Nice, balanced article. Now let's let the court system decide this matter.

The costs to defend and manage this mess will spend some of the $82m budget, a victory for mismanagement of a failed education system. Sounds like Turnbull has lawyered up, first smart thing he’s done. Brez should do the same…has ANYONE of the teachers or staff been directed by the school board on how to conduct themselves with the press? Does Dr. Hayes have a clue on what she is doing? What about the teachers union, certainly they give their dues paying members appropriate counsel on how to talk (not talk) to the press! If human nature is predicable, the parents will look to cash in under advice of a blood-sucking attorney & sue for “blah, blah, blah”. The only thing that saves the school board as a defense is a permission slip…it might go like this;

“I (parent name) as parent of (student), allow the adult coach to escort my son to dinner. I agree that if that coach brings his own wine, it can be for mutual consumption by all at dinner, even if its only this one time. While this is in direct violation of state, local & school law and ethically irresponsible, I approve. Since this was NOT a sanctioned event by the SFP schools, I will hold harmless & waive my right to sue the SPF schools . I agree that the stupid behavior of a 26 year institution of the SPF school system should go unpunished (if he is caught), since he’s been such a pillar of the community.”

Hoping the SPF school board has that document on file…

I think it is important to point out that the writer here seeked comment from Westfield because he is the golf coach at Westfield which is unclear. As it reads you implies that he is the golf coach at SPF.

The other issue here is that the writer fails to look into the fact that Mr. Turnbull has been in trouble before for supplying "stuff" to kids. Would be a nice and complete article if there was a little more investigation done.

The thing that amazes me the most regarding all of the commentary since this story broke, is the fact that parents have stepped up to support Mr. Turnball, feeling that his long standing character should override any lapse in judgement. Mr. Turnball broke the law...plain and simple, as do many of the parent in both Westfield and Scotch Plains by allowing underage drinking in their homes. This baffles me. If the students were caught drinking in a park, on school grounds, in a car...they'd be penalized just for the fact that they were breaking the law. What would the parent reaction be then? I truly wonder if so many parents have stepped up to the plate, not so much concerned about Mr. Turnball personally, but more concerned over how Mr. Turnball's removal will affect the SPFHS soccer program. Mr. Turnball, as wonderful as he might be, had an awful lapse in judgement...the parental reaction to this is strangely puzzling.

Does this mean that we should now let our kids drink? even if they are minors? We're ok with that because EVERYONE does it, right? We should let any adult serve our children because EVERYONE does it. Forget that if EVERYONE jumped off the Brooklyn Bridge speech...All of you who think Turnbull should be given a slap on the wrist and allowed back to work. Be careful what you wish for... the next time a "lapse in judgement" occurs - it might not be so "harmless". And it could be YOUR kid who ends up in jail or the hospital. No big deal. Your kid shouldn't be upset - after all he is being sacrificed for the good of a man who contributed to the community for 30 years; 'cause the community says he is such a stellar teacher, coach and mentor who offers drugs to kids. I really hope SPF administrators show better judgement. If parents would like to send their kids (freely) to Turnbull for training, that is their choice. Turnbull can still make a living and your kids can still have their coach. Don't expect the rest of us to say it's ok that he is exposed to our kids via our school system.

great article. seeing both sides is a good thing. lets se what happens on oct6 in court

This is soooo exhausting!! I really wonder if Mr. Turnbull is cognitively delayed or he thinks he is so above the law to think this is just a mistake and no big deal. Did anyone ask if any of the boys he poured wine for was driving that night? I am assuming they have their driving license. What if the 17 year old driver got in an accident? .......and then through an investigation it was learned that he was out with his coach at a restaurant who poured him some wine. This would be another story wouldn't it? Mr. Turnbull's fight for innocence would be a larger battle. What is wrong with all you parents!!! How can you condone such behaviors? Just the fact that he blatantly did this is a public forum and did not feel it was a big deal or taken seriously at the the time does not excuse him. He made the wrong choice.. Isn't he a role model that should teach these young adults to make the RIGHT choices in life?....to say NO when an opportunity arises that is wrong? How sad that the adult coach/teacher/mentor did not do his job to protect the morals of these students.

John will pay a fen and then continue his fabulous service to many communities

Meant fine

I did not mean moral values about alcohol....meant life values ..... doing the RIGHT thing, making the right choices and following the law!! Students who look up and admire Mr. Turnbull follow in his lead as a mentor. Seventeen is a vulnerable age where they cross from children to adulthood. It is hard enough to battle the hormonal changes......and discipline of wanting to be treated like an adult when they are still kids. it becomes conflicting to these young adults and harder to comprehend following the rules of the law when their admirers break the law and think it is OK.. Again.....stick to the facts....Mr. Turnbull broke the law and there should be a consequence.

@Joe - was the split second mistake before he made the invitation to dinner for unaccompanied minors? Before he purchased the bottle of wine? Before he filled the wine glass? Before he allowed the consumption by the minor(s)? I just want to be sure when the mistake was made and more so, the intent in which it was made. Would you do this? A person in his position is absolutely held to a higher standard. All town gossip aside, it is not about him being a good guy or making a mistake. Would you have served high school athletes booze?

