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Here’s a vote for public comment

July 24, 2014
Daniel Blackburn

Daniel Blackburn

OPINION By DANIEL BLACKBURN

As a general rule, there’s nothing in New Times’ Shredder column that’s worth reading, much less commenting on. Also, as a general rule, I don’t resort to name-calling in my writing.

But to outlaws like me, those rules are made to be broken.

This week, the newspaper’s Bible-toting editor, Ryan Miller, who hides behind a skirt of anonymity to pen the column, launched a diatribe about two local people who — gasp! — take the time to go to public meetings and comment on the goings-on.

He used adolescent pseudonyms, “Schmulie Schmacker” and “Schmeff Schmedwards” to describe Julie Tacker and Jeff Edwards, a pair of citizens who make the effort to question authority at every turn.

Truth be known, if there were more people like Tacker and Edwards, there would be one heck of a lot less corruption in this county. Yes, folks, it’s true — there are way too many crooks, embezzlers, thieves, and authoritarians running this county, and if you don’t believe me, just ask anyone in non-county law enforcement.

If Shredder would use his potentially-powerful clout to do something other than belittle folks who try to make a difference in the quality of governance, it might help make a dent in the culture of malfeasance that permeates local government.

Fat chance.

Too many public officials show disdain and impatience for speakers during public comment periods, mistakenly thinking, perhaps, that their own brand of hot air has more intrinsic value than that of members of the public.

But one would think that the media — no shortage of hot air there — would pull in the claws and be supportive of taxpayers who want to discuss their business with their elected officials.

Not petty putz Miller, who apparently gets his gospel from the likes of supes Bruce Gibson and Adam Hill, each of whom would gladly submarine public comment completely. (I use these terms to describe Miller not because I want to, but because in the interest of full disclosure, I must.)

It’s part of the climate around this county, helped to fester by the likes of Miller and The Other Paper, that citizens are excoriated for speaking out, while elected officials are tolerated, often praised, for crapping on public comment.

I doubt that Ryan Miller has ever spent a moment or two listening to Tacker or Edwards at the microphone doing their public duty. He’s more mouth than ear.

But I’ll go on the record here and say that I’ll take an hour of Tacker and Edwards before I’ll sit still for a minute of Supervisor Hill’s bumbling, bleary-eyed monologues — or read another word of Shredder’s silly efforts.

Ah, Steve Moss, why did you leave us?

Feel free to anonymously criticize the author at blackburn.danielj@gmail.com.


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I think Steve Moss may just have gotten sick of the whole sorry mess…..including this dope

who currently calls himself “the shredder”. This guy simply Googles words to use to try

and convince people he is smart. He is not. The publishers of this once alternative, now

despicable rag, need to just pack it all in. No excuse for their existence.


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New Times was a pretty good “alternative” paper under Steve Moss’ helm, as was the SLO Trib way back when Jeff Fairbanks was editor.


Sadly, those days are long gone. Neither paper’s worth much anymore (at least the New Times is still free).


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If they had to rely on subscription they would be gone… I don’t read nor would I knowingly support their advertisers for paying into this rag!


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Despite the NT being used as a bully pulpit to attack local political activists, I still think the NT has a place in our community, even with its poor leadership.


Many people think the NT is actually representing an independent voice. For whatever reason, many of those people may not be regularly reading CCN.


So at least people who are independent thinkers are making steps to try to find an alternative, less cronyfied news sorce. If we didn’t have the NT, some of those independent thinkers may give up on local media alltogether.


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Just like guns don’t kill people, people kill people; the Bible doesn’t does make actions, people do. Anything can be made religious, but is not necessarily connected to God. The Pharisees were infamous for turning “religion” into a reason for persecution, but it had nothing to do with God, it was all about superiority.

Which is the case with Mr. Miller, he’s just a modern day Pharisee, no faith, just his own personal judgements which have nothing to do with Bible toting, because the Bible doesn’t teach what he spews. The rest of your comments weren’t lost on me because of this in the least as one has nothing to do with the other.


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Wasn’t Ryan Miller the one who cut stories on allegations about Kelly Gearhart back in 2006 which he replaced with stories about a comparison of religious movies because the mayor of Atascadero, Tom O’Malley, went to church every Sunday, and he supported Kelly Gearhart. How many people were robbed by Kelly Gearhart because of Ryan Miller’s skewed notions about letting religious views determine editorial production. The community deserves better.


