Voice of the People 1/28/05

Regarding the Jan. 19 letter, "Mayor interferes with schools":

I was appalled at Buena Regional Board of Education Vice President Sue Girard's attack on me. I was elected by the voters of Buena Vista Township to look out for their best interests, and I take my responsibilities very seriously.

First, let me state clearly that I support the need for a new middle school in the Buena Regional School District, regardless of Girard's misrepresentation of a quote that she used out of context.

Secondly, let me state that I don't have to agree with the process that the Board of Education is using to promote the building project. There have been some misrepresentations on the cost of the school, size of the building and dollar impact on the taxpayers. I have a right and a duty to both support our children's education and protect our taxpayers.

Showcasing the Cleary Middle School on national television to promote the building's shortcomings was a terrible move by our school district leaders. I make no apologies for the actions that were needed to overcome poor judgment by the Board of Education, which wanted to have Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie parade themselves in front of 11- to 13-year-old children. It was simply not age appropriate, yet Girard sat by and said nothing.

I think it is time that our school leaders do some self-examination.

CHUCK CHIARELLO

Mayor

Buena Vista Township

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Voice of the People 1/27/05

Letter unfair

to Chiarello

Regarding the Jan. 19 letter, "Mayor interferes with schools," from Sue Girard, vice president of the Buena Regional Board of Education:

Was this letter about "The Simple Life" fiasco or just another opportunity to take a stab at Mayor Chuck Chiarello?

The only thing that I've seen him guilty of doing with regard to the Buena Regional School District is keeping it in check. If any of the board members had any questions as to the operations of the township, I'm sure Chiarello would be more than happy to oblige. That's what makes a good democracy - checks and balances.

I have never seen a group more committed to their constituents. This mayor and committee are very hands-on. They are busy people, yet they make it a point to attend any function that they are invited to throughout the community. They are involved because they want to support the people they represent. To imply that Chiarello doesn't care about our children is just wrong.

This childish mudslinging has gone on long enough. As a resident of Buena Vista Township and a parent of two young children with one on the way, I want it to stop.

I want what is best for our children, as do all the parties involved. I support the new middle-school referendum, but I would still like the school district to continue exploring avenues of funding other than Abbott-district status or selling out our town's integrity for $5,000 and opening up our entire community to nationwide criticism for 15 minutes of fame on a stupid television show.

As far as "The Simple Life" is concerned, it was not "interference" for our political leaders to get involved - it was their responsibility. We need to keep our eye on the ball and understand that the real stars, our children and citizens, are standing right in front of us and should be celebrated.

EILEEN BALESTERI

Richland
 

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Keep our focus on real stars, not Ms. Hilton 1/24/05

After reading the letter from Sue Girard of the Buena Regional Board of Education, I felt really compelled to respond.

I was wondering if the letter was about "The Simple Life" fiasco, or just another opportunity to take a stab at Buena Vista Mayor Chuck Chiarello? I have never seen a group more committed to their constituents. This mayor and committee are very hands-on. They are busy people, yet make it a point to attend any function that they are invited to throughout the community. They are involved because they want to support the people they represent. They live here -- they are us.

To imply that Mayor Chiarello doesn't care about our children is just wrong. I think that this childish mudslinging has gone on long enough. As a resident of Buena Vista Township, and a parent with school-age children, I want it to stop. There are more serious issues at hand that need solutions -- such as funding. Perhaps the board could work with the same grant writers the township has used to gain thousands of dollars in funding for various projects. I know that they were invited to. The grant writers the board is currently using just don't seem to be getting the same kind of results.

I want what is best for our children, as do all the parties involved. I will be supporting the new middle school referendum, but I would still like the school district to continue exploring other avenues of revenue for funding other than Abbott district status or selling out our town's integrity for $5,000, and opening up our entire community to nationwide criticism for fifteen minutes of fame on a stupid television show.

As far as "The Simple Life" is concerned, I believe that it was our political leaders' responsibility to get involved in whether this television show would come here. This is our community; we would be the ones living with any repercussions that may have occurred had the filming gone ahead, however exciting it might have been.

We need to keep our eye on the ball and understand that the real stars, our children and citizens, are standing right in front of us and should be celebrated for the kindness, intelligence and sense of community we display -- which affords us the opportunity to lead a simple life.

Eileen Balesteri

Richland

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Voice of the People 1/22/05

'Simple Life' part

of bigger problem

A huge piece of the debate over the "The Simple Life'' and the Buena Regional School District was overlooked:

Any interest shown at all in reality TV only serves to perpetuate the decline of storytelling and American culture as a whole. While it is the purpose of TV to entertain, it is losing its grasp on the concepts of character and plot.

Put simply, the giants of television have stopped trying and now offer the public concepts instead of stories.

JEFF PAYNE

Pleasantville

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Children know 'Simple Life' is TV, not real 1/21/05

It's amazing. We can't even get a decent hotel in Buena, but when we get a hotel heiress who wants to visit everyone freaks out.

I loved growing up in Buena --- it was the "simple life" in the very best of meanings. My memories of Cleary Jr. High were some of the best in my life -- school dances, great friends and silliness that I'll remember for years.

How exciting for a television crew to come to your school! Then I remember back to my Cleary days and recall how even a love poem I wrote in a creative writing exercise was banned for the explicitness of its mention of an imagined kiss shared by a couple of love struck preteens. Meanwhile, that year we had three pregnancies in our eighth-grade class, and parents who almost got in a fistfight in front of all the kids when their daughter wasn't named Ms. Buena Braves.

Even in small rural towns and schools, kids can't be sheltered from the outside world. Kids were experiencing things way too early even back then. Unless Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie were peddling their porn tapes, I didn't have an objection to their visit. The show pokes fun at itself as much as it pokes fun at the simple life we have here in "rural Buena."

Instead of being closed minded and appearing silly to the press, maybe we should have showed them how open, loving and welcoming Buena can be.

It is parents' job to protect their children, but sometimes you have to relax. It's not real to these kids -- it's TV. You know, the thing you let them watch all night while you are out at Five Points getting a drink with your friends.

Don't they teach us that experience builds character? Buena is full of colorful and wonderful characters who could run with the likes of Nicole and Paris any day.

Cheryl McVeigh Romanoski

Mom and Cleary Class of '87

Berwyn, Pa.

Voice of the People 1/20/05

I write this with a sigh of relief, and I am thankful that the infamous Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie did not come to Cleary Middle School. But I am embarrassed and dismayed that Diane DeGiacomo, Buena Regional School District superintendent, has expressed sorrow and disappointment for Fox network's decision to put the project on hold. It appears that parents and concerned citizens who opposed this matter didn't win the battle, because the matter was removed from the table by the network.