I think you all should get over it, a glass of wine is not going to kill these kids. Frankly, American parents are way too paranoid and they're children will become alcoholics at age 15 because they had a glass of cheap-but-not-really wine.
Get over it. This man obviously realizes that kids are more responsible than most people take them for and need to be given room to experience. You don't see kids having total ragers in Europe because alcohol is apart of their culture, and now annoyingly paranoid parents are apart of America's.
If someone grows up learning that alchol is just another beverage only for special occasions, they're is no reason for them to believe otherwise. In the eyes of some parents this is a new low for the school system, but this should not reflect the system as a whole because of one individual who actually has some common sense, unlike you weirdos.

Dana: we don't live in Europe. It;s also legal to go as fast as one wants on the Audobon in Germany and they have minimal accidents- would it be ok for everyone to drive 110 miles an hour on the Parkway? No. If you're caught - you get a ticket for speeding, maybe reckless driving and definitely have to deal with the consequence of multiple points on your license.. If Turnbull poured the wine, he should do the "time". If he didn't pour it, then he has nothing to worry about.

Dana, you are missing the point?........Mr. Turnbull broke the law....regardless of what you and others think.... and what the cultures are in Europe...he did NOT follow the AMERICAN law!...and that is NOT OK.

Test

To Crowbarr...the person before you is correct. Turnball has gotten in trouble before for providing the kids with "illegal" stuff. A few years before I graduated I believe that he was arrested for providing students with some type of illegal drug..either to the wrestling or football team. He was banned from ever coaching in the district again...that is why he went to westfield. I think maybe that is why they suspended him pending the outcome of this case...this is not the first time he has been in trouble before. yes, I admit what he did really wasnt a big deal, but he's no stranger to illegal activity. He is known to be a past drug user. Cant speak for his actions now a days. Just because he is a good tough coach doesnt mean that what you see is what you get.

to twogirls 84: Hooray. Finally, an appropriate comment that hits the mark on all counts mentioned. EVERYONE WHO POSTS A COMMENT SHOULD READ THIS FIRST.

@beth hart.... should know your facts. Turnbull was Not in trouble for providing anything to students. He was Never Banned for life from coaching. Turnbull had a substance problem 20 years ago, he Never provided or sold anything. He got help, and returned to the classroom.

to Joe: You should know YOUR facts! He was banned from coaching in scotch plains! I guess his daughter coming into pre-school telling everyone that her daddy sniffs white stuff up his nose was wrong too right?

beth, thats not being a drug dealer.. The man lost his wife and daughter over a substance problem. He received help and returned to teaching. Is not much different than any of the teachers or coaches who are at the Bars around town Drunk. Actually maybe someone should ask Super Coach BREZ...Did you drink with any students in Europe???

Hey Joe,

My problem here is not that he poured wine to two students... personally as long as they were not driving, I could care less..that is probably nothing abnormal outside of peoples houses now a days. My problem is with him coaching again when he was supposedly "banned" from teaching. He did in fact get in trouble in the district for providing students with a drug back in the day. Whether its hear-say or not... more than 1 person has written about this particular incident. There is nothing wrong with a coach who lives in the district to be out socializing at a bar... with family, friends or by themselves. I dont get involved in stories about brez.... thats a whole other chapter.

@Joe - thank you for your service as a police officer! Everyone gets a mulligan right? Not sure I agree with your earlier point, should he lose everything? Well-thinking he's already been down that road; the unflappable Mr. Turnbull will have to take the medicine on this one. Suspect your comments on Brez are more than casual gossip-but, who knows. I have heard of the in-town parties to which you refer & the deeds of the minority should not be weighed to judge the entire SPF community. There are plenty of good kids, strong parents and sound teachers and coaches, who don't partake or condone this crap! There is a strong network of parents who help watch out for each other’s families. We know who the good, bad and ugly ones are. Decent behaviors and sound judgments never go out of style. And extra-curricular adult behaviors are fine, as long as they don't infringe upon the rights of others or unduly influence minors.

How DARE Mr. Wall subject our children to the poison of second-hand smoke?!? It's not just illegal to smoke in the boys' rooms, it's horribly immoral to make children breathe in clouds of cancer when all they want to do is take a wee! And just because no children have been diagnosed with lung cancer YET, what if Mr. Wall dropped a cigarette on the floor and someone tripped on it? Or what if someone with a smoke allergy breathed it in and went into convulsions and DIED! Just because it hasn't happened yet doesn't mean it couldn't, our kids were lucky this time. We need to hold algebra teachers to a much higher standard, and Mr. Wall is no longer a role model in my household. Submit all the adoring letters that you want about how much Mr. Wall has done for your kids, but this kind of behavior is totally outside the bounds of a civilized society. He should have stopped smoking after his first cigarette and he gets no second chances if he smoked another!

