The Observation Deck

Yep..the only thing I have asked for all along is transparency, accountability and to be told the truth.

Shawn

I was just speaking with my accountant, and you will have to excuse me, but my
financial filings will not provide all the information you are probably seeking.

If you want to set up a time and stop by the office, I can show you the check stubs
as well, so that you will see where every penny is going. I really want to make sure
you get the information you need, so that I can put this to bed, and you can stand
with us, asking others to be accountable for their money. Oh! I mean our money.

I am afraid, simple posting my forms will be nearly as bad as posting a pie chart.

Best to call first, or take the chance, stop by.

Shawn, I also want to apologize for what you took as a slam. I am sorry. I am merely
repeating what I had been told. But now that we spoke of it in the open, you have had
your chance to clear that up, and I am sorry for it, but thankful you took the time to
clear that one up.


.

Jim
Thank you for your response. Contrary to what some may believe, my intention is not to do anything but resolve this situation and gets things back on track.
Without riling this whole thing up again, isn't inviting me to the office to review documents a similar offer that Sharon was offered by LA (according to what I've read here)? It is reasonable to expect that some effort will need to be made as financial report are summaries for specific purposes.
As far as earlier suggestions of what I took as a diclosure party (forgive me I am reading and posting on a blackberry in between the kids naps and while waiting in the check out line), I would think that the PR roundtable would be a fine start.
I can fully appreciate the desire to scrutinize public dollars, while doing so let us not forget the library, schools and all of the entities involved. I have found everyone that I have asked to be willing and open in the past.

Shawn Juris wrote:Jim
Thank you for your response. Contrary to what some may believe, my intention is not to do anything but resolve this situation and gets things back on track.

So have you asked LakewoodAlive as well? I mean if all you care about is resolving?

Shawn Juris wrote:Without riling this whole thing up again, isn't inviting me to the office to review documents a similar offer that Sharon was offered by LA (according to what I've read here)? It is reasonable to expect that some effort will need to be made as financial report are summaries for specific purposes.

Shawn

With three notable exceptions. 1) They accept tax dollars. 2) The organizer of the event
has never been told in public or private. 3) I am offering you, a chance to come in and not
ask, but pour over every check stub if that is what you need. It would be an impossible
task online, but as our books are going online, could be done in the future I suppose.
Will the other public groups do that?

Shawn Juris wrote:As far as earlier suggestions of what I took as a diclosure party (forgive me I am reading and posting on a blackberry in between the kids naps and while waiting in the check out line), I would think that the PR roundtable would be a fine start.
I can fully appreciate the desire to scrutinize public dollars, while doing so let us not forget the library, schools and all of the entities involved. I have found everyone that I have asked to be willing and open in the past.

Shawn

The LakewoodObserver has a publisher attending and working with the PR Roundtable,
she is always available for questions about any and all aspects of the Lakewood Observer,
and I am sure will hang in there until you questions are answered. PS, She used to be
at LakewoodAlive. Can I now send an Observer over to run or head LakewoodAlive?

Shawn Juris wrote:My how things have changed. Not even an effort to address the question, just throw out distractions and insult the person. I had found it odd that a community building forum that has a tag line of good neighbors would have an option for friends and foes.

Shawn

I noticed this fell down a little, so wanted to make sure people could read it.

Where to start in this litany of unfounded attacks against the Lakewood Observer and the
good volunteers, but as you would say to me. I suppose this is how Pillars, the group,
which is there to build the city and help business treats home grown businesses.(Did I get
that straight? Never allow Shawn Juris his personal voice, always make him accountable
for Pillars and himself)

As for friend and Foe.
People asked for that, it was available in the software, and I am sure it was turned on.
Me personally I want to see all sides, all questions, how else does one find out? Through
individual phone calls, and biased email blasts? No thanks. I get over 100 real pieces(not
spam) of email a day. I have declined nearly all email blasts but two. One continues to
send me 5 copies each cycle, the other simply will not take me off their list no matter how
I have tried. What really bothers me is this one sends out a blast whenever anything
happens in Lakewood, so they can attach their name. It also allows you to be notified
so that you can clear the air instantly.

Shawn Juris wrote:After a few were banned I had heard many got fed up with the animosity and personal attacks.

