Letters to the Editor in the Valley News, December, 2009

From Michelle Roy

Published Saturday, 26 December, 2009 (without last two paragraphs).

Dear VNews,

I was incredibly disturbed to read the front page article in Sunday's paper, "Gruff Guy with a Heart of Gold" by Gregory Trotter. The article paints Bob Pickering as a man who does good for the community and has a huge heart. It could not be any further from the truth. Mr. Pickering is a bigot, verbally abusive and physically threatening. I have personally experience this behavior myself.

People FEAR Mr. Pickering. I am most disturbed by Daniel Johnson's statements that what Mr. Pickering "does is so good." White River Junction has been working very hard to rebuild itself. The community is certainly open to diversity but Mr. Pickering is hostile to those diverse groups. He has negatively impacted businesses, not just Mr. Ford's.

It is also interesting that these comments supporting Mr. Pickering come from residents of Norwich and Wilder. I wonder if VN writer, Mr. Trotter, could taken the time to speak to residents of White River Junction. People, who have been the recipients of Mr. Pickerings verbal abuse and threats.

Finally, I would encourage those who support Mr. Pickering and believe he just needs "a little love" to help him relocate to their town and set up his shop there. Then he can be closer to you and you can give him all the love he needs.

This is not about helping others with differing social backgrounds, Mr. Johnson. This is about citizens of WRJ NOT supporting abusive, homophobic, racist, bigots that negatively impact a small village trying to get back on its feet.

Michelle L. Roy, White River Junction, VT

From David F. Ford

Published Saturday, 26 December, 2009.

To the Editor:

In his Dec. 20 article about Bob and Elizabeth Pickering, reporter Greg Trotter left me wondering how much time he actually spent researching his article in downtown White River Junction—a downtown I both live and work in. I cant help but think that if he kept his ear a little closer to the ground down here, he might have found people who have endured taunts, threats, constant foul language and just plain bullying from the Pickerings in White River Junction—some of them for years.

Those people include: a Selectboard member and longtime downtown resident; the young people who frequent the Junction Teen Center; a local restaurant owner who can’t allow Pickering to help out in a anymore because of his behavior; students, teachers and administrators from the cartoon school; my neighbor, a School Board member; and my snow-plow driver, a man who has lived here his entire life. And those are just a few.

If you did talk to these local people, I sure couldn’t tell so from reading your article. In fact, I didn’t see a single quote from anyone who actually lives or grew up here in our downtown (except the few quotes from me that you did decide to use.) In an article about a "gruff" old man who gives away bikes to kids, it was surprising to see no quotes from local teens‚ who uniformly consider his behavior that of an ignorant bully. I’m well aware that journalists are no saints (neither am I, by the way) but I did think they were supposed to do their homework. I’m just bringing this up cause I’m curious — no, correct that; I’m flabbergasted! — and disappointed and disgusted at the one-sided nature of your shallow — yet quite lengthy — article.

David F. Ford, Director, Main Street Museum, and resident of Downtown White River Junction

From Linda Carbino

Published Tuesday 29 December, 2009

To The Editor:

I am writing about the Dec. 20 story "Gruff Guy With a Heart of Gold," about Bob Pickering, who runs a bike shop next to the Main Street Museum. I do agree that everyone should be able to do the work they love and contribute to the community as Bob does when he fixes up old bikes, sells them cheap or, sometimes, gives them away to those in need.

What I don't agree with is how his bad behavior is brushed off, as in, "He has had a rough life," or "He's not high on social skills," and laughed off as just part of the deal. His behavior—swearing and cursing and racial remarks—has got to stop. Yes, he is disabled, but that is not an excuse for his abusive remarks.

I also have had an encounter with Pickering yelling and cursing at me when I walked down the street. Why is his bad behavior being tolerated? Verbal abuse is still abuse and should be treated as such.

As far as David Ford goes, have you looked at what he has done for White River Junction? The firehouse is remarkable. The Main Street Museum is part of our history. I would like to thank David for working so hard to make the museum fun and an educational place for all. Stop by and visit him there. He loves to talk about the history of the museum and White River Junction.

From Ryan Hebert

Unpublished

"Ford has kept a written list of numerous alleged incidents, beginning in 2003, ranging from Pickering hectoring museum-goers who were using the parking lot to Pickering hurling racist and anti-gay slurs at museum patrons and employees."

