Friday, March 03, 2006

Comment Management II

When deciding how to run the Comments section of Seeing Greene, says a commentator, I should ponder the “intent” that actuates the blog. And if the intent is “to report on the events and activities in Greene County, and encourage discourse on and around those events,” she adds, then the blog “is sorely failing, with the Catskill Fire Department practically taking over the comment arena, no matter what subject you touch on….” Seeing Greene was launched back in December 2005 without clearly defined goals. Negatively, I did resolve to avoid the diaristic, narcissistic (“my day,” “my thoughts”) kind of blog. Positively, and vaguely, I aimed to focus on local events, to be entertaining, and to be critical and constructive without being relentlessly Serious. While hoping to elicit feedback, I had no initial thoughts about regulating posted comments. When called upon technically to choose between policies, I chose permissiveness--letting any and all comments get posted--because it was intuitively appealing, it was easy to implement, and I did not understand how to operate the filtering devices.

…you should run a tighter ship....The right to free speech…does not give one the right to verbally batter and abuse, not to mention numb up the entire audience by repeating and repeating the same accusations and denials, accusations, denials, etc., etc., etc.

Experience has shown that the permissiveness policy can be costly. Yes, it has contributed to catharsis for some GreeneLanders, and it has helped to expose some issues that might otherwise be disregarded.

The blog comments are basically a poor man's newspaper editorial…. Requiring names would stop the whistle blowers from disclosing information for fear of repercussions. Some of the comments have been a bit off base[:] Charecterizing an arrest as a conviction, personal attacks not related to the issues but more related to personality conflict. # I can tell you first hand that by making people post names, people will loose freedom of speech. I have from day one, spoke publicly about issues that concerned me and have always put my name to everything I say. All I have received for this is a great deal of harassment, threats, nasty comments, and a egged truck. When people have something to hide they will go to any extent to cover it up. People will be afraid and should be afraid of being blacklisted if they go against the grain. Around here it's not how smart or right you are it's who you are related to. # While some of the postings are malicious, it is possibly the only outlet for free speech in Catskill... I think it's worth a few grumblers.

The permissiveness policy also has enabled a few one-eyed individuals to virtually hijack the Comments section. Those individuals, while ranting about just one subject--the Catskill fire department--indulge freely in anonymous mud-slinging. Their snarling oafish slanders deter prospective commentators who are civilized, and they tend to bring the whole Seeing Greene enterprise into disrepute. Hence the calls for restrictions.

…you should screen all the comments into your email. The character attacks and personal attacks should not be made here. ... Most of the Officers and some of the Firefighters of the Catskill Fire Company have taken a direct hit with the slander and the fire service of Catskill and Greene County for that matter does not need this…. # … anonymous comments can be appropriate. However, I would suggest that you require some form of 'basic registration' so that if you see a continuing pattern of abusive language or character assassination, you can inform the 'sender' that further comments in that spirit will not be published, while also respecting their prior submissions as anonymous. # …you have an ethical obligation to block libel and slander (to the extent that you can detect them, anyway). So I am afraid that, wearisome though it may be, you should run comments through your own filter, delete the more tiresome anonymous postings, and censor the rest. [It] should be transparent; if you delete a sentence or a graf, say so, and say why. And the intent should be to promote free and open debate, with above all no interference with adverse comments on the blog or its author (the price you pay for setting up shop). But I think you can insist on civil and civilized conversation… Gratuitous vulgarity is tedious. # … If you have the ability to stop people from posting anonymous comments, then why have you not done that? The comments on your website are hurtful, harassing, and slanderous. The people who post do not make any attempt to publish the truth… So far, comments on your website have claimed our family has been involved in stealing money, committing arson, involved in wife swapping, and been convicted of crimes. None of these things are true If this were your family, would you be as willing to let it continue? …please stop providing these individuals with a forum to publish their ignorant ramblings. These cowards should no longer be allowed to harass people and spread lies. They need to stand behind the falsehoods they print or stop printing them…. They know what they are doing is wrong. And so, Mr. May do you! … I ask that you do what is right.

Ah, but what policy would yield just the desirable results, with no negative side effects? To that question I have not been able to reach a confident answer. In the meantime, I have adopted an interim measure, consisting of

Guidelines for Prospective Commentators ***If you want to post a comment to the blog under your own name, click Comments at the end of a blog and, when invited to "Choose an identity," select "Other" and enter your name (and, optionally, your personal web page address or your street address) followed by your message. (Some of our anonymous commentators, I have learned, did not wish to be anonymous but did not know how to operate otherwise). . ***If you want to post anonymously, then, after clicking Comments and being invited to "Choose an identity," select "Anonymous" and write your message. ***If you have your own blog hosted at blogger.com or blogspot.com (sign up here: http://www.blogger.com/signup), then, under "Choose an identity" select "Blogger"and enter your blogger.com username and password, and write your message. ***If you want to send a message to the blogger rather than posting a comment, then, at the bottom of any blog entry or comments page, click on the green "Dick May." ***If you read a Seeing Greene entry and want to tell a particular friend about it, then click the envelope icon at the end of that entry. On the next page, enter your name & email address, type in the friend’s email address under "Friend's Email Address" and write your own comments in the Message box. ***If you want the Comments section of Seeing Greene to remain an open forum, then think hard before choosing to be a cowardly, slanderous, one track-minded, malicious and/or moronic contributor. In other words, abstain from writing messages that would shame the blogmeister into shutting the thing down.