Buena Borough and Buena Vista Township are like hundreds of small grassroots communities around our country. Most of us work hard to give our kids a better life. We do our best to teach them good morals and ethics and try to be the best role models for them. We have a tough time competing with TV, movies, video games and the Internet, where our children are desensitized to violence, sexual situations and obscene behavior. I don't think we should have to worry about our educators making bad choices for our children. We entrust them to make our kids their No. 1 priority and make decisions based on that one fact.

DeGiacomo, the school board and the educators need to seriously ask themselves why so many people opposed their decision with such strong conviction. We don't want our children to be exploited and made fun of for the sake of a dubious TV show that features two young women who will walk away and leave us to pick up the pieces.

It is said that a new school is needed and the taxpayers would be heavily burdened to pay for it, but compromising the morals and ethics of children isn't the way to solve this dilemma. Please, for the sake of the children, make them your No. 1 priority and weigh your decisions on what is best for them.

DOLORES COMPARRI

Richland

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Hilton dishonors

A.C. firefighters

I am appalled that my husband and his brothers in the Atlantic City Fire Department have been slapped in the face once again. Two years of still working without a contract, but Mayor Lorenzo Langford can decide that two Hollywood starlets can appear at the firehouse?

The police and fire departments are no laughing matter. Hats off to Councilman Craig Callaway for taking a stand once again. My father spent 35 years of his life dedicated to the ACFD. Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie are a fiasco and a disgrace to the department. I wonder if the late John Jasper would be happy working without a contract and knowing that the firehouse named after him was home to a sex star.

Vote Patrick Shymanski for ACFD local union president. And it will be a "simple life.''

AMY DeFEO-SHYMANSKI

Galloway Township

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I know Buena prides itself on being the "kindest town in N.J."

But I saw no kindness shown to the Buena Regional Board of Education, the superintendent of Buena School District or to Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie by some officials and residents opposed to the show "The Simple Life" coming to Cleary Middle School. All I saw was intimidation, selfishness and outrageousness.

If you pride yourself on being "kind," shouldn't you be "kind" to all people, not just the ones who agree with you and whatever you say?

You people are not the only ones who live in the area or have kids who attend that school. My son attends, and I had no problem with the visit. Maybe the town should have brought out the welcome wagon and showed some kindness, and then they wouldn't have to be concerned about the image that the show would portray of it. Maybe that's what they were afraid of, people actually finding out that they aren't kind like the signs hanging on the highway say.

I'm not saying the whole town is unkind, but people who live there need to see how the representatives of their borough and township really are. This past week -- they got their chance!

Tracy Fifer

Newfield

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I was appalled at Buena Regional school board member Sue Girard's personal attack on me in a letter to the editor "Township mayor didn't speak for all residents" (DJ-1/14). I was elected by the voters of Buena Vista Township to look out for their best interests, and I take my responsibilities very seriously.

First, let me state clearly that I support the need for a new middle school in the Buena Regional School District -- regardless of Mrs. Girard's misrepresentation of a quote that she used out of context. Secondly, let me state that I don't have to agree with the process that the Board of Education is using to promote the building project. There have been some misrepresentations on the cost of the school, size of the building and dollar impact on the taxpayers. I have a right and a duty to both support our children's education and protect our taxpayers.

Showcasing Cleary Middle School on national television to promote the building's shortcomings was a terrible move by our school district leaders. I make no apologies for the actions that were needed to overcome poor judgment on the school board's part to have Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie parade themselves in front of 11- to 13-year-old children. It was simply not age-appropriate; yet, Mrs. Girard sat by and said nothing.

Despite three years of taxpayer defeats of the school budget, which I have no control over, I can proudly say that not a single job or program has been cut. However, budget reductions were made each year with very specific suggestions and creative ideas to not hurt the taxpayers or the school district. Sadly, most of the recommendations were not followed by the school district after they agreed to the cuts.

Buena Vista Township received a $5,000 grant from Comcast Cable TV in 2003 (plus $2,500 in 2004) for a student video production class. Our school leaders could not find a room or a teacher to take charge of the three-hour-a-week program. We wound up educating almost a dozen talented students at our municipal building on Tuesday evenings in 2003 and 2004. This program was of much greater educational value and ethics then bringing the "Simple Life" to Cleary. Now, New Jersey Broadcasting and the New Jersey Education Association are willing to bring their Emmy Award winning show "Focus on Education" to Cleary and show the kids how a program is filmed.

And yes, we do send things over to the school district on township letterhead -- letting the district know about grants and other opportunities that might be of interest to our schools. Once again, I make no apology.

Recently, the school district allowed almost $10,000 to be spent on legal fees fighting a $10.20 public information request I made -- and still they didn't provide all the documents I personally requested.

I think it is time that our school leaders do some self-examination.

Mayor Chuck Chiarello

Buena Vista Township

Well, it happened, as I knew it would!

In reference to the Paris-Nicole issue, I was not surprised to see the picture of Mayor Chuck Chiarello of Buena Vista Township in an area newspaper. He takes it upon himself to criticize the Buena Regional School Board at any opportunity, calls the media and offers opinions without factual basis. He pushes the issue (without calling the school officials for the facts) and uses his office and political party for his support.

On occasion, the board members receive correspondence from him on official township stationary! This tells me that he is overstepping his authority in speaking for all township residents and costing the taxpayers money for promoting himself as the great guardian of our schools. If his intentions are sincere, he should be acting as citizen Chiarello!

We hire outstanding professionals to run our schools, including the superintendent, business manager, supervisors, principals and many excellent teachers who are dedicated to the education of our children.

We also have a conscientious board that follows the state Board of Education ethic that states: "It is not in the power of the board to run the schools, it is in their power to see that they are well run!"

I might add here that I am proud to represent Buena Borough and also respect our mayor and council for their professionalism in dealing with the school community.

However, I was very disappointed to read Mr. Chiarello's statement in an area newspaper on Jan. 10.

Quote: "Six months ago, I would have supported the referendum for the new middle school, but I can't see how I can say that now." So, is he saying that because he disagrees with the school board, he will punish our children who are being deprived of educational facilities for lack of space and money?

On the one hand, he brags about his concern for our children and then will criticize and campaign to defeat the school building referendum! I feel that he is using the education of our children for his political podium. I believe that many township taxpayers would be dismayed to know how much time and effort he puts forth in his obsession with controlling the school district.