And Ryan, just because you don’t expose your children to government does not mean it is wrong to do so. The Kennedys were noted for exposing their children at an early age to politics and government. However, if your goal is to have an uninformed public stay silent, then why don’t you try to have anyone under 18 barred from public meetings. I would love to have someone compare knowledge of our local government of Julie Tacker’s son with your daughters. I think he would clean their clocks.


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“I would love to have someone compare knowledge of our local government of Julie Tacker’s son with your daughters. I think he would clean their clocks.”


Or better yet, put Ryan’s kids up against Karen’s 3 grandchildren. Those kids told me exactly who I should vote for and why in the June elections! LOL


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“Too many public officials show their disdan and impatience for speakers – – -that their own brand of hot air has more intrinsic value than that of members of the public”. Sounds like another Atascadero city council meeting listening to its mayor telling everyone what a wonderful person he is and how brilliant he is. Proof by the 13 minute tribute he gave about himself and his vast knowledge of economic while accepting a new garbage contract without obtaining competitive bidding. Business 101 that would deserve a F.


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The only thing more nauseating is when O’Malley starts lavishing excessive praise on city staff for basically just doing their jobs . Gag. The love fest between him and McKinney was embarrassing.


Seems like in A-town & Paso, unelected city staff really call the shots. Elected council members rarely go against “staff recommendations.” And when they do, the city managers (App and Rickard) then give flimsy excuses why staff is so busy…simple tasks may take 6 months…we should just go ahead w/staff recommendation…


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Go against management and you will get the boot like Jerry Clay. This man, his projects, as well as Mike Brennler were booted by O’Malley and McKinney faster than you could say “Bye”. O’Malley walks around with the silly smile that says “I got you” and thinks he is gods gift to Atascadero. Unfortunately, people don’t care. Praise the day he can’t run for Mayor again!


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I have never seen him smile except if someone stuffs his campaign envelopes that will appear out of nowhere. You had better give or you will get the same thing that Jerry Clay got who got replaced by an O’Mally puppet. Sad part is that Clay had endorsed O’Mally for years. Oh well so much O’Mally it seems his only friend is O’Mally.

I have never seen O’Mally look at anyone directly in the lie. I have heard there is a reason for that and I think it’s called the truth.


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Ben is right, which says something about the majority of voters in this county. Ethical people do not, time after time, elect unethical leaders.


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Three Minute Democracy….


I have never met Takker or Edwards, but it does seem that they are on the same page as the recent County Grand Jury Report on unfunded pension liabilities. Salary driven pension formulas are a big problem and a really bigger problem in the Oceano Community Services District where they are deficit spending and then go out and hire a former county employee with a $250,000 salary benefit package that they cannot afford.


Facts:

1. At the urging of the District County Supervisor and Staff Assistant, Oceano CSD hires Geaslen who has little or no experience.

2. Geaslen is removed from position because of theft of public funds.

3. County District Attorney- No Action

4. County Sheriffs Office- No Investigation

5. County Grand Jury- No Investigation

6. County Supervisors- Silence

7. With The Support of another County Employee who Is on the Oceano Community Services Board another County Employee is hired at the OCSD.

8. Only Interviewed One Person For Position.


Is anyone concerned about these actions that clearly point towards documented corruption, discrimination, violation of employment laws, District Bylaws and a political/legal system that failed to provide fair and equal justice.


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“If Shredder would use his potentially-powerful clout to do something other than belittle folks who try to make a difference in the quality of governance…”


Bravo, Daniel, for calling it like it is. New Times belittles citizens who try to do anything constructive, to speak truth to power. We don’t have to agree with what Tacker and company say to know we should have respect for citizen involvement. New Times, under its current editor and managing editor, has become completely irrelevant. Why don’t we all just stop reading it?


As for the Other Paper (come on, let’s just say it, the Daily Developer Newletter), it used to champion editorially any citizens who tried to make community improvements. Now the editorial policy is to belittle the same, unless, of course, they happen to be the Chamber of Commerce or some developer group pleading for public subsidy. But enviros or neighborhood protectors? They’re scum on the Trib’s editorial page. Why don’t we just stop reading this piece of trash too?


This town has lost its journalistic infrastructure of citizen support. Long live CCN.


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I stopped reading the Shredder ages ago. He’s just too “sing songy” for me and he confuses the idea of sounding clever with condescending rife. I do take a look at the head lines once a week to see if they have anything of interest to me.


