George, our large feral gray, was driven a little mad by our recent absence, and since he won’t let me sleep, I’ll blog a while.
Mike J. Baron, of Greensboro Water Fraud: The Randleman Dam Scam Continues… and MindTaser, in fits over being ignored, has resorted to calling out local bloggers by name in recent posts.
By his own admission, he was “Greensboro’s only Water Conservation Manager from 1994 to 1999 (fired and never replaced).” He regularly posts the same set of graphics indicating GSO’s declining water use as proof that the Randleman Dam should not be built. The patent absurdity of his position is proof that the City probably did the right thing in terminating this whack job. Only a booger-eating moron would argue that future sources of potable water, particularly in light of recent repeated droughts, are a bad idea and a waste of taxpayer money.
In short, Mike Baron, not having a leg to stand on, is perpetrating an act of pure evil by seeking revenge against the City for his termination under this ridiculously untenable excuse. I contend he is criminally insane. Furthermore, I assert again that his acts are those of an evil person. Finally, I charge that those who defend his actions are themselves evil in that they support gnashing of teeth against a local government which in this instance has probably done nothing wrong.
Conspiracy theory is a hobby of mine. Indeed, a have floated a few myself. For instance, I have on more than one occasion posited without actual proof that Councilman Robbie Perkins, through his close assocation with GSO resident and outgoing NCDOT board chairman, Doug Galyon, is angling for a seat on the board. I have also admitted that I have no proof this is so. Was mine an act of evil? Perhaps, but I sought no vengeance for personal injury and have sought to remedy the charge.
Those who persist in floating charges of conspiracy in contravention of established fact represent a threat to our society no less serious than an elected official engaged in graft and collusion and I will expose their villainy with vigor equal to that applied to corrupt officials. We have enough real problems to contend with and acts of personal revenge will not be tolerated.
If Baron calls us out by name, he must be prepared to deal with the consequences of his actions.
Perhaps George will allow me to sleep now. Good morning.
18:00: I’ve been engaged by two known lunatics, so anything could happen. I drove by the new pumping station on 220 and they’re making wonderful progress. In fact, I’ve known the guy in charge of the Randleman Dam all my life. He’s from Stenchville and is a real character with degrees from West Point and Duke.
For a conspiracy theory to have legs there must be plausible opps for mendacity. Working at breakneck speed to remedy dry lake beds in August does not fit the usual pattern. What does cry out is the need for at least a couple of local bloggers to seek mental health professionals. Maybe I’m mistaken and the City of GSO doesn’t try to glean drinking water from mud every summer. Maybe this is all about padding wallets and abuse of power. If that’s the case, then it’s incumbent upon Baron to make it. If he is indeed a whistle blower our government has protections for him to avail.
Unfortunately, what I see is a disgruntled former City employee being ignored in a local venue which isn’t very effective in the first place. As a GSO blogger, you could strike gold and it would remain a secret. I suppose Baron could go to the local media with his story, but as others have found, they are even more guilty of sloth and apathy than the sad bloggers.
We have an exemplar of blogging put to use bringing down the Lincoln County Sheriff. BTW, a petition for his removal was submitted to a judge today. There is also a story about some misplaced Glocks making its way to the ATF. But in this case, they have fresh meat to chew on almost weekly. Bringing down corrupt GSO water officials is made harder by the obvious lack of corroboration and involvement by remaining city employees. One would think if things are so bad at the City Water Dept., others might come forth in defense or even rebuttal of Baron’s charges.
I’m left with the long held impression that apathy and ignorance are not present just on election day around here.
Heavy sigh. I suppose I am evil then. Whatever.
Mike Baron was treated very badly by the city of Greensboro (alas, he’s in a very long line). He was hired to do a “green” job (before “green” was cool) that wound up directly interferring with Greensboro’s plans to hog water and profit over what it hogged.
As I understand it, in the wake of what the city did to him, his career and personal life was literally destroyed. But hey, why don’t we in the GSO “blogging community” (I hesitate to use those two words together) pound-some-more-crap out of him.