Your school board members are sincere citizens who are truly interested in doing the best for our children. We are very proud of so many outstanding programs taking place in Buena. It's too bad that these were overlooked during the past week!

Sue Girard

Vice president

Buena Regional

I feel that perhaps too much has already been said regarding the J.P. Cleary/Hilton circus that almost came to town. But after reading the comments made by one reader, it was obvious that there are some who still don't get it.

But of far greater concern was what would happen to the remaining four hours of video. This footage is not regulated by the FCC and it can be presented digitally anyway they wish. Last season's DVDs of "The Simple Life" boast on the front and back covers: "Outrageous Bonus Footage Never Seen on TV." "They're Rich, They're Sexy, They're Totally Out-of-Control." This type of comedy for adults may be acceptable by some, but certainly not for 11-13 year olds.

Just five minutes spent on a computer Web search would give you a profile of these women that would be the opposite of any role model a parent would hope for their 11- to 13-year-old. It is just too bad those responsible didn't do their homework researching these two very controversial women. Five minutes would have saved a week of embarrassing history for the Buena Regional School District.

I understand that New Jersey-PBS has offered to come to Cleary to show the children how a quality educational program is filmed and produced.

John Krokos

Milmay

Retired video and film media specialist/3M Corp.

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'The Simple Life' remains in sight ~Onlookers crowd into Dennis Twp. to see celebrities film Fox TV Show 1/14/05

DENNIS TOWNSHIP - Dave Abrego's house offered the best view of "The Simple Life," and all the neighborhood children knew it.

At least 20 children - friends of friends, friends of relatives - have peeked from his windows since Tuesday to glimpse the house 75 yards across the street, where two thin blondes worth their weight in Prada handbags stuffed with more Prada handbags were barely visible.

Shannon Craver, outside from 7 a.m. until at least 2 p.m., dragged her uninterested young daughter, Brooke, to watch for Paris Hilton.

"Annoying," the girl said, eyeing her mother like a child being forced to watch C-SPAN 2.

"She doesn't want to be here," Craver said. "I just want to be able to see them close up."

Hilton and Nicole Richie were anything but close up in the rural Cape May County town. Most of the morning, they were inside their host family's Woodbine Avenue home, leaving onlookers to wonder if their fleeting glimpses had been of Richie or of just a stagehand.

Thursday afternoon, Hilton and Richie shot arrows at a decoy deer in the back yard. Meanwhile, the state Department of Environmental Protection's Division of Fish and Wildlife is investigating a reported poaching incident involving a real, dead deer on the 594 Woodbine Ave. property earlier this week.

"We have a report of deer poaching associated with the production of the show, and that report is under investigation," DEP Commissioner Bradley M. Campbell said Thursday. "At this point, since it's under investigation, I can't really comment on the underlying facts."

Campbell said the deer came from near Belleplain State Forest. No citations have been issued yet, and there was no explanation on the carcass' role in filming.

In the past two years of "The Simple Life," a Fox TV reality-based show, millionaires Hilton and Richie lived with various families and worked jobs the privileged heirs would never encounter normally.

The show arranged for them to work cafeteria-type jobs at Buena Regional School District's Dr. J.P. Cleary Middle School, but some residents complained that Hilton - who starred in an X-rated home video that surfaced on the Internet - is an unfit role model. The idea was nixed, school officials said earlier this week.

But the show remains in the area, drawing on certain locations in Atlantic and Cape May counties.

In Atlantic City today, Hilton and Richie are expected to briefly visit the John R. Jasper Jr. Fire Station at Maryland and Atlantic avenues, about a half-hour after sunrise. From there, they are going to Egg Harbor Township's Anthony "Tony" Canale Training Center on English Creek Avenue. While organizers are keeping details quiet, the Atlantic City Fire Department has reserved the fire-training building from 1 to 4 p.m. Hilton and Richie may visit this structure.

While the visit will generate publicity for Atlantic City, said event organizer Michael Mooney and Ernest Coursey, confidential aide to Atlantic City Mayor Lorenzo Langford, it won't enrich the city. Both said the city would not charge for the use of the Jasper station.

"It's a morale-booster," Mooney said. "We need that kind of thing."

But the pair's visit to the training center will at least enrich the Atlantic County Firefighters Association, which will receive a $5,000 donation from Fox.

The donation came after subtle suggestion by Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson.

Levinson said he wanted to make sure Fox had the proper insurance for Hilton and Richie in case one or both of them were injured while undergoing some training today.

"What I need clear was that we needed to protect the taxpayers of Atlantic County," he said.

Once the insurance issue was cleared up, Levinson said, he also suggested that a "sizeable donation" from Fox would be nice. While use of the training center didn't hinge on the donation, he said, the gesture "would go a long way."

"We welcome both Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie," Levinson said. "This is going to be very good for Atlantic City, in particular, and for Atlantic County, in general.

"It shows what our firefighters are doing day in and day out. Millions of people will be watching this on prime time."

In Cape May County on Thursday, Caprioni's Portable Toilets was prepared to welcome the duo with open arms - and stalls - but after several days of being expected to clean commodes, the comrades never showed. They may still wash them today, but nothing is definite, a company spokeswoman said.

Some employees who expected to see the skinny blondes up close were disappointed, but plans can change, she said.

As part of the show, the women have stayed at the house of Chuck and Lorraine Dougherty and their three daughters.

A handful of residents watched the wooden house with drawn curtains from the street Thursday morning.

"For little Belleplain, not too often (do) you see camera crews," said Kim Bailey, who sat in her Mitsubishi with her mother-in-law, both with cameras in their laps. "I'm going to jump out; I'm going to look like paparazzi."

By afternoon, about 30 onlookers tiptoed along the property line, which security guards monitored all day. Meanwhile, onlookers monitored the house, which sits just far enough back from the road that someone could see an upstairs curtain move, but not who moved it.

Abrego watched from across the street with his daughter.

"Even though they're not the greatest celebrities in the world, it's pretty interesting," he said. "For average people, it's pretty exciting."

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'Simple Life' at the Firehouse ~ A better idea 1/14/05

Now this makes sense.

Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie and ... drum roll, please ... Atlantic City firefighters.

The only folks who could object to this are maybe some of the firefighters' wives.

The idea of letting Hilton and Richie film an episode of "The Simple Life" at a Buena Vista Township school generated a highly predictable response from parents who felt that the racy heiress and her partying pal were not exactly the kind of folks you invite to a middle school. We agreed.

But an Atlantic City firehouse? This is an episode we would watch. Hilton and Richie report for duty today at the John R. Jasper Fire Station in Atlantic City. The pair will help out around the station and visit the Canale Training Center for firefighters in Egg Harbor Township.

