Painted Nightmare

One of the West Three speaks

On the 29th of December, 1992, the Burmaster residence was subjected to a full-scale vandalizing, including an extensive spray painting, and an egging; students, faculty, and parents were shocked by the extent of the damage and the highly personal nature of the comments sprayed upon the Burmaster residence and one of the cars belonging to the family.

The attack was clearly directed against West High School principal Elizabeth Burmaster, but psychologically her entire family suffered as a result of the attack; the phrase "fuck you" painted on the glass doors behind the Burniaster family Christmas tree may have been the most traumatic part of the incident. To make the attack worse, one of the three vandals returned about a week later, and increased the scope of the vandalism to include both vehicles belonging to the family.

Damage to the Burmaster station wagon from both spray paint attacks was estimated at $695, while the GEO Wagon Burmaster drives to school took about $400 worth of damage. Her house received about $190 worth of damage; Mrs. Burmaster and her husband spent the hours from 3:OOAM to 6:30AM of December 29th attempting to clean off eggs and spray paint from the house, and this probably reduced the final cost.

After a two-week-long investigation, police detective Mark Hetland got his men; three West students were brought in for questioning, and confessed to taking part in the attack. Each was fined approximately $400 for their part in the crime. We at the Liberator interviewed one ofthe West Three, to try and better understand their reasons for the attack on Mrs. Burmaster's residence. The member we interviewed asked to remain anonymous.

A vandal speaks...

Liberator Editor-In-Chief: What brought about the rage that you and your friends took out on Mrs. Burmaster's home?

Vandal: I don't really know what caused it. We were acting out against her authority and the shit rules that she's been enforcing on us. Kind of hoped it would cause other people to wake up and take some peaceful action to try and improve things.

EIC: A lot of people feel as though Mrs. Burmaster didn't deserve the havoc that was wreaked upon her home and cars. Any comment on this?

V: She doesn't understand students, how they feel, how they act. And she's never had any sense of humor. It may have been a stupid and futile thing to do, but it was satisfying as hell. Other than that, we didn't know about her kids, and we're sorry if we frightened them, because that's not what it was about.

EIC: Were you guys under the influence of anything at the time of the attack? Alcohol? Pot? Cappio?

V: One guy had a few beers; the rest of us were just high on life.

EIC: Was this just an isolated incident, or simply the latest in a history of aggressive acts?

V: No comment.

EIC: Other students in the future might consider vandalism as a way to express their rage and alienation. Do you have any words for them?

V: Don't get caught. Make sure you've got enough supplies, don't step in the mud or snow, and don't talk to anyone outside of the group about it. That's how someone in our group got us caught.

EIC: After it's all been said and done, do you have any guilt or regret regarding your personal role in this affair?

V: I'm sorry I got caught, but I'm glad I've a decent lawyer.

EIC: Any other thoughts you'd like to add?

V: As the Honorable Judge Sarah O'Brian says, "West High has a long tradition of student organized protests to uphold, and someone has got to do it." Fight the power.