Sunday, March 6, 2016

Sound Idea? Or Sound Crazy?

From a comment posted here earlier...

I sent an email to Sound Publishing this morning pointing them to this blog and also referencing Port O Call as both being far more timely and relevant sources of info and asked them to please take a good hard look at their local outfit here.

So, just in case anyone from Sound Publishing does manage to wander over this way, let's present them with a hypothetical look at a hypothetical reporter on a hypothetical newspaper, and see if they think everything is up to muster...

Let's call this imaginary newspaper the, hmmm, Coastal Daily News, okay? And let's say they've employed a certain reporter for a long, long time, right? Let's say this reporter's name is, oh, let's call him Gaul Potleaf.

"Gaul Potleaf"

Let's say this reporter, Mr. Potleaf, who, as a reporter, is not only is supposed to represent all sorts of journalistic standards and ideals, but is also very much the public face of the Coastal Daily News in the community. He covers all sorts of government meetings, and things of that sort, involving the expenditure of public funds, various local affairs, and various law and order issues in the community.

And let's say he covers that last one from the inside, if you will, by getting arrested for being drunk and/or high and disorderly in public. Would the public still be expected to have faith in that reporter and his journalistic abilities? Would management?

Upping the ante a bit, let's say that the next big (personal) law and order issue involving this reporter was his hitting a pedestrian with his car while driving. Given his "in" with local government, would the public be right to be suspicious over the fact that he was never given a sobriety test by the police, even though they knew of his past indiscretions? Would it be understandable to think that the public might have further doubts about this reporter's stability and reliability given the totality of the circumstances? Might it also be understandable that this might raise concerns of a collusion between certain local governing bodies and the press that is supposed to watch over them?

Speaking of watching over...Let's say this reporter also had, as one of his duties, the processing of letters to the editor. And let's say that this reporter went well beyond verifying the names and identity of those sending in said letters, to the extent that he also was extremely well known for bullying and harassing people who had sent letters in if the ideological content didn't match some (unstated-but-oh-so-clearly-there) standard that only Mr. Potleaf seemed to know in detail. Would it be safe to say that this ongoing pattern of badgering, bullying and belittling members of the public would, in fact, fall far outside the scope of duty involved with verifying letters to the editor? Would management feel this way?

And speaking of management...How would management feel if, say a reporter like our hypothetical Gaul Potleaf, were to have gotten a much younger intern pregnant? An intern he was supposed to be, in a different manner entirely, supervising? Would management see such an impregnation as proper "supervisory" activity? Would management think such behavior was a fine thing for the workplace? Would they view such an unintended pregnancy as a sort of "bonus"? Would they be concerned if the pregnant woman in question then quit the paper due to the stress of the situation?

Now, I realize that all these "hypotheticals" presented here are a lot to take in. And it's difficult to believe that a newspaper would still employ a drug-addled, morally bankrupt and fact unfriendly person like that after all these questionable activities...Or is it?

61 comments:

  1. Are you kidding?

    Of course, we are talking about a hypothetical situation with Gaul Potleaf, but I can see straight across parallels that a local paper, a local reporter, and realities in fact, apply.

    So, why would any reputable business allow all that to continue, year after year?

    Is it, hypothetically speaking, possible the reporter has some kind of "dirt" on others that allows all this to go on?

    What other POSSIBLE explanation is there?

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    1. You've gotten right to the heart of one of the most mysterious things I've observed here. WHY does he stay employed by the PDN? WHAT does he have that enables that? WHO would want him around?

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  2. The hardest part to believe is that Gaul got laid...

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    1. OUCH! And sympathies to the lady involved, to be sure.

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    2. Ew. I'd say a pox upon him, but, he's already got the palsy, so....

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  3. This "Gaul Potleaf" sounds like a real asshole. Reminds me of the Potleaf reporter that stopped at our business inquiring about a crime that happened (I was not allowed to speak per my management}. "Reporter" said couldn't wait to speak with my supervisor and would publish a story first thing in the morning anyway. Which said asshole did and story was completely made up via his imagination.
    PDN isn't even readable anymore unless your a local corrupt politician excepting some ego boosting after your business pays them off via advertisements.