I cannot figure out the point of your article on this man but the quote above seemed to me to be a parenthetical footnote about the character of Pickering. This is a problem. These numerous "alleged incidents" of such a hateful nature is not something to be played down in a feel-good, page-filling piece. In this, you lose the most basic sense of credibility. The tone of the piece rubbed me wrong. Thank you, Ryan Hebert

From Steve Bissette

Unpublished

Hello, Valley Folks,

While a heartwarming story of local citizens making good is always a plus in the Sunday paper before Christmas, I had a tough time equating Gregory Trotter's front-page article about Bob Pickering with my own experiences in White River Junction. While I applaud the work Mr. Pickering does with bicycles and his stated good intentions, his behavior and lack of social skills must be more than simply acknowledged. In a small town like White River, there's no getting around one's own less-than-pleasant interactions with Mr. Pickering.

As a frequent host of movie nights at the Main Street Museum, including a 2008 summer-long weekly film series, I have had first-hand experience with Mr. Pickering's verbal abuse concerning after-hours parking.

In a town working hard to built a cultural night life, the behavior of Mr. Pickering has at times proven counterproductive at best and offensive, even caustic at worst. Why it matters whether anyone is parked in an otherwise empty lot after business hours at the bike shop matters isn't the issue; dealing with verbal abuse and threats unless one moves one's vehicle is. If the owner of that building doesn't wish to tolerate after-hours parking, he can easily post the lot with proper signage, though I don't know why that would be an issue in a town as starved for attracting visitors as White River Junction. Cordial relations after-hours with potential customers could only aid the bicycle shop and other businesses in the building; instead, the lot is empty.

Frankly, Mr. Pickering has at times behaved like a junkyard dog, enforcing what I can only presume is his individual will. I have had to apologize to folks attending our occasional movie events for their own unwelcome, unprovoked confrontations with Mr. Pickering, and have in fact scaled back my booking events at the Main Street Museum due to the ongoing difficulties of dealing with the over-vigilance and ridiculous territorial imperatives Mr. Pickering plagues any such after-hours event with.

I can also personally testify as to Mr. Pickering's rude, abusive (and at times racist and homophobic) remarks to some of the CCS students and local teenagers which I've overheard, remarks that were in all cases I've witnessed unprovoked, unjustified and completely over the top.

Much as I wish it were otherwise, the fact is Mr. Pickering has made too many folks feel unwelcome -- even threatened -- in "his" little corner of White River Junction. Neighborly behavior should be reciprocal, and not only apply to bicycles or his customers. He's lost countless potential customers due to his after-hours, out-of-the-shop manner.

Again, I wish all this were otherwise, and I truly wish I weren't feeling the need to write this letter. I just wish everyone in WRJ could get along, and see the mutual benefits inherent in not creating problems where there needn't be any. While I wish Mr. and Mrs. Pickering the best, I can't act like the events that have helped to minimize my own involvement with the WRJ arts scene didn't happen.

Oh, well—Merry Christmas, one and all...

Stephen R. Bissette

From Chuck Forsman

Published Monday, 4 January, 2010:

He Really is Gruff. My first run-in with Bob Pickering ("Gruff Guy With Heart of Gold," Dec. 20) was around three years ago when I moved here from Pennsylvania. He yelled at me about where I parked my car. I later learned about him from other people in town. I may be an outsider, but I genuinely love White River Junction. I may have come for the cartoon school, but I stayed for the town. It's a shame a guy like Pickering can go around ac ting as he does unchecked. I see him almost every day as I walk around town running errands or walking to work, and he usually tried to stare me down with his scowl. Well, I just stare right back. Pickering probably thinks I'm OK because I am white and heterosexual. But I for one will never be his friend or shop at his bike store, and I tell everyone I meet not to shop there. It was a mistake for the Valley News to publish the article, especially since it reported "he's not all bad." He really is that bad.

Chuck Forsman, White River Junction.

Other Emails Received by the Museum

• 21.December.09: Yeah, it was a terrible article, no matter who it was about. What makes this newsworthy? I have my feelings about this guy, but no matter what they are, the article was extremely condescending, in my opinion. Who is this journalist to decide who has gold in his heart or not? It was all really stupid. Carry on with all the wonderful things you offer :)

• 21.December.09: I was impressed by the sainthood that was bestowed upon your neighbors--I suppose that the writer (aka fabulator) wanted to do a Christmas "feel good" piece on the "down and out"--you know, supporting local business. (lol) It was pretty empty journalism--or perhaps non-existent journalism. I hope you get your letter published in the VN as an antidote...

