I'd like to clear something up, based on a couple questions I received today.  There seems to be a rumor going around that DCSki has recently deleted posts about Timberline Resort.

Let me state this as clearly as possible: no.  I have not deleted any posts.

In 20 years of running DCSki, there have only been a few occasions where it was necessary to delete posts.  The most recent instance, in the Spring of 2014, a few posts contained factually incorrect information that appeared to be posted with malicious intent.  After performing an investigation, I took action as diplomatically as possible and publicly explained the action I had taken, taking care not to call out any individuals who had spread the misinformation.

Since then, I haven't removed, edited, or censored a single post.

Not one.

I'm not sure how this rumor got started or why it's being spread.  Perhaps it's because I asked readers to try to tone down the snark in some recent threads.  And, it appears there's a rumor that I've recently deleted accounts; the only account I've deleted in the past year was from a spammer who snuck into DCSki.

If you think there is a problem with a post you made, please contact me.  You'll find my e-mail address here: http://www.dcski.com/about/contact.php.  DCSki logs every post, edit, and deletion.  In checking the logs, there have been 10 posts deleted in the past couple weeks, and in each case they were deleted by the original author.  (See log excerpt below.)

I've run DCSki with integrity and poured countless, unpaid hours into creating a community that supports polite and lively discussion about Mid-Atlantic winter sports.  On the rare occasions where I've had to intervene, I've always publicly explained my position, any actions I've taken, and why I've taken them.  So it's a little discouraging that some readers would assume there's some kind of censorship happening; it's extremely frustrating to be falsely accused.  I appreciate that two people contacted me today with a question and if anyone notices something odd, I encourage them to contact me.

+----------+--------------------------------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| username | subject                                    | note                                         |
+----------+--------------------------------------------+----------------------------------------------+
| JohnL    | TLine closing date                         | Deleted by JohnL at 2015-02-09 19:18:30.     |
| Tucker   | sold out                                   | Deleted by Tucker at 2015-02-09 18:14:16.    |
| fishnski | Timberline Launches "Snowfunding" Campaign | Deleted by fishnski at 2015-02-07 00:25:47.  |
| fishnski | Timberline Launches "Snowfunding" Campaign | Deleted by fishnski at 2015-02-07 00:25:40.  |
| fishnski | Timberline Launches "Snowfunding" Campaign | Deleted by fishnski at 2015-01-30 19:51:28.  |
| chaga    | Timberline Launches "Snowfunding" Campaign | Deleted by chaga at 2015-01-29 15:24:44.     |
| Tucker   | Timberline Launches "Snowfunding" Campaign | Deleted by Tucker at 2015-01-29 10:51:59.    |
| Bumps    | Breckenridge on the cheap                  | Deleted by Bumps at 2015-01-28 01:04:49.     |
| camp     | test thread                                | Deleted by camp at 2015-01-27 07:00:31.      |
| camp     | first time to Holiday Valley               | Deleted by camp at 2015-01-20 09:34:46.      |
+----------+--------------------------------------------+----------------------------------------------+
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Scott, 

Your efforts are truly appreciated!  Now it would just snow in the Mid-A I think we all would feel better!

The Colonel

Well that certainly seems to set the record straight.  I'm glad I waited before coming to my own conclusions about what was going on with the posts in those threads.

I personally would like to thank you for your patience and efforts in keeping this site going. You will have the winers, and complainers and the people who feel obligated to shove their politics down your throat. It's just the way the world is. I guess we all feel passionate about our sport and perhaps it may incite a little emotion at times. Your baby, DCSKI, is growing with some pain. Please don't throw out the baby with the bath water. Thanks again.

As I look into this further, it's becoming harder for me to continue assuming good intent.  I assumed some of these posts were immediately deleted by the authors because they had second thoughts about posting them, and I invite them to clarify that this was the case.  But it looks like some were posted, given enough time to be "seen," and then deleted some time later so people would wonder where they went.  I sure hope that wasn't the case.  I've wasted enough time on this tonight; not how I wanted to spend my evening.

Sorry that's been the case, Scott.  

The freedom that internet communication offers can bring out out the less admirable qualities of a few individuals, causing countless difficulties for those, like you, who make sites like DCSki available for free but with considerable expense and effort on your part.  The information about ski areas, conversations about conditions and equipment, and material about ski history have had a huge positive influence on my enjoyment of skiing here in the Mid-Atlantic region.  And I've met some great people -- mostly online but several in person -- as a result.  My thanks to you and to all who post with good intent.

Woody

Scott, Thank you for the responses and clarifications. You are correct that I should have discussed any concerns directly with you, and I apologize for that. Thank you also for personally taking the time to contact me directly to let me know that I had been “locked out” of the site automatically for reasons unrelated to the content of posts on this site and for then taking the time to provide the details of that information to me.

Scott, I know this place isn't a madhouse but do you have any other moderators here to help out?  Even the lowest traffic sites aren't easy to manage single handedly all the time 24/7.  I'm on one skateboard forum that has dwindled down to only about a dozen regulars and most if us are moderators hahaha.  I'm not volunteering as I'm not that familiar with the vibe here yet and have my hands full with roles on other forums and very large facebook groups.  Just sayin' maybe sharing some of the load would reduce the stress and also freeze down the rumor mill when something wierd like that happens.

Scott wrote:

As I look into this further, it's becoming harder for me to continue assuming good intent.  I assumed some of these posts were immediately deleted by the authors because they had second thoughts about posting them, and I invite them to clarify that this was the case.  But it looks like some were posted, given enough time to be "seen," and then deleted some time later so people would wonder where they went.  I sure hope that wasn't the case.  I've wasted enough time on this tonight; not how I wanted to spend my evening.

?

I deleted my one post because I was too lazy to send a PM when I should have sent a PM. Private communication shouldn't clutter up a discussion board. I wouldn't read any more into it.

I am now personally conducting 99 percent of my communications concerning Timberline backchannel. At this point, that is the best course of action because there are too many diagreements about what constituents appropriate public discussion. So as much as I can (I'm sure something will bring me back for a post or two on the subject), I'm trying to stay outta this one on DCSki. Life's too short.

And the post I made after my deleted post should probably be deleted also, but I ain't touching that one right now. Oh well.

JohnL wrote:

And the post I made after my deleted post should probably be deleted also, but I ain't touching that one right now. Oh well.

Buy more sticky notes... Much easier to touch. :)

I don't exactly remember why I deleted the post. I sometimes delete posts if on hind site I think I put too much personal information or I messed something up. I think in this case it was one of the pictures being way too large or something.

As the person taht started the crowdfunding thread, looks like the thread really took off after the last two weeks. Sorry if it went in a negative direction, although, at some level someone at Timberline needs to hear what these folks are saying, whether it's biting or not. But agree with making sure it stays respectful as possible. 

Thanks for your work on the site and forum. Much appreciated. 

 

You show good customer service going above and beyond to explain things.  I do not think however you need to waste that many cycles in the future explaining why you may need to delete posts on occasion.  Especially in today's age where everyone is in a state of perpetual outrage over everything, everyone is to blame for everything, and there is a pill for everything - including the things that the previous pill caused....