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Over the past week, I have seen a very interesting thing take place. I covered the story on the Boycott of Mailer/Journal Advertisers in what I considered a very unbiased way. But, some  have said that I, Mike Ramsey, or a member of my family started this Boycott.

Each reader has the right to believe what you want, but I will tell you the facts, and you can take it from there. I was contacted on Friday the 16th of October, and told that a boycott was started in the area against advertisers in the weekly mailer. I was roofing a house when I found this out, and started to talk about it with everyone there. I saw a copy of the boycott on Monday October 19th, 2009 and copied it word for word on the posting.  I did my best to cover it fairly and with no bias. After looking at the posting further, I even removed the business names (that were part of the letter).

I did not start the boycott, nor did I write the anonymous letters sent to businesses. I have not signed the boycott. I believe that the story does need covered, and not covered up (though I have been threatened to cover the story up).

I am sad that people feel the only way to get The Weekly Mailer/News Journal” to change is to boycott local businesses advertising in the publication. I feel that the only party who can step up and lead the fix to this situation is the Weekly Mailer/News Journal. Jay Lenkersdorfer (the owner of the mentioned papers) on “Zeb Bell At The Ranch” said that positive changes to his publication are coming.  If this is the case, I commend Jay and in the future, wish him the best. So many people have been hurt on both sides of past issues, and I think it will take a lot to forgive what has happened…and a lot of apologies for what has taken place. Though it will take years to build trust, with some work I am confident that it can be done.

Those who have gone to the media with criticism and complaint I ask….did you talk to the individuals before hand? Did you feel better for defaming someone’s name? Did you succeed in humiliating your politician of choice? Could many issues be resolved behind closed doors? Did you stand firm on your position with your name, or simply attack others behind the word “anonymous”? I think if people within the community ask themselves these questions, many issues would be resolved outside of the media, and would help our community as a whole.

I love this community and will stand strong to promote the future growth of this area. I promote “anonymous” service, and despise “anonymous” attacks. I ask that if people have issues, they first talk to the individuals involved.

I feel that now, boycotters and businesses need to work together in holding the mailer/news journal accountable for their future actions, so that we as a community can progress to a new day. If the mailer/news journal make changes for the betterment of the community, then they will receive my forgiveness and support. If they don’t make the changes mentioned by Jay, I invite competition to take them out of business. In my opinion, and from numerous phone calls and conversations with business owners, public employees, and community members…The ball is in Jay’s court, and a community pleading for unity is watching with a very close eye.

Signed,

Mike Ramsey