DeVincentis apologizes, won't resign

Pat Gleason warns board president that recall is coming

By Scott Stanford

Saturday, April 7, 2007

The DeVincentis e-mails

photo

Photo by Brian Ray

School board member John DeVincentis is shown during a facilitated meeting between the School Board and Superintendent Donna Howell last month. Two board members who served with DeVincentis said he is attacking Howell in the same way he took on former Superintendent Cyndy Simms in 2002.

Steamboat Springs — School Board member and former Strawberry Park principal John DeVincentis issued an apology Saturday morning for e-mails he sent in 2004 and 2005 that were highly critical of Cyndy Simms, a former Steamboat Springs Superintendent. Asked if he had any plans to resign from the School Board, DeVincentis said, "the letter speaks for itself." His letter states, "In the future I will serve as the board member the public expects and deserves."

Also Saturday, Pat Gleason, who resigned from the School Board last week, sent the newspaper a copy of a letter to School Board President Denise Connelly. Gleason advises Connelly to call for DeVincentis resignation for the good of the district. If she does not, Gleason said, both DeVincentis and Connelly will face a recall effort.

The following is his letter as submitted to the Steamboat Pilot & Today.

There are no words for the regret I feel about the comments I made in anger after what was, for me, a very traumatic year. In 2004-2005, when I wrote those e-mails, I felt that I had been treated unprofessionally for a stand I took in supporting parents concern regarding the issue of class size. Looking back at these e-mails now I realize that I also acted, in this regard, in an unprofessional manner. These e-mails were meant to be private, and I did not intend to make them public or to hurt anyone. But, I do now see how they are hurtful. I wish to apologize to Dr. Simms and her family for the way that they come across.

I used emails to vent my anger with a teacher who had emailed me stating he was facing similar problems with her on Mercer Island. Looking back, I wish that I had dealt with his situation differently and can honestly say that I have learned a great deal from this unfortunate disclosure of private communications.

I still believe that there are reasons for change in our district and that we are moving in a direction that will be more beneficial to the children of our district. I also recognize the harm and conflict that this has created in the district. I deeply regret that and that my friends and family have had to read this in the newspaper. I am very sorry to have acted so poorly, no matter the reasons of how I was feeling at the time.

I have not moved for the superintendent's removal. I will honor the board's wishes in that regard and will support any decision related to her tenure.

I will continue to serve the board and will reflect on my past actions and words. I will seek the advice and support from friends in the community and my family. I will work cooperatively with the Board and the superintendent. I know my actions will be under close scrutiny, as they should be.

Please accept my apology to all those involved. In the future I will serve as the board member the public expects and deserves. There are several goals, as a Board that we still need to accomplish: the completion of our building projects, improvement of staff morale, a better communication system within our district, enhancing our ability to respond better to our staff, parents, children and community members, and continuing to attract and retain the best staff for our children, gifted and talented, and elementary school Spanish. In the future, I will work towards these goals, and I vow to leave the past behind. It is the time to serve the needs of our District and students. Everything else is secondary.

Sincerely,

John DeVincentis

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Comments

kingsride 6 years, 1 month ago

You have zero credibility as far as I am concerned. If you truly have the best interests of this district at heart, you will resign.

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reallocal 6 years, 1 month ago

"I still believe that there are reasons for change in our district and that we are moving in a direction that will be more beneficial to the children of our district."

That no longer includes your leadership. You think that you can keep Conolly and Kozatch under your thumb and continue tyrannizing our district to persue your personal agendas. Yeah, right. You can obviously not let things go, even when you get your way. This will be no different. Get a clue John. The public WON! You have two options: resign, saving a small amount of personal dignity and restoring peace to the district, or be recalled. Believe me, you will be. And Conolly will go down with you. Trust me.

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kingsride 6 years, 1 month ago

reallocal; I agree, and I do hope Denise is listening.

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Hammurabi 6 years, 1 month ago

Hubris, plain and simple. This is not the first time he's vented his true feelings in written form, only to appoligize, ask forgiveness and then repeat the same behavior. Enough. Either Denise Connolley and other board members demand his resignation or there will be a costly recall that will do their work for them. In fact if they don't do the right thing, I think that all of them should be recalled. Better a superintendent and a great staff running the district than this disfunctional group. Now that this situation has come to light in the community, I feel very strongly that there will be credible ethical citizens who will step forward to lead the district out of this situation and reclaim the values, for our children, that this community stands for.