91 comments:

Anonymous said...

Morris Darling said, Hi Dick, Im sure that the timing of this blog is a coincidence. After reading some of the comments posted today, your name has started to come up. I think this blog is a powerful tool, but so is a handgun. They should both be treated with respect. As the keeper of this blog you bear all of the responsibility at the end of the day. I have posted several comments and been criticized. They all revolved around malicious and untrue statements. You have written some excellent articles which were not one sided and factual. Unfortunately your site has been infected with a dangerous virus. If you dont clean it up yourself, Im sure a judge will. I dont know what the answer is. But someone will go too far and you will bear the responsibility of making the damaged party whole again.

Anonymous said...

Is someone trying to quote Darling or is that you, Morris?

Anonymous said...

Is that a threat?

Anonymous said...

No thats me, I havent figured out this thing yet. And no its not a threat. I would hate to see Dick be held liable for something someone posted and wont sign their name to.

Anonymous said...

HHhmmm so if i go to all the blogs in the world make threats to myself i will be able to sue the owner of the blogs??? Im going to be rich!!!

Anonymous said...

Morris,

Could you please clarify your comments concerning the

"I have posted several comments and been criticized.

They all revolved around malicious and untrue statements."

I'm curious to what your referring to. I only caught a few of your past comments and I believe I even responded back to one. I just don't remember what exactly it was.

Please refresh my memory to what your referring to as malicious and untrue. Otherwise I'll have to spend several hours trying to find it.

I agree with you that some are trying to run away with this blog.

I'm also disgusted with some of the real crap showing up lately.

I suspect that a few are intentionally trying to get this blog shut down and/or trying to get people to not tune in.

They don't even sound convincing or rational.

With that said there are also some very true things that have been brought out here.

That's why I'm curious about your comment.

If you can address the issue perhaps I and others can respond.

Thanks

Anonymous said...

Whistle Blowers Protection Act

You have to Love it or hate it!

When your the abuser you hate it!

When your the whistle blower you love it!

Anonymous said...

> Subject: hillbilly mirror
>
>
> After living in the remote wilderness of GreeneLand
> all his life, an old Greenelander decided it was time
> to visit the big Village of Catskill. In one of the stores he picks
> up a mirror and looks in it. Not ever having seen
> one before, he remarked at the image staring back at
> him, "How about that! Here's a picture of my daddy."
>
> He bought the 'picture', but on the way home he
> remembered his wife, Bucco, didn't like his father.
> So he hung it in the out house, and every morning before
> leaving for the prison, he would go there and look
> at it.
>
> Bucco began to get suspicious of these many trips to
> the barn. One day after her husband left, she
> searched the barn and found the mirror.
>
> As she looked into the glass, she fumed, "So that's
> the ugly bitch he's runnin' around with."

Anonymous said...

10:01 PM is no other than, Angelo "RAN-gelo" Amato. (Ta-Da)

Nice of you to chime in.

Anonymous said...

Mr.May

Can you please post a picture with the mug shots of the five hose 1 members who were arrested for stealing village property? Seams to be people have forgotten this stuff is all true!!!!!!!


Have you forgotten?

Anonymous said...

LETS POST PICTURES OF THE TRUTH DETECTIVES
RICK SHANKS
TOM MR DEGREE BIRK
BRIAN SHANKS
DON BIRK
GLEN K

YA THATS RIGHT WE KNOW

THE TRUTH IS OUT AND YOU HAVE NO WHERE TO HIDE


HAIL THE NWE RED AND WHITE RESCUE

SEE TOM RICK BRIAN GLEN YOU DID NOT GET TOUR OWN WAY

IT LOOKS LIKE THE REAL FIREFIHTERS DID

NOT OH MY GOD POTATO HEAD JUST THE TRUE FIREFIGHTERS OF THE CFC

THE TIDES ARE TURNNING AND SOON YOU WILL BE LOOKING IN

MR MAY KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK

Anonymous said...

True, Ha HA Keep the entertainment coming!

Got Beer?

Live where?

Sleep where?

I wouldn't want to be there!

JINGLE OFF OLD 1960 COMEDY hA ha

Anonymous said...

CT ,

You old dog you!

Drink a mans beer,

use his belongings,

make yourself at home?

Your a piece of work!

Good seein ya agin!

keep writin the gud stuff

Yo PA und Bud-no-wiser!

Anonymous said...

I have just one quick question for Morris.

Hypothetically, If what was printed here about a NY State Corrections Officer was found out to be true with pictures video, documentation or what ever for proof.

Would you still protect him and state that the things said were untrue?

You ridiculed Dick May with veiled treats of:

They all revolved around malicious and untrue statements.

"Unfortunately your site has been infected with a dangerous virus. If you dont clean it up yourself, Im sure a judge will."

"As the keeper of this blog you bear all of the responsibility at the end of the day."

You see Morris, when you made that statement you are claiming it to be a fact and placing your name and reputation on the line.