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    1. Yours is not the only story like this I've heard. It is truly distressing and depressing when a so-called newspaper employs a serial liar. Few things poison a community faster.

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  4. The story I keep hearing is from people who have been here long enough, or moved away, and have come back recently, and remember when things were so much better in Port Angeles.

    As we saw in that Canadian news clip, the streets are empty, and the community described as "desperate" and " ailing".

    How can Cherie Kidd, Dan Gase, Brad Collins or Pat Downie show their faces in public?

    Oh, they'll say they are not the only ones responsible for the current state of Port Angeles. And, they're right. But, they should man up and that responsibility, because, as a much more famous politician once said "The Buck Stops Here".

    No excuses. They occupy the seats, and have for a number of years. They are responsible. The Buck Stops at their desks.

    They are the ones who have arrogantly denied the public their stated wishes. They are the ones who have taken willful and direct actions to intentionally silence the public.

    The Peninsula Daily News has intentionally participated the the concerted effort to silence the public. To help the powers that be maintain control of what the public knows, and what they say.

    It is no wonder the streets are empty on a sunny Saturday in Port Angeles, while surrounding communities of Sequim, Port Townsend and Victoria bustle with happy people.

    At what point will businesses in Port Angeles see that what is being done by a few egocentric idiots in their name, is actually driving people away? Rather than defiantly saying the streets really aren't empty, as the Canadian TV crew films empty cash registers and empty streets, the Port Angeles business community should be looking around, and realizing they are not being served by their leadership.

    The objective truth is there to be seen by all. Port Angeles in "ailing" and "desperate", while the other communities are bustling and prosperous.

    Is this all is can be? If not, start with the failed leadership. Supporting failures doesn't create success.

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    1. Excellent comments, and right on the money!

      "The objective truth is there to be seen by all. Port Angeles in "ailing" and "desperate", while the other communities are bustling and prosperous."

      To be seen by all, except for crooked enablers like certain reporters. As CK makes clear, people at the PDN don't ask certain questions or touch certain subjects, and people at the PDN get protection from the authorities when they break the law. It's a sick, sick situation.

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  5. Hi, Sound Publishing. In case you're reading, and in case you're interested...There have been over 700 unique visitors to this blog today.

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  6. Okay, here is the solution, picket the news paper office, carry signs, take photos, send photos to David Black, owner of Sound Publishing. Simple sure solution.
    Now how many will get off their ass and picket the paper?

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    1. Great idea. After picketing the PDN, we can go across the street and picket Country Aire's use of fluoridated water on the "organic" produce. That would make a nice two-fer and rile Gaul Potleaf little buddy Joshie, too.

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    2. The old forms of protest, such as picketing, don't really work in today's society. Today's offenders are so sociopathic that reason and common sense will never sink in.

      @5:40am above hit it on the mark: "sick, sick situation." The F4 + PDN are not just ineffective, they have a problem with processing basic information and acting on it as would a rational functioning adult. They aren't fit for public office, or public media.

      SO, forget trying to make Sound Publishing a better rag. It just won't happen. THIS BLOG is probably the best public forum we have, and has the potential to become the "unofficial paper" of the Crypt that appears to be PA these days.

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  7. Hey kids, here's a fun game I've been playing. How many email addresses for PDN employees can you find? I've found a whole bunch boys and girls, and I've been sharing the "hypothetical" situation presented here with them. After all, this game's more fun with more players. And it's good for employee morale, too! Have a GREAT day everyone!

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    1. Call the PDN office and ask to speak to Gaul Potleaf.

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    2. Friends are for sharing.

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    3. I really like the phone call idea! Nice one!

