NMGenWeb Documents

Copied from Internet, sites now extinct, authored by Karen Mitchell.

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Document #1 Document #2 Document #3 Document #4 Document #5

DOCUMENT #1

Due to the insistence of Charles Barnum in trying to make people think that NMGenWeb needed, and wanted rules and regulations, a message was sent to every NM CC on June 4, 2006 asking the following questions:

----- Original Message -----

From: Karen Mitchell

Sent: Sunday, June 04, 2006 2:52 PM

To all NM CC's:

Do you want a new State Coordinator?

Do you want written rules for NM?

Thanks,

Karen Mitchell

New Mexico State Coordinator

km1109@ghvalley.net

The following responses were received:

----- Original Message -----

From: Angela Lewis

To: Karen Mitchell

Sent: Sunday, June 04, 2006 2:53 PM

Subject: Re: Bernalillo County

Karen,

I think you are doing a great job as State Coordinator. I do not want rules for NM. We have done fine without them for many years and I see no reason to change now.

Angela Lewis

NMGenWeb Bernalillo County

NMGenWeb San Miguel County

**********

----- Original Message -----

From: Tom and Donna

To: Karen Mitchell

Sent: Sunday, June 04, 2006 2:57 PM

Subject: Re: Catron County

No and no.

Less is more.

Tom

**********

----- Original Message -----

From: Harold Kilmer

To: Karen Mitchell

Sent: Sunday, June 04, 2006 3:28 PM

Subject: Re: Curry County

No I do not want a new SC.

No I do not want any more written rules for NMGenWeb.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Harold Kilmer, Coordinator for Curry, De Baca, Guadalupe,

Lea, Quay and Roosevelt Counties in the great state of

New Mexico. All of these counties are linked to:

http://rootsweb.com/~nmcurry/index.html

**********

----- Original Message -----

From: SantaFeCoNM@aol.com

To: km1109@ghvalley.net

Sent: Sunday, June 04, 2006 4:55 PM

Subject: Re: Santa Fe County

I don't have much room to speak, as I am new, however, with my experience with the State Coordinator, I am immensely pleased! As for written rules, I do think that might be helpful, especially for new people, but then again, like I said, I am new so I am still working my way around.

J. Myles Felihkatubbe,

County Coordinator

Santa Fe County (NM) : http://www.rootsweb.com/%7Enmsantaf/

**********

----- Original Message -----

From: Susan Bellomo

To: Karen Mitchell

Sent: Sunday, June 04, 2006 5:23 PM

Subject: Re: Chaves County

No. I like the SC we have and I do not see the need for formalized rules. They are an excuse to take the focus away from genealogy when "someone" wants attention.

**********

----- Original Message -----

From: vasosi counties

To: Karen Mitchell

Sent: Sunday, June 04, 2006 6:54 PM

Subject: Re: Sierra County

hi karen, been some weeks since i check emails. i am tryng to answer allt his evening (hoping). this issue sounds as charles is up to no good. you are doing a find job from what i have seen. we have been laidback inthe running of NMGenWeb, with the exception when charles is boried and wants to start trouble. i completely delete any emails from him from the time he started threating and harassing when the death index project started. i do not see any changes needed - well maybe get some kind of senture (spelled incorrectly) when someone just wants to start trouble (an idea???). i am happy with status quo. bye for now, sam-quito

**********

----- Original Message -----

From: Richard Wilkinson

To: Karen Mitchell

Sent: Sunday, June 04, 2006 9:08 PM

Subject: Re: Eddy County

----- Original Message -----

From: Karen Mitchell

To: jrrrr@zianet.com

Sent: Sunday, June 04, 2006 2:51 PM

Subject: Eddy County

To all NM CC's:

Do you want a new State Coordinator? [Richard replies: No]

Do you want written rules for NM? [Richard Replies: Rules are better understood when written.]

Thanks,

Karen Mitchell

New Mexico State Coordinator

km1109@ghvalley.net

**********

----- Original Message -----

From: Elsa Altshool

To: Karen Mitchell

Sent: Sunday, June 04, 2006 11:04 PM

Subject: Re: Dona Ana County

No, everything's fine. But I can't make a web page.

