Archive for October, 2010
The Whole RR
Posted at http://inrodwetrust.net/michiganfootball/insert-positive-spin-here/#comment-208:
You know what I like best about this website? That you don’t have to join anything to comment. I also like the general optimism–hell, it’s a fan site–and the mantra of trust RR. I DON’T like it when the host goes preachy, saying things like ‘everyone out there calm down.’ How could RR not know the role graduate assistants can play? I think we all know it now and if it was our job, to the tune of millions… Same with other things associated with the violations. Major violations.
It is the whole–violations, recruiting, attrition, coaching, and yes, record. RR says negative recruiting has hurt. Well why has that happened? Same with the attrition. I don’t buy that the talent is so bad, and I think it is wrong to publicly castigate young players. Wasn’t RR supposed to be great at molding young talent? And why so many injuries (even in practice)–wasn’t he supposed to be ahead of the pack in conditioning also? He has now had, pretty much, three recruiting classes. Truth be told, some/many of the team’s best players are Carr holdovers.
I think overall RR has a very smart approach to the game–speedsters are easier to come by than pro prospects and his offensive approach is innovative and successful. But a program with as much to offer as Michigan CAN recruit pro prospects; for that matter, all the schools in the Big Ten–good schools, big budgets, big stadiums, etc.–can too. Again, big picture: There is some logic to suggest his style creates a bigger difference in lesser leagues. And as we have seen, I think it is fair to say he has been downright inflexible. Truth be told, it has happened where coaches come in and just plain, flat-out, turn things around.
I don’t like the word “fault.” And I do like RR; I especially like the “transparency,” or the lack of a tight-lipped, tough guy, jock mentality (which I think Carr exhibited at times). I believe many others feel the same way, as evidenced by the tremendous fan support and activity on the blogs. And no, I’m not counting wins. Will RR, the staff, and the team improve? That, I think is a definite yes. But are there holes or concerns? The answer, again, has to be yes. So the circle continues to spin… job security, recruiting, attrition, etc.
Michigan vs. Iowa
So I read the blogs again this week, as I have learned to do just about since Rich Rodriguez was hired. This one, with this post, is the clear winner. (Normally, this blog is one of my
The Last Days
Tim Leonard
Tim Leonard (R) is a nice guy and he will probably win. I have to get this out of the way somehow, that I think it is a little weird that he and his wife are raising six kids and homeschooling them somewhere near Evergreen. Sorry, I didn’t know what to do with that tidbit. Anyway, his opponent is weak and he has many of the qualities of a successful campaigner and state senator: informed, organized, good money-raiser, and most importantly, a genuine desire to succeed. He is relatively humble and soft-spoken, but he has to swim in the same waters as the rest of us. I think, and hope, he is more middle of the road than possibly he may appear, but that is just a theory. He is associated with the tea partiers, and it is not unwise to ride that to victory if that is what it takes, and that makes it difficult to figure out who he really is.
>
So why did I call him? I suppose it is because he was sort of the lightning rod for the signs and the t-shirts and the general shenanigans at the political forum. By the end of the conversation I said to myself, and him, “I’m glad I picked up the phone.” I just enjoyed talking with him. He told me I might like reading Thomas Sowell. We talked about Switzerland, my days driving a Coke truck in every terrible neighborhood in Detroit with cash bulding from my trousers, and about the Wild West and the Colorado “attitude.” We talked about Michigan colleges vs. Colorado colleges. He said “I didn’t know that” when I told him political signs shouldn’t be put in this, my, local park and he sounded sincere. He was impressed with my business, legal, and social science background and he was genuinely interested in what I had to say. He is a good listener, and I told him that. He was curious when I said that the Colorado, ‘I can do whatever I want’ hurts Colorado business-wise.
