Some people can't read.

[Sinclair]

There is a yellow box above with a list of the policies that this board has gone by for qiute a few years now. There have been those in the past that have tried to get around these policies and we had to add moderators to check postings before they could appear. With the workload of rebuilding after Frances and Jeanne we opened the board assuming that everyone knew and would abide by the rules, they are not there for frivolous reasons. Anyway it seems there are some who are trying to change the nature of this board, as soon as I have a few minutes to spare we're re-instituting pre posting moderation. Note the the Abaconian is now on the web and has an active section for "Letters to the Editor".

And if one thinks this is the place to slam a business or establishment that operates out here, we have a phrase

"Abaco is Not for Sissies (http://www.abacotoday.com/Forum/For_you.htm)"

It's not our job to handle disputes but we do sometimes get involved privately and I've found that good faith on both sides invariably leads to acceptable resolutions. Those that try to use this board as a public forum in such matters have very little sympathy from us.

Sinclair

[peterodgers]

are your referring to the political postings or to the commercail postings or to both ???

[PatW]

Is it because we are SLAMMING a company that will do irrepairable damage to a reef that will effect us all??? You are a fisherman Sinc, I would think you would be the first person to see and understand what we are trying to do here! Have you even read what we are trying to get out there?
But no problem, we have the capabilty to still get the word out and we will do it, with or without the Abaco Message Board.

Pat Weatherford


There is a yellow box above with a list of the policies that this board has gone by for qiute a few years now. There have been those in the past that have tried to get around these policies and we had to add moderators to check postings before they could appear. With the workload of rebuilding after Frances and Jeanne we opened the board assuming that everyone knew and would abide by the rules, they are not there for frivolous reasons. Anyway it seems there are some who are trying to change the nature of this board, as soon as I have a few minutes to spare we're re-instituting pre posting moderation. Note the the Abaconian is now on the web and has an active section for "Letters to the Editor".

And if one thinks this is the place to slam a business or establishment that operates out here, we have a phrase

"Abaco is Not for Sissies (http://www.abacotoday.com/Forum/For_you.htm)"

It's not our job to handle disputes but we do sometimes get involved privately and I've found that good faith on both sides invariably leads to acceptable resolutions. Those that try to use this board as a public forum in such matters have very little sympathy from us.

Sinclair

[John]

Not sure which postings are being scutinized for violating policy, but I believe that some postings lately have used words that, for the sake of being polite, have been "un-family-like", downright vulgar, and NOT part of a "COMMUNITY" board. Just my opinion.

[BradW]

Sinclair,
This board was a great asset to me in planning my trips to Abaco, and I really do agree with your policies. However, there will always be some commercial and political component to any community. That is the very nature of "community". As the host, I know you don't want to get caught in any potential legal contests, which are sadly coming to many formerly free-swinging parts of the 'net.

I hope you will continue to be a bit free in your interpretation of both commercial and political subjects, while maintaining a friendly atmosphere. I got good references to local businesses on this board, and the current Guana Cay controversy is of real interest to many of us on the mainland as visitors to the area.

Overall, I have been very impressed at the generally respectful and cogent discussion surrounding what could be a very incendiary subject, even in the absence of any active moderator. Passions have been expressed, but in a much better and more wholesome manner than in many other 'net forums. I guess I got in a lick or two of my own, hopefully in a proper spirit, and as a visitor it is now my place to stand back and let the local parties work out their fates in whatever venues are proper.

Best of luck.

[tstrong@penuryhall.com]

Please keep checking www.saveguanacayreef.com (http://www.saveguanacayreef.com)

Shortly we may have a new forum up and running

[SamFamAustin]

Well I think Sinc has a valid point, although he might have posted a sticky saying "hey, all this discussion of dissing the Guana development has to go - use this link" or something like that. I've been on 4-5 boards like this and it seems to happen only about once a year, on every board I've ever seen. Otherwise, people seem to be real cool, well-mannered.

As a web administrator, he's not doing this because he has god-like powers (and he does, he can even disconnect accounts), but because he could get sued and have to pay a lot of money.