----- Original Message -----

From: Patricia Bennett

To: 'Karen Mitchell'

Sent: Tuesday, June 06, 2006 9:01 AM

Subject: RE: Grant County...from Karen

No and don't care.

**********

----- Original Message -----

From: Kellie Crnkovich

To: Karen Mitchell

Sent: Wednesday, June 07, 2006 11:07 AM

Subject: Re: Colfax County

For Colfax and Union County. I do not want a new State Coordinator. I think Karen does an Awsome job. I am not sure what kind of rules we need the USGenWeb Project already has rules in place.

Kellie

**********

----- Original Message -----

From: James Sorrell

To: "Karen Mitchell"

Sent: Thursday, June 08, 2006 2:27 AM

Subject: RE: Hi James

I don't care if we have a new SC or written rules. What ever everyone else would like is fine with me. If everyone does and it can work out fine then that's great. If there is going to be turmoil like it is so often, then I do not want to be involved or hear about it. That may be harsh but it is very tedious and unproductive. All it has done in the past is cause too many people to be mad at each other.

James

**********

----- Original Message -----

From: Edward A. Black, Sr.

To: Karen Mitchell

Sent: Thursday, June 08, 2006 9:02 AM

Subject: Re: Hi Edward

I am pleased with you as SC. Written rules are ok with me

Sincerely,

Edward, Sr.

**********

As CC of Taos County, I do not want a new SC, but if it comes to that, I will relinquish the position. No, I don't think written rules are necessary.

Karen Mitchell

**********

------ Original Message -----

From: LEHEINE@aol.com

To: km1109@ghvalley.net

Sent: Monday, June 12, 2006 4:40 PM

Subject: (no subject)

Things seem to be going fine with the present coordinator & rules. A lot of work hard is put in, & the complaints get stranger & stranger!

Lois From Los Alamos

**********

*Summary:

Total number of New Mexico County Coordinators: 16 *

Question #1. Do you want a new SC?

13 no, 1 don't care

Question #2. Do you want written rules?

9 no, 3 yes, 2 don't care

*Conclusion:*

By majority vote the County Coordinators of NMGenWeb do not want a new State Coordinator. By majority vote the County Coordinators of NMGenWeb do not want written rules.

Signed this date, June 8, 2006.

Karen Mitchell

New Mexico State Coordinator

DOCUMENT #2

LAW SUITS AND THREATS BY CHARLES BARNUM

This is a sampling of the threats of law suits in his own words. It also shows he has filed grievances against all 3 of the State Coordinators since he joined NMGW.

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Date sent: Wed, 13 Jun 2001 15:02:58 -0700

From: Charlie

Subject: Member's Official Complaint

To: tstowell@chattanooga.net

Copies to: Leon Moya , ryangb@nvbell.net

13 June 2001

Official Complaint

To GenWeb, Home Office

My name is Charles Barnum. I am the Courtly Coordinator for Lincoln County New Mexico GenWeb at http://www.usgennet.org/usa/nm/county/lincoln/ r>

I have several concerns about the New Mexico GenWeb project.

First: I have asked to have my website inspected by the appropriate NMGenWeb Official to be sure it meets all of the GenWeb Requirements for websites. The State Coordinator via the NMgen-L message list recently stated he has a hands-off policy concerning website content. That is in direct conflict with GenWeb policy as stated below: from http://www.usgenweb.org/official/bylaws.html Section 3. It shall be the responsibility of each state organization to ensure that the state project is in ompliance with the stated bylaws of The USGenWeb Project.

Section 6. It shall be the responsibility of each state project to periodically review local-level project websites to ensure compliance with The USGenWeb Project/XXGenWeb Project established guidelines/standards.

Section 7. The state project shall have the responsibility to remove any links to websites which fail to meet The USGenWeb Project/XXGenWeb Project established guidelines/standards.

Further to those requirements it states a representative who will not or can not enforce the rules must be removed: Section 10. If a State Coordinator is unable to perform his/her duties, the Assistant State Coordinator, or other support team, shall serve until an election can take place within the state. In the case of state projects with more than one Assistant State Coordinator, they shall choose one among themselves to serve in the interim.

