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There Goes My Reputation!
It was Sunday at 11am and there I sat in my car on Prospect Avenue, less than a mile from my home, with a Plattsburgh City Police cruiser parked behind me, lights flashing. I was slumped in the front seat, realizing that every car passing by was checking to see what bozo was getting a ticket for speeding.
Moments later, the policeman and I stood outside my car talking and I noticed the glances of drivers as they passed by. Several people knew me. Several people, I'm sure, said, "Look! Foxy's getting a speeding ticket!" or, worse, "Look! Foxy's getting arrested!" Why else would the police have me standing outside my car?
As people passed by, some familiar faces looked away when I tried to catch their eye. What could I say? Body language doesn't work so well when you're standing with a policeman, lights flashing, and every driver on Prospect Avenue knows you been caught red-handed!
Had I really wanted to spice up the rumor mill, I could have thrown myself spread-eagle across the hood of my car. The idea entered my brain, but I decided I should just play it cool and let people talk about what they witnessed on Sunday at 11am on Prospect Avenue.
I know I have seen other cars stopped around the city, and observed the police officer talking to the driver, and I've assumed "speeding ticket" or "red-light violation." Now I know how wrong I might have been. I will never assume that again. After waiting over 30 minutes in that situation on Sunday, I know better now.
In truth, my car had broken down -- broken fuel pump, as I found out this morning. And as I waited for a tow truck, AAA emergency operators had contacted the city police that a car was stalled in a dangerous area, near the Cornelia Street intersection.
Police officer Chris Clarke came to my rescue, discussed the situation with me and remained with me until the tow truck arrived. His flashing patrol car lights warned oncoming vehicles that Foxy Gagnon's Pontiac Grand Am is a valuable piece of equipment and should be protected. Ever the professional, when traffic increased, he directed cars around my vehicle.
Finally the A&L Auto tow truck arrived with Paul at the helm. Paul hooked up my car and mounted it onto his flatbed. Officer Clarke gave me a courtesy ride home. I had never been inside a police car, and he moved some of his paperwork so that I could ride up front in the passenger's seat. Officer Clarke was a very nice guy, a true professional and I appreciated his attention during my time of dismay.
He had one of these nice computers attached to his dash, and I was amazed at how much information he can obtain at a moment's notice. I hope later he put in the computer that this was a stalled vehicle stop and not a traffic stop for a subject named Foxy Gagnon.
In the meantime, perhaps you have heard rumors over the last few days about my arrest on Sunday morning. Things like, "Poor Foxy looked so sad standing there while the police searched his vehicle" or "They pulled Foxy out of the vehicle and the police car lights were flashing for over 30 minutes! They must have found something in his car!" You know how those rumors go.
Two days later I'm back on the roadway, new fuel pump operating fine. Hopefully there won't be any police lights in my rear view mirror anytime soon!
Comments
Re: the tapes you ask?...all I know is this...when a certain "Mr D" recently did you renovations for the fox, supposedly for "security reasons" rumor has it some sort of hidden vaults may have been installed...maybe "Kern" could investigate further...certainly a topic for discussion on the 7th!..
I hear "Carr" may also be involved, as he and the fox were recently spotted recruiting at the Senior Center during lunchtime.
Another likely location to investigate might be the secret passageways hidden throughout the old OLVA high school (the chanting room). Could it be possible we have some sort of "DiVinci Code" thing going on??
Posted by: The Carver | November 30, 2007 7:18 AM
Still think it seemed like a bit odd that when you got your "ride" home by the nice police officer that he felt it appropriate to place you in leg irons and handcuffs. I guess it is another of the mayor's safety programs. Not sure if having the squad car idle for a half an hour is a tax savings measure though. Probably was one of the hybrid cars.
Perhaps a good time to start a bidding war as to which area car dealer will have the privilege of furnishing the Fox with a new car. Probably will be similar to the deal that Tiger has with Buick. Evidently car companies like the animal theme.
(Foxy's note: As the year is winding down, rubble's humor seems to be reaching a peak!)
Posted by: rubble | November 29, 2007 8:58 PM
Hey Foxy, Nice friends you've got there. Boy it didn't take long for them to show their true colors. You can rest assured that as a fellow Fox Hiller I will stand by your story. Those who know are truly impressed with your decision to step up to the plate and tell the truth. Many of us would have hidden and hoped it would go away and even deny it if accused. But not you, you took it as a man. And "W" questioning of guilt by association, where the heck have you been? I've got your back, Foxy
ps: Carver, bout those tapes?
(Foxy's note: Bullet, John Flynn was right way back in the Sixties when he said, "You can always count on a guy from Fox Hill." Thanks!)
Posted by: Bullet | November 29, 2007 3:38 PM
Upon reading of your V&T stop, Foxy, I was able to access Plattsburgh PD's computer system and was shocked to learn that Officer Clarke was actually pulling over a suspect vehicle wanted in a hit and run spree involving several homes along Johnson Ave. and the south-end.
Fortunately, the fuel pump switch you installed back last winter and diligently tested on Tom Miller Rd. a short time ago worked flawlessly. Between that and your ability to discuss North Country history for hours, you were able to successfully distract Officer Clarke and convince him that he was actually there to assist a poor helpless motorist.
I placed a call to Chief Racicot and advised him of your modus operandi. He has notified his officers of your exploits. He has told them not to be influenced of your years of teaching and brain-washing that English teachers were incapable of being heinous criminals. The Chief assures me this is NOT the last time there will be police lights in your rearview mirror.
Good decision on the cab for the 7th!
(Foxy's note: Kern, I overlooked your abilities to check out my story! I'll know better next time. Wish we could see you on the 7th!)
Posted by: Kern | November 28, 2007 8:19 PM
Reputation! Suppose for a minute you only knew Foxy from this Blog.
You would know him as a man who sits on the floor Buddha like in front of an ancient television watching ball games in his underwear sporting a pony tail eating BOILED clams and peanut butter while talking to his cat.
You would know him to drive aimlessly through neighborhoods counting signs in people’s yards and damaging private property with same said car and you would know that he occasionally wonders in and out of business establishments mumbling to himself looking for cheap meals at lunch time.
You might believe that he has a girlfriend but are not sure because he does not seem to know her name or if he does she does not want her name known because of his aforementioned peculiarities.
With a reputation like this if I saw Foxy being pulled over by the police I would think that the law had finally caught up with this poor insane individual and were hauling him off to the nut house.
(Foxy's note: OK, LaPoint! You've made a very good point here. Are you an attorney?)
Posted by: LaPoint | November 28, 2007 5:05 PM
Foxy,
I’m embroiled in my own legal turmoil and looking for representation so can relate to your predicament. Talk about rumors - I was an altar boy during my youth, need I say more. Not sure if I should be associating with criminals, but would really like to go to the blog party at Merons on the 7th. Can you assure me I won’t be termed guilty by association?
Saw the front page of the paper this morning and decided I should rake my leaves. There’s lots of rubble around my yard needs to be cleaned up…..TBI
(Foxy's note: Most of the those who will be in attendance on the 7th have a checkered past of some sort. But it's reassuring to know that we are all rehabilitated. You will fit right in, W!)
Posted by: W | November 27, 2007 8:33 AM
ya, ok wish I had a dime for everytime I've heard that one! We've all heard rumors about the infamous "Foxy goes Wild Tapes"
perhaps the truth to this "search and seizure "
stop on Sunday will someday be told!
Posted by: The Carver | November 26, 2007 6:10 PM