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  8. Were there to really be a reporter like this, one who had also done any number of other unsavory and unprofessional things, it would be SO sweet to see him getting a taste of his own medicine. Especially if, as it turns out, he's really a piece of nasty work in his personal life.

    Like it asks above, who would employ someone like that?

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  9. Here's the contact e-mail address for Sound Publishing as well:
    Contact@soundpublishing.com

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  10. Paul Gottlieb is a horrible person and a terrible reporter. Thanks for the expose.

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    1. Please. Any similarity to any person, living or dead (or just dead-looking), is purely coincidental. I have merely presented a hypothetical situation for the people at Sound Publishing to consider.

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  11. Great mug shot! Also a great takedown of a true creep who has done so much to hold this town back.

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  12. Look at how the long-standing crook continuum flows here, as it has for years and years.

    Slimy Jim Haguewood has applied to be Port commissioner...Haguewood is partners in crime with Karen Rogers...Karen is close to Edna Petersen...Edna is close to the clownish Andrew May...and Andrew and Paul Gottlieb are close friends. How can you truthfully cover the crooks in town when you're friends with them?

    The answer is, you can't. Gottlieb is professionally and personally compromised, and has no business whatsoever being a reporter here.

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  13. According to the PDN article, the Heart of Service award by Rotary recognizes "the dedication and accomplishments of local people who do extraordinary things for their neighbors, their community or the environment."

    Having no affiliation here, I can think of no better nominee than CK.

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    1. While I appreciate the thought, I really do...Let's not kid ourselves. Besides, I have NOTHING to wear to the awards ceremony. Thanks, though.

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    2. Port O Call anyone?

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  14. WOW! Nice letter. Just the thing to make a certain someone act all "Butch" to be sure. Let us know, please...

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  15. Don't forget, folks: The "Ethics Committee" meets tomorrow morning (Tuesday the 8th) at 10:30 AM at City Hall to begin the process of, well, processing the complaint against Cherie Kidd. I wonder who the PDN will have cover the story???

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    1. The Ethics Committee meeting got off like a goat dance.
      Nobody knew what to do, they inquired of city attorney Bloor constantly and he should not have been in the room since it is a city employee who is being charged with an ethical lapse. When Bloor is explaining the duties of an ethics committee deciding on a city employee the city attorney should be no where in sight. Be all that as it may, the committee met for two hours and never got off the first charge--and there are eight charges. Marolee, the charging resident offered to amend her complaint and the committee agreed--as did Kidd. So, two hours shot to the breeze and they start all over when Marolee submits her amended complaint.

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    2. Gaul Potlieb was covering the ethics committee meeting.
      Is that a mind bender or what?

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    3. Thanks for the report on the pseudo-meeting. It sounds...dynamic. And agreed, Bloor shouldn't have even been in the building while that was going on.

      As for Gottlieb covering it...Do not attempt to adjust your set...We control the vertical...We control the horizontal...

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    4. The ethics code designates Bloor as their adviser. Someone has alleged a bunch of legal issues, so a lawyer is appropriate. Maybe you all thought this would be some sort of unsupervised fun house, but probably Bloor will get a legally rational product out the door. Eventually. Anyhow, as long as he is not advising on his own case (and he won't be, cause that gets an outside review process), there is no conflict.

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    5. @ Anon 7:17 You're kidding, of course!?

      Bloor farms out most of the work to "outside law firms", as it is. Now, given the concerns are about "ethics", don't you think the very same guy who has had a complain about such things should NOT be the guy advising THE SAME PEOPLE ON the SAME ISSUES that are under question?

      Even if it is to give the people the belief that the City is taking these concerns seriously, even if they themselves don't??

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    6. We've been hoping to get this "legal product" out the door for some time now...

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    7. "Show Bloor the door"

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    8. No, 12:31, I'm serious. None of these people will be considering his case. So it's fine. There is no conflict. Expect him to be legal advisor for all the ethics complaints that do not name him. Sorry, but this stuff does not work like the picture in your head. From the quotes in the PDN, it sounds like Marolee is learning that too.

