport Superior Court judge May 27."There are more victims coming out," said Powel, who said he has received e-mails from two more individuals who claim that Toth abused them as children. They asked to remain anonymous at this time, he said."How many more do they need?" Powel asked. "It's inexcusable."The third man to speak out about alleged abuse attended the May 20 Board of Selectmen meeting where he met with town officials behind closed doors. The man, a Vermont resident, alleges Toth molested him but does not want to be identified at this time. He reportedly grew up in Easton and was involved in the town's scouting program.Powel and former town police officer Lester Eckert re told their story in executive session. Powel and Eckert previously addressed the Parks and Recreation Commission regarding changing the name of Toth Park. Since the Board of Selectmen meeting took place in executive session, the public and the media were not allowed to attend.It was after Powel and Eckert faced the Easton Parks and Recreation Commission, attempting to change the park's name that the third man called Powel. However, the commission chose not to rename the park unless more people step forward to claim abuse.Powel's attorney, Helen McGonigle of Brookfield, said the Board of Selectmen tabled any decision about renaming Toth Park until its June 17 meeting."I believe that the meetings should be conducted openly so other people can hear Michael's and Les's stories," McGonigle said. "Michael and Les both wanted to tell their stories publicly."And, since the meeting was conducted in executive session, the audiotape was not rolling. There's no record of what was said during the meeting," she said. "I think this also sends a bad message to kids in Easton; we'll listen to you, but you won't be believed."First Selectmen William Kupinse said the selectmen agreed to conduct the meeting in executive session but decided to table Powel's request publicly."We decided to table this in case more evidence is gathered, and this allows time to submit it," Kupinse said. "We are not shirking our duty. If the park needs to be renamed, it will be. This is a difficult situation."Kupinse said he does not doubt that Powel believes that Toth assaulted him. He also has talked to others who said Toth would never harm a child, he said."I did not know Stephen Toth personally, but I did know of him," Kupinse said. "I knew of him primarily being connected to kids."Kupinse said it is not the Board of Selectmen's job to rename Toth Park."We can make a recommendation to the Parks and Recreation Commission about whether the park needs to be renamed," Kupinse said.Powel, now 45, claims that Toth sexually molested him numerous times starting when he was 9 years old in the late 1960s and continued to do so until the early 1970s. He alleges that Toth tied him up, blindfolded him, performed sexual acts on him and took photographs of him.Powel, who is suffering from brain cancer, said the incidents took places at Toth's Easton home and in Toth Park. As a child, he used to work for Toth doing odd jobs around his house, like cleaning and washing windows. He repressed his memories, and it wasn't until he was treated for brain cancer that he began to remember the molestations, he said.Eckert, who said he could collaborate Powel's story, claims that Toth also attempted to molest him. Eckert worked for Toth cleaning school buses at the Toth Transportation business. He alleges that Toth tried to molest him by tying him up, but since he was 14 at the time and a bigger boy, he was able to get away.
©Easton Courier 2008
Park name change saga continues
Deanna Holgerson, Editor
June 03, 2004
Email to a friend
Voice your opinion
Even though a third man has stepped forward to tell of alleged sexual abuse he suffered at the hands of the late Stephen Toth, town officials to date have taken no action to rename Toth Park.
The park was named after a man who previously was renowned in Easton for his work as a volunteer for the Parks and Recreation Commission, the Boy Scouts and Little League.
However, three men claim he abused them as children. Toth died in 1985.Florida resident Michael Powel asked the Easton Parks and Recreation Commission to rename the park in April. He said he's angry and disappointed with town officials' failure to do so."It's a crime what's being done," said Powel, who addressed the Board of Selectmen May 20. "I'm glad that I don't live in Easton. I wouldn't want my children playing in a park named after [Toth]."Powel said he is unhappy with the way Easton officials have treated him since he reported the alleged abuse to town police four years ago."People don't report sexual abuse for no reason because it's shameful and embarrassing," Powel said. "They [the selectmen] told me that I wasn't a victim of sexual abuse. It's inexcusable."Powel said he's grateful for the support of family and friends. He also alleges that Carlo Fabbozzi, a Bridgeport resident and former groundskeeper for St. Theresa's Church in Trumbull, also molested him. A civil lawsuit Powel filed against Fabbozzi was presented to a Bridgeport Superior Court judge May 27."There are more victims coming out," said Powel, who said he has received e-mails from two more individuals who claim that Toth abused them as children. They asked to remain anonymous at this time, he said."How many more do they need?" Powel asked. "It's inexcusable."The third man to speak out about alleged abuse attended the May 20 Board of Selectmen meeting where he met with town officials behind closed doors. The man, a Vermont resident, alleges Toth molested him but does not want to be identified at this time. He reportedly grew up in Easton and was involved in the town's scouting program.Powel and former town police officer Lester Eckert re told their story in executive session. Powel and Eckert previously addressed the Parks and Recreation Commission regarding changing the name of Toth Park. Since the Board of Selectmen meeting took place in executive session, the public and the media were not allowed to attend.It was after Powel and Eckert faced the Easton Parks and Recreation Commission, attempting to change the park's name that the third man called Powel. However, the commission chose not to rename the park unless more people step forward to claim abuse.Powel's attorney, Helen McGonigle of Brookfield, said the Board of Selectmen tabled any decision about renaming Toth Park until its June 17 meeting."I believe that the meetings should be conducted openly so other people can hear Michael's and Les's stories," McGonigle said. "Michael and Les both wanted to tell their stories publicly."And, since the meeting was conducted in executive session, the audiotape was not rolling. There's no record of what was said during the meeting," she said. "I think this also sends a bad message to kids in Easton; we'll listen to you, but you won't be believed."First Selectmen William Kupinse said the selectmen agreed to conduct the meeting in executive session but decided to table Powel's request publicly."We decided to table this in case more evidence is gathered, and this allows time to submit it," Kupinse said. "We are not shirking our duty. If the park needs to be renamed, it will be. This is a difficult situation."Kupinse said he does not doubt that Powel believes that Toth assaulted him. He also has talked to others who said Toth would never harm a child, he said."I did not know Stephen Toth personally, but I did know of him," Kupinse said. "I knew of him primarily being connected to kids."Kupinse said it is not the Board of Selectmen's job to rename Toth Park."We can make a recommendation to the Parks and Recreation Commission about whether the park needs to be renamed," Kupinse said.Powel, now 45, claims that Toth sexually molested him numerous times starting when he was 9 years old in the late 1960s and continued to do so until the early 1970s. He alleges that Toth tied him up, blindfolded him, performed sexual acts on him and took photographs of him.Powel, who is suffering from brain cancer, said the incidents took places at Toth's Easton home and in Toth Park. As a child, he used to work for Toth doing odd jobs around his house, like cleaning and washing windows. He repressed his memories, and it wasn't until he was treated for brain cancer that he began to remember the molestations, he said.Eckert, who said he could collaborate Powel's story, claims that Toth also attempted to molest him. Eckert worked for Toth cleaning school buses at the Toth Transportation business. He alleges that Toth tried to molest him by tying him up, but since he was 14 at the time and a bigger boy, he was able to get away.
©Easton Courier 2008
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