>
I told him that I stood next to someone cheering for him and wearing a Tim Leonard t-shirt, and that I didn’t think that person really understood…
My Questions Submitted to the Evergreen Candidates Forum
1. For Cheri Gerou
Why don’t you return phone calls or e-mail from constituents? Some time ago I contacted you regarding a pressing wildlife law issue; a bill had recently passed and I was seeking information on your thoughts on and participation in the matter. I received no word whatsoever.
This is completely unlike your predecessor, with whom I had several useful discussions for both of us. Seeing you running unopposed makes me think this arrogance will become even worse.
2. For Kathy Hartman AND Don Rosier
What authority or influence does a Jefferson County Commissioner have in hiring and firing of county employees? How does a resident complain and/or affect this process?
3. For Kathy Hartman
I am fine with having my name associated with this because much of this is documented on my websites–I am Peter Pfeiffer, live in Evergreen, and am disgusted. Basically, my complaint has to do with services not being provided to homeowners in Evergreen, services that are required by law. Currently, two specific examples are zoning and building violation enforcement and failure to enforce noxious weed statutes. For some three months efforts to resolve the situation with Jefferson County employees has been completely pointless; put another way, it has been frustrating beyond description. Some of these failures are actually revenue opportunities for the county. I would appreciate it if Ms. Hartman would address this wide-ranging issue.
4. For Don Rosier
I am curious why you do not respond to voters contacting you. I tried and received no word back whatsoever. Put another way, if elected, how available will you be to residents? Also, please discuss your qualifications, particularly with respect to law, administration, management, marketing, and finance in a large organizational or public environment.
Here the People Don’t Rule–Yet
This may take me a couple of posts to fully explain, but I think I have it pretty well figured out. It is about immaturity. This is immaturity in terms of a place (culture). It is on a number of levels and has a number of manifestations. It IS something that should be exposed and corrected.
Most everything starts and or ends with a person or people. Organizations don’t act illegally or unethically or stupidly, people do. Some not so fun facts include:
- * Russ T. Campbell, 73, Evergreen, CO is bad news. There was an “Evergreen Candidates Forum” on Tuesday October 5, 2010 that he helped organize. His completely uncontained, unrestrained ego helped turn the event into, well, I don’t know what to call it. “Disaster” is too strong. Let’s just say that Mr. Campbell is personally responsible for serious problems.
- * The Evergreen/Conifer chapter of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce (Melanie Nuchols/Ben Jackson) is exposed. Resigning and then staying on for two months (Nuchols) is not a sign of strength. “Michelle,” in the office is a liability. The people who work at this chapter simply didn’t do their due diligence; put in business terms instead, they exposed their incompetence.
- * The Canyon Courier, Evergreen, CO, and Doug Bell, editor. What can you say about a small town publication with a circulation of less than 7,000? Having them involved with what could have been a major political debate smacks of trouble. This organization–its people–refuse to stand up and be a strong and reliable journalistic source.
- * Finally, there is the EPRD (Evergreen Park & Recreation District) and poor Brad Bednar. Mr. Bednar appears friendly and competent. His people, e. g., Lorna Bleck, let him down.
The bottom line? It is all about organization and management, preparation, documentation, communication, attention to detail, oversight, honesty and integrity, and on and on and on. “Who are you?,” Russ T. Campbell (virtually) screamed into the phone. I am someone who believes these things can and should be corrected. I believe we can do better.
An opposing view (to the way the forum was handled): http://coloradoindependent.com/63633/tea-partiers-bring-the-house-down-says-dem
No Way
I had never heard of him until a friend gave me a copy of the Canyon Courier. Great campaign, huh?
So I looked at his website and even wrote him–more on this another time, but I REALLY believe local politicians should be available and responsive to residents. His is one of the worst political websites I have seen. No wonder: no experience, no relevant education, no knowledge of local issues, and… no campaign marketing. Oh, no address or phone number too.
So I wrote:
————————————–
Finally, no reply. Put it this way: If I were running for Jefferson County commissioner I would be working on Sunday. I would also communicate promptly with voters, especially one with such a valuable tip.