I'd hate to think that you simply fall in the catagory of : I'll defend any brother CO to the end!

Dick May said...

I have just learned (thanks to a tech-savvy son)that I have the power to delete posted comments.I pro- ceeded to exercise that power on two comments that were posted yesterday in the wake of the previous ("Goings &") blog.They deserved obliteration.
My discovery and action were prompted by an angry caller. He felt victimized,along with his wife. He had reason. He believed that I could do the deletion. I thought he was wrong; butI was mistaken. He also thought that I could supply the name and e-mail address of the mud- slinger.On that point,to the best of my knowledge,he is mistaken.

Anonymous said...

Like I have said in the past, I spoke of one incident with one person that I had the ability to check out myself. No I would not come on here to side with someone just because I work with him. And I was not ridiculing Dick May. The sad fact is, if you own a dog..and the dog gets fleas...you own them too.You can write whatever you want in here and Dick is the one who is responsible. I guess it would be easier and safer for Dick May if everyone including yourself would sign your comments. My intent was never to offend anyone.

Anonymous said...

To the 3/4/06 @ 3:06am blogger,
I have not, until this posting, posted any comments on this blog. Please be advised that you are 100% incorrect that I am the 10:01pm blogger.

While I do read the blog and find it amusing (especially with all of the spelling errors) this is the first time I have posted a comment. Everyone will know when I post a comment as I, unlike you, will sign my name.

If anyone has a question or comment for me, please feel fee to contact me directly. Otherwise, if you don't know what you're talking about, please don't bring me into it.

Thank you,

Angelo W. Amato

Anonymous said...

Maybe if Spitzer gets elected RICK can be in charge of the liquior authority, joel can be in charge of the election commission because he cant win ONE.Brian can be in charge of the health dept. because his sucks.And Tom I have a degree and sweep floors in a plant can be in charge of DOT.

Anonymous said...

I know the perfect guy for osha he works as asafety man.

Anonymous said...

VOTE CHEWINS A MAN OF THE FUTURE,A MAN WITH VISION HE HAS NOT CAVED IN TO THE TRUTH DETECTIVES WHO SLING MUD AND WILD STORIES.ON TOP OF THAT I HOPE ONE OF HIS BROTHERS RUNS FOR TOWN BOARD.

Anonymous said...

Yea, Then we can have aaa meetings when we tap the keg for the big Corrections Bash.

Got Beer,

Oh I passed out in my truck in the Catskill Fire Department parking lot again yesterday!

Oh I hit the Chiefs fathers truck, Oh no I didn'T oh yes I did , No I DID NOT,Yes I Did OOHHHHHHHHHHH!

Got Beer?

Anonymous said...

Chewens for President, Then he can continue doing a Lweinski while screwing the tax payers.

Vote for Curruption

Vote for Change, You sure got it now. More drinking and driving, and more unsolved assaults and

No one knows a thing. Hell its the Greene Mafia and you better not step on our toes!

Anonymous said...

I just wish we could bring in a LIE Detector test. Oh I would just love it!

Anonymous said...

To the 4:32 p.m. comment. First off I have no clue who "Tom" is are most of you who leave your comments but I have a gripe with your stupidity in that fact that "Tom" sweeps floors. So what? The man is earning a living and what does it matter HOW he earns his living as long as he is doing so honestly and making money to feed his family? Oh maybe "Tom" should get a job in the Catskill Police Dept so he can ride around all day long in a car talking on his cell phone, drinking coffee and eating donuts? Or maybe he can get a job with the Catskill Highway Dept so he can do the same things as the Police Dept?
Grandpa said as long as you are making an honest living and earning your money legally be PROUD of your job. At least "Tom" is making a living a being a man by doing so instead of like so many in this pitiful town that do not take responsibilty for their families and live off of MY TAX dollars by collecting welfare!
"Tom", whoever you may be THANK YOU for having a job that allows you to provide for your family so that I do not have to support you and your family with welfare money!
As for the so called veiled threats that one has claimed Morris Darling has made to Mr. May...why don't you go back and re-read what Mr. Darling posted and maybe this time have someone read it to you so that you can see Mr. Darling made NO THREATS veiled or otherwise.
Must be the hillbilly mentality of this town or maybe all the in-breeding of families is the reason why you can't read a simple post and get it right.
Of all the place I have ever lived this is the worst and I can't wait until the day that I can leave this God-Forsaken town and all the drunken hillbillies in it.

Anonymous said...

The most commical part is Tom MAkes more than four of these idiots combined and they are jealous that he makes it at a fun and interesting job.

Oh by the way I went back and re read Morris's comments and I took it as threatening. Especially considering Morris's job as a corrections officer and in the tactical response unit.

I doubt that Morris was a walk down Stawberry Lane.

Anonymous said...

Where oh where has the bad assed musketeers who were so active creating blogs at the Fire House gone!

Want to keep playing hard ball?

Please come out and play, please.

Anonymous said...