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    9. Bloor just shouldn't have been there. No council member facing an ethics complaint should have been there. NO ONE from the city should have been there. No one from the city has any credibility at all. The only people from within city hall who might have some credibility will be saying, "I'm sorry, and I quit." That's the only thing I'll trust at this point.

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    10. My "quotes" were not really quotes. I was distracted with trying to figure out how to present the material so that the three-person board could easily understand it. I was not speaking directly TO the PDN.

      I wrote the initial complaint late at night, after the city council meeting, and had not done a lot of research or thinking about it. I had no template to go from -- as no one had ever filed a complaint like this here. So, I was casting around trying to figure it out.

      In the weeks since, I have had time to read, contemplate, and research.

      I was not thinking about the PDN, nor had any control over what was "quoted" from my exchanges in the meeting. (Note: the panel was gracious enough to allow public comment.)

      I think my complaint, the video and audio recordings are all that are needed. The actions speak loudly.

      That, along with the blatant disregard (or lack of grasp) of Roberts Rules of Order. I would expect that someone, anyone who is now in their third term of office (and a Mayor previously) would have a better understanding of what a privileged motion would be. Plus, it is notable that Mr. Bloor, the arbiter of all things "Roberts Rules" and decorum was silent for the whole meeting.

      Of course, Council Member Whetham should have been allowed to speak, and intervene, when the meeting was going far off the rails, but Ms. Kidd failed to recognize him, and said 'out of order' (even though it is not apparent to whom she were speaking. It was my impression that it WAS directed at him).

      Mr. Whetham has a very good grasp of Robert's.

      My complaint -- both complaints, -- are focused with the inhibitions on Free Speech first, and the lack of decorum, second. They do NOT have a whit or a lick to do with Fluoride, nor do they have anything to do with my views on abortion, lite beer, or who didn't get an Oscar that should have. The fact the PDN keeps presenting the issue as such is clear and simple nonsense, and an attempt to minimize these complaints.

      The ethics violations are clear -- for all to see/hear -- and stand on their own merits, no matter what Staff says or does NOT say, or what is printed in the PDN.

      I have complete faith that the 3-person Ethics Panel convened will take this task seriously, and transparently.

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    11. Thanks for the update, Marolee. I'm sure that a solid 95% of the readers of this blog wish you luck in your adventure. Go team!

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    12. MLK said something to the effect that, a person dies when s/he refuses to stand up for that which is right, a person dies when s/he refuses to stand up for justice, a person dies when s/he refuses to take a stand for that which is true. How eternally timely.

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    13. As Babe Ruth said: “Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game”

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  16. Are you listening, Sound Publishing? You should. These are your (potential) customers talking here.

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    1. I cancelled my subscription. I'm not a customer, any more.

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  17. I can't tell that that indoor photo isn't a couple of old friends chatting. You didn't file a police report, so you pretty much got nuthin. ODC will laugh you right out the door. They won't have to touch you at all, so there's that.

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  18. On another note...this just in at KONP, despite the Lincoln STILL BEING FOR SALE...they're saying it's still on track!
    http://www.konp.com/local/11434

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    1. From the Devitalize PA website homepage:

      "Goal: $235,000

      We are entering new negotiations with the owners of the theater and are excited to report that our donations now exceed $80,000!"

      Yes, with that exclamation mark. So sad, so clueless...

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    2. Over a year (or is it two?) later, and we're nearly, maybe, almost a third of the way there! Hurrah! Meanwhile, the building has just sat there, getting more and more run down. But you'll notice that the asking price isn't getting run down.

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  19. If you think for one second that anyone can rehabilitate Sound Publishing, better think again. Once you go "hack", you don't go back.