People need gentle reminders every now and then, since they can get caught up in the topic and think it's OK to keep posting on the same thread. It happens to me, too.
-Sam

[biggy]

It has been a long time since I have observed a father cooking in an iron pot for his family on a Sunday afternoon.I guess that way of life is gone,as everyone works 6 or 7 days a week here now,to maintain the " American style of life".How much foreign influence can these Cays handle,before they and the people that inhabit them,lose their identidy?

[SamFamAustin]

Amen, Biggy. Let me tell you a story about an Island - I won't mention the name - that had a big problem getting dependible electricity. All they had were two CAT generator engines and a stand-by that didn't work so good, and it smoked like a stove. So they brought in consultants, the US Department of Energy, the US Environmental Protection Agency, the Federal Energy Regulation commission, at least three regional agencies, and all kinds of know-it-all people who never had been to the island. They spent well over a million dollars in the process. Solar panels, wind turbines, an electric line to the mainland, and all kinds of whacky things were considered.

At the end of the day, there were three CAT engines and a still-smoking stand-by. The new generator engine cost about $65,000 at the time. The moral of the story is that you, as the locals, must act on your own without all this crazy interference.

As to the iron pot, my wife broke her leg bad so I like my Dutch oven pot real good. I wish I had some conch for fritters, though. Some people still follow the old ways, my friend. -Sam

[Erin]

Its sad for me to see how afarid everyone is. This community I live in has a real issue that they are trying to get people to understand. It appears that most on this board agree with savegauancayreef and what they are attempting to do. Yet, we are not allowed discuss.? Come on people! Please refer to Savegauancay reef.com for information regarding the effort. Just when we need all the help we can get, the board shuts us down. Thanks Sinc! All this time I thought we were allowed to discuss because you thought it was worth it. We may as well just keep our heads in the sand and depend on others to take care of our world. Allow this discussion!!!!! This is no joke, this is our world and your backyard!!! I am so disappointed in this board and in Sinclair but as Pat said we will find a way. E

[Joel]

A few years ago, we had a great community message board in my town. It was very informative and kept you up-to-date on what was happening in town. One day we were confronted with same type of issue that Guana is. It wasn't a reef, but a mountain people were concerned about. A company had plans to develop a resort on the mountain. Hotel, timeshares, golf course, shops, etc. A lot of residents opposed the project. Some wanted to save the trees and the wildlife. Some were just anti-business. Others were upset that it was a foreign company doing the development. On the other hand there were small businesses in town that needed the tourist dollars. Some people were looking for jobs at the complex. Others were happy that their own property value would increase. The board was flooded with posts, mostly against the project, but some in favor. I watched as the messages got harsher and then downright nasty. I even got sucked into it myself. The whole feel of the board changed and about a year later, it disappeared. I miss that old board.

Keep up the good work Sinc.

[Sinclair]

You didn't notice that there were two sets of topics I deleted, The bit about "Slamming" related to the second set. Quick, what was that second set all about?:p

[SoCalSue]

"slamming"

Drinking!

Oh wait, that was the 80's...

Never mind.....

[Abacoparrott]

the "second set" was not very important to anyone.......The "first set" sure was.......Ken

[SamFamAustin]

I get it ... it must be pornography!
No?
Man I hate these intelligence tests.

[PatW]

It was the one about the poor lady who tried to rent a house and found out it was damaged by the hurricanes. She tried to get her money back but isn't having any luck! Am I close?????



You didn't notice that there were two sets of topics I deleted, The bit about "Slamming" related to the second set. Quick, what was that second set all about?:p

[big fish]

Just an observation:
I don't believe Sinc said there couldn't be discussion, just no "slamming" of anyone. Heated rhetoric never solved anything.
You go Sinc!

[ncdd]

It was the one about the poor lady who tried to rent a house and found out it was damaged by the hurricanes. She tried to get her money
back but isn't having any luck! Am I close?????I agree with you Pat W!!!!!!!