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Andyeast 6 years, 1 month ago

I checked. The emails are NOT true. Yes, the two emailed. but much of it was made up. The malicious comments were fabricated. Neither party looked at the emails. What a waste of time and energy. Whomever made up the emails sure did a number on the town.. NOT COOL.

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reallocal 6 years, 1 month ago

Who did you check with? DeVincentis acknowledged that they were true. So, again, who did you check with?

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elphaba 6 years, 1 month ago

If the e-mails are not true then is John's apology for them not true as well?

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WZ 6 years, 1 month ago

Who turned these emails over to the press anyway?

Is this another person/party with another agenda?

You get rid of one DeVincentis, another one is simply going to take his place.

I'm not saying that the emails/disk images in quesition here are true or not, but I have a low level disk editor on my computer, as I'm sure someone in the school disctrict does as well. It's not difficult for someone in the know to fabricate/alter legitamate emails/electronic file, ie. create a tabloid style scandle.

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SSPerson 6 years, 1 month ago

More importantly let the school board know how you feel! These are their e-mail addresses as listed on the school's web page: John DeVincentis johndpuzzles@hotmail.com; Denise Connelly dbconnelly@msn.com; Jeff Troeger jeff_troeger.boe@comcast.net; Jerry Kozatch jkozatch@qwest.net; Pat Gleason pmg@springsips.com;

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mom 6 years, 1 month ago

I believe John's apology is true. As far as the paper, we all know the Pilot is not always credible and is usually one sided. I hope people do not actually believe everything the paper puts out there. I do not agree with the way the editor(s) of the paper handled themselves, not one bit. I am sure someone will reply back to me with nastiness, but so be it. John has stood up for the good of our children and our district on many occasions and I am glad he is staying.

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Watcher 6 years, 1 month ago

Since Dr. D bragged about lying to get rid of Cindy Simms why would anyone be willing to believe him about being sorry for the emails. I'm sure he is sorry that they were made public.

Since he won't resign he should be recalled.

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Books 6 years, 1 month ago

Dr. D's apology is clearly heartfelt. The e-mails never should have been printed. Although it wasn't nice, it was two people venting their anger in private. What has the Pilot accomplished with such a mean and petty move? Dr. D. is still a good board member and is trying to do what he was voted in to do. He has my support. The Pilot is pathetic. We need another newspaper in town. Scott Sanford, if you're so set on exposing everything and basically trying to ruin someone, then let's hear about your past too. Haven't you had some run-ins with the law that we'd all be interested in? Reallocal, give us all a break and walk away from your computer and get a life beyond Dr. D. Every time I've looked at this website you've got another hateful lecture that takes up a page.

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another_local 6 years, 1 month ago

Dr D has demostrated that he does not have the kind of trustworthy character needed to serve. He clearly does not have the kind of even-handed constructive approach to issues that serving on a board requires. He has failed to provide an example of the "virtues" which are so prominantly are part of our district teaching to children of all ages.

Those who blame the newspaper for shining light on this critical public interest issue are confused.

Andyeast... well, never mind.

I will support the recall of Dr D as well any board member that does not support a prompt board demand for his resignation.

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steamvent 6 years, 1 month ago

Books and Andyeast: You just don't get it, do you. People reveal their true self when they think no one is looking, and John D. wrote those emails to vent his real feelings. You think someone must have fabricated the emails because even you couldn't come up with such vial remarks about another person. Well, get used to the idea that John D could. Parents and others in this community should develop some backbone and demand that his behavior has no place in the education system that influences the minds of our youth.

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plainjane 6 years, 1 month ago

John DeVincentis' standard mode of operation is to attack someone and apologize later. He does this on a regular basis and thinks that saying he regrets his actions makes everything all right. If the remaining members of the Board don't publicly censure him and require him to resign, they all should be recalled!

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reallocal 6 years, 1 month ago

Books-

There are two things that the Pilot has accomplished.

  1. The public in general now knows exactly what kind of leader John is. The public in general now understands exactly what has been behind the recent strife on the school board. And, the public in general, with a few inexplicable exceptions, now understands what must be done to end this ongoing problem.

  2. Perhaps when the next election rolls around, candidates for any public office will probably need to run on issues instead of their reputations. This is not just applicable to School Board.

Finally, a few flaws in your logic...

  1. The Pilot has an obligation to report on local issues, being a local paper and all. I would certainly call this a local issue.