Mr. Darling has more brains than to leave a "threat" veiled or otherwise on a public blog.
Seriously if Mr. Darling was going to make a any kind of threat do you really think he would sign his name? I think not.
At least Mr. Darling has the guts to sign his name to his comments.
I don't sign my name because I am not a player in this stupid firehouse crap that is going on. And besides no one in this town knows me anyhow so it's a moot point to leave my name.
You "BOYS" need to grow up and learn how to get along with each other for the safety of your town and the people in it who has supported you for years with your endeavers with the fire company.
The other thing is do you really need to bash people's spouses and their families with your childish games? No one is perfect and I'm sure every single one of you have skeletons in your closets. You really should think before you leave nasty comments about a persons family. Keep your comments about the situation at hand and leave the innocent family memebers out of your pathetic rantings.

Anonymous said...

WELL THERE IT IS

ANOTHER TRUTH DETECTIVE UNVALED

ANGELO SO NICE TO HEAR FROM YOU!!!!!!

SO NOW WE HAVE
RICK SHANKS
TOM MR DEGREE BIRK
BRIAN SHAMKS
DON BIRK
GLEN K
AND NAW ANGELO A

A REAL HELP TO THE VILLAGE
CARROLS CORP

WE WIN
NO SALE OF E-31
SELL ETA-311
SELL ETA-312
NEW HEAVY RESCUE (RED AND WHITE)
NEW ETA 10 MAN CAB
NEW TANKER 3000+GALLONS
T-315
E-321
E-31

THATS ALL WE NEED

HOW DOES THAT SOUN RICK AND TOM

LETS MOVE FORWARD

OH BY THE WAY I HEARD CHIEF PRINCE IS DONE
HE SHOULD BE HIS WIFE IS LEAVING HIM MAYBE HE SHOULD JUST GIVE IT UP TO BAD HE'S NOT LOVED NO MORE (QUOTE NR)
IS'T THAT CORRECT TRUTH DETECTIVES

AND CHIEF JACK IS DONE ALSO.THE GUTTLESS WONDER
I HEAR ON MY GOD RUNS IT ALL


BRING BACK LACKIE DOLAN DEPRPNA OVERBAUGH LACKIE SR RAPPLEYEA
LETS CALL THE PRESIDENT HE CAN BE CHIEF

LETS GET RIDE OF THEM ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

GOT BEER?

Anonymous said...

"Bring back OVERBAUGH"

I'd rather take it in the rear end
by chewens!

Anonymous said...

Got beer?

Anonymous said...

Is it illegal to leave small children in a unlocked running car while you hang out inside the fire house for hours at a time?


Some one should call "cps"

Anonymous said...

Is it a violation of the fcc for randy to call him self catskill car 1 on the radio when his call sign is car 3-10?

Isn't funny how randy said the county made him change from car 3-0
to car 3-10, you guessed it 3-10 is a hose one call sign and no one made him change it!!!!!!

randy and chewens = broke back mountain

Anonymous said...

Mr. May I don't think that it's right for you to remove the comments about richie and his family because they are so true!

What about all the other names on this site, you haven't protected them at all!

Thats greenland for you, you must be related to the overbaughs!

I thought the daily mail was the only nazi inspired press!

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

How about this if Chewens is relected Rick and sons agree to stop blogging fair enough?

Anonymous said...

Wasnt rick the one to harrass happy about his kid?Rick you are making yourself look like a foolin this town how can you even show your face at the fire house or calls make cfc happy and quit.YOUVE destroyed enough.

Anonymous said...

Overbaugh for Chief.

I just found an old copy of the pool table tapes!

I'm looking rto sell them but not until Richie is voted in as Fire Chief.

Got Beer!

I got smear!

Want to use names!

Lets see who appears on the front page!

Whos typing blogs at the fire house breakfast this morning?

Anonymous said...

I'd rather be known for swallowing my tounge than for swallowing on the pool table.

Oh my wife , oh my mom well pretty soon the whole town will be see it!

Got Beer!

Anonymous said...

How do they let such a slut work at the middle school?

Anonymous said...

what about under age sex on m3-16?

Anonymous said...

I'm so gay I run track!

Anonymous said...

I'm so cool I have a deep voice with a gay lisppppppppppp!

Anonymous said...

Fire Fighters using Village Computer from the Fire house.

cfc officers lead the blogs!

Anonymous said...

Hey who's swallowing who at the fire house?

Anonymous said...

fire house breakfast = e.coli

Anonymous said...

maybe head & shoulders should call in the national guard!

Anonymous said...

Ct maybe bozo will sleep with you and truckees wife!!!!

Anonymous said...

lets march with the parade carriage, it'll feel just like hose 1 when we lose again!

Anonymous said...

some school employees sell cookies others sell them selves

Anonymous said...

I still live at home with my mommy,and my brother is a hommo

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

Craig and Johnny starr in the

The new "Broke Back Fire House" Movie.

Anonymous said...

NOTICE HOW THE PREVIOUS BLOGGER ADMITTED THAT THEY STARTED CALLING TOMMYS WORK COMPLAINING ETC.

SOUNDS LIKE HOSE 1'S TYPICAL ATTACKS AND ATTEMPTS TO SILENCE THEIR OPPOSITION.

I PREFER THE CALL IN THE AUTHORITY TECHNIQUE.

ITS MUCH MORE THOROUGH, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOUR AGAINST HOSE 1'S BULLSHIT!

VIVA THE CFC!

Anonymous said...