I request that either the State Coordinator comply with the rules or be removed. It is a fact he has been ill for months and unable to control or supervise which is evident by the out-of-control nature of NMGenWeb which used to be run smoothly.

Second Complaint: Favoritism.

A certain cliquish atmosphere has developed at NMGenWeb. On the message board for county coordinators and volunteers some people have preferred treatment. I was personally embarrassed Because I used a "signature line" which simply stated Support CAUSE. CAUSE is an anti-junk non-profit association which I belong to in the state of Nevada. I was told on the email list--in public-- by the Assistant State Coordinator that the NM mailing list did not exist to promote My special projects. HOWEVER, other members were not restricted. One gentleman uses a number of signature lines stating he collects Postage stamps for charity, he is webmaster of various websites and is the manager of the New Mexico Death Index project. He was not Admonished in public at all.

If the mailing list can be used to promote some sites buy not others; that is flagrant discrimination. A case in point is the New Mexico Death Index Project. That manager has stated it is HIS personal project and not that of NMGenWeb. Then why is he allowed to promote it using the mailing list; while I am not allowed to promote GenNetwork.org which is a non-commercial association of non-Commercial genealogy websites.

Further to that mailing list. In the past it has been used to discuss politics, religion, gun control and jokes and personal agendas. I am in extreme opposition to the list being used for political causes. The membership took a stand that gun-control was bad. I happened to believe gun control is proper for the United States Congress to address. I was eventually told to shut up. The others who were Against gun control were not told to shut up. My sixteen year old nephew was murdered by a hand gun and I have as much right to defend gun Control as they do to oppose it. I only participate in those discussions once they are brought up by other members.

Censorship: In two specific cases I sent emails to the list in opposition of the subjects being agreed upon. My posts never were aired. I can only assume some type of censorship exists. I have no direct knowledge of this nor can I explain how it could be accomplished. I only know it happened.

That concludes my Official Complaint as a NMGenWeb Member. I do have one other issue that I must seek counsel on before I proceed with a possible class action, but that is not a subject for this current email.

Your Official handling of this matter is greatly appreciated.

Charles Barnum,

ryangb@nvbell.net

cc: Leon Moya

Bcc: --

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From: Tim Stowell tstowell@chattanooga.net

Subject: [Board-Exec] Now this makes more sense

Date: Thu, 14 Jun 2001 01:22:52 -0400

Subject: Member's Official Complaint

To: tstowell@chattanooga.net

Cc: Leon Moya , ryangb@nvbell.net

13 June 2001

Official Complaint

To GenWeb, Home Office

My name is Charles Barnum. I am the Courtly Coordinator for Lincoln County New Mexico GenWeb at http://www.usgenn et.or g/usa/nm/county/lincoln/

I have several concerns about the New Mexico GenWeb project

First: I have asked to have my website inspected by the appropriate NMGenWeb Official to be sure it meets all of the GenWeb requirements for websites.

The State Coordinator via the NMgen-L message list recently stated he has a hands-off policy concerning website content That is in direct conflict with GenWeb policy as stated below: from http://www.usgenweb .org/ official/bylaws.html

Section 3. It shall be the responsibility of each state organization to ensure that the state project is in compliance with the stated bylaws of The USGenWeb Project.

Section 7. The state project shall have the responsibility to remove any links to websites which fail to meet The USGenWeb Project/XXGenWeb Project established guidelines/standards.

Further to those requirements it states a representative who will not or can not enforce the rules must be removed:

Section 10. If a State Coordinator is unable to perform his/her duties, the Assistant State Coordinator, or other support team, shall serve until an election can take place within the state. In the case of state projects with more than one Assistant State Coordinator, they shall choose one among themselves to serve in the interim.

Second Complaint: Favoritism A certain cliquish atmosphere has developed at NMGenWeb.

On the message board for county coordinators and volunteers some people have preferred treatment.

I was personally embarrassed because I used a "signature line" which simply stated Support CAUSE.

CAUSE is an anti-junk non-profit association which I belong to in the state of Nevada. I was told on the email list--in public-- by the Assistant State Coordinator that the NM mailing list did not exist to promote my special projects.

HOWEVER, other members were not restricted. One gentleman uses a number of signature lines stating he collects postage stamps for charity, he is webmaster of various websites and is the manager of the New Mexico Death Index project. He was not admonished in public at all.