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I quit reading it years ago, as well. The content changed and its content and my interests no longer meshed.


But I still think any kind of alternative media to the Tribune is beneficial because if they read a weekly free NT that shows some interest in reading different viewpoints than what the Tribune feeds to its readers.


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hijinks says: “New Times belittles citizens who try to do anything constructive, to speak truth to power. ”

Unless they are advertisers or buddies of Hill, Gibson and Sheriff Ian.


Also people would be shocked if they knew how little the NT pay’s the writers and where the $’s end up.


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Thank you Dan.


My only fear is that by belittling my and Jeff’s participation in government today’s Shredder column succeeds in intimidating others from participating. That would make it a very sad day for the First Amendment.


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Exactly Julie. By making an example of you, they cause others to ask: “Do I really want to subject myself to this sort of public ridicule by speaking out?” Many are intimidated. The Shredder is a bully. The function of the press used to be to “comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.” In this county, the daily and weekly have reversed that mantra.


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Mr. Blackburn; if you don’t like Mr. Miller……..fine.

But let’s keep to the facts and leave the indecorous remarks about “Bible-toting”out of the

public. I’m a “Bible-toter” and I have no respect for the behavior or politics of Supervisors

Gibson or Hill. Everything you said after “Bible-toting” lost it’s value and impact.


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There is a difference from having a belief in God and the way Ryan Miller behaves at work because of his religious affiliations. During editorial meetings, Ryan Miller brings up what his pastor finds important or issues he does not want covered. Religious affiliation should not have anything to do with who or what is covered by the media. Going to church should not be a protection from media scrutiny. Ryan Miller is infamous for crossing that line.


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Dear Paul,


There is a difference between accusing someone of religious zealotry and being flat-out wrong. You happen to be guilty on both counts. Congratulations.


To say that Ryan asserts his religious beliefs on the editorial staff is so preposterous that it’s almost not worth responding, but given the proclivity online commenters have of believing this particular brand of tripe, I’d like to clear the record.


As a stout atheist, I have my own complicated relationship with religion—specifically that I find it all utterly ridiculous. Some people feel otherwise, and that’s OK. No matter what your religious beliefs are, I tend to not give a crap so long as it doesn’t affect anyone else.


That being said, Ryan’s beliefs have never been an issue during my tenure with New Times. So, in that regard, you’re wrong. In a broader sense, you’re lying. And in a very real sense, you’re printing false statements based on nothing more than speculation, unless you work here—if that’s the case, come by and say hey and buy me a coffee as a gesture of apology. If you don’t work here, then maybe the next time you’re thinking about writing something like this you should do something more productive, like yelling into a garbage bag.


Sure, Ryan is religious, but it’s an aspect of his personality that many new writers are completely unaware unless they ask him. That’s because he doesn’t really talk about it. You may be shocked to learn that Ryan treats people like … well … people. I know, it’s weird.


I can say without hesitation that Ryan Miller is one of the most well-reasoned and tolerant people I have ever met. In many circumstances, he’s more tolerant than I am with people who have opinions that differ from his own.


Religious affiliation does not have anything to do with what is covered by this media outlet. So I guess you could say that there is precisely zero truth to your assertion, and I’m guessing it’s based on nothing more than equally bogus statements that were made nearly a decade ago. If you want to criticize the Shredder, have at it. There’s an email address for that. We also have an opinion section. And unlike other organizations I know of, if you write a critical letter about New Times, it will actually run.


But when you criticize Ryan’s personal beliefs based on a horse$h!t opinion piece that mocks him as a “bible-toting editor” based on a column that no one knows for a fact he wrote, it insults my common sense. Granted, my common sense may differ from your common sense in the sense that I have some, while your version seems to be based on a hodgepodge of idiocy you pulled out of the gossip-mill.


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When your second paragraph insults CCN’s commenters, which has zip to do with your wound-up diatribe against Blackburn, your motivation for said diatribe comes into question.


But while you are here…I have noticed in the two grocery markets I have visited this week that they no longer carry The NewTimes.


Is there some restructuring going on at NT?


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Mary, we LOVE the New Times, we grab STACKS of them. My husband runs a shipping business from home. Their paper makes for some really good box stuffings!


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no thought about other people who may have wanted to read the papers you steal? let alone the writers who contribute the stories the business people who support the writers photographers artists by purchasing ads you are a thief of community art shame on you .

evil: the imposition of silence

lowest form of life: art thieves.

imho


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I agree. I don’t really need to read about someone’s box getting stuffed with stolen newspapers!


