Mrs. Widawski has addressed a problem I have been concerned about for a long time–cyber bullying on blogs. I am tired of reading the invectives of people named ‘Anonymous’ who hurl insults, mimic, degrade, belittle, ridicule, and yes, lie about private citizens, elected officials and municipal employees.
If Supervisor Candland is involved in this behavior in any way, he needs to stop. If he knows who is responsible, he needs to put a stop to it. He is who profits from the attacks on everyone else while his fan club sings his praises.
This is not the first time Elena and I have spoken about this issue. It is fine to disagree with policy, It is fine to take on our elected officials when we disagree. It is not fine to attack people and their families. There is no reason to make it personal or to name call. This standard of behavior is even more important when we speak of county employees. They are not elected and ultimately aren’t in a political decision-making position.
Finally, Mrs. Widawski should have never had her FOIA request posted on a supervisor’s webpage as ‘news.’ No, Pete, it wasn’t transparency. It was bullying. If I submit a FOIA, will I have my FOIA posted on your website? (Your website that I believe WE THE PEOPLE pay for?) I am your constituent. I guess I, too, am fair game. There was no reason to post any FOIA request on a website. No private citizen should ever have that kind of exposure from any elected official.
Frankly, I am very disappointed. I am disturbed by the poor judgement displayed as well as the attack on a private citizen, in particular because it was posted at taxpayer expense. I think you are getting some very bad advice that is not serving you well in your leadership role. I expected better from you.
Those who know Donna Widawski and those who know me know that Donna and I disagree over politics. We generally are on opposite sides of many political issues. That’s OK. This is America. Tonight I stand with Donna Widawski.
Bring it on, bullies!
I obviously have very conflicted feelings about this entire debacle. Having been on the receiving end of cyber bullying, risking all to stand up to the craziness of the hate filled immigration debate and subsequent attack against Chief Deane, I am no fan of Donna’s.
She was closely associated with HSM and I believe a part of the Candland election attack against me and my role as the representative for Advocates for the Rural Crescent. But, having said all that, as I stated before, the posting of her FOIA request on Pete’s county website was wrong, period, end of discussion. It was used by the Sheriff, “coincidentally”, to further debase and attack her.
The Sheriff and his few recycled commenters are not an addition to public discourse, they are a poisonous detractor. That there is even any question that Pete could be associated with that kind of behavior is not a positive attribute and I believe will come back to haunt him. He has real potential, it would be a shame to see it squandered.
Sorry Elena but its a bit hypocritical for an “Egotistical Blogger” to complain, some might call it Karma. With regard to cyber-bullying, if that ain’t the pot calling the kettle black.
As to the posting of the FOIA, meh, many jurisdictions post their FOIA logs electronically as do most state agencies and virtually all Federal agencies. I actually get several of those logs e-mailed to me on a on a monthly basis.
There is no expectation of privacy when you file a FOIA request. The request in and of itself is a public record open to review, unless it is for some manner of personnel information that the requester is eligible to obtain. Many governmental entities publish particular FOIA requests be it as a matter of multiple requests for the document or as a matter that has been raised in the press. Nothing terribly unusual her, move along, nothing to see.
It appears the Sheriff has doubled down by posting a blog entry about Donna. It is very long and must have kept him up all night. He is more prolific than usual. Wow.
I can’t recall a single time a FOIA request has ever been posted publically in this county,, especially by a supervisor.
Regardless of who did what to someone in the past, its really time for the cyber sh!ttyness to stop.
I know for a FACT that Donna has been lied about on many occasions. Actually, I need nothing more than to think about one lie in particular to stand my ground.
I continue to stand with Donna on this issue.
Still having a hard time working up any sympathy. What goes around comes around and I operate with that expectation. Still and all, that performance (as that is what is was) had no place in the BOCS meeting. It wasn’t a policy comment but a political comment that was personal and had little if anything to do with the County’s business.
Mom, My fingers will fall off my hands…I am trying to make my evil twin stop typing…but I can’t!
If what goes around, comes around were all that reliable, you would be 6 feet under. 😈 👿
…………………………………………………………………………
Having said that, I am not calling out sympathy. I haven’t changed my tune at all. Perhaps I am just singing a different verse. I would sing the same song for anyone over the FOIA which is just a tiny part of what is wrong with what is going on in PWC. Tip of the iceberg, as it were.
Yes, it does take courage to speak out. However, interesting that one of the biggest supporters of Pete, is now against him. I remember some bullying those of us that supported Martha. Told us we’d be sorry we supported her and we should be supporting Pete. My, my how the tables have turned. Karma’s a bitch.