Further to that mailing list. In the past it has been used to discuss politics, religion, gun control and jokes and personal agendas. I am in extreme opposition to the list being used for political causes. The membership took a stand that gun-control was bad. I happened to believe gun control is proper for the United States Congress to address. I was eventually told to shut up. The others who were against gun control were not told to shut up. My sixteen year old nephew was murdered by a hand gun and I have as much right to defend gun control as they do to oppose it. I only participate in those discussions once they are brought up by other members.

Your Official handling of this matter is greatly appreciated.

Charles Barnum,

ryangb@nvbell.net

cc: Leon Moya

Bcc: --

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-------Original Message-------

From: Charlie

Date: Friday, June 15, 2001 03:52:29 PM

To: mzwhiz@mindless.com

Subject: CC needs advice

Dear Arizona County Coordinator,

My name is Charles Barnum, I'm the CC for Lincoln County, New Mexico. I am writing to many CC's in Arizona because your state is a sister-state being next to New Mexico and I lived in Arizona for many years. I hope I might find a friendly Arizona CC who can help me in New Mexico.

I do not want to make a long story here, but let me say that since I questioned certain policy matters at New Mexico GenWeb I have been made an out-cast, slandered and ridiculed in the NMgen-l message boards assumably with the consent of the State Coordinator and the Assistant State Coordinator since they have taken no action to stop the personal attacks.

The issue is basically my contention that NMGenWeb must operate by USGenWeb Bylaws. The majority say we can ignore the USGenWeb bylaws. I say we must comply with them fully.

If you have any advice how I can proceed or can recommend an attorney to help stop the slander against me, please get back to me.

Thank you.

Charles Barnum, CC Lincoln County NM

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Date: Sat, 16 Jun 2001 10:59:34 -0700

From: Charlie ryangb@nvbell.net

Subject: Thank you, Aveli.

To: tstowell@chattanooga.net

Aveli,

I do appreciate your kind remarks, thank you. However, I have no personal friction with any individual. It is an unresponsive system with which I have problems.

I will no longer use the NMgen-l for communicating except for strictly official business.

I have received some private emails containing vulgar language and which were vicious. This has saddened me so much that I'm currently under heavy medication.

After I regain my composure, I have decided to form an Independent Association of Gen Web County Coordinators. This will be a non-profit world-wide association of any CC who wishes to join. Its purpose will be to assist CC's who feel they have been mistreated in any manner by elected officials, or if their complaints--which entrenched elected officials, refuse to address. I realize this will be very expensive to set up messages board and association homepage, but the cost is many thousands of dollars below what a CC would have to spend in order to take his complaint to a legal court. My advisor told me yesterday it would cost a minimum of $30,000 for me to bring suit for slander. So you see, most CC's are at the mercy of the elected officials who have the backing of a very powerful GenWeb. CC's need independent representation.

Thanks again,

I may contact you in the near future concerning our association. I will eventually contact every CC in America and then reach out to other countries.

Charles Barnum

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From: "Charlie and Janet"

To:

Cc: ;

Subject: Re: Remove my Copyrighted material (Pat #136887)

Date: Saturday, October 20, 2001 9:47 PM

Subject: New Mexico Lincoln County Archives Project

Rootsweb.COM Help Desk:

Thank you for your reply, Pat. I

do not understand what "authored by the USGenWeb," means in your statement below. It was created by Gina Heffernan who I thought was associated with rootsweb.COM is some officail capacity. Regardless,

The archives site is on the rootsweb.COM server, not USGenWeb or USGenNet.

For Susan Bellomo's information who is the new SC of NM, my original email to rootsweb.COM help desk stated I did not want any material from my Lincoln County NM GenWeb site displayed on any web page associated with Gina Heffernan, who appears to be in charge of that rootsweb.COM sponsored web page.

My Lincoln County web site is on USGenNet's server, a non-profit organization, at http://www.usgennet.org/usa/nm/county/lincoln/ (not rootsweb.COM or USGenWeb) My web site happens to belong to NMGenWeb which I suppose if part of USGenWeb, but I fail to see what USGenWeb or USGenNet has to do with rootsweb.COM.