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Really, Zaphod? “…thief of community art”?


BS. It is a weekly independent publication that is left out in piles all over SLO County.


Using newspapers to pack mailing boxes is no different than people picking up a NT because they have nothing else to read, flipping through it, and throwing it away.


Actually, using the NT for mailing purposes might even be a good advertisement for the NT and SLO.


When I mail stuff to my daughter, I stuff it with different local publications. She loves reading stuff about SLO County or whatever.


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Stacks of them! no one gets a copy after she

gets hers, you ok with that?


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The problem is that since it is a free paper and left around town in stacks, people that do not like what is written about them sometimes do steal them. Which though I don’t condone such activity, I can understand the instinct they may follow after being slammed by any newspaper or publication.


Here in Morro Bay that behavior led to campaign yard signs being stolen or defaced as well. And the tone of many public comment speakers became beyond harsh and sometimes vulgar or bullying. As adults, we need to channel that anger, take a step back, and express our selves clearly. Setting a good example for our children and grandchildren would be great.


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How does one steal something that is free? Better to use as box stuffing then picking them up as trash laying all over the waterfront. Community art? Now that is FUNNY!


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the shredder protests too much me thinks,

I think of the shredder as a little tea pot with a handle and a spout.

xxxx goes in zzzz comes out.

a community of working artists are featured in the art and entertainment weekly,

you are entitled to one free of charge to do with as you will,

taking the stack deprives other folks who may not happen to think like you ,

that said

.

auntie Google says: The definition of theft is taking something with the intent of depriving the owner. There is no requirement for the item to have a value, so it is still stealing if you take it without permission.

you are entitled to one free copy anything more than that is stealing


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Do you also take all of the napkins out of every restaurant you go to, load your purse with ketchup packets? Free newspapers are left out for the public with the intent of people having some kind of honor code, to take one if they want one, not to destroy them. How would you feel if all of your ER patients started walking off with your medical supplies?


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Hi Mary,


You’re right: Some of my statements could be construed as insulting to commenters. Then again, when commenters write things as fact that are demonstrably false, maybe some insult is in order.


It bears emphasizing that I have broken my own policy and gone on this board to respond. That’s a big deal. So while some people may question my motivations—many will likely assume that I am motivated by some conspiratorial camaraderie with the “establishment” or any number of equally ridiculous conclusions—the simple answer is that I am motivated simply by a desire to clear the record.


My “diatribe” was more aimed at PaulJones than Dan Blackburn. Don’t get me wrong, Blackburn’s piece is approximately 99 percent inaccurate as well (I think he spelled Ryan’s name correctly), but he didn’t go so far as PaulJones in claiming to have an intimate knowledge of the editorial meetings at New Times. We had a meeting today, and I have no problem letting the general public know that neither the Bible, church, nor Jesus were topics of conversation.


So yes, when I get a little pissy when I see such comments as ” During editorial meetings, Ryan Miller brings up what his pastor finds important,” or “Ryan Miller the one who cut stories on allegations about Kelly Gearhart back in 2006 which he replaced with stories about a comparison of religious movies because the mayor of Atascadero, Tom O’Malley, went to church every Sunday, and he supported Kelly Gearhart.” Being a reporter gives me an annoying inclination toward writing things that are based on demonstrable fact, not bullshit. Actually, Ryan is a superbly vicious editor when it comes to making sure New Times’ writers can back up what they write.


But that was a long response that maybe didn’t answer your question: New Times is doing pretty damn well.


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That explains a lot. I’ve wondered why Gibson’s abusiveness of women is dismissed by NT.


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QUOTING CRIGLEY: “Actually, Ryan is a superbly vicious editor when it comes to making sure New Times’ writers can back up what they write.”


——


Really? Read the slop he published last week and this week in the Shredder and get back to me.


His column is a waste of column space. There are many qualified journalists who would write info of interest and not–like “Ryan” does–use it as a bully-pulpit to attack political activists with whom he cannot deal with otherwise.


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CLEARLY Crigley/Ryan is just another BULLY. The New Times suits him perfectly. There is a reason they do not pay their writers squat. In the case of the NT writers…ya get what ya pay for.


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You go tote your bible off to Buffalo.


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Thank you. Well said but.. remember. . Even with all of the bullshit witnessed.. they still get elected.


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Did you know that our county still uses Diebold equipment to count our votes?


Those who count the votes make the rules.


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