I think Mr. Turnbull needs to go out with his adult friends. Teachers singling out a few students creeps me out a little. There is something wrong here. He needs to find friends of his own age to drink with.

He should have Given them Zanax, I bet Mommies wouldnt have complained about that. Get real people. It was a Toast you idiots.

JMOS.............and you know this happened how????.......enough with what everyone thinks happened......feels should/ should not happen....... the REAL fact is that Mr. Turnbull broke the LAW and got caught.....simple .....just the REAL facts!!!!

From reading the comments above I have come to the conclusion that most of the people who write on this is completely mentally challenged. Please stop inferring from what you think you know about Mr. Turnbull. Only start to judge the man from the facts. Also, the court system is corrupt so the odds Mr. Turnbull would have a fair trial is minimal to none.

Here's what troubles me about the whole thing:
1) I don't know Mr. Turnbull, so I asked my 3 kids who recently went through SPFHS. They had heard the rumors about getting "illegal stuff" from him.
2)The fact that the vast majority of parents in SP-F ALSO provide alcohol to minors does not make this situation right. There are an awful lot of clueless parents who spout the "I'd rather them drink where I can see them" philosophy. I often think these parents are doing this to justify their own "party" lifestyle. Here's an idea, how about teaching your children to live within the law, how about following the law yourself. Did my kids ever go to these houses? Yes, and when they were caught there was a penalty. There was also a phone call to the homeowner telling them had my kid gotten sick or in an accident, I'd own their house.
3)We've learned alot in recent years about how pedophiles gain access to their victims. They gain the trust of the parents, they "befriend" their victims, they provide drugs or alcohol to "relax" the victims...then they make their move. The similarities between a pedophile's "MO" and this case are eerily similar.
4) How does a teacher/coach in Westfield - who's caught in possession of a drug - regain access to a classroom?
I'm so glad my kids are out of the SP-F school system.
And...BTW...some of the female teachers at the HS should be looked at for their interactions with male students.

a mistake? It was some CREEP, that decided to be "politically correct."

Many times I have gone to restaurants, or wine tasting events, and have seen, Aunt, Uncle parents, whoever, just giving a taste of wine or taste (only taste) drink to someone. This to me is not trying to get someone intoxicated. I do not know if what Turnbull did is true or not.

Personally I think it is time to get rid of the ridiculous "politically correct" it is the most stupidest idea ever... bring back Walt Kowalski (Grand Torino)

John 7:53-8:11
Jesus said, "Let him who is without sin cast the first stone"

Maybe Patch should require everyone who posts here to reveal their names. My guess is that more than half of these comments wouldn't be made if the person had to reveal their real names.

SP Resident
Your quote " We've learned alot in recent years about how pedophiles gain access to their victims. They gain the trust of the parents, they "befriend" their victims, they provide drugs or alcohol to "relax" the victims...then they make their move. The similarities between a pedophile's "MO" and this case are eerily similar." This quote is totally irresponsible, is libel per se and I wish you would reveal your name so that you could be subejct to a lawsuit for your reprehensible remarks.

Most of these comments are ridiculous. It seems to me that a lot of these parents commenting on this are doing so in exactly the same mindset that I know my own mother would; one of assumption. You're all commenting on this situation as though you know everything about it and Mr. Turnbull when, in reality, you probably know just about as much as this article has told you. And if you've gotten any information from other neighbors and friends, that's probably even worse; the rate of gossip in this town is ridiculous. I think that the parents of Scotch Plains and Westfield are bigger gossips and bullies than their own children in the high school. If this story is really bothering you that much, you need to find a hobby or something. Yes, he illegally poured wine for 17-year-old minors. Whoopdie do. If he gets in trouble, he gets in trouble. It's not as though he was dealing them meth -- they're going to drink on their own anyway. And regardless of the morality of the situation, i do understand all of the points made that this is purely a legal issue. Nothing is purely a legal issue, however, because the fact that his actions were illegal doesn't automatically negate the potential ethical appropriateness of the situation. Reactions like the one's I've read here is the problem with this town, not Turnbull. Personally, I do NOT miss the horrible gossip and assuming nature of all the parents back home. My friends in college should not be more mature than you guys.

qj, don't assume that you know why I write things on here. I'm away at school; I really know next to nothing about what happened here. What I do know is that most of the responses here are drastic overreactions. That's all. Please refrain from assuming that you know anything about me, my maturity level, or why I do things, because you don't.

Good for you Lauren.

Well said Lauren. It took a young adult to put all of the adults on these blogs in their places. I have no direct knowledge of the circumstances of the alleged incident. I can tell you that this senseless gossip and defaming of the teacher/coach and all the references are mean and cruel to him and to the families involved. Shame on Patch/AOL for allowing this to go on and shame on the people commenting. Except for the parties involved it is none of your business.

Turnbull is a big kid, he made a mistake that didn't do any harm. He's not a bad sort,even if he is a Chelsea fan.

What happened to the hearing that was scheduled for october 6th?