  2. Your allusion to Stanford beside, wasn't DeVincentis attempting "ruin" Dr. Simms' career? At least the editors are courageous enough to do this in a public forum rather than sneaking around behind someone's back. Selectively condoning this behavior doesn't make much sense, does it?

  3. Stanford is the editor of the paper. He is responsible for what it prints, but not responsible for any actions taken as a result of this information. He had an obligation to publish a story of interest to the community. That is where his professional involvement ends. Lashing out at him also doesn't make sense.

Finally, I have a very happy and full life, thank you very much for your concern. I just happen to care about what goes on in this community, and the importance I place on this issue is a part of that life. Personally, I consider it a more valid part of my life than whatever other life you are referring to. I have made every attempt to refrain from being hateful and personal toward you. But I think you will probably be offended anyway, so I offer my apology for offending you in advance. And also for the length of my post.

Reallocal

PS-The emails are real. Both parties have acknowledged this. It is a non-issue. Please stop insisting that they were fabricated.

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JQPUBLIC 6 years, 1 month ago

The only thing John is apologizing for is the fact he got caught. He says "I have learned a great deal from this unfortunate disclosure of private communications", Right... he learned to be more careful so he wouldn't get caught. He states "I wish to apologize to Dr. Simms and her family for the way that they come across", not a word about the way he ran her out of town, nor the fact that he was trying to get a teacher on Mercer Island to do the same. Had he not been caught, DeVincentis would not have stopped until Simms had no career left at all (ahhh sweet revenge). Now he says "In the future I will serve as the board member the public expects and deserves"...seems to me to be too little too late, he should have been serving the public to start with. This man hasn't changed, nor will he, he'll just be a little more careful. I may not live in Steamboat but this issue involves children... our Country's future and my grandchildren's future; I believe that properly educating all children is top priority.

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ski52 6 years, 1 month ago

I am very shocked to read these articles. It is ridiculous:.I was a student at Strawberry Park when Dr. D. was principal. I see him around and he is always very friendly. That underground personality that he has, apparently, is scary. Those emails are very harsh and attacking. The only reason that he is apologizing is because he got caught and he looks bad. If he wouldn't of gotten caught he probably would never have "felt bad" or apologized to anybody. I cannot imagine Dr. D. acting like this and being in charge of kids when he flat out lies.

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dodobird 6 years, 1 month ago

Nice reflection and your sincerity to this community is obvious!! It takes a strong person to face up to their mistakes and one with high morals.

Denise, the new board and Dr. D are on the right track. As retired public educators, I believe they DO know exactly what our youth need in this community.

It would be absolutely appauling if there were an effort (especially led by former board members) to push for a resignation. Clearly, they have their OWN agenda! I'm still wondering WHO delivered these emails and WHO directed Dr. D's computer to be investigated?!!!!!

They need to let the new board members do their job - and get over the "As the Pilot Turns" saga and stance the paper has taken also.

I am very happy there will be no resignations. It's not needed, the apology was and it was well written. The emails are NOT about the current Super. and Dr. D has done NOTHING to prove to me he has his own agenda, besides putting your kids first. As he did when he was the SPE Principal for 20 -- 20 --- 20 years, people. Right here in our community because he DOES care & has loved this community. Adults, kids and even those who think he has his own agenda- who probably haven't even been a part of this community near as long and no ZERO history.

Has anybody realized people are usually "chomping at the bit" for these VOLUNTEER positions? That very FEW candidates have running opponents and John D was one who won by a landslide....... of the actual popular vote.

Now ALL the vandettas need to stop - it's getting so old. The Super. needs to work for the people who are led by the people through are elected officials.

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paststudent 6 years, 1 month ago

I was also in school when Dr. D was principal, and I am deeply saddend that all of this is happening. Since these emails were part of the school server, he should have known that they could be accessed. As for wiping out the entire school board, that seems absolutely ridiculous. Each member has been working hard to do what is best for the students in our district. Where are we going to get new board members in such a short amount of time? Also, making statements to newspapers before discussing them with boardmembers is free speech. Had Kozatch talked to the other board members before talking to the newspaper, his voice probably wouldn't be expressed in the way he wanted to.

People's feelings and egos have, are, and will be hurt over this. I think that our focus on this reflects badly on our community. Like others have said, this whole issue is not news that helps us. It is gossip, and it is sick. Focus on your own things and trust that the people elected on the school board will work harder than ever to help the students and teachers.