DAILY MAIL SALES ARE GOING TO JUMP SKY HIGH IN A FEW DAYS.

dICK YOUR GOING TO NEED THREE MORE ASSISTANTS WHEN EVERYTHING HITS THE PRESSES!

Anonymous said...

Have Potato Head and Oh My God been Blogging again?

They'd turn in their own mother to protect Hose 1.

And the Beat goes on.

Anonymous said...

From my observations,

you have four major groups participating here.

Group A; The ones exposing the improprieties of village employees both in management and not.

Group B; are the ones fighting back by attacking suspected individuals from Group A.

Group C; The ones simply stirring the pot by attacking anyone and everyone, trying to create more civil unrest.

Group D; The ones checking in simply to watch the soap opera.


As I see it Group A Blogs generally attack the lack of leadership and blatant wrong doings of Group B.

Group B attacks Group A with personal attacks and innuendos.

Group C simply makes up blogs, or pretends to be Group A or Group B simply to stir the pot.

Group D simply tries to figure out who is who and put the puzzle together.

Group D often sides with A or B depending on the topic, but often finds itself amazed at what Group C comes out with.

I bet this would make one hell of a daily soap:

"As the Fire House Turns"

It has all the criteria.

Sex and Alcohol,

Wife swapping, live in boy friends, and under aged drinking.

In house fighting, squablles, back stabbing, name calling,

theft, larceny, and cooking the books.

Lying , coniving, and cheating.

Some say this is small town politics as usual.

I say this is a town led by deception and corruption by a few individuals while the local populace suffers from their continuous schemes and shenanigans.

GreeneLanders don't give up!

Many former soviet union countries have suffered the same repression and populace control measures for some 80 years before they were finally discovered freedom.

Don't give up, and hope and pray that our brothers are not reading these blogs and become discouraged!

There is good still left in GreeneLand!

Anonymous said...

Mr May I know your original intent was for a productive community website,and it is, until every article spins into the Catskill F.D.Your site can be a great tool for the community but the F.D.nonsense on here is out of control.I myself have watched this site for about six weeks because of the fire deptartment nonsense and feel this site can be productive only if people log in.You've given people a chance to be constructive and anonymous but instead they have been destructive and anonymous.I'm sure this is not the intent of your site but unfortunetly that is what it has become.Some things on here are very comical but some things are down right hurtful and spiteful and are designed to provoke and hurt individuales.Its time to change your format and have people login.To all the firefighters that watch the site if you disagree with an issue bring it up at a meeting.If no satisfaction is gained then go to the village board.I dont think we look like the big strong heros that we protray to school kids when we act like kids ourselfs.Did any of us growing up even begin to think this went on in a fire co.?When consolidation was an issue I expected back lash because it was an ISSUE.This blog has turned in to gossip and rumors.The old saying people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones should apply here.Lets restore are brotherhood and gain back are community respect and stop blogging.P.S. Throw all the stones you want my glass has been broke for years.

Anonymous said...

Ed Doolan ALWAYS wanted what was best for the Fire Company and he is someone who we should listen to.

Anonymous said...

Would the people in charge of the Potato Head and Oh My God jokes please make some more jokes. I think we all are starting to forget just who we really need to laugh at.

Anonymous said...

Catskill sucks

Leeds rules

Anonymous said...

Personally, I think that Leeds should manuever to take over the Catskill Fire District.

You'll soon have Target and other stores coming into your area.

The Village of Catskill is to stupid to annex jefferson Heights up to and including the Thruway exit.

I would get together with Kiskatom and try to take control while Oh My God and Potato Head have everthing screwed up!

There will soon be many more volunteers leaving Catskill because of their embicile actions. And the obvious inability of the Village of Catskill Board of Trustees to take control and over see the supervision of the Catskill Fire Company until the get on the right track.

They still obviously have the mentality that they must destroy the other two former fire companies at any cost.

I look forward to the day when this Blog will return to other pressing issues.

But for now the antics of the present regime cannot be ignored or forgoten.

Ignoring the problems and turning our backs on the working members are how we got into this mess in the first place.

Anonymous said...

Could someone tell me who was driving the fire truck to a call the other day with lights and sirens but only one person on the truck?
Why doesn't it wait for more firemen?
Where are all the firemen and why
don't firemen come out any more?

I thought the East Side Station was closed down to give the Chief better control of his trucks?
And if I remember right to make sure the trucks are full.
I've really been noticing empty trucks running around alot lately.
With the high cost of fuel and the prices going up, why dont we drive less trucks with more people on them?

Anonymous said...

Ed I appreciate your comments, but you know as well as I that the mentality that permeates the fire house leadership is that Hose 1 must live on at any cost.
It has to stop all together!

The entire Village Board knows that Chewen's is a die hard Hose 1 member and Mr. Seeley should have removed him from the Fire Chair Persons position long ago.
Instead they gave him and Olmerod absolutely free reign to do whatever they wanted. The end result is a total catastrophe. Ironically they probally think that everything is perfect.

The present leadership routinely and regularly bad mouthed and ridiculed you, Lackie and Diperna claiming that you guys were pitiful. Hell, I don't remember things operating this bad back then. I never second guessed any of you at a fire scene because I had complete faith and knew that you guys knew your business. It was a hell of a lot better back then primarily because we had supervision. Now chaos prevails.