Shawn

Banned? I believe the term is quit, or were suspended until the webmaster or I could
speak with them. Strictly for commercial reasons. All have been let back on after a visit
or phone call. One has not come back, their choice. Two quit, you and another, though you
have come back recently and your work since coming back proves this project
works in its current form. People frame themselves with their own words and actions.
Allowing people FREE REIGN to converse. Yes untended consequences will happen. Some
will succeed in a public arena, some will not, but if you allow the entire city to watch
without limitations it can move a city forward. It can help to define city.
One person was banned for repeated copyright violation, as he would post copy owned by
other websites, as this is a legal issue after the 15th time, we turned off his posting
privileges.

NO ONE HAS EVER BEEN BANNED, EVER. We have turned off their posting privileges
until, some posts could be explained. If they say that they were banned they would be
lying.

Shawn Juris wrote:After a year, I figured it would be a good thing to give up for lent, to stop watching people be so hateful and engage in the discussion. I figured there was no way that rational, normal people could be so blind with hatred that the would be willing to spread rumors and in essence attempt to cause harm to an organization or fellow resident.

Shawn,
Well you sure taught us a lesson. Aren't we silly asking non-profits that receive our
tax dollars be accountable. Aren't we just a bunch of haters wondering if some group
can actually save us money, so that we could do more things with that money. Aren't
we a bunch of sill fools, wondering if the stuff is actually working. While you accuse others
of half-truth, look at what you have answered with? You are tired of people asking, believe
me we all are, that is what is so sick about the whole deal.

As we were "taking each other to school" did you notice how I "blew up" but quickly came
back and apologized, and asked for you to consider that? That is how adults act! That is
what responsible people do. We all get frazzled, we all have bad days, we all "go to school"
but it is how you respond, that really matters. Wouldn't you agree?

Shawn Juris wrote:I figured there was no way that rational, normal people could be so blind with hatred that the would be willing to spread rumors and in essence attempt to cause harm to an organization or fellow resident. Maybe I was wrong. Maybe, real names or not, mission statement, taglines don't set this apart from any other online arena where people are awful to one another.

Shawn

The only thing that really sets this apart is real names. When I post, you know Jim
O'Bryan is the post. When I ask questions, you know that it is Jim O'Bryan asking the
question. I accept ownership of that post. That way you have a little better understanding
of it being one person, not one with 5 names. That in this case, I have always been fair to
the community and LakewoodAlive, as I have often posted, to my knowledge, I nor the LO
have ever turned them down. Many of their programs and ideas came out of the many
lunches I used to have with Mary Anne, or came right out of the Lakewood Observer. (That
is not a bad thing, though I prefer many groups over a single all controlling central
agency. To me it has a much better chance to reflect the views of the community, instead
of one or two people. Also I hate really good ideas being done half-assed pet peeve of
mine).

People are awful to each other everywhere. I can tell you stories about people bringing
great ideas to others and getting ripped off. I can tell you stories of people getting thrown
out of homes for strip malls. I can tell you stories of people screaming "We don't want
those/you people in our city" I can tell you stories of good well meaning people taking
over $100,000 from kids, I can tell you of people buying politicians for under $3,000 and
a bottle of wine. I can tell you stories of elected officials stealing tires and tractors. I
can tell you stories of groups that take dollars from programs helping those in need
go so far against their real mission statement it is laughable. I can tell you stories a
people being protected by the system, and getting quid pro quo everywhere they turn.
And each story took place right here in Lakewood. Just last week I was at a meeting
where I was told, one public entity was so far out of line, a citizen group had to some in
and literal oversee them on a daily basis until they cleaned house.

This is why, residents need a way to see in. This is why we have earned the reason to see
in. To their credit there are some people out there fighting for this. I do not agree with
the Mayor all the time, but he is honest and open, and what I hear working to open up
city hall more than ever before. Matt Markling is working to make the schools more
accountable. These are good things, we deserve it, they deserve our support.