Wait a minute. Didn't we call these two big-city party girls and their so-called "reality" show "vacuous" just the other day?

Well, yeah. But that was when the plan was to film the show in a school. But a firehouse? The opportunity for double-entendres alone - about heat, and starting and putting out fires - makes the idea fun.

Producers have made it clear that Hilton and Richie won't be fighting any real fires. And, well, firefighters are big boys. They ought to be able to handle themselves and stay focused on the job despite the distractions.

In fact, the only thing better that having Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie work a shift in the fire station might be to have them experience firsthand the exciting world of editorial writing.

Fox Broadcasting, we await your call.

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Tripod.com 1/14/05

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Simple Life' lands in Dennis Township 1/13/05

DENNIS TOWNSHIP - -Something's going on in rural Belleplain.

Employees at a company that cleans portable toilets have been coming to work hours early - voluntarily; one wore new brown boots.

A Greyhound bus stopped on a Cape May County road Tuesday in this small community where the Greyhound bus never stops. And there were so many lights outside one resident's big wooden house Tuesday night it looked like a ballgame at Citizens Bank Park.

The hubbub revolves around a coquettish duo - two rich, famous and beautiful blond women whose names in southern New Jersey have brought a mix of consternation and giddiness in past weeks.

It's "The Simple Life," a reality-based Fox television show that puts Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie in situations that the young millionaires and their diamond-encrusted cell phones would otherwise never encounter. They shack up with pre-selected families, and chaos ensues.

Employees at Caprioni Portable Toilets, a family-owned business that rents and washes about 1,500 toilets used at construction sites and elsewhere, said television crews had staked out the site - as well as a wine cellar on the property - about a month ago. The business signed a waiver that allows Fox the right to film on the 5-acre property, but without reimbursement.

On Tuesday, the women were supposed to work - on what, no one knew for sure, but it probably won't be pretty. However, they missed a flight and showed up late, according to several employees and witnesses.

The flirtatious females are scheduled to appear at the cesspool business later in the week, but nothing is definite and there is no guarantee anything filmed will be used on the show.

On Tuesday night, a film crew -with lights so large they looked like moons, neighbors said - camped in front of a house where the two women supposedly had stayed. On Wednesday, the lights were still there.

A young man who answered the door Tuesday said, "I'm not at liberty to comment." Other efforts to reach the homeowner were unsuccessful.

Todd Beck, a spokesman for the show, declined to comment, saying it is the show's policy not to talk about a series in production.

Beck said the policy was in place so "people will be surprised when they turn on the show," and also so that the famous women would not be swarmed by onlookers during filming.

But onlookers turned out in droves Tuesday. If the throng of production trucks, trailers and gossip didn't draw them, then the lights did.

"It looked like it was daytime out there," said Jesse Creamer, who lives nearby. "It was a big deal for around here."

"The Simple Life" has made life not so simple in some areas of southern New Jersey.

When residents in Buena learned the show was eyeing the Dr. J.P. Cleary Middle School, some protested, saying that Hilton - who co-starred in an X-rated home video - was not a fit role model for students. Producers pulled the plug on that filming, Buena Regional School District Superintendent Diane DeGiacomo said Monday.

Belleplain is a tight-knit farming town where neighbors have known one another for decades. One can drive for more than 10 minutes and not encounter a gas station.

Along Woodbine Avenue, there's a small convenience store that carries two kinds of cappuccino, followed by a row of houses and trees, and then a church.

"This is Center City," said resident Bob Chandler, looking from his porch onto a quiet street that has recently been abuzz with blondes.
 

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The Buzz 1/13/05

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School's out ~ No class for Paris and Nicole after jr. high nixes 'Simple' job 1/12/05

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The Chief Didn't Know 1/12/05

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AC Mayor Lorenzo Langford Addresses "The Simple Life" Issue 1/12/05

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Banned in Buena 1/12/05

A South Jersey town deemed Paris and Nicole unfit to film at its school. Now, a more pungent site awaits.

By Amy S. Rosenberg

INQUIRER STAFF WRITER

 

Here's a little dose of reality for the Fox television show The Simple Life: Interns.

Parents of middle school students in Buena - a South Jersey farming town that once agreed to be renamed "Mojito," after the drink - do not want Paris Hilton teaching their kids.

They don't even want her overseeing their Tater Tots.

And so, after a late-night conversation between the show's producers and the school district superintendent - producers in Hollywood, superintendent on her home treadmill - the two have decided to shelve the whole plan.

On the other hand, over at the Caprioni cesspool company in Belleplain, Cape May County, they are waiting for Paris Hilton and cohort Nicole Richie with open arms - and available sewage pumps.

And at Atlantic City Fire Station No. 1 on Maryland Avenue, firefighters are busy jockeying for shifts to coincide with the show's arrival on Friday.

Todd Beck, a spokesman with Bunim/Murray Productions, which films the show for Fox, confirmed that the show was no longer pursuing the Buena middle school idea. He said he would not comment on any other "rumored internships."

"We appreciate the support and interest of local school officials and wish everyone well," he said.

This pleased some of the locals in Buena (who call their town BYOO-nah), who, the morning after the plans were ditched, were already ready with their punch lines.

"I'm happy they're bypassing us and going directly to the cesspool company," Buena Vista Township Mayor Chuck Chiarello said yesterday.

Some parents at J.P. Cleary Middle School had protested after it was disclosed that school officials were knee-deep into negotiations with the reality show, in which the girls - everyone calls them the girls, even at the sewage company - try out different jobs.

They argued that Hilton, with her sex-tape past and salacious manner, would be a poor role model for easily corruptible, impressionable 11- to 14-year-olds. They also worried that their community - population 3,873, and 30 miles west of Atlantic City - would be the butt of jokes.

At Caprioni, the cesspool company, they have no such qualms.

"We have very good morals," said a woman named Nicole who answered the phone.

(She said she was Nicole Caprioni, not Richie. She said the girls had apparently missed their flight and had not arrived in town, where she said they would be staying with someone named "Lorraine.")

"We can't be corrupted," she added. "We own a sewage company. They'll probably pump sewage. You know what sewage is?"

Paris pumping her own sewage - that's hot?

"We generally do not comment on any of our shows while they're in production," said Beck. The show's third season begins Jan. 26.

In Buena, meanwhile, schools superintendent Diane DeGiacomo spent at least part of yesterday on camera doing interviews defending the board's interest in the show, which had offered the district $5,000.