• 21.December.09: ...one day homophobia will be a relic of the past..when bigotry and stupidity disappear! I have no patience for it - but the younger generation seems to be more accepting so perhaps in 20 years it really will be a relic of the past - like woman not being allowed to vote. I don't read the Valley News - and our local rag-- The Concord Monitor is even worse- I am more worried about what I am going to have around to start my wood stove!

• 21.December.09: Whatsup with you?!! Clearly this guy is a local hero. An absolute gem. A heart of 24kt GOLD! Get over it! show the love... "All he needs is Love", to paraphrase both the valley news and the beatles. You just have to accept foul mouthed racist, anti-gay bigots as part of RIO BLANCO'S "diversity". Love and holiday cheer, David Powell, Burlington, Vermont.

• 21.December.09: "Bikes Get em while they're Red Hot Get them while they're Red Hot We got the bestest fence in town"

• 22.December.09: In the newspaper biz every story has to have a hook. In this case the options were "gruff but lovable old codger who gives away bicycles" or "angry homophobic moron who makes life miserable for his neighbors". The latter doesn't sound like a Christmas story, so they went with lovable old codger. Newspapers and news/facts have an uncomfortable relationship; feel-good stories are better for the circulation. I hope they will print your letter. You deserve respect for the very great benefits your Museum has brought to White River Junction and the entire area.

• 29.December.09: I have lived here (WRJ/Wilder) my entire life (52). I like what you guys are doing with downtown and hope It continues ... but like I said I'm pretty sure they were taking advantage of my friends mom. I have noticed them for years around town and stay clear of them at all cost. Keep up the good work with the downtown. PS > Its River City not Rio Blanco....RCRC River City Ruckus Crew

• 2.January.10: Rock on! I dumped the VN three years ago after using it to light my wood stove for years before that. I don’t miss it at all. (I did love Bill Craig's stuff, though.) I'm truly sorry that you and your friends and museum patrons have suffered abuse from your "neighbor" (you will note that I use the term loosely). Keep up the great work at the MSM, and in the wise words of my very laid-back twenty-something nephew, I say,"fuck the fuckin' fuckers." All best for the new year!

• 3.January.10: I would love to say I'm shocked at the Valley News' one sided reporting, but I too have had many differences with them in the past myself over a number of topics including my personal life. So reading your email (and then reading the original story) I can only wonder at the kind of coverage I would have gotten if there was literally a laundry list of "alleged accusations" against me during some of the events which prompted coverage. I'm going to guess that it would not have been so quickly summarized. In fact, it would have been the point of the article. Which from a journalistic point of view does make some sense. You think that kind of thing would spark some kind of interest by the writers. Hell, as an editor one would have thought that someone would say "anyone reading this is going to want to know the scope of this and you've left it out". But that story is all about a crotchety old man who has lead a hard life and continues to fight (for ... something?) and that we should love him in a kind of Disney way where his "heart of gold" is hidden behind .... hate. Or whatever. As you said, why let research get in the way of the story we want to write. So let's forgive ignore his offensive behavior, his groping of women and his outspoken racism. He says he gives kids bikes for free. I mean come on. If Polanski can get out of drugging and raping a girl by making good movies, then I think free bikes covers sexual harassment and vocal homophobia.....But I digress. The point of my email, dear David, is to simply say that even though I'm half way around the world in Siam, I'm behind you, and I wish there was more I could do to help. Good luck, stay strong, and most of all don't let this person bring you down, because that is what his disease does.

• 1.June.10: Bob is an absolute creep. I don't think I've written since the VN ran that article, but my husband and I (both former journalists) [had] been wanting to cancel our subscription, and that was an excellent time to do it. When the paper called to ask why we'd canceled, I told them it was because I support the Main Street Museum and feel that the paper hasn't given it proper attention and that the Bob article praised a man who has been divisive and scary while casting the museum and its director in an unfavorable light. They've called twice to try to seduce us back, asking again why we dropped them and I tell them the same thing. (This issue is, of course, a tough concept for their telemarketers to process.)Anyway, sorry to hear he's harassing visitors. You may recognize me as the one he vexed when I was trying to get into the museum with my children a couple of years ago. Also, just for your information, I'm sending a link to a local organization that provides bikes to people in need...doing the kind of service that the VN article tried to credit Bob for. http://newlifecycling.wordpress.com/

Hope to get over there soon for one of your programs. Keep up the great work.