Inside Scoop: "Four members of the Greensboro101 advisory board have resigned over the posting of the RMA report on the Web site."
Jay Ovittore: "I have officially resigned from my Editorial Board position at Greensboro101.com effective immediately."
Sue Polinsky: "I resigned...The RMA report was posted on Greensboro101 anonymously this morning without any input from or knowledge of the editorial board. I believe the board should have been included in a decision that could be interpreted as our approving the report’s being posted online."
Having spoken with two people close to the situation, it sounds like 101 might have handled its internal politics more deftly -- but I think the site's management has reason to be proud as well.
What a mess.
Posted by: PotatoStew | Oct 16, 2006 at 08:50 PM
It is a sad day that folks are falling apart (again). Greensboro101 has always had the feature to upload content without prior approval and NOW people are mad. Yet no one that I can see has asked that it been removed.
Are we crying because somebody we don't like is playing in our sandbox?
I have not read the report and probably will not. But if it is so bad, why hasn't anyone asked to have it taken down? There are more than a few sites on the internet where this could be moved and not make enemies out of friends.
A sad day for our community.
Posted by: Don Moore | Oct 16, 2006 at 09:21 PM
Once it's up, it's out. Resignation was a principled and appropriate response in this situation.
I wondered this afternoon about how this thing got online so fast . . . and if the deed was "approved"/done by consensus (at the converging) or was rogue action.
It's kind of analogous to GSO City Management and whoever leaked the report. Of course, you don't see City Council Members resigning in protest - or heads rolling.
And let me get this straight. You think that GSO 101 management should be "proud" that the constitutional and privacy rights of those caught in the crossfire of this mess (be they "guilty" or "innocent") are being run over by a blogger train?
There were other ways to get at the truth. Much harder ways . . . ways that would've taken some time and considerable patience. But far more honorable and ethical than this.
Posted by: Dr. Mary Johnson | Oct 16, 2006 at 09:38 PM
I did ask prior to the boards conference call meeting to have it removed until the board voted on having it up or not. I made my mind up based on my future and the fact that the report was not coming down. People may get hurt over this, people may get sued over this. I have a family to look out for, a business to look out for and a future in politics to look out for. But, my recommendation was to pull it until a majority vote, and based on the vote and the fact that it stayed, I split. Someone did ask. More then one of us.
Posted by: Jay Ovittore | Oct 16, 2006 at 09:38 PM
"Greensboro101 has always had the feature to upload content without prior approval and NOW people are mad."
Precisely right.
I'll stand with Roch on this one.
Posted by: Bubba | Oct 16, 2006 at 09:39 PM
I thought the whole point of the RMA report was that Wray had nothing to investigate. That being the case, those people who are named should have nothing to worry about.
I question whether there would be the same concern if the RMA report was a product of journalism as opposed to a document contracted by the City. It seems that Bledsoe has essentially done the same thing as the RMA folks without the all the controversy and concern about lawsuits that in my personal opinion, would be difficult to make.
Posted by: The CA | Oct 16, 2006 at 09:40 PM
Mary, I addressed the discussion about the RMA report that took place after the ConvergeSouth conference (to which it was wholly unrelated) here:
"I urged the bloggers at ConvergeSouth to think very hard before posting the report online. The ability to do so comes with a responsibility. The City has withheld the report for a reason."
Posted by: Ed Cone | Oct 16, 2006 at 09:57 PM
What was the reason the city leaders gave for withholding?
Posted by: meblogin | Oct 16, 2006 at 10:51 PM
Oh...my opinion...should have been released to the public as early as possible.
Posted by: meblogin | Oct 16, 2006 at 10:53 PM
This was a highly charged environment with built-in time pressure featuring a cast of characters unfamiliar with the situation and their roles. Before we help them back themselves into a corner, let's see what they all think after they've had a chance to sleep on it.
Posted by: Mr. Sun | Oct 16, 2006 at 11:39 PM