I don’t trust those that say they NEVER blog. That’s BS, it’s a nice cover, but it’s easily seen through. imo
Remember I have a memory like an elephant. 👿
Speaking of blogs, I was just on a blog which was talking about Bob Marshall deciding to run for Wolf’s seat (beforeitsnews.com) and there were all kinds of “ads” on this blog. Did you know they found a bird on Mars? That Google photo shopped out a UFO from Google Earth and that there is a website dedicated to UFO Sightings Daily? I didn’t know there were so many strange things happening out there that I wasn’t aware of! There was an alien with glowing hands and feet that saved a man’s life in China…….apparently these types of ads appeal to those who support people like Bab Marshall. What does that mean?
It means everything discussed there is bizarre!!!
Whether a FOIA request has ever been posted is not the issue and having looked at what Candland put up, I don’t think he is the one guilty of cyber bullying. The Sheriff, on the other hand, and his anonymous “Birdies”, “Deputies” and sycophants are the real cyber bullies. The Sheriff’s lame excuse for hiding behind a “nome de plume” is pure male bovine merde. It is time he is outed and then let’s see how much he has to say. Any takers? I don’t know who he is but if I did, I surely would drop a quarter (formerly a nickel and then a dime) on him. I haven’t yet lis tend to Ms. Wadawski’s speech/rant yet but will when I have a few more minutes.
Here is how I feel about this situation. Fair is fair, I do believe in treating others the way you want to be treated. What has occurred with Donna and others on the Sheriffs blog is wrong. Plain and simple. As my favorite Rabbi Hillel said, in the Common Era, who, BTW, Jesus admired;
“What is hateful to you, do not do unto your neighbor”
This is not about Donna, this is about ethics.
It isn’t just Donna, the post about Marty is disgusting, the title is plain gross. I don’t agree with Marty on several issues, but he has more personal courage than the Sheriff has in his little pinkie. He stood up to the mob during immigration and for that I will always commend him.
Someone thinks that they are so clever with their little ‘name’ for Marty. Whoever thinks they are so clever probably thinks they go blind from doing it.
Just another sexually repressed man, would be my guess.
Marty is also a very decent human being. He cares for those less fortunate than he is. He is a good husband and a wonderful father. He is involved with his children. He would help anyone, even those who have just 2 faced him.
I don’t agree with everything he does policy wise either. That is irrelevant. At the end of the day, if I needed help with something, I would call the Nohe house and I know I would get the help or advice I needed.
In fact, that has happened in the past. Let me say thank you again for the advice Marty and Kris gave me. They went above and beyond the call of duty at a very crucial time for my family and one of the grandchildren.
@Elena
“Fair is fair” in Donna’s case is better stated as “With actions come consequences”. Karma is a nasty bitch.
Yes Moon I fully realize that Dame Karma will eventually come knocking at my door (she’s been there before) but I understand that is part of my unholy bargain.
On that note, when are you going to drop by during my “office hours” and throw back some bourbon on my dime?
@Mom
Single malt.
Let me know when Dame Karma isn’t going to be there doing a little retribution.
“It cheers our hearts and warms our blood to hear them shout and roar”
@Watching
It sounds like some over selling over tech stuff to me. Did your eyes glaze over?
Who cares who does what. I haven’t figured out if he thinks Greg L is the wiz kid or me. He really wouldn’t be very impressed with my sleuth computer skills. I would have to call Alanna.
I don’t know why Moon is being so coy. She and everyone else knows who the Sheriff is and who all the sub-sheriffs are too. Why so cagey, Moonie?
If everyone else knows, why should I be shouting it from the roof-tops. I don’t chase the news.
Actually, I don’t out people. I have had it done to me. Most people know. I hope this clears things up, Willpower.
Well if you don’t out him, then do you really have a right to bad mouth him? Or is that fair in the blogging world? If you don’t want o out him, then tell me the next time I see you and I will gladly do it. I got nothing to lose.
@George
I would not say I have been bad-mouthing anyone on Moonhowlings. I have criticized behavior that continually bashes all others and praises only one. Not everyone in the world is a bad person except my own supervisor.
I do not like the ridiculing, misquoting, applying false facts to others, and general mean spirit that I hear directed at county employees, elected officials and at private citizens.
Facts are facts. Opinions are opinions. It’s the endless opinions about what’s wrong with everyone except Pete. Its like Pete has been running for office since the day that blog appeared.
That’s too bad. Pete has some good things he presents and espouses. I bear him no ill-will. I would have trouble supporting him because he has not denounced blog behavior done on his behalf.
Most of the personal remarks there would not pass muster on this blog. I just don’t like meanness.
Pete really needs to distance himself from this sort of thing. It’s Gainesville Truth Squad all over again.
@ Moon, bad mouthing v. criticizing. You say, “Tomato”, I say, “Tomahto”. Your blog, you definition.