There is a certain amount of frustration that comes from people asking legitimate questions
and getting personal attacks, no apology and more than silence. Let's not forget the
phone campaign that as waged against Sharon and others behind the scene. I would say
myself, but do you really think I care? This entire discussion could have been ended 18
months ago, wiped clean, with a simple, "Sorry Sharon bad day, we took in $100, and lost
$900 giving $1,000 to charity. or We made a million, and gave nothing to charity. I really
do not believe anyone is really arguing how it was spent, they just want to know how it
was divided up. Though the $13,000 salaries for a group that advertised one job at
$20,000 is interesting. The only thing I can get out of your argument is that you, head
of a non-profit, thinks non-profits are above answering questions or accountability. That
as I have been told, "The gifted will find like minded gifted people to lead us out of the
darkness." Please ignore the fact it is the darkness created by them!

Let me give you a little hint, Sharon can be a real pain in the, well you know. But when
you take the time, show her you are for real, and have some knowledge of what you are
doing you fill not find a better harder worker or more positive advocate. Some of the work
she has done over her life is truly amazing. Do we disagree? Sure? Does it get tense
sometimes I suppose, but in the end I think we both think the effort was of value.
Sometime we never agree, but we both have learned an d why not. This is a good thing.
As I told the "suspended people" on the day you need help, the day when you are at
your wits end, Sharon will be there asking how she can help you, she is gold in this city
as are many, many, many others.

Shawn Juris wrote:It's not about me. This Deck could be good for the public but a few have spoiled it and made it nasty. I'm not at all surprised that so few post here. It's not good for the soul. Can't wait for Easter so I can go back to enjoying my days. Maybe something can be resolved by then and this can be what it promises.

Shawn

Many people tell me the same stuff in this paragraph but it is simply not true. Go back
and look at the 6 year history of this project. This city seems to fixate on a couple topics
at a time and kick them to death. (Again this is what it was designed to do, while holding
people accountable for their words and actions). Views have been climbing for the last
six months, after a flat period.

When people say it is negative, I say, "then make it positive." To my knowledge no public
official has been attacked while engage in a discussion. Some slams come in from the
outside, but I am very proud of our "no editing, own your words" stance. As I have often
said in many many other discussion with city councils, CDCs, private owners, and now
on the lecture tour. "This discussion is healthy for a city, needed for a city. I really have
no desire to stop Shawn Juris from buying pants on Detroit Ave. I just want to know what
the impact is, and who is paying for Shawn's pants store if tax dollars are involved."

Every resident has a right to ask questions and throw out ideas and comments. Of course
we as residents can use those words and actions to judge or define that person. Through
that we can better understand a city and the dynamics in play in that city.

Should I be some kind of gate keeper, stopping Shawn from asking about the Observer?
It would happen on other forums in this city and county? Wouldn't I be selling the project
and the city short? Who gets to be the gatekeeper? Me? No thanks? You, don't think so.
Actually found out that more than one groups uses this forum in their discussion of cities,
and civics.

Well really that is about all I have on this post. Still amazing how wrong you and I suppose
many others have it about the Lakewood Observer. I have always shied away from self
publicity, and touting awards and achievements, and even programs. Recently Mel Page
has come on board, and is taking up the task of making the LO even better. I have to be
honest she understands the project better than some of my board (which would be my
fault). She has been pressing for articles in the Observer about what we have done, and
what we can do.

Shawn,

Finally thank you for the chance to bring these topics back up. The day you signed back on
we both knew you would be taking me to task yet again. That is not bad for the project
or the city. Hopefully other civic leaders will learn. We came, we discussed, and we live.
Hopefully we have also learned something. Me and others about Pillars, and you and others
about the Observer, me and others about Shawn Juris, and you and others about Jim
O'Bryan the humans. If we are truly going to be public people, then we best be ready for
the public questions, and examination.

Well I do hope Lent was all you dreamed it to be. Damn I feel kind of silly, I just gave up
going to church!(just kidding)

.

Shawn Juris wrote: After a few were banned I had heard many got fed up with the animosity and personal attacks. After a year, I figured it would be a good thing to give up for lent, to stop watching people be so hateful and engage in the discussion. I figured there was no way that rational, normal people could be so blind with hatred that the would be willing to spread rumors and in essence attempt to cause harm to an organization or fellow resident. Maybe I was wrong. Maybe, real names or not, mission statement, taglines don't set this apart from any other online arena where people are awful to one another.
It's not about me. This Deck could be good for the public but a few have spoiled it and made it nasty. I'm not at all surprised that so few post here. It's not good for the soul. Can't wait for Easter so I can go back to enjoying my days. Maybe something can be resolved by then and this can be what it promises.