"We did not ask them to be commencement address speakers nor the keynote speaker for the National Honor Society," she said. "I'm not saying they're role models."

She said the company planned four hours of filming, during which Hilton and Richie would do hall duty and cafeteria duty and help out in gym and computer classes. "They would spend half the time on their BlackBerries and not pay attention to the kids," she said.

She said the producers assured her that there would be proper dress and language - and that a vice principal with a headphone would be stationed nearby to monitor.

DeGiacomo said she thought there was value in seeing a television show film an episode, and that students' moral values were strong enough to withstand the visit. The parents of 373 children had returned permission slips for their children to be filmed, she said.

She also said many of the protesting people were related, to which one might reply, "Isn't everyone in Buena?" - if one wanted to show her how easy it is to make the town, or any small town for that matter, the butt of jokes.

In any case, she said, the controversy made it impossible to give the producers the green light they were seeking. "We're done," DiGiacomo said. That is, except for the descent into small-town sniping and recrimination, which in Buena inevitably brings up last spring's infamous Mojito affair.

"Let me say this: I personally received a lot of complaints about that Mojito bill [renaming the town] because of our efforts with alcohol abuse," DeGiacomo said.

Sue Barber, a township committeeperson who voted for the temporary Mojito name change (lots of mint, an essential ingredient, is farmed in the area) - in exchange for $5,000 from the Bacardi Rum company - was a key player in the anti-Simple Life movement.

She did not see any reason to compare the two controversies. "I expect the educators to maintain proper decorum in the classroom and have proper role models come in to speak to the children," she said.

Meanwhile, in Atlantic County, officials just want to make sure the show leaves behind a sizable donation. Besides using the firehouse, the Atlantic City Fire Department requested use of a county facility for "training" but did not elaborate. "We don't know what's going on," said county fire marshal Harold Swartz. "They're keeping it quiet."

Paris and Nicole will apparently get to make the city firefighters breakfast and stay overnight, but are unlikely to show up to put out your fire. But, hey, you never know. Fires are definitely hot.

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I write this letter with a sigh of relief, and I'm thankful that "The Simple Life" won't be taped at Cleary Middle School.

I'm embarrassed that Buena Regional School District Superintendent Diane DeGiacomo has expressed sorrow and disappointment for FOX's decision to put the project on hold. It appears that concerned citizens didn't win the battle because the matter was removed from the table by the network.

Apparently, the educators didn't consider our fears and opinions. They didn't listen when the public cried out for them to consider the repercussions. They didn't listen when we showed grave concern for our children's welfare. They didn't listen when we expressed our fears of compromising good morals and ethics, and exploiting innocent children. These facts make me very concerned for our children.

We work hard to give our kids a better life. We teach them good morals and ethics. We have a tough time competing with TV, movies, video games and the Internet, where our children are desensitized with violence, sexual situations and obscene behavior. We shouldn't have to worry about educators making bad choices for our children. We entrust them to make our kids their number one priority and make decisions based on that one fact.

Our educators need to ask why so many people opposed them with such conviction. Think about the citizens who want the distinction of being known for instilling social values, moral principles, integrity and decency in their children to help them grow into responsible adults and make positive contributions to our communities.

Our children shouldn't be exploited and made fun of for the sake of a dubious TV show that features women who walk away and leave us to pick up the pieces.

Every child deserves the best education that the district has to offer. It's sad that a new school is needed and taxpayers would be heavily burdened to pay for it, but compromising the morals and ethics of children isn't the way to solve this dilemma.

For the sake of the children, make them your number one priority and weigh your decisions on what is best for them.

Dolores Comparri

Richland

BUENA -- It was just too difficult.

Producers for the Fox reality TV show "The Simple Life" decided Monday not to film an episode at Cleary Middle School. They cited, in part, a firestorm of controversy that erupted in recent days among residents who thought the filming would bring embarrassment to the community and expose students to negative moral values.

"It got blown out of proportion," Buena Regional School District Superintendent Diane DeGiacomo said.

She expressed disappointment that Cleary students now won't get a chance to see firsthand how a TV program is made and said the district will lose out on $5,000 the show was expected to pay for use of the school for one day.

DeGiacomo said the district and the show's producers came to a "mutual decision" Monday night to end negotiations that began more than a month ago.

"That's fantastic," said Sue Barber, a Buena Vista township committeewoman whose son attends eighth grade at Cleary. She was among leaders of a vocal effort in recent days that pressured the district to keep "The Simple Life" out of the school.

"I'm glad to hear they finally came to their senses," Barber said. "I was just so upset that they put the parents and the children in this predicament."

Had the district and TV show reached an agreement, stars Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie would have spent a day at the school as "interns," performing tasks such as substitute teaching and cafeteria duty.

The school board tonight had planned to discuss, and possibly vote on, the show's request to film here. But DeGiacomo on Monday said she still had some questions regarding details of the proposed filming and didn't yet feel comfortable recommending to the board that the district allow the show to visit.

That uncertainty wasn't good for the show's tight time schedule, she said.

"They indicated to me that they had to know right away and I told them that I thought I couldn't give them a decision," DeGiacomo said.

Also, the superintendent said, the show had concerns over community opposition that became very visible last week. The producers "really didn't want to bring controversy to the district" she said.

Still, DeGiacomo said she thinks a visit by "The Simple Life" would have been a positive experience for the students.

How it began

The district's strange flirtation with a national TV show began around Dec. 8, DeGiacomo explained, when "The Simple Life" telephoned the district's business administrator and inquired about whether it could film an episode here.

The show, which this season follows Hilton and Richie on a Northeast bus tour, was planning on being in the area. Producers had come across the district's Web site and thought it would be a good place to visit, DeGiacomo said. They also said middle-schoolers would be a terrific fit for the show because they're "so spontaneous," she said.

"We initially thought it was a hoax," DeGiacomo said.

District officials waited another or day or so, then followed up. After determining the request was legitimate, they began an exchange of information that went on for the next few weeks.

The request was also discussed at the school board's Dec. 14 public meeting.

An associate producer flew in from Los Angeles on Dec. 17 to meet with the principal and other officials, and used a handheld camcorder to shoot some footage, DeGiacomo said.

The district consulted with its solicitor, insurance company and others as it researched the proposal. They ensured there would be several safeguards, including a promise that the stars would adhere to school rules and that teachers would be in the classrooms during any filming.

"They told us that an administrator could stand outside the door with earphones on and, as soon as they something that was not appropriate, they could walk in," DeGiacomo said.

During contract talks, "The Simple Life" initially offered $3,000 but later increased the amount to $5,000, she said.