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jeannie berger 6 years, 1 month ago

dodobird, does your name reflect your thought processes? Being a public educator does not mean that you know what is best for kids. I have known many public educators in this town that should never have been granted tenure. They didn't like or understand kids at all, but there they were everyday. Supposed to be teaching but in effect they were putting in their time to get their retirement. This does not mean they are qualified leaders, pull your head out of the sand and take a good look at what is going on. And yes I have only been here 30 years and had 4 kids go through the schools here in SS.

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Andyeast 6 years, 1 month ago

Yes, they both agreed that they shared emails. But neither party has looked at the emails that were delivered to the Pilot. Have they? No. The article said John declined the opportunity to look at them and who knows what that McGowan character agreed to. Do we have evidence that they are TRUE aside from the paper saying they are? Yes, they emailed back and forth. They both supposedly said they did, but as far as confirming that the exact emails that the paper has are the exact emails they sent.. .thats a stretch..

Yes, lets get the dirt out on Scott Sanford. - I wonder how it will feel with his past on the front page. I will get to work on it RIGHT AWAY!!!!!!!

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HighlandClover 6 years, 1 month ago

So, AndYeast, do you want to pin the scarlet letter to Sanford because you are so enamored of Dr. D's lackluster schooling, or is there another reason?
I hate to be the one to break it to you, but Dr. D isn't a one time offender--this isnt an isolated event, this how he is wired. He was not ashamed of what he did, in fact, he bragged about it, proving that he was very proud of what he did. His actions were not and are not acceptable. Sanford and the Pilot are reporting the real story, and it is Dr. D's fault for writing and sending those emails. It is very scary that he truely doesn't feel remorse about what he has done. If he didn't want his opinions and feelings to be heard, perhaps he shouldn't have created the emails in the first place. Dr. D has done something so rude and hurtful in those emails, and has only appologized for getting caught. He still insists that it was only wrong that he was exposed for the mean person he is, not that saying those things and driving Simms out of town was a dishonorable thing to do.
We, as the public, do not "deserve" to be misled and undermind by Dr. D any longer. I am terribly ashamed, though not surprized, by his actions, and will work to never see him on the school board again.

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steamboatparent 6 years, 1 month ago

In the April Strawberry Park School newsletter we were reminded on page 2 of the virtue sheet adopted in 1996.

Respect Integrity and honesty Responsibility Compassion Love and Friendship Commitment Citizenship

If John could remember these virtues when he acts things would be different. He can't, so no matter what it takes he needs to be removed from the school board.

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pstbrd 6 years, 1 month ago

Perhaps it's about time that we all review the Virtues that were adopted with much fanfare at Strawberry Park Elementary in October, 1996 when Dr. D was the Principal to see how his behavior over the past few years has matched up with the "virtuous" behavior that he thought was so important for his students and staff to follow way back then. Let's review them for the record...Respect, Integrity & Honesty, Responsibility, Compassion, Love & Friendship, Commitment and Citizenship. If you look closely at the elements included in each of these Virtues, any rational observer will see that the good Dr. has failed to meet most of the very standards (Virtues) that he so aggressively set for others.

Save the parents of current students in our district the time and trouble of trying to explain to their kids the massive hypocrisy of why THEY are expected to observe these Virtues but the ex-Principal who helped create the list of Virtues and a sitting School Board member can behave differently with complete disregard for most of these same Virtues. Please, at least observe the motto that was part of the Virtues adoption process back in 1996 that said "Do the Right Thing"...resign your seat on the School Board immediately.

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mom 6 years, 1 month ago

People speak of the virtues as if they are anymore virtuous!? Have you never said something out of anger or vented in private? Remember the e-mails were between 2 people both venting in a sarcastic manner about a person that may not have been very pleasant at the time. People speaking of personal vendettas should look at their own if they believe everything the paper's "beefed up," extra-enlarged front page photo, and one-sidedness of specific editors views toward specific individuals. And I am sure John is not the only person behind the absence of Simms. There were many people in agreement of her taking on a new position outside of our district. As far as staff or teachers that worked under John, it seems apparent they respected him. He did and does put the needs of the children and teachers first.

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formerstudent 6 years, 1 month ago

Why is it that every one is talking about how Dr.D will not let go of a grudge for letters that are almost three years old. Isn't that a little begrudging.