Consolidation did not create the mess we are in either. That's a cop out by those who refuse to take credit for their own mistakes. What really did was the lack of leadership, intentional manipulation and scheming by certain members of the department to further their personal agendas. You know as well as I do that you cannot openly and continuously attack your members and then expect to control them. This is a sign of a poor leader and demonstrates his inability to supervise effectively.

The present group of so called leaders continuously harassed and attacked our members out of jealousy and for no other reason? I just don't get it! They could have set back and reaped the harvest of dedicated and proud employees. Instead they tried to harass them and destroy their morale every chance they could. Its really amazing that these employees have all simply quit. I wonder if they intentionally harrass the members for Self satisfaction or they do in hopes of running everyone off untill a paid Fire Department has to be started?

Anonymous said...

Chewens Campaign Poster
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Vote Chewens
Vote for Change
Liberty Party
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Vote for Change by voting
him out of office.

We need dedicated leaders,
not self serving egomaniacs!

Anonymous said...

We have a village board election coming up for Catskill, with various candidates for office. Yes, fire safety is an important issue, but surely there are other topics that need to be addressed in a thoughtful, open way.
As stated before by me, I'm interested in what will be done to transform W. Bridge St. into a more attractive point of entry from the new Catskill Commons to downtown Main Street; signage, building improvements, et al. I'm also of the opinion that the proposed mini-mall on the site of the former Grandview school will bring too much density to the 'commercial' zone on Route 9 (Maple Avenue), and compromise quality of life for the area's residents. Further, won't all this retail congestion infer with the Fire Station's viability?
Can't we talk about these and other issues affecting the village of Catskill?

Anonymous said...

The question of the day.

Who can guess the correct amount paid to the DJ who had his teeth knocked out at the Chewens Drunk Fest? The amount was paid by the attacker in return for his agreement to remain silent and not sue the Villager of Catskill?

a: Ten Thousand Dollars.

b: Twelve Thousand Dollars.

c: Eight Thousand Dollars.

d: Six Thousand Dollars.

Hint: Remember a NY State Corrections Officers job was on the line.

We'll give you super sleuths one week to come up with the correct answer.

May the best sleuth win!

P.S. Don't become depressed if you don't first succeed. Remember three professional law enforcement agencies took eight months to investigate and never found anything.

It took me several inquiries until I finally discover the amount.

Good Luck and Good Hunting!

Anonymous said...

3/05/2006 9:28 comment

IS ALMOST CORRECT
WHEN ALL THIS CONSOLIDATION STARTED CHIEF LACKIE TOLD US CONSOLIDATION IS GREAT AND EACH FIRE CO WOULD BE ABLE TO HOLD THIER OWN IDENTITY'S OWN STATION OWN SOCIAL QUARTERS YES WE MIGHT HAVE TO MOVE SOME EQUIPMENT BUT WE WERE ALL PROMISED!!!!!! HOSE2 HOSE 5 WILL STILL BE RUNNING.
AFTER THE VOTE WE FOUND OUT THIS TO BE WRONG WE WERE LIED TO BY THE 3 CHEIFS LACKI DOLAN DIPERNA.
I THINK WE ALL TOOK IT THE BEST WE CAN AND TRIED TO MOVE ON.
NOW ALL THS BASHIG AND NAME CALLING ON THIS SIGHT CONSOLIDATION WILL NEVER WORK

WE CAN TRY AND TRY BUT UNLESS SOMEONE GETS HURT OR A HUGE BRAWL BREAKS OUT CONSOLIDATION WILL NEVER WORK

TRUE SOME OF IT MAY ALSO BE OMEROD AND CHEWINS BUT IT ALL STARTED WITH LACKIE DOLAN AND DIPERNA.

I KNOW FOR A FACT GEORGE HAS LOST ALOT OF FRIENDS OVER THIS AND HE IS NOT THE ONLY ONE.
IN AN EARLIER BLOG CHIEF PRINCE IS LOOSING HIS WIFE AND I HEARD IT IS OVER THE FIRE DEPT. SOME OF HIS FRIENDS COULD NOT KEEP THERE MOUTH SHUT. THEY ALL LIED TO HER AND NOW HE IS PAYING FOR IT
FRIENDS ARE NO LONGER FRIENDS OVER CONSOLIDATION
THIS IS A FACT

ITS REALLY SAD YOU BROTHERS CAN LET THIS HAPPEN TO THESE INDIVIDUALS
BROTHERHOOD I THOUGHT THAT WAS THE ENTIRE FIREFIGHTING ORGANIZATION
I HAVE NOT SEEN BROTHER IN 2+ YEARS
IF YOU HAVE A GRIEF WITH SOMEONE CONFRONT THEM EVEN IF YOU HAVE TO TAKE A BIAS THIRD PARTY WITH YOU.

