The message was clear. Protesters waved signs proclaiming, "Hit the road," "Not welcome in Marietta" and "Show no love for sex offenders" Saturday morning outside the residence in which former state representative Tom Armstrong houses three sex offenders. Saturday's demonstration was the second outside Armstrong's house, located at 704 East Market St. in Marietta, which has been a hotbed of debate for weeks. One of the protesters' main concerns is the safety of children in town.
"I'm here because I have grandchildren," Mary Smith said. "I think it's too close to our schools and our bus stop."
Tracy Portner agreed, saying she was picketing "just to get these wrong people out of Marietta and keep our women and children safe."
Mark Jardel, who lives just down the street from the house, said, "My issue is that it takes away from the community, and there are a lot of children around town. Who's monitoring these guys?"
Richard Owen, who served a 20-year prison sentence for rape, said there is accountability at the house, including a sign out sheet. The other two men are Paul Studdard, convicted of possessing child pornography on computers at Millersville University, where he was formerly employed, and Richard Barker, who served time for aggravated indecent assault of a minor.
"We go nowhere unless we tell each other where we're going," he said, adding that they all attend weekly meetings and receive counseling.
Owen said Armstrong really stepped up in providing these people housing. "The system demands approved housing for sex offenders," he said, but provides little help in finding adequate residence.
The protesters want them out anyway.