Shawn,

While I agree with you that the deck can become negative, you have been a part of that. And the one person I saw banned from the deck has chosen to come back. But of all the bizarre posts I have read on the deck, this might take the cake. Are you really using religion and the rising of Jesus Christ in your effort to bring negativity to the deck? Is that what Jesus would do? I was raised to believe we give up something we LOVE for lent as a small sacrifice in religions's name. I feel offended to hear Jesus's name being used in such a petty way. Similar to hearing "karma is a b--ch" on this deck -karma should be a good thing-give good and get good.
Now, to address the other website in Lakewood, where people do use fake names to spew hatered (hiding behind the cloak in the middle of the night)-where they found it necessry to put names and salaries of all teachers? You only have to read a little to find the motive, First, there are teabaggers who want to pay no taxes and let the country fall into a sewer. Then, you read about the people who are in the real estate, mortgage, and title business who were riding high on the economy not long ago, but since they have crashed, feel that since they are not making money, no one should, especially "those evil teachers" who are impacting the lives of children as much (or more in some cases) than parents. One difference is that "those teachers" actually spent years and thousands of dollars in college and have dedicated years to the same school district. Oh, and help educate and change the lives of children as opposed to being in the profit world. Another difference Shawn, is that when some were riding high on the economic boom, I never remember anyone posting their salaries? And they did not require years of college or thousands of dollars in education. And, technically our tax dollars are bailing them out, so maybe the past ten years of people in that business, names included should be posted for all to see?

Shawn, I see, so it's good for you to critique others and call them out and when they bend over backwards to give you the information you need, put up with you being nasty and ridiculous and call you out on it, it's us not you?

Fair is fair young man. Not being nasty here. Just saying that you asked and were answered. What did you want?

Did you honestly think that we were stupid and unthinking? Did you think that we came to this point without provocation?

Honey I love my town and want it to be the best. I work for that everyday. I draw the line when I see needless waste. There is too much to do to waste our ever dwindling resources on ineffective endeavors.

Oh and what questions have you answered? See most adults understand when children don't get what they want, they immediately turn to the whine "They don't play fair, I'm going to take my ball and go home." Try something else dude.

In all fairness Shawn, if all your posts were pulled up, would the positive outweigh the negative or the other way around?

The "friend" or "foe" option on the Deck is embedded in the free, open source software we use.

We use PHPBB. If you looked at the left of the footer (on every page) you would see that.

And to answer your question - see we answer questions, you don't - LA offered to let me come to their office (that they have admitted they don't work in too often) and get their 990. That's not what I asked for.

So to answer your question, no they did not offer to show their books. BIG difference.

sharon kinsella wrote:And to answer your question - see we answer questions, you don't - LA offered to let me come to their office (that they have admitted they don't work in too often) and get their 990. That's not what I asked for.

So to answer your question, no they did not offer to show their books. BIG difference.

Sharon - what did you ask for? What are you interested in seeing that isn't in their 990?

Go back to the beginning of the Signs thread and read. Everything is on there.

I asked for all income and outgoing expenses on each project and outcomes.

Shawn,

Shawn,

I asked this on a previous post...but it a good place to start

Don't you think LA could give us the same information? If not why not? The latest glossy report for 2009 is just smoke a mirrors with no substance. Why can't we get the same information from LA that Missy just posted?

It would be nice to know what the LA salaries are for all 3 employees as a % to all their income.

Since the information came to light about the Girls & Boys Clubs salaries vs their income and they receive their dollars from the same source as LA.....don't you think LA should disclose that information to make sure that the dollars are going to the mission not the organization.

Here is a second question based on a previous post that relates to this question.

Here is the link to the Lakewood Alive 2009 Annual Report:
http://www.lakewoodalive.com/news/2010/ ... eport.html

Shawn,
I have a question for you...can the salaries for all three LA employees only be $16,283? Or is the salary number in another location?