You mentioned “recent, repeated droughts”. This sentence alone (from Mike’s blog) should give you pause: “Greensboro downsized its water conservation program after my termination in 1999 and then ended the WC program around 2004.”
Ending a water conservation program in the face of drought makes total sense to this “booger-eating moron”.
The established fact is that the Randleman Dam project has yet to deliver one drop of its precious “potable” water to anyone anywhere . . . much less the citizens of the town where it was built (which was always a bit of a sticking point for me). Recreational activities (boating and fishing) remain severely restricted. Most of the locals I know do not even know how to get to the “damned dam”.
Mike Baron is yet another unfortunate soul with a complicated story to tell (i.e. 100 words or less cannot do it justice) who was gullible and naive enough to buy into John Robinson’s empty “citizen journalism” rhetoric.
Fec, I said this at Mike’s (http://damscam.blogspot.com/2009/10/proof-that-news-records-dam.html) and I’ll say it here: I don’t know why I expect better from you, but I do. Mike has indicated that he has terminal cancer. I think it’s quite understandable that he might want to be vindicated before he dies. I know all-too-well what it’s like to be treated like dirt (for doing the right thing and telling the truth) by a bunch of greedy, lying, corrupt mill-town-booger-eaters . . . and then be ignored and crapped-on by the powers-that-be (simply because they can). I certainly understand Mike’s frustration with local/state government and the press.
And/so, although I had resolved not to come back (because it is simply not in my nature to “behave”), I’m compelled to openly call you on this post and your conclusions.
The “criminally insane” bit is reprehensible. It ranks right up there with Edward Cone calling a woman with brain cancer, “batshit crazy”.
You/Lex are better than that. At least I thought you were.
I hope you and George have a good nap. Maybe you won’t be so “petulant” when you wake up.
Vie de Malchance:
You wrote that I “don’t have a leg to stand on” but you’ve offered no rebuttal to ANY my well documented charges.
What is your take on my water chart that details water use (water sales) from 1995 to 2009? Do you dismiss it because it’s fiction?… or are my numbers correct? You didn’t say.
Did Greensboro’s forecast of future water needs come true?… or was the forecast a fabrication to justify the Randleman Dam? You didn’t say.
Has water use declined over 15 years?… or has it increased? You didn’t say.
Are citizens informed? …or are they misinformed as shown in my phone survey? You didn’t say.
Has Greensboro eliminated its award-winning water conservation program?… or expanded it? You didn’t say.
Is Greensboro expanding its water resources by 75% while water use has been declining since 1995?….or is that fiction too? You didn’t say.
Dr. J, cancer is but one of Mike Baron’s problems and does not excuse his behavior. Nor does it mitigate for Madame Justice. I once called you a whack job and stand by that opinion. You’re like peas in a pod, spreading ill will and refusing repeated offers of peace. Your hate consumes you and that makes you evil. It’s a personal choice. Good riddance.
Mr. Baron, I am not concerned with the repeated specifics of your rants. Greensboro, like all communities, needs increased access to potable water. To deny that is insane. To make charges against those professionals who work hard everyday to provide us with clean water is criminal. Your story makes no sense. Therefore, you are a whack job.
Obviously, the nap didn’t help.
Re: “Peace”. Not all of us will take it/make it at any price. Besides, I’m not here to talk about Cone.
Back on topic. You’re not concerned with the specifics of Mike’s story. Translation: you really don’t care about established facts.
That’s just un-Fec-worthy.
You can (and probably will) call me every name in your book, (you’ll notice I don’t return the favor). But I still believe you are better than this post and these comments.
And away I go . . . to spread more “ill-will” and “evil”.
Fec:
You wrote, “Greensboro, like all communities, needs increased access to potable water. To deny that is insane.”
