A Sincere Apology

[jfc123]

I made some comments on here about John Shay And Mike Krauch that were threatening. As God as my witness I did not mean them that way but they were seen as such. So I am here to truly apologize to both gentlemen for what I wrote, will never happen again.

A very difficult lesson to learn in a very hard way for me. Please watch your words, the written word does not come with a face gesture or tip of intent like a spoken word does. Again I am sorry.

Carry on Torchers. I am laying down my Torch and walking off into the horizon.

[Willy]

No no no. Don't lay down the torch. That's exactly what they want. I never read any of your posts that were threatening. Let me ask you this. Has there ever been any apology for the antics and schemes that city  officials have been involved with? Many local Government officials have had there hands in some form of unauthorized or questionable dealings. From the unauthorized police auxiliary force to the blatant violations of State and City statutes, such as no bid contracts and The Open Meeting Act violations. If they are threatening you please let us know.

[AQUAMAN]

Well, the fact of the matter is, sometimes anyone on a talk forum can get a little carried away with simple frustration and grief about our local officials in the way they run things around here nowadays. In my case, I would also like to apologize for similar posts I made, due to bad past experiences with Shay on numerous occasions the last 10 years+. I also apologize to you jfc, if I encouraged you too heavily one evening, given I had a few beers that also applied. Lastly, I have to agree with Willy on NOT laying down the Torch forever. Take a small vacation, and regroup our efforts, i.e., more politely. These and other officials have been trolling us here since our beginning in 2009, some 7 years now. The reason is that too much truth and facts have been revealed, most of which were intended to be kept secret, and unknown to our citizens. We need to stick together thru times like this, and know that we are making progress, whether it be wanted by the COL, or not. The local citizenry is being affected negatively at times in big ways. That sewage problem in the bayou is very important too, and that fix must also never die. Thanks jfc, and know that in the end, many locals and God himself are backing us, while some will lie and exaggerate posts here for their ego and profit.

[XLFD]

One thing I had to deal with is repeatedly being called a liar by the King of Liars, John Shay, today during a covert 'press conference'.  This charge by the city manager was leveled at me because I said that jfc123's comments that were removed from the site was not my doing.  He insisted over and over that I did remove those comments.

However, the police 'investigation' report provided showed at several places that jfc123 had voluntarily made that admission before I had even known he was being investigated for his reasonably harmless post that I would never delete, IMHO.  Shay, Krauch, and to a lesser extent Barnett, came off like a bunch of neo-fascists.  Thankfully, I recorded the witch hunt at full bluster, so the citizens can decide for themselves.

[John Doe Jr]

The citizens see this for what it really is... a baseless frivolous witch hunt! With this they can also see how police over react by the guidance of the city council. This action only further shows what is really wrong with these officials. Using their powers against the citizens who demand accountability and transparency as they attempt to stifle those who call them out on their illegal and corrupt actions. These people are disgusting individuals who need to look in the mirror,

[John Doe Jr]

The Ludington Police department is nothing but a bunch of rogue thugs who break the laws themselves daily, yet, can only satisfy themselves by vilifying locals on a local website who try to express themselves, their feelings,(about a corrupt city  and the illegal processes)  anonymously, with no actual intent. So, even knowing this is nothing that is truly threatening and just voicing frustration, they will chase this until they can cause enough bad press,or place the blame on XLFD and this site. Ludington officials are nothing but a bunch of panzies trying to play hero. It's all about shutting down Rotta, nothing even substantial to justify this investigation. This accusation is nothing but baseless frivolous! Wasting taxpayers money is what LPD is really good at. Ludington Police department is truly showing their ignorrance. Ludington police and these officials in this town should clean their own house, go after the COUNTLESS laws broken as reported by Tom at most City Council meetings! Yet, Barnett sits there and does nothing!. These cops know XFLD will eventually pull their dirt out too. This is the City Council once again! Old boy bullshit! This is more harassment then a silly comment. Get a life LPD and officials! Because people can see thru this. You look like the bad guys once again. When they should be investigating who burnt the building down. One of their own most likely.

[XLFD]

I agree JND Streeter, and thank you for your candor and passion.  WMOM has already used this as the leading news this afternoon and evening (they had two representatives at the tribunal), and the early reports are a bit of incredulity.  It may be coming out in the other media by tomorrow, and I will be providing all the data after they show their journalistic integrity.  Will they kiss up to the city's kakistocracy, or will they defend the rights of two concerned citizens who perhaps inartfully expressed their passion for their city, family and livelihood?  I will be surprised if it's not the former.

[XLFD]

The MCP has their take on the topic out, please take a look and comment: 

http://www.masoncountypress.com/2016/09/07/police-investigate-web-t...

[Willy]

What a scam. It's as obvious as a double dealing Ludington politician. Hillary and the Democrats would be proud at the way Shay and his cronies managed to turn a pimple into Ebola. This of course is nothing more than dirty politics aimed at damaging Rotta's run for City Council. I have never heard of convening a press conference loaded with City officials to share details of posts on a website. Baby Kate never received this type of press coverage from local media. This incident should confirm to all that local politicians will do anything to keep their power base intact and that anyone who dares to challenge them will be dealt with in full measure by those in control. Shay should contact the Democrat party and inquire about their need for a henchman. He's been practicing the art since he arrived.

[XLFD]

As WMOM reported on the radio, this was an unprecedented move by the City of Ludington to get information out to the media, and for what purpose?  To effectively tell them that there would be no prosecution of some undefined crime because any perceived threats lacked clear substance or intention. 

The three officials there (Barnett, Shay, Krauch) took a half hour of my time to stand there and insult and make wild accusations against me (a witness) and my website in front of the chief news editors of three local media when there was nothing of substance in their investigation other than two individuals who were very sorry that their words were interpreted the way they were.  There was clearly subtle and not-so-subtle intimidation and threats, but they were all coming from the witch hunt tribunal that I saw yesterday.

[stump]

Well, lets look at the positive side. It's notification to every one that reads the MCP that something is going on in Ludington and they probably never heard of the Ludington Torch. If they are noisy people they will Google the Ludington Torch to see what this is all about and hopefully read other comments on the forum. Maybe even get a few more people to sign up. Looks like free press to me. As for Rotta running for city council,ya got my vote.

[Willy]

I think this conspiracy to get Rotta has deeper implications. First of all the way the police report was written and the way it is being presented shows that they are implying that a serious crime has been committed and that the investigation was done to protect innocent public officials. Referring to Aquaman and jfc123 as "suspects" and linking Rotta to them, the powers to be are trying to create an appearance of criminal behavior which to the uninformed will only create a negative response when they see a Rotta sign or when the see his name in the voting booth. This was an orchestrated effort by Shay and other CIty officials including the police dept. to smear Tom's good name. These people are low lifes and cannot and should not be trusted  by the citizens of Ludington. Anyone who has followed X regarding City matters knows that his intentions are positive and he wants City Government cleaned up and the corruption eliminated so that Ludington residents can take pride in having a fair, open and responsive City Hall. This has been another wasteful abuse of City resources.

[Brad]

JFC... keep a lighter close for that Torch and never give up on your cause.  Even press further with your options.

Quite obvious that the city and local media are manipulating the situation to try to benefit from it.  They must be scared of the truth reported in the Torch about their ideas and policies.

Torchees... Now is the time to spread the Light!   Stump is correct on free press for the Torch.