Can you help me?

You asked me what questions I wanted answered from LA.
I have listed them above again.
I am awaiting your response.

Charlie Page wrote:

sharon kinsella wrote:And to answer your question - see we answer questions, you don't - LA offered to let me come to their office (that they have admitted they don't work in too often) and get their 990. That's not what I asked for.

So to answer your question, no they did not offer to show their books. BIG difference.

Sharon - what did you ask for? What are you interested in seeing that isn't in their 990?

Charley

If I may be so bold, and cut through the confusion.

Rhonda Loje who managed(never mind who came up with what right now) the first Spooky
Pooch Parade, was upset when only $1,000 was given to the charity. She had always
envisioned ALL OF IT going to the charity. At that point, she asked how much was raised,
and was shut out of the entire process, and cut out of the next year's event.

What followed borders on insane.

Sharon, hearing Rhonda's complete frustration asked for an accounting and the 990 was
offered. I asked for an accounting, and the back alley trashing the LO phone calls started,
Sharon repeatedly asked for the accounting as did I. Then we got the smoke, to
paraphrase "How dare you question anyone's sincerity." How dare you do you know what
we do for this community" Well no one was questioning anyone's sincerity. Then came
the verbal abuse of Sharon, the LO and myself. Sadly this happened during a point in
Sharon's life while she was very sick. So this really stuck in Sharon's mind, and to be
honest mine.

But it gets sicker, lawyers called in to "handle Rhonda" calls from mutual friends asking
the LO and myself to stop asking, pressure applied to others all behind the scene. So
much pressure and effort stopping people it really caused many to go WTF? During this
period I received apologies from many members of the LA Board, many I call friends, but
they too seemed unable to get the numbers to put this question to bed. To my knowledge
no one has taken the time to speak with Sharon or Rhonda.

So years later we are here with Shawn changing the subject, teaching us a lesson.

.

Jim O'Bryan wrote:

Charlie Page wrote:

sharon kinsella wrote:And to answer your question - see we answer questions, you don't - LA offered to let me come to their office (that they have admitted they don't work in too often) and get their 990. That's not what I asked for.

So to answer your question, no they did not offer to show their books. BIG difference.

Sharon - what did you ask for? What are you interested in seeing that isn't in their 990?

Charley

If I may be so bold, and cut through the confusion.

Rhonda Loje who managed(never mind who came up with what right now) the first Spooky
Pooch Parade, was upset when only $1,000 was given to the charity. She had always
envisioned ALL OF IT going to the charity. At that point, she asked how much was raised,
and was shut out of the entire process, and cut out of the next year's event.

What followed borders on insane.

Sharon, hearing Rhonda's complete frustration asked for an accounting and the 990 was
offered. I asked for an accounting, and the back alley trashing the LO phone calls started,
Sharon repeatedly asked for the accounting as did I. Then we got the smoke, to
paraphrase "How dare you question anyone's sincerity." How dare you do you know what
we do for this community" Well no one was questioning anyone's sincerity. Then came
the verbal abuse of Sharon, the LO and myself. Sadly this happened during a point in
Sharon's life while she was very sick. So this really stuck in Sharon's mind, and to be
honest mine.

But it gets sicker, lawyers called in to "handle Rhonda" calls from mutual friends asking
the LO and myself to stop asking, pressure applied to others all behind the scene. So
much pressure and effort stopping people it really caused many to go WTF? During this
period I received apologies from many members of the LA Board, many I call friends, but
they too seemed unable to get the numbers to put this question to bed. To my knowledge
no one has taken the time to speak with Sharon or Rhonda.

So years later we are here with Shawn changing the subject, teaching us a lesson.

.

Jim - I'm just trying to figure out what was asked for, what was provided and why that is insufficient. I'm getting the feeling you are telling me I shouldn't be asking anymore questions?

Charlie Page wrote:Jim - I'm just trying to figure out what was asked for, what was provided and why that is insufficient. I'm getting the feeling you are telling me I shouldn't be asking anymore questions?

Charlie

Charlie not telling you what to do but that really describes the entire process.

As this thread is about the Nitty Gritty at the LO, maybe better to ask in the
LO Thread.

.