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HighlandClover 6 years, 1 month ago

RE: mom:

yeah people vent in private, but Dr. D didn't. It would have been in private if he had used his PRIVATE email, not the one that is attached to the school database. Private or not, the things he said were inappropriate for a person in a leadership possition to ever say. Also, he wasn't sarcastic, and it is shameful of you to pretend that saying (and I am paraphrasing here), but basically: "I got rid of her [Simms] and will get rid of [the new superindendant]." is sarcastic. That isn't sarcasm thats plain old hate, and it is embarrassing that you or anybody would even think that having someone so egotistical in a position of power.

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babette dickson 6 years, 1 month ago

How about washing all this dirty laundry on the public place... what a great model for all the children / students of SS.

But guys check this timing.... Kelly and Scott.... Scott and Kelly.

He is the editor of the paper She has just resigned as Dir of Curriculum, what did she take in her boxes when moving out of the DO ????Hmmmmm??? And who helped to find and print old emails on the server???

Very fishy, very skunky... Tabloids made in SS. Pathetic.

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autumnwitch 6 years, 1 month ago

Here's the thing-grown-ups that are sane don't maintain grudges that go on forever. They get pissed off, rant a bit and get over it. If John could get over it, great, but it won't happen. He is a pitbull, and anyone that vaguely resembles someone whom he dislikes is going to be on the list of undesireables/his loser's list (his terminology!!!!) and will suffer the consequences... if he gets his way. Wake up and smell the coffee, those of us who know him are telling you he is not who you think he is!!!

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avetwhodoesntforget 6 years, 1 month ago

Andyeast - You dont have to go far to find stuff on this high and mighty editor. The newspaper reported his glorious past - http://www2.steamboatpilot.com/news/2... and the guy loves pointing the finger at everyone else. Plus he brags about being an Annapolis grad - putting himself in the same category of everyone who served honorably. Can you believe this is the guy who we put our trust in at the Pilot to "tell the truth???? Give me a break ...

One disgusted Marine

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HighlandClover 6 years, 1 month ago

I'm sorry, I am just a little confused...are you "disgusted" because Sanford is willing to own up to his mistakes, do his time and try to make himself a better person, or because Dr. D doesn't think he did anything wrong? Sanford came clean long before Dr. D even thought of his character. No one's saying Sanford is a God and no body's saying Dr. D is the devil, but Dr. D hasn't made any changes. And if you are so sure that Scott Sanford is such a bad guy, maybe you should look for dirt in a publication that doesn't support him and tell it like it is. Because, clearly the Pilot is doing just that, telling it like it is!

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jeannie berger 6 years, 1 month ago

come on, this isn't about Scott Stanford it is about Dr D. If Scott was trying to get a job at Annapolis then you might be on the right track but he is not........We are talking about the School board and the antics of a former principal in the SSSD. Again, what Scott did has nothing to do with Dr D. Nice try!

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avetwhodoesntforget 6 years, 1 month ago

"Highandclover and dreamriver23" I'm disgusted because this felon who dishonored his uniform puts himself in a position of judgment of others.... understand? Is it OK with you if that disgusts me? Or do I have to run topics by you before I post them on here??

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HighlandClover 6 years, 1 month ago

Oh my gosh, "Vet", you want to be disgusted with a person who has come out and admitted to wrong doing, that is completely fine. The thing that I think is skeezy is that you are trying to build up a person like Dr. D through attacking Scott Sanford. If you stick to the topic at hand, Dr. D's indescretion, dishonesty, and inappropriate conduct from a member of the school board, I would completely support your freedom of speech, whether you thought his appology was worth something or nothing. Scott Sanford has very little to do with Dr. D being short-sighted enough to not only create the emails, but to then gloat about them very publicly.

You are more than entitled to your opinions and they are worth what I paid for them.

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JQPUBLIC 6 years, 1 month ago

avetwhodoesntforget...the name says it all. Dr. D couldn't forget either... look at the mess it got him into. Had he left well enough alone after he succeeded in running Simms out of town, the public would never have known how mean and nasty he really is. Yeah, Dr. D didn't forget either, he is an elected public official, he made his bed....

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Scott Stanford 6 years, 1 month ago

All:

I would direct you to my Blog where I have tried to answer the questions posed by Books and Andyeast and address the issues raised by Avet:

Response to Avetwhodoesntforget by sstanford

Scott Stanford Editor, Steamboat Pilot & Today (970) 871-4221 editor@steamboatpilot.com

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portagetheyampa 6 years, 1 month ago

Maybe we can get Andyeast to resign, too.

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HighlandClover 6 years, 1 month ago

haha! Since he is only here to make more trouble, I completely agree. If he were actually contributing, that would be different, but yeah, I wish he would!

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