The district would have used that money to buy equipment that allows the school system to automatically telephone homes in the event of an emergency.

The controversy

Word began to spread around town. Some residents had concerns about whether the show would paint the community in a bad light. They also expressed dismay about the two stars' pasts, including Hilton's appearance in a homemade sex video distributed on the Internet.

The controversy intensified last week when The Daily Journal reported the negotiations. The story was picked up by television stations and TV-themed Internet sites.

DeGiacomo, who had made an agreement with "Simple Life" officials not to speak in public about the talks, asked the show for assistance. That's when the show gave the district permission slips and an explanatory letter that were sent home with parents Thursday.

Some 340 parents sent back permission slips saying they approved of the filming, DeGiacomo said. Thirty-four others expressed disapproval and about 100 others had not yet turned in slips as of Monday, she said.

What's next

Perhaps hundreds of parents had been expected to attend tonight's school board meeting. Opponents of the show had been passing out fliers at stores, churches and other locations in recent days in hopes of drumming up support.

DeGiacomo said she doesn't expect a big crowd now that "The Simple Life" has scratched Buena off its list of stops.

But Buena Vista Mayor Chuck Chiarello, who was among those opposed to the show coming here, said the district still owes the community answers about how the controversy unfolded.

"I think that a lot of the hysteria that came along with this whole process could have been avoided had the school just been more open and discussed this up-front last week when it came to light," Chiarello said.

Still, he said, he's glad the district has severed ties with the TV show.

"I'm happy to hear that this isn't going to happen and this isn't going to tarnish our community in any way," Chiarello said. "It just wasn't appropriate for this setting."

I am responding to the article '"Simple Life' raises concerns in Buena" (DJ-1/5).

As a parent of a Buena Regional High School student, I was interested in the possible filming of a television show in Cleary Middle School. I felt that perhaps this show, starring Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie, might generate some much-needed revenue for the Buena Regional School District.

Our school district faces a major budget shortfall, and I had thought this revenue would reinstate programs cut and help balance this budget. Many programs, that only seven years ago my son enjoyed, are now missing because of the lack of funds (especially the drama club).

However, what I did not consider was my 14-year-old daughter's opinion. She told me that she and many of her friends were not happy with hosting that show in our schools. They are not impressed with the stars, do not like the show and do not like the things the media reports of them. She would like her feelings known.

"We don't like being referred to as simple folk, implying we are slow and uneducated," she said. "We are intelligent, caring, fully clothed individuals with a mind of our own, and not spoiled rich girls playing poor. Go get your kicks elsewhere!"

So in light of this conversation, Ms. Hilton, Ms. Richie and FOX, thanks for the offer, but no thanks. I am very proud of this small farm community. This community is the "reality" America. We work hard in a bad economy to give our children a quality education, and we are just sophisticated enough to raise fine young adults that have great values, and they don't want to be exploited.

To Superintendent Diane DeGiacomo and the Board of Education, keep searching other avenues for the proper funding for our schools. They are worth it! We, as a community, realize this is a crisis and appreciate your hard work and the wonderful job our teachers do under these conditions. Please let our children be famous for what they accomplish, not how they are humiliated on TV.

Do not sell them out.

Terri L. Scott

Landisville

I am shocked that there is any debate over the Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie issue.

Here are the pros and cons. First, the pro list:

The fame to say, "Hey, Paris and Nicole were here."

Here's the cons:

This seems to me that this is what I call a no-brainer! Why would we want any (possible) money from people who have very little morals and values? Is this new school worth what we, as a community, will have to endure?

I have always wanted my children to look up to their elders and not to judge. This is not possible when the school wants to bring in people who aren't to be looked up to.

Should we applaud Nicole for her rehab experience? Yes! She is a better person because she is no longer doing drugs. But I have a problem with having my children wanting to aspire to be like her. And what is Paris to be applauded for? Her famous tape or her flaunting her millions of dollars in everyone's face?

I think this is not a good idea. We have enough issues with our children doing things we wouldn't want them to do.

Peggy Carlamere

Buena

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'Simple Life' Won't Film at N.J. School 1/11/05

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Hot stuff: Hilton coming to A.C. fire station 1/11/05

By the end of the week, "The Simple Life: Interns" stars Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie will make their grand appearance in Atlantic City, but they won't be playing blackjack.

One of the last times Hilton was in Atlantic City was August, when she played several rounds of blackjack with adoring fans on the beach in a promotional stunt outside her family's Atlantic City Hilton Casino Resort.

This time around, Hilton and Richie are tentatively set to work with the men at the John R. Jasper Fire Station on Maryland and Atlantic avenues on Friday and Saturday, confirmed Farnaz Farjam, coordinating producer for Sepulveda Productions, one of the three companies that develop "The Simple Life" television show.

"They are not going to be putting out fires," Farjam said. "They are going to observe and intern and help out around the station."

She could not provide more details. "It will pretty much be left to the captain in charge what their duties will be."

The two are set to arrive at the fire station Friday. They are then due to show up, bright and early, at Egg Harbor Township's Canale Training Center, Atlantic County Fire Marshall Harold Schwartz said.

There, they will likely get some training or insight into the fire service.

Once that is completed, the pair return to Atlantic City, where they will work at the Jasper station throughout the day.

They are tentatively scheduled to spend the night at the station and cook breakfast for the crew in the morning.

Atlantic City Fire Chief John J. Bereheiko did not return calls seeking comment Monday. At the fire station, firefighters said that while they are looking forward to meeting the pair, they are not allowed to comment.

Mayor Lorenzo Langford's office forwarded calls to the solicitor's office and a production company, which declined comment. The solicitor's office forwarded calls to Business Administrator Benjamin Fitzgerald, who was home sick Monday.

Fitzgerald confirmed that while city officials spent parts of Monday working on the deal, he knew nothing more.

Atlantic City Council President Craig Callaway accused Langford of getting the city's priorities mixed up.

There are bigger and more important issues to deal with in Atlantic City than Hilton and Richie, Callaway said.

The administration needs to settle the outstanding contracts with the city's police and fire departments first, he said, then deal with ongoing violence.
 

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"Simple Life" Too Saucy for School 1/11/05

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Will S. Jersey school flunk Paris and Nicole? 1/11/05

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Paris Hilton/Nicole Richie "The Simple Life" is coming to Atlantic City! 1/11/05

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'Simple' enemies spread message 1/10/05

BUENA - The people of this rural region want the answer to one question:

What happened to my simple life?

As Hollywood makes plans to descend on this quaint community's regional middle school in the form of the ditzy duo of Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie, residents here are preparing to defend their own way of life.

