Chamber of Commerce installs 50+ people as Officers, Directors and a bevy of other titled, mostly, volunteer positions. That is a lot of people who still have hope for this city. One would hope that a brain trust of business people like this Chamber could craft some solutions to revitalize Downtown. Crossed fingers.

Ellen, what you may not have thought about is the fact that these so called "business people" may not be so brainy after all. I will admit that I don't know all of them but for example when one touts Mr. Gillian as a "successful businessman" I have to wonder how difficult it it to be successful when basically you are the only game in town and had the only game in town handed down to you. Limited if any competition and doesn't his wife have a cushy public position with the town? If their were truly any "brains" on these committees and positions, the town would not be in such sad shape.

Was that nice. You don't even know my wife or I. My wife works hard and her experience speaks for itself
As for me, I have been working since 13, plus openned a new Amusement Park on my own.

One question, why not use your name ?

I did not mean to imply that you or your wife do not work hard. We all work hard, some harder than others. I choose not to use my real name due to the potential repercussions of agreeing/disagreeing with local sentiments on a variety of contentious topics. I'm not sure what I make of the mayor responding to posts on the Patch..........maybe it is just another forum to stay on top of what your constituents are thinking.

I would advise Jay and all other readers to discount the rantings of those posters who are so gutless that they're afraid to use their real names.

Just as I and other readers discount some of the rantings of other posters who choose to use their real names.

Regardless, you're still a coward !

If it makes you feel better to call names so be it. I would suggest that you don't read any of my comments since you feel so strongly against those who choose to use nicknames, etc. How do I know Jim Houck is your real name, how do I know anybody is using their "real name" and not making up names as they go along. Get over it and if it makes you feel better just read the posts from those who you believe are using their real names:)

There can't be a requirement to use real names for a few reasons (nearly impossible to know if the name is acutally the writer's, for example - though the forum could be run through another site, like Facebook. That helps but still does not assure accuracy). For what it's worth, I think under some circumstances, writing anonamously is fine (when having harmless fun, for example) and not OK under others. I think Beachy Keen's frequent personal attacks all call for her owning up to those comments. Her repercussions claim is lame. If she wants to make personal attacks in a public forum she should be willing to deal with repursussions. Based on this I join Jim Houck in calling Beachy Keen a coward.

Beachy Keen you make more negative comments about OC and the "Locals" then anyother poster. You complain about taxes when OC has one of the lowest rates in the area. I will not be rude and say you should move out if your are so unhappy but WHY did you move here to this horrible place in the first place? Hope you enjoyed the great day in OC today. Great day to live at the beach and in OC.

Sam and Bill, I'm sorry, if I am supposed to know who you are b/c you are using your "real" names, I don't know who you are. If and when the Patch changes its policy in that everyone must use their real name, then I will be happy to oblige. I don't see OC as the sublime Mayberry that some of you might and my comments are meant as musings or observations not personal attacks against individuals. I don't think that OC is horrible, however, I do think a lot needs to change so that it is sustainable for the future. Not that it is any of your business but I moved here for convenience and b/c I thought that a small town would be more honest and of higher integrity than the larger community I was in previously. I did indeed enjoy my day today and perhaps I will run into you both at the new yogurt shop tomorrow:)

Ms. Kean - I used my real name (the accuracy can always be in doubt as I said in my first post) mainly because I attacked you peronally. Your response is - typically - for you - off point, nonsensical, and silly. And cowardly, madam.

All dat aside...Congrats to Brian. I've spoken with him a few times and he seems like a very bright, capable, and nice person. And chicks dig his Alec Baldwin-like good looks. Good luck, Brian.

Beachy, I hold no ill will towards you and will not attack you. Having said that, I do believe that you write many things on Patch without much thought. Your post re: the Mayor and his wife was mean spirited (and factually innacurate). They are good people and don't deserve that type of comment. (You should apologize) Though you have every "right" to write whatever you please, in the future you should really consider what you write before you post. Or maybe this isn't the right medium for you.

That's rich. AJ says she will not attack Ms, Keen and then goes about attacking her (and does it anonymously).

I really think that some of you take this OC Patch thing way too seriously. I enjoy reading most of the posts as I find them to be entertaining. Eveyone is entitled to their opinions and comments. I don't take anything that is said by others as personal attacks as the posts are as varied as the topics. Have a great day and post away!

Just a note. I previously used my real name on another billboard and some nut tracked me to my work and started calling at night and leaving messages to the point that I notified the police. I know that is not common, but it is food for thought.

Hey Beachey - that's one peachy M.O.: Visciously attack people in this public form, anonymously to boot, get way-overdue heat for it, ignore the completely legitimate criticism, insult the critics as sanctimonious, and then dismiss the entire matter as just some wholesome, light-hearted fun. I suppose that works for you and other nitwits, but not for this here nitwit. It's effect on me is to supplement my impression of you as a coward with the impression that may be missing a few vital pieces.

Salt E Water - Some rationalization for your anonymity. Billions of peope have suffiered consequences for owning up to their beliefs, even knowing that it could cost them everything, including their lives. And they did it in the name of honorable beliefs and actions - not to anonymously attack others with little or no basis in fact or reason. I am not at all persuaded by your example.

Sam, Couldn't agree more with your observations. Beachy is by far the most cynical & negative poster on this site & is always in attack mode. Now, all of a sudden, when there's heat, it was all in fun & we take his Patch posts too seriously? Beachy has just reinforced our point & Beachy's not really all that Keen!

Beachy,
I don't know the mayor other to just recognize him when I see him in public. Several years ago before Mrs. Gillian was Mrs. Gillian, I had the opportunity to do some volunteer work with Mark Soifer, and consequently, with Mrs. Gillian who worked with Mark at that time. FYI, she worked hard and was excellant at her job. She earned her current position.

As for Mayor Gillan's business sense, it appears to me that his amusement facility has performed well under his hand, and he has expanded to Wonderland South.

You two are still on this? What I said, if you go back and read, is that I find the posts "entertaining and that some take this too seriously". Obviously, you two are in the "way too seriously" category based on your out of context comments. Glad to see that you have a sense of humor Jim and Sam if it makes you feel better to use your "real name" to call me names then knock yourself out. Actually, right now I find this hilarious! I didn't realize that my "nit wit" musings would get such a rise out of both of you. I think you both may take yourselves too seriously. Try having some fun. That's all I have to say on the matter.

Parker--thanks for chiming in. Being relatively new to OC, I find it somewhat reassuring to know that those making the decisions are hard working and qualified.

BK - Interesting and disconcerting to me that you consider slandering the Mayor and his wife, along with all of your other personal and organizational attacks, as lighthearted and fun. Your twisted mind can now be at rest; I'm through responding to your continued cowardly and mean spirited posts. And I hope that you now recognize that your critics extend well beyond Sam & I.

Ms. Kean - I do get some small amount of pleasure from calling you out as the coward and nitwit you are. But I tingle all over with joy each time you inadvertantly reinforce those impressions with your responses. Ahhhhhhh....give me more, i want i want i need

Good for you, Sam & Jim. I really dislike the annoymous postings. Everyone should own up to your comments!