IF YOU DONT LIKE OMEROD PRINCE OMEROD RUSSEL DARLING DEES SEELEY EVAN ANGELO VOTE THEM OUT
AS FAR AS FIRE FIGHTING END I HAVE NOT HEARD MANY COMPLAINTS NO ONES BEEN INJURED
SOME NIT PICKING THAT HOPEFULLY CAN BE WORKED OUT
DONT SELL E-31
SELL 311 OR REMOVE THE DECALS
TELL BOB WADE AND ALL THE OTHER HOSE 1 CLAN THAT I HEAR ALL OVER THE PLACE (THE DECALS WILL NEVER COME OFF)
THERE IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST PROBLEM
EVERY ONE KNOWS IT. THEY GET IN THE ROOM TOGETHER AND PUT THERE LITTLE DIGS OUT.

Anonymous said...

To 3/05/2006 9:22 AM-

good breakdown, but I am from Group E -- E for Enough! There are other issues in Greene County besides the Catskill fire issue, which has grown way beyond tiresome here.


Please get your own discussion site, firefighters!


Mr. May-

I applaud your tolerance for free discussion, but this one-issue domination is dragging this forum down. No matter what your original blog topics are, they drag it down, back to their feud.

It's reaching the point where the buzz about your site has gone from genuine interest to weariness.

I for one remain hopeful that better days are ahead.

Anonymous said...

I AGREE 11:26
NO ONE SHOULD LOOSE ANYTHING FOR VOLUNTERING
IT'S OUT RIGHT BULL
GEORGE AND CHIEF PRINCE ARE GOOD PEOPLE TOGETHER THEY HAVE OVER
35+ YEARS OF SERVICE
SURE THEY BOTH MAKE WAVES BUT I KNOW THEY BOTH STICK TO THERE GUNS
THEY BOTH DID ALOT IMEAN ALOT FOR HOSE CO#5 AND TO PUT THEM DOWN
WAIT A MINUTE PUT ANY ONE DOWN FOR VOLUNTERING IS DISCUSTING
ED DOLAN
TOM BIRK
DON BIRK
RICK AND BRIAN SHANKKS
RANDY OHMEROD
JIMMY CHEWWINS
FLOYD PRINCE
GEORGE LACKIE
AND ALL THE OTHER PEOPLE BEING BASHED ALL HAVE 1 THING IN COMMON
VOLUNTERS!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Hey,

Since when does thousands upon thousands of dollars amount to little of nothing? Where did the millions go if we had to pay off their trucks?

Was it let the good times role?

The first failure has been the Village Trustees in ability to take charge and direct where they want the fire department to go.

They continually turned there backs and let what ever may happen with the fire department.

Its not Chewens, Ormerods or any one Else's fire department. Its the Village of Catskills. Lock stock and barrel!

How can the Village Trustees allow the anti Village dual to remove Village of Catskill decals from the trucks? And try to make it appear to belong to the town?

How can they allow the sale of trucks way below their value? A ladder truck with 8,000 miles on it and a stainless steel body sell for less than a new pick up truck?

How can they ignore municipal law when it comes to contracting and purchase and sales of equipment?
Athens spent a year and a half contacting every truck manufacture they could find and Had an open and honest bidding on their trucks.
We contacted no body, rigged the bidding process and had only three truck manufactures place a bid? And the winner got $450,000 plus.

I wasn't born yesterday and these are the very types of issues that rob tax payer money from other needs.
Why the hell did we buy something the experts told us we didn't need?

ome on people, I realize that no one plans to let up on this issue until we have real investigations by the state and not by village owned assets that owe their loyalty to the trustees.
This is the hottest issue on the table regardless what we would like/ Its been fermenting for years and the pot runeth over!

How can Trustees repeatedly turn their backs on members who are harassed and attacked? Do nothing and hope the problem goes away,

Why are vendettas still be played out by Hose 1 against Stanley Dushane some 5 years after he got out of office? These guys are relentless and we can fight just as hard.
Why isn't any one asking why response times and numbers are at an all time low? It couldn't be because of harassment and intimidation by the fire house elite could it?
It was OK for them to attack Dushane and Bataglino but now that the roles have reversed they are crying like babies!
I heard a rumor that the PD was investigating and calling in the FBI. Great that's all we wanted all along! Get the information out to the public. Get unbiased law enforcement from out side GreeneLand and finally discover the real truths. Yes Sir GENTLEMEN,
Everything is going to be opened up and the truths discovered once and for all. May the honest men win!

Anonymous said...

Joel You no longer exist?

Anonymous said...

WHAT IS THE FBI GOING TO DO
THE DAMAGE IS DONE

BROTHERHOOD IS GONE AT THE CFC

YES YOU STILL FIGHT FIRES TOGETHER (AND DO A DAMM GOOD JOB AT IT )
BUT FRIENDSHIP IS GONE!!!!!!!!!

READING ALL THESE BLOGS THERE IS NOTHING ANYONE CAN DO.

ITS A SHAME HTE CFC USED TO BE ON TOP, BUT NOW ITS A BUNCH OF BABIES IN ONE CRIB.

GEORGE DID THE RIGHT THING HE WENT BACK TO JUST FIGHTING FIRES.
I THINK MAYBE SOME OF THE CURRENT OFFICERS SHOULD DO THE SAME.
HOW CAN YOU GUYS GO ON AFTER ALL THE STUFF YOU PUT UP WITH.

Anonymous said...

