tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15834757.post5879640326278299049..comments2019-01-04T05:13:40.284-08:00Comments on The Dumb Plumber: Apologizing for JohnDumb Plumberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03408633744790991855noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15834757.post-79111730898522115202012-04-17T11:41:55.069-07:002012-04-17T11:41:55.069-07:00What makes a bully? Fear, incompetency, greed, an...What makes a bully? Fear, incompetency, greed, and most important, opportunity! Go to bullyonline.org for good information on recognizing and dealing with bully behavior. They have a great slogan: "Those who can, do. Those who can't, bully." <br /><br />In Walt Caldwell's world, he is righteous and courageous. In reality, he's just a small minded bully who happened to inherit a newspaper from his wife's family; talk about opportunity! Fear and intimidation can only work on the willing; count me out. I prefer to call it like I see it and I don't have to be a rancher to recognize BS! Publishing nice photos of next generations does not compensate for trashing THEIR opportunity for future empowerment. John Van den Bergh used the word progress and to some, that means physical growth; wrong! The progress at stake here is REAL LOCAL EMPOWERMENT, not the illusion of such. Make no mistake, when two (or more) bully's find each other especially "useful" they double team for double trouble. For us, that means Walt Caldwell's Mountain Echo and our Shasta County LAFCO Director, Amy Mickelson working very well together: pathetic but no surprises here. So sad, but seriously, why is this bully from Johnson Park so deeply invested in thwarting our best efforts and intention to TRULY do for ourselves? My dad had a saying, "Sometimes you got to take the bull by the horns." He was right.Michelle Bonnewellnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15834757.post-56288495344968123092012-04-15T11:10:22.205-07:002012-04-15T11:10:22.205-07:00I appreciate the support from Dumb Plumber. The C...I appreciate the support from Dumb Plumber. The CSD or I, are not the only ones impacted by Walt Caldwell's unprofessionalism.<br /><br />A "reporter" who does not ask questions or confirm his understanding does not produce a quality paper. Walt Caldwell of the Mountain Echo never contacts the CSD for information or comment. <br /><br />The distorted news published by the Mountain Echo about the CSD has done enormous amounts of damage to the Fall River Valley communities. It is a pity that one person can impact the lives of so many in such a negative way.<br /><br />In the last year, Mr. Caldwell was able to annoy three CSD board members to such a degree that they quit the CSD Board. First Tom Smith, who quit in August, in part, because of Walt's continuing dogging of the CSD. Then Barbara Briggs, who's husband's business has been impacted by Walt's continuing negative comments and untruths about the CSD, and finally Quincy Hatch, who has had it by Walt's negative reporting on the CSD.<br /><br />By chasing off three good people Walt deprived the community of positive input on the CSD board, and positive contributions of these people to the valley. This means that fewer services will be available for the people that need them. The ability of killing any progress in this valley by a man from Johnson Park is astounding.<br /><br />The Mountain Echo's negative reporting has scarred people of this valley in thinking there is something wrong with the CSD. In fact, it is just the opposite: good things are happening and the CSD is both financially and operationally sound. <br /><br />By only focussing on the negative and fabrications, Walt has become the village bully, instead of a community builder. His personal views should be limited to his editorials, which almost everyone dismisses by saying "Walt is Walt."<br /><br />I do not mind negative reporting, as long as the facts are correct, and are balanced with positive stories. If Walt is looking for dirt, plenty of dirt can be found at the board meetings of other special districts in the valley. I am proud of the CSD's superior quality of board meetings, transparency of its activities and the professionalism of its staff. Come and see for yourself; our Board meetings are on the second Wednesday of every month at 6 PM at the CSD office on Third Street in FRM.<br /><br />The Mountain Echo motto is "If you don't want to see it in the paper, don't do it." It should be followed with: "And if you don't do it, I'll make it up."<br /><br />So, enjoy the pictures of our local athletes in the paper, but don't believe what Walt writes.John Van den Berghhttp://frvcsd.orgnoreply@blogger.com