They argue that the pair's tabloid exploits offend their small-town sensibility and, put simply, the duo's presence is respectfully unwelcome.

It was learned last week that school officials may allow Fox Broadcasting to tape an episode of its reality show "The Simple Life" at the Dr. J.P. Cleary Middle School.

It is unclear when school officials began investigating the opportunity or how close the show is to actually filming in the school. School officials, who could not be reached or refused comment, say they cannot discuss the issue for legal reasons.

The show features Hilton and Richie trying their hands at different jobs and adventures - typically done with as little aid in the clothing department as necessary.

And Sunday, school critics were out in a full-court press.

Jane Krokos, for example, visited 16 churches in the region, handing out fliers that criticized school board members and school Superintendent Dianne DeGiacomo for prematurely making a decision before garnering the community's input.

"People just didn't know about it, and that is unfair. A decision to bring someone with that kind of history into an environment filled with 11-, 12- and 13-year-olds without talking to parents first is wrong," Krokos said.

Her husband, John Krokos, spent most of the day at an area supermarket handing out similar fliers.

One of the major goals of the flier campaign, which stretched from Buena Vista Township to Vineland, was to inform residents about an upcoming school board meeting.

At 7 p.m. Tuesday, the Buena Regional School District school board plans to hold a meeting, where officials may or may not decide on the future of the show's filming.

The problem, residents say, is that school officials have offered conflicting signals about the certainty of the project.

A release form sent home to parents unequivocally says the show is coming to the middle school, but that form also was accompanied by a letter from the district chief that states "the possibility of this happening is not definite at this time."

However, one thing appears certain: Tuesday's meeting will be heavily attended.

"They are not going to have enough room in the library, or the parking lot," one resident said.

Many residents fear that parents signed the release form too quickly and before reading some of the fine print. Parents were given less than 24 hours to review and sign the release form.

One of the provisions of the release, for example, gives the producers of the show the right to use the video footage in any way they see fit, including commercials, merchandizing and, above all else, in bonus footage.

"They can manipulate and edit the images any way they see fit, and that is scary," John Krokos said.

Krokos carried with him Sunday an unopened DVD of the first year of the reality show and pointed out the "bonus features" icon on the cover, which promoted never-before-seen footage.

Krokos also carried with him the December issue of Rolling Stone magazine, which featured a centerfold of Hilton naked and bound by a leather rope.

"This is who they want to come and meet our children," Krokos said pointing to the two-page layout.

Also, the release form forbids parents from suing the production company.

Typically municipal officials and school officials stay away from criticizing each other publicly. Both are elected, and empathy, not vitriol, tends to be the prevailing emotion.

Call it an unspoken agreement.

But those bonds appear to hold no weight in this region, as municipal and school officials are more often than not on the same page.

Much of it stems from residents voting down the past three school budgets, forcing Buena and Buena Vista Township municipal officials to cut the budget.

In May, a judge ruled that school officials were charging Buena Vista Township Mayor Chuck Chiarello too much for documents he requested, documents the mayor believed contained unflattering comments about municipal officials.

Now, Chiarello has emerged as one of the school district's major critics, alleging school officials are simply continuing a trend of secrecy that has come to be, in his view, their trademark.

"We can't trust them if they are not being forthright and honest," Chiarello said. "This is a community that prides itself on its small-town qualities and its willingness to communicate with the residents, and I just don't know how this situation reflects that."

Chiarello also criticized one of the district's motivations for considering allowing the show to come to the middle school.

In the letter sent home to parents from school officials, it states that parents should support the taping because then "the community will view first hand the crowded conditions at the Cleary School, providing the district with the opportunity to advance the cause for the bond referendum for the new middle school."

Chiarello said school officials are essentially "hoping that a television (show) will embarrass the district." He added that six months ago he would have supported the referendum, but he can't see how he could say that now.

School officials highlighted other reasons why they should allow Hilton and Richie at the middle school. They include showing children how a television show is filmed, providing the public with a better understanding of what teachers must go through and possible financial compensation.

No matter the outcome, this "Simple Life" has quickly turned into anything but.
 

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'Simple Life' contract gives away all rights 1/10/05

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Parents say no way to Nicole & Paris 1/8/05

Parents in rural Buena Vista Township are upset over reports the school district is considering allowing "The Simple Life 3’’ to tape an episode at an area middle school.
 

We try to raise our children right.

We teach them the importance of getting ahead in life through education, hard work and dedication. We teach them to be polite and respectful to others, to lend a helping hand to those in need. We teach our children that there is more to life than just making money or accumulating more material wealth than the neighbors.

We also know the critical part role models with these traits can play in reinforcing these behaviors in our children, and Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie of "The Simple Life" reality show just don't measure up.

Role models for our children, however, are what they will be if an installment of the show is filmed at J.P. Cleary Middle School. The Buena Regional School District is considering this, but has yet to decide. If the show goes on at Cleary, Hilton would reportedly teach a class and work in the school's cafeteria.

Who thought this one up? Whoever did should think again.

Hilton's scantily clad image is all over the Internet, and that's not including some of the Web sites where you can view and buy more risqué material. Now the community must ask itself, as about 30 concerned parents, grandparents and retired teachers did at Wednesday night's school board meeting: Would we allow one of our regular classroom teachers to do this and still keep his or her job? Of course not, so why invite this reality show starring Hilton here? Are these the values we want to instill in our youngsters?

We also object to the premise of the show, which basically follows these two, rich young women in their travels around the country as they mix and socialize with the common folk. Along the way, they poke fun at themselves and their host families and communities in an effort to get a few laughs.

It's no laughing matter, however, when the hard-working people of Buena and Buena Vista, people trying to raise their families in a rural atmosphere, are ridiculed so the show's producers and Hilton and company can make money.

Our teachers, doctors, soldiers, firefighters and police officers should be our children's role models, not two rich twentysomethings trying to get richer by selling themselves on the Internet and television.

Permission slips allowing their children to be filmed as part of the show at Cleary were sent out to parents yesterday, with a deadline of today for their return.

In an accompanying letter, parents were advised that filming this TV show at the school would allow people to see the poor conditions there and help gain some support for a bond referendum.

If this is the only positive, then it's not enough to outweigh all the negatives of filming the show in Cleary School.

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I have concerns about "The Simple Life" making life not-so-simple in our town.

I have three daughters in the Buena Regional School system. Yes, we've had our problems with the school board and our township officials not getting along. Yes, we've tried to get our plight of not enough funds for a desperately needed new school out in the open, so our taxpayers will pass a budget. Our situation is not unique by any means, as there are school districts all over this country that struggle as we do. But when do those districts invite trouble like ours does?