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  20. The list of things gone awry in PA is a long one. Failed business (clans) that have done not much right. Destruction of railroad tracks (possible tourist revenue),over inflated Port property (see airline/airplane service...none, Westport moving to old WalMart store (cabinet and CNC shop), multiple vacant storefronts up and down First and Front Streets. Turd tank, waterfront fake beach, Nippon, Lincoln (dump) Theater, Tram (ha), location of OMC on the eroding cliff, pay or appear (debtor's jail), PUD rates, two ambulance services (one private), homeless problem and drugs, Ill advised high school levy proposals, etc... I haven't even scratched the surface. Too many hotels, mainly bad ones, chain stores that have left (Quizno, Radio Shack), fluoridation issue. Getting tired now.

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  21. My advise for the shop local mantra: -Amazon-. Tired being told to wait for next order or going to Sequim for something on a Sunday. Hey local merchants ramp up for your customer or quit whining about your business. Give the customer what they want!

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    1. Many, but not all, downtown merchants have a deep sense of entitlement and are stuck in an early '90s attitude of "I'm the only game in town, Take it (poor customer service, inflated prices etc.) and like it - you'll be back!"

      Edna, the Country Aire, Port Book and News, a few other merchants all have this attitude.

      There is very little that downtown has to offer that you can't get online. From books to bicycles, clothing to antiques, car parts to cigars - you can get it from a variety of online
      merchants with the condescending, patronizing attitude.

      Downtown is "ailing" and "desperate" - I wonder why?

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    2. Customer service in Port Angeles is terrible because of the entitled, elitist snob mentality of the inbred, old guard families. They feel everything would be hunky-dory around here if everyone who's arrived since 1955 would leave. That pompous, unfriendly attitude is palpable to customers who have now found alternatives to Port Angeles brick and mortar stores. Merchants, you made your bed, now lie in it.

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    3. @8:32pm, that's been happening to "brick & mortar" stores across the country since the internet took off. We're not unique.

      But your description of the inbred old guard?
      As they say, there's your problem!

      To the Old Guard:
      YOU DON'T OWN THIS TOWN ANYMORE.
      YOU DON'T OWN US.
      STOP ROBBING & THIEVING.
      YOUR TIME IS UP.

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    4. I shop at the homebrew store, rather than buying supplies online because they have always been competitively priced and very helpful. I also shop at several stores in Sequim even if I can get a better price on Amazon, just to support good businesses run professionally, and friendly as long as pricing is competitive. Doesn't have to be lowest, just fair.

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    5. Pot shops aside, there's some interesting merchants here. But good or bad, vast majority of the merchants aint the problem.
      Certain insiders (and you fine readers know exaclt who they are) have gotten more than their share, for too long, for doing worse than nothing, for skim theft.

      ALL stakeholders desperately need to sit down and really assess what the draws are, and maybe hire someone who actually knows marketing, rather than all them crazy-ass cronies. Look around, other small towns have re-invented themselves, it aint rocket science.
      Citizens gonna have to do it themselves, we aint gonna get help from this council thats for dang sure.

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  22. Thank you Mr. Hoare.

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  23. Made ya look, huh?

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  24. You should have seen the looks on Downie's & Gase's faces after the ethics meeting today, they were sour-face pissed that this may not just be swept under like all their other dirty dirt. They're on deck.

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    1. They were watching a preview of what they have to look forward to, and it sounds like they didn't like how it looks.

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  25. At Anon 7:28

    Mr. Hoare and his friends don't seem to grasp what is going on. They seem to think it is just about how many days they can endure the community turmoil. Of course, because they don't think about anyone except themselves.

    But, there are others in Port Angeles that actually care about the town. Port Angeles, as has been pointed out, is being held back by people like Mr. Hoare, Edna, Dan Gase Cherie Kidd, etc, etc.

    Every person I meet these days, just casual conversations with check out clerks, workers, and whomever, ALL say these council people are a detriment to the City, and should be removed.

    How can these people walk around town, knowing people think so poorly of them?

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  26. My Addendum to the Cherie Kidd Ethics complaint is posted at maroleesmith.com
    I tried to boil it down, and organize it to help the 3 person ethics panel to see the issue, and clarify my complaint.

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