Your above claim is ridiculous. Your illogic is based on an assumption that communities will always need more and more water. That’s faulty. Some New York cities and towns are losing population. Will they need more water?…or less water? According to you they need more water and to deny that is “insane.” Ghost towns don’t need any water at all.
Water use is GOING DOWN in Greensboro and, 1. You don’t know it, 2. You will probably deny it, and 3. You don’t know why.
There are 2 good reasons why water use is declining. First and foremost, manufacturing – Greensboro BEST water customer – continues its departure to the Far East. A textile mill that no longer uses a million-gallons-of-Greensboro-water-a-day makes a huge difference!
Second, as the price of water INCREASES, water use DECREASES. Greensboro solved its summertime peak demand problem by really soaking people who water their lawns. The lawn-watering problem was solved through hefty price increases. Greensboro COULD have solved that problem in the mid-nineties but it preferred to keep the reservoirs very low …until the Randleman Dam was approved.
Low reservoirs were Greensboro’s best and most visual argument for the Randleman Dam. Reservoirs were kept low on purpose. I saw how it was done. I blew the whistle on a fraud in the making.
There should be a 3rd reason why water demand is declining – conservation – but the WC program no longer exists in Greensboro. Between 1999 and 2004 Greensboro eliminated its water conservation staff and budget. Why?…because Greensboro needs to SELL MORE water, not conserve it. Water sales have been suffering ever since 1995! That’s why Greensboro must charge more for water now – because big industry has stopped using it. Residential customers must make up for the lost revenue.
People have been tricked and misinformed by the city’s water-shortage propaganda. Everyone (97%) FALSELY believes water use is INCREASING. NO!-it is DECREASING and the city is concealing this fact so the Randleman Dam remains unchallenged and the dam scammers never get caught in their lie.
There it is. Any questions?
If you are new to this debate simple Google 2 words – dam scam – and Google will take you to the Greensboro water fraud.
Mike J Baron
Greensboro’s only water conservation manager
Fec-the-terrible, if you’re not concerned with the specifics then what in the world are you doing commenting on this situation. You obviously have a bias from the beginning. When businesses that leave a community stop using such a massive amount of water that would make consumption go down. I smell a rat here and it seems like the rat is in the thick of some financial benefit to keep his eyes closed.
Mike, I think what Fec is trying to say here is that as long as GSO gets what its wants . . . i.e. potable water (not now, but at some distant point in the future) and PROFIT at the expense of the communities that (1) host the dam and (2) are south of the dam . . . nevermind your blood at the bottom of the lake.
Unfortunately, a lot of people in this ether can live with that. The rest of us are whack-jobs.
I appreciate your comments. I will concede that perhaps the lakes north of town were artificially lowered during droughts. Still, I must maintain hope that the decline in manufacturing is temporary. Acquiring additional sources will seem prudent when industry returns. Additionally, the pursuit of clean water for a community lying at the top of the Cape Fear River Basin makes tremendous sense. If the powers that be gamed the supply to enhance the appearance of need, so what? If we don’t currently need the water, we will in time to come. Fundamentally, your argument holds no merit.
Mary, your cynical view of reality has no value.
BTW wonderbrains, Mt. Kilimanjaro has lost 85% of its ice cap and polar bears are drowning for lack of habitat. If climate change is a reality and evidence mounts daily to confirm it, clean water will become our most valuable resource.
I suppose Atlanta’s Water Dept. also artificially lowered Lake Lanier?
With the newly ratified Modified Lake Jordan Rules, property developers will not be required to construct riparian buffers, conserving storm water runoff. Instead, they will pay offsets, a perpetual property tax, so they can pretend to repair wetlands downstream.
We lack rivers and underground aquifers. We don’t even have access to seawater for desalination. I suppose we could reconstitute our urine like the guy in Waterworld.
My God, I know chicken and cattle farmers who don’t raise animals because their wells run dry in summer.
Fec, while I have no doubt that one day we will need the water (if only to support the burgeoning population of the increasingly entitled), barring divine intervention, I don’t maintain the same hope for the return of manufacturing that you do.