Whether we asked FOX or they asked us is of little consequence now. It's not a secret anymore -- everyone knows. My question is if our school board even put into consideration the ramifications of this action? Doug Adams is quoted in your article that, "From the information I have, the show is pretty innocuous." This tells me he has never watched the show. We watched the show when it first came out to see what all the hype was about. These two girls were rude to their host families; they played practical jokes on the people they didn't like; they were rude to their employers.

I have strived to teach my children to be respectful and to have pride in the things they do today, and to be thoughtful of the person they may become in the future. Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie have not shown any redeeming qualities while on their show. The personal side they have shown is crude, and at times, totally despicable. The things they do are the total opposite of what my daughters are being taught at home.

We have chosen to live in Buena Vista Township. We will certainly live here for the rest of our lives. Our children are happy with their friends and with their schools. We moved here 12 years ago to raise our children in a healthy environment. Now our school board is taking that away from us by making decisions on our behalf. Decisions made by school boards need to be in the best interest of the children.

When I was asked if these two girls were to give our school a lot of money to tape their show, would that change my mind, I immediately said -- "No." Prostituting our children for any amount of money is not in my way of thinking.

I hope that the school board and the township officials in Buena Vista Township know that this taxpayer/mother is watching closely, and as the saying goes, "If momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy." I'm hearing the sounds of the call to clean house, and I don't mean my kitchen.

Sandra Weber

Buena Vista Township

BUENA VISTA -- Like many Americans, some people here could care less whether they ever see Paris -- as in Paris Hilton.

And they want to make sure the Buena Regional Board of Education gets that message.

About 30 people met in Township Committee chambers Wednesday to voice concerns over the district's consideration of allowing FOX Broadcasting to film the next installment of its "The Simple Life" reality show at J.P. Cleary Middle School.

The show features Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie, a pair of socialites living different lifestyles, including as farm girls and road trippers. The show pokes fun at all involved.

Township Comitteewoman Sue Barber, who has a 13-year-old son at the middle school, put together Wednesday's discussion in preparation for the school board's next meeting, when it will consider the proposal.

Barber said neither Hilton, renowned for her homemade video escapades, nor Richie are proper role models for a school of young teens.

"It's my right as a parent to protect my children and other children," Barber said. "I'm at work and what are they doing? Bringing in a film crew to film my son during exercise class!"

Jack Krokus said the district should have spent time searching the Internet for information about the show's stars.

"You'll find things you would not want your 12-, 13-year-old children to be researching," he said.

Krokus is sending a memo to district officials. It culminates with a picture from Hilton's racy Web site. "Perhaps the real story is not 'The Simple Life' but 'Some Simple Minds.'"

Barber also was irate over the prospect of a television show making fun of the area.

"We're a very rural community and that also is a gift to us," she said. "We enjoy that and that's why people come here."

A number of people in the crowd were retired teachers, some with experience in the district and with either children, grandchildren or other relatives in the school. A number also said they had seen "The Simple Life," and panned the experience.

Linda Burch predicted a "circus" if the idea goes through. She has a 13-year-old daughter, Shanae, attending Cleary and was outraged at the lack of information given parents.

"We have that right as a parent," Burch said. "We're fighting for our children, to build them up."

"I think we should look at who we have put in charge of our children," said Roberta Corbitt, a retired Galloway Township teacher. "I think they should all be investigated, especially the school board. Especially the school board!"

Corbitt also is determined to know whether students are to be compensated for working as "extras."

"Who's going to get that money?" she said. "When you work as an extra, you get paid."

Cecelia Bachinsky, a former Upper Township teacher, said some damage has already been done since the furor has generated interest in the show among students.

Bachinsky has grandchildren, nephews and nieces in the school. The parents are "very, very upset," she said.

One of Bachinsky's daughters just put her child in the school this year after years of home schooling. "She's really upset," she said.

A message left at the desk of district Schools Superintendent Diane DeGiacomo was not returned. The superintendent declined comment Tuesday, citing legal reasons.

Bachinsky said her sister did reach DeGiacomo and was told Hilton and Richie could be seen as examples of young women starting their own businesses.

BUENA -- Bringing "The Simple Life" to this small farm community is turning out not to be so simple after all.

FOX Broadcasting has contacted the Buena Regional School District about filming a segment of the reality television program, which features Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie, at J.P. Cleary Middle School, according to district officials.

But some community members believe the show's stars may not be appropriate guests for the school.

School board members Lynda Gazzara and Douglas Adams confirmed the show's producers have contacted the district. But Superintendent Diane DeGiacomo declined comment.

"I'd love to talk about it, but I can't because of legal reasons," the superintendent said Tuesday after consulting the district's attorney. "That's all I can say at this time."

The Board of Education in recent weeks has discussed the possible use of Cleary as part of the show, but neither Gazzara nor Adams had details on when filming could take place or if a contract had been signed.

"We talked about it at the last meeting," Gazzara said. "There was some interest, but no definite decision."

Some community members say they'd object to the presence of Hilton, a hotel heiress, in the school.

The 23-year-old has exposed ample amounts of flesh in homemade videos unrelated to the show, noted Sue Barber, a member of the Buena Vista Township Committee and the parent of a 13-year-old Cleary student.

"I'm surprised school officials would even entertain such an idea," Barber said. "This is not a role model we should be exposing to our 11- to 14-year-old students."

Hilton would teach a class and work in the school's cafeteria if the show filmed at Cleary, Barber said.

"I don't think we'd let a teacher in the classroom if she had made explicit films like the ones Paris Hilton made," Barber said. "I don't see what the students get from letting a movie star into the school."

An advance team from FOX Broadcasting apparently observed students in a physical education class, Barber said, but Buena Regional officials wouldn't confirm the existence of any activity by the show's representatives on school property.

"The Simple Life" focuses on "privileged princesses" Hilton and Richie as they travel through back roads in search of life among the nation's common folks, according to the program's Web site.

"The girls must navigate their way through the wild ride of new jobs and host families and small towns across the country," said the official Web site's promo for "The Simple Life 2," which aired last season.

Adams called the show "silly" but said that, as a community member, he has no problem with Hilton and Richie visiting Buena.

"From the information I have, the show is pretty innocuous," he said. "But I think we need to talk about it as a community."

Adams, who also is the borough's police chief, said security issues would need to be addressed if high-profile celebrities come to town.

Shannon Ryan, a publicity agent for the show in Los Angeles, did not return phone calls seeking comment.

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