11:30, E is for enough, and W for who cares. If things are so bad then QUIT, GET A JOB, SPEND TIME WITH YOUR FAMILY, GO TO THE DENTIST. Or stay and save another chimney.

Anonymous said...

PRINCE SHOULD LOOSE HIS WIFE AND HIS JOB

Anonymous said...

HE PARTIES WAY TO MUCH

ITS GOOD FOR HIM
MAYBE HE WILL LEARN NOT TO MESS WITH THE TRUTH DETECTIVES

GOT DIVORCE

Anonymous said...

DOWN WITH PRINCE
DOWN WITH CHEWINS

Anonymous said...

THE TRUTH DETECTIVE DID ITS JOB!!!
SET HIM UP AND NOW PRINCE WILL HANG

VIVA THE CFC

Anonymous said...

PRINCE IS NO CHIEF
PRINCE IA A PRI*K

JUST LIKE OH MY GOD AND POTATO HEAD

C-320 THATS WHAT YOU WILL BE PAYING A MONTH $320.00

Anonymous said...

LONG LIVE THE TRUTH DETECTIVES

WE FINISHED ONE (CHIEF DIVORCE)

NOW OUR JOB IS ALMOST DONE

DO NOT FORGET TO BUY THE DAILY MAIL


VIVA THE CFC

Anonymous said...

TO ALL PARTIES INVOLVED
YOU ALL DID AN EXCELLENT JOB WITH CHIEF PRINCE I MEAN CHIEF DIVORCE

NOW WE CAN GET BACK TO ETA311
THE NEW RESCUE AND THE TRUTH ABOUT HOSE 1

VOTE NO FOR CHEWINS

THE TRUTH DETECTIVES

Anonymous said...

Last group of blogs are a perfect example of group c chiming in.

Prince did it to himself. No truth detective ever turned him in for messing around.

Who cares what he does, its between him and the man upstairs!

As for the group Bs they are soliciting their help.

If he is dumb enough to team up with them both he;s dumb enough to get caught.

got beer, got the bowling ally blues?

The true truth detectives!

Anonymous said...

SAME OLD
SAME OLD
SAME OLD
SAME OLD
SAME OLD
SAME OLD
SAME OLD

... Guess what? We've heard it. It's all the same old rants.

NOBODY CARES!
GET A LIFE!

Anonymous said...

Looks like everyone wants to be a truth detective! To bad the taxpayers know the real truth detectives are not just "ct" trying to piss off "fp" and then signing TD to the blog!!!!!!!

this has been a joint task force posting!

Truth Detectives

Anonymous said...

And

Joint Coalition of catskill
fire company members and appalled taxpayers against corruption by disbanded former hose co 1 inc.

Anonymous said...

SORRY TO BURST YOUR BUBBLE
BUT IT IS NOT ME CT

WE ALL KNOW HOW MUCH THE TRUTH DETECVES WANT TO PUT DOWN PEOPLE
ITS ALL OVER THE BLOG

SO JUST FACE IT YOU RUINED ANOTHER LIFE TD

SIGN
REAL CATSKILL FIREFIGHTERS
ITS NOT CT

Anonymous said...

"REAL CATSKILL FIREFIGHTERS"

or real old half dead catskill firefighters?

Anonymous said...

private lives exposed...families hurt...a man's marriage ruined...and the blog just keeps on rolling. you all must be so proud. thanks for reminding the rest of us what a sewer this place really is...and enjoy the laughs now, because when it's your spouse doing the tossing out, it'll be everyone else's turn to laugh (hard). don't think it won't happen, there's not a lot going on around here, and no one wants to live with a person that has so much stored up anger...

happy blogging!

Anonymous said...

Hey Mr. High Almighty!

First of all this blog site had nothing to do with his imorality or for turning him in.

The worse that has been said about him was calling him "Can you smell my breath"

Why, because that is what he usually asks when he responds to a fire call after being at the bowling alley all evening.

Get your facts straight and Heres another thing to bust your holy buble. The Truth Detectives have not said anything about him in a month or two. The real cons are the ones pretending to be truth detectives claiming responsibility for throwing him in.

Whats the real truth did he get caught with his pants down?

Anonymous said...

Hey out of curiosity, How many man hours are spent weekly blogging from #1 Fire House Central?

I'm amazed that everyone washes their cars at the fire house, spend countless hours blogging on the officers computer in the officers office and nothing is ever said about misappropriations of village money.

Vinny said to collect pictures and we got the whole gamut of guys playing on the blog site.
Washing cars and drinking beer!

So while you guys are out playing your childish games we'll stay on top of the real issues, Saving tax payer money.

CT do you still live in Greene County?

Take the CO test and get in with the boys. Then your drinking and driving will be excepted as normal because you'll be justified since you work with criminals!

Anonymous said...

What is real?

Corruption,
turn your back on your fellow men, don't have the balls to stand up for whats right,
afraid to and tell the fire house elite that they are wrong!

Its obvious to the masses that the "Real Fire Fighters" have nothing of substantial proof
Nor have they proved any thing except to throw out innuendos and bullshit.
One day you'll wake up and realize that your sleeping with the real enemy! If you only knew the real facts instead of regurgitating bile for the elite. Wait till they stab you in the back!