Letters To The Editor
Unsupportive Of Center’s Shakeup
POSTED: May 11, 2009
Unsupportive Of Center's Shakeup
To the Readers' Forum:
We're writing this letter with a heavy heart because we will no longer be able to support the Lucy-Desi Center in any way.
Our first trip to Jamestown was in May 2003, when I read Melody Thomas Scott was going to auction off her stars and strips gown, which I bought. We visited the museum, where we first met Ric Wyman and Pat Brininger. They were so war and wonderful to us, we immediately felt at home. Because of these two very special people, we became loyal supporters of not only the museum, but we were donors to the Jamestown Community College Scholarship fund as well. Due to the unjust firings of Rick, Pat and other staff members, we will no longer support any of these things.
I cannot believe the Chautauqua County economic development director, who was a Lucy-Desi board member, let these firings occur. Because of these firings, we're sure there are many other people who will no longer support the festivals and events sponsored by the museum. Therefore, m any local businesses will also suffer.
My husband and I are suffering a personal loss, as we always looked forward to all the events that were so well done, as only Ric and Pat could do them. They poured their hearts into that center to make it what it was.
But, Jamestown is the biggest loser of all.
Jane and Ford Blaney
Indiana, Pa.
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View Comments: | 1-15 | Post a comment
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YeddaQueen
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05-20-09 9:40 AM
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Ok...in reading the comments on this posting in particular, I feel that I should mention there were once 150+ pages on a forum dedicated to saving the Lucy-Desi center. The forum still exists, however, much information has been removed (but still accessible upon request), the contents of the postings are very important. Mr and Mrs. Blaney, I feel that if you have a couple of days and nothing to do that you please read that forum.... Yedda
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Phillip
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05-13-09 11:08 AM
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i'm kinda with bodyhammer on this one. i know it's important to study/know you're history and have a sense of appreciation for it. but if all jamestown has is lucy, then we're up the creek without a paddle or a boat.
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wjrapaport
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05-12-09 8:25 PM
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Mary Rapaport here! I think the biggest mistake of the new board was to get rid of Hallie. So sad that cannot see if front of themselves. Hallie, I hope you know that I was on your side to stay. Ask Mike what happened.
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bodyhammer
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05-12-09 11:22 AM
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HOW COME WHEN LUCY WAS ALIVE AND IN THE MOVIES AND ON TV YOU NEVER REALLY HEARD ALL THE HO LA LA ABOUT LUCY AND RICKI,AND ONCE IN A WHILE SHE WOULD MENTION JAMESTOWN ON ONE OFF HER SHOWS AND ONE OF HER GOOD FRIENDS THAT LIVED HERE IN TOWN...NOW THAT SHE IS GONE THATS ALL YOU READ OR HEAR ABOUT AND THE FIGHTING THAT IS GOING ON..WHY IS JAMESTOWN SUSPENDED IN TIME DON'T YOU THINK IT IS TIME TO MOVE ON TO MORE SERIOUS THINGS..IF THERE WAS WRONG DOINGS GOING ON WE WILL NEVER KNOW UNTIL ONE OF THE PEOPLE COME FORWORD AND WANTS TO START SAYING WHAT HAPPENED....
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Fagerstrom
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05-12-09 6:53 AM
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I believe the complete story should come out and finally settle the issue once and for all. No spin, good or bad, just the facts mame!
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extravisionist
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05-12-09 2:05 AM
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How unfortunate that the current board of directors will not come clean with the truth about Ric Wyman! The Jamestown community, not to mention the Lucy-Desi members, certainly deserves to know the scandalous truth. Instead, the board is trying desperately to sweep it under the rug. Because of the lies, people like the Blaneys are defending something of which they have no knowledge. They, like so many others, have been duped into believing the rapidly-deteriorating facade.
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curiousgeorge1830
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05-11-09 10:25 PM
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I whole heartly agree hallieann! I too was a long time employee laid off by the center and board, a board who just a few weeks before raved about the way we were doing the jobs we did everyday with pride. I belive that Mr.Fagan did a great job and putting the center into the whole that it is in now, however those who sit on it now are following greatly in his foot steps. Way to dig the hole for everyone. Its not the same going into the center now and I for one can't see a festival being sucessful with what is left of the once great Lucy-Desi Center. Fans will be disappointed:(
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hallieann
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05-11-09 9:49 PM
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Ric and Pat got screwed...so did myself and several other employees of the Lucy Desi Center. Not sure who was worse, the regime headed up by Fagan, or the incompetent dummies sitting on the Board now. I loved working there and felt like I was doing something that contributed to the happiness of others. I worked my butt off and did a good job doing it. It's too bad that if you work in downtown Jamestown you get wrapped up in the middle of political b.s. and get screwed. I mean come on, who gets promoted by the Board President and laid off in the same week.. me. Good job Board on all your brilliant choices! Cheers Dummies!
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recycler
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05-11-09 7:25 PM
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I've never understood the relationship between Lucy and J-town. I have heard reports J-town really didn't want anything to do with her, until she left a sum of money to the city. Then again I had also heard she didn't like Jamestown at all. If anything we should be celebrating Jamestown's legacy as and not as a hometown to a famous comedienne.
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recycler
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05-11-09 7:20 PM
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Freedom if you know the media around here, you know "the rest of the story" never gets outed. A seventy five year old lady was apprehended recently after leading police on a wild goose chase at speeds up to 90 MPH. I know about it because I was at McDonald's on Foote Ave when it happened. Did the PJ ever cover that? Nope. Ray Hall being canned from radio. They run a stpry on that? Nope. However they did a sob story regarding a fellow from Puerto Rico on how he got canned from his job and evicted because he didn't speak or understand English.
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freedom1
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05-11-09 6:43 PM
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I feel that if everything was legitimate in the firing of these two individuals then why is it taking so long to hear "the real story" If there is something we should all know about the firing then lets hear it and in a timely fashion. By doing so would likely clear the cloud of controversy
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wjrapaport
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05-11-09 3:53 PM
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SOONER OR LATER THE BOARD WILL BE ABLE TO EXPLAIN WHAT HAPPENED. ONLY THEN WILL THE AIR CLEAR. THERE ARE MATTERS THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED AND THEN AND ONLY THEN WILL EVERYONE UNDERSTAND WHY FIRING RIC AND PAT WAS THE BEST THING FOR THE LUCY-DESI CENTER. IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE LONG AGO.
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wjrapaport
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05-11-09 11:23 AM
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What the Blaney's don't realize is that Ric & Pat were the source of the problems, alienating employees, volunteers, donors, and local foundations. That's no way to run a non-profit. Ric was offered an opportunity to take a sabbatical and learn proper management techniques; he refused. The blame falls squarely on him.
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writerone
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05-11-09 10:55 AM
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No matter who or what the reasons - the Lucy-Desi Center is a national attraction whose management continues to be shrouded in mystery. Without passing judgement one way or another, all the comments I've read are critical of the way Rick were fired. Seems to me that the regime which now manages the whole show would want to explain their actions. Until they do, I applaud anyone who refuses to support the Center.
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zedman
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05-11-09 7:46 AM
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Is it about Lucy (and Desi) or is it about Rick and Pat? I know other good people who were let go by the previous regime. If the Lucy-Desi Center was a cult of personality of leaders, then Jamestown is a winner for getting rid of those people.
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