Daniel wrote: “… it’s just the idea of purchasing the paper in order to provide his slanted, right-wing views …”
To Daniel: 1) Trust me, we would not have remained in business for 16 years under that business model; 2) If believing in the Declaration of Independence (“life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” i.e. individual freedom) and the U.S. Constitution qualifies as ‘slanted, right-wing views,’ “guilty as charged and proud of it”.

Frank, you have my full support.

Daniel wrote: “… it’s just the idea of purchasing the paper in order to provide his slanted, right-wing views …”
To Daniel: 1) Trust me, we would not have remained in business for 16 years under that business model; 2) If believing in the Declaration of Independence (“life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” i.e. individual freedom) and the U.S. Constitution qualifies as ‘slanted, right-wing views,’ guilty as charged and proud of it.

Matt, I was under the impression that as an editor/publisher, it’s your responsibility to provide factual reporting, un-biased columns to your readers… (sort of Matt, how the professional ex-writers of the Pelican Press such as Stan Zimmerman used to write). Each and every writer for the Pelican Press, from the late Bob Aldren, to the; just-ousted Stan Zimmerman, ex-Reality Chick columnist; Mary (M.C.) Coolidge uesed to write. Matt, they were professions. They wrote fresh columns each and every week.

And Matt, you stated in your response, that you would not have lasted 16 years if you wrote in this model. Matt, the “ONLY” reason your paper has survived for 16 years, is because each and every Opinion section is always; Pro-Republican. Matt, 99% of the residents on Long Boat Key are registered Republicans Matt…don’t try to blind-side the readers here Matt… you have one agenda and one agenda only..and your response to my previous post proves me to be correct.. when you responded: ‘slanted, right-wing views,’ guilty as charged and proud of it.

Last but not least Matt, in your response to Charmaine, you stated: “Pelican’s demise”? Last I saw we were still publishing it.
Matt, it’s no longer the Pelican Press…it’s the Observer, wrapped in the Pelican Press’s title…. ask any reader Matt if I’m not right.

The Pelican Press will be no more, without the professional writers you ousted Matt. I’ll take any former Pelican Press writer.

Also Matt, as you stated to Stan Zimmerman when he commented on not being able to have the opportunity to say goodbye to the other former writers you wrote: To Stan: “Refusal”? I don’t recall you or anyone asking. I refused no one

Matt, since when does one need to ask permission to have the opportunity to say goodbye… Matt, if you have an ounce of class – (which you do not), you would have set aside some time, either at the Pelican Press location, or any other venue, in order for the team to say goodbye. Matt, the way you handled this..we.. oout of respect for Ms. Coolidge, I won’t even attempt to post.. but Matt, you were wrong.

Mary, “Thank You” for giving me the opportunity to let my voice be heard.

Respectfully, Daniel

On July 20, Stan Zimmerman wrote, among many things:

• “But (Rachel Hackney’s) scope of action now is limited” … “Those decisions are no longer hers.”
To Stan: Rachel’s scope of action is no more limited and the decision making no less than it was under Journal Community Publishing Group.

• “I’m sure Matt Walsh will eschew this tradition (of bound copies of the papers).”
To Stan: Come to our Sarasota, Siesta Key and Longboat Key offices and see for yourself.

• “(Ann Johnson) was lopped off, after 38years, without even a good-bye to the two generations of readers she slaved for.”
To Stan: Had Ann asked, she would have had all the room she wanted. “Slaved for”? Her work was her choice.

• “Matt’s refusal to allow the old Pelican hands to say goodbye and welcome the new hands. It was, for staff, the ultimate hostile takeover. ‘Mine now, you’re gone.’
To Stan: “Refusal”? I don’t recall you or anyone asking. I refused no one.

Charmaine wrote: “… and for the first time ever in all the years I’ve submitted freelance for them was told the editor didn’t have time to talk to me…”
To Charmaine: I’m curious to know who told you that. I don’t recall anyone telling me you wanted to speak to me. “Pelican’s demise”? Last I saw we were still publishing it.

Bob wrote: “She too is quite upset, so much so that she is reviewing her advertising relationship with The Observer.”
To Bob: Your reliable source isn’t very reliable. Call this advertiser for yourself. You’ll hear something entirely different — the truth.

Daniel wrote: “… it’s just the idea of purchasing the paper in order to provide his slanted, right-wing views …”
To Daniel: 1) Trust me, we would not have remained in business for 16 years under that business model; 2) If believing in the Declaration of Independence (“life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” i.e. individual freedom) and the U.S. Constitution qualifies as ‘slanted, right-wing views,’ guilty as charged and proud of it.

Tom wrote: “I will be making note of every advertizer (sic) who advertizes (sic) in it, and sending them a letter explaining why I will not be patronizing his/her establishment again.”
To Tom: Your loss. Our advertisers offer great products and services.

Daniel wrote: “I will never, ever support a single business advertised in the Pelican Press”
To Daniel: See above answer to Tom.

Roberta wrote: “… many of us are HERE all summer. We do want to read about what is happening in a consistent format each week. … the Observer Group is more interested in the large colorful photo approach instead of the consistent weekly columns. Where will I find all that information now?
To Roberta: We’re here all summer, too. You’ll find all that information consistently (and consistently formatted) in Diversions.

To all of you: Come visit me anytime, 1970 Main St. I’m more than happy to listen and let you see and hear for yourselves we have the desire, will and determination to continue building on the Pelican Press’ original roots and respected past. I will gladly give you the truth first hand.

Matt Walsh

While I’m not neither; Republican, nor Democrat, it’s just the idea of purchasing the paper in order to provide his slanted, right-wing views… he’s never, ever said a positive word about Democrats and for a publisher to think Rick Scott is the best Governor this state has seen….well, say’s it all.

Tom, I will never, ever support a single business advertised in the Pelican Press – (Observer in disguise), again…