My view is actually not so cynical, Fec. Reality is (and you’re bearing it out with your arguments here) that the end justifies the means here in Piedmont North Carolina. It always has.
Now that you bring it up, I know of local cattle farmers (“right people”) who’ve dump the dead carcases of their animals in Asheboro’s city lake. You see, a short while after I went public on my original website (in 2004), I took a series of calls from a young man who had witnessed the ugly goings-on (he leased property near the dump site). He was terrified – for threats had been made against he and his family, and the Sherrif’s Department was in on the intimidation. He did not have the means or the mettle to put up much of a fight. I did not have the resources or connections to help him. He was forced out.
There’s a lot to be cynical about in Randolph County – including and especially our infamous “damned damn”. The story this terrified young man told me gives the term “fresh water” a whole new meaning.
But hey, keep toting the water for those GSO city “professionals” who killed a successful water conservation program in the face of shortage and drought.
As I said before, Mike Baron was “green” before “green” was cool. He has a legitimate beef with the GSO profit-mongers who will one day charge the bejesus out of everyone for miles around for their potable water – assuming they ever get that processing plant built in High Point.
OBTW, in terms of spreading “evil” and “ill-will”, I haven’t been the same since that house fell on my sister.
dr mary: sorry about your sister, but the insurance company calls that an act of god. consider yourself lucky. they would not have paid a dime if it was flood damage. good luck getting those ruby slippers back from that bitch, Dorothy.
Dr. J., thanks for the nonsensically meaningless anecdote. Just like Joe Guarino, you chase ghosts that don’t exist. Good luck with that.
I am reminded you can’t argue with a crazy person.
The reason why I keep on publishing the same WATER USE CHART again and again is because none of you have dared to post a single comment about it. Why? Do you bloggers accept the CHART numbers?…or do you challenge them? You haven’t said. The CHART is the tip of the iceberg and what’s below the surface is dam damaging.
My WATER USE CHART reveals what the City of Greensboro and the News & Record have been concealing from citizens for over a decade! The CHART is the “smoking gun” of the entire water fraud. Rather than address the CHART my adversaries prefer to toss invectives. The longer you ignore the facts the better this story becomes!
John Q. Public sees my CHART and his “light comes on” while Greensboro’s elite media and Greensboro’s elite bloggers marvel at the Greensboro Water Emperor’s new clothes. I have documented the truth and all you elites will look pretty dam ignorant when it finally surfaces.
Today at http://www.damscam.blogspot.com I will begin soliciting comments about the CHART and nothing but the CHART! Please feel free to refrain from commenting and keep up the name calling because your aberrant behavior is attracting more and more people to the water fraud story. Dam Scam received 70 page views yesterday thanks to you!
Mr. Baron, I do not dispute the veracity of your vaunted chart. However, I am not an elite blogger. I am, however, stomping around in your shit and have, from day one, told you I think you are mistaken in your logic.
I am sorry you lost your job. Please try to move on.
“polar bears are drowning for lack of habitat.”
What a load of horseshit. You have watched that bleeding heart, stupid polar bear TV commercial one too many times. Stop drinking the Kool Aid.
You’re gonna be sorry when all the polar bears are gone.
I haven’t commented at Mike’s blog because there is some kind of technical issue that makes it impossible for me to comment on Blogspot blogs that utilize the pull-down “select a profile.”
As Mike notes, textile manufacturing once accounted for a majority of Greensboro’s daily water consumption. Water use projections that did not anticipate their decline were simply wrong, not nefarious, in my opinion. Should Greensboro encourage people to conserve water. Yes, of course. Do the water works operate as a “profit center” for the City. It appears so, and the consequences of that, such as the insatiable appetite to bring more and more customers online and the incessant squeezing of the residential customer for more and more revenue are negative consequences. But disagreeable policies are not proof of conspiracy and not all of their results, such as building the Randleman reservoir, are objectionable just because they came about through a sloppy process.
That’s a lot better than what I had.