The NM Archives web page is on Rootsweb.COM at http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/nm/lincoln.htm which is a commercial organization (rootsweb.COM) which is owned by MyFamily.COM, a commercial company.

SUSAN: If your are in charge on New Mexico GenWeb now, please direct Gina Heffernan to remove all Lincoln County NMGenWeb material from the archive site, UNLESS that action would mean I get kicked out of NMGenWeb. I do not wish to correspond with Gina, because in her last email to me she called me a bigot and said she was going on the list to tell everyone I was a bigot, which I am not. I have been waiting for her to make that charge in public at which time I intend to respond with every legal means available to me.

If you must wait until January 1, 2002 before you officially take charge, I am willing to wait until then, as we both know Leon is no longer active in NMGenWeb business. He is reportedly ill and should be left in peace.

As I mentioned to you earlier, I do not wish to use the NM List further, and want all of my business with NMGenWeb to be kept confidential, because I have no desire to exchange heated words with any associate of NMGenWeb which may lead to legal action.

Copy: Susan Bellomo

Charles Barnum, Lincoln County

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Delivered-To: sbellomo._.starband.net@gilat2home.prontomail.com

X-CustomSvr: 1.0

Date: Fri, 05 Apr 2002 16:04:43 -0800

From: Charlie and Janet ryangb@nvbell.net

Subject: email slander

To: sbellomo@bigfoot.com

X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 6.00.2600.0000

Hello to all NMGenWeb CC's and assistants and volunteers.

This is Charles Barnum. Recently I sent an email to a person who had contributed a cemetery survey to the archives. The CC of the corresponding County sent an email to me. Here is part of that message with all names and extraneous text removed.

Quote: ___, this guy's is a LARGE pain in the butt. I already told him no, because he is duplicating the work Rootsweb has already accomplished. He just thinks that no one can put up a better web site than he and he's done a much better job than Rootsweb. It seems funny to me that the most ignored and neglected county in New Mexico, is such a bur under this guy's hide.

About Charlie, I'll talk it over with my New Mexico GenWeb friends and see just who and how to answer him.

End quote:

My Original message will be provided upon request. Here is my answer to the person who sent the emails about me. Since he said he would be contacting NM CC's, I feel it is a must that I also contact the CC and all volunteers. The individual who wrote that email to a third party, has a duplicate website of his county. I assume it must be okay for him, but not for others.

Hi xxx xxxxxxx,

To answer your charges in your email which you sent to a third party:

1..I have never received an answer to my request from the person mentioned in your email.

2..Sorry you think I'm a pain in the butt. But I have no control over your emotions.

3..I don't agree Lincoln County web site is the most ignored site at GenWeb. I help researchers everyday. Your statement is a lie.

4..I will continue to ask people to donate material to a private web site. This is not a matter for NMGenWeb. I send private emails to people each day asking them to donate material and people have donated a large amount of material to the other site. I obtained their email address from public web sties. Your statement about talking it over with your NMGenWeb friends (your words) to do something (about me) has no validity or force. This is not a matter for NMGenWeb to consider.

5..As for the statement on the root$web.com cemetery archives, It is very confusing. But, I do not appreciate your telling people I'm a pain in the butt, that my website is rundown, or inferring that I've done something wrong or against the NMGenWeb bylaws. Or telling them I have a bur under my hide because my NM GenWeb Lincoln County web site is inferior. All that is a lie.

6..I strongly reject your inference that a CC has authority to say "no" to a submitter of material to the archives preventing him/her from donating that material to another party or website. If that person does not wish to donate it, that is his choice, not yours. Your statement that you already told me "no" in this matter is a lie.

7.. Your statement, "He just thinks that no one can put up a better web site than he and he's done a much better job than Rootsweb." is a lie.

Just so you will understand, I will continue to vigorously solicit material form any sources I wish.

I will send the person in question another email. I do not need your permission to email anyone.

I will also send this email to the other NMGenWeb CC's and all volunteers. This is still a free county where free speech is practiced. Further, I don't want you sending emails to the CC's slandering me without my input. I have said several times I would cooperate in any way possible with other webmasters to help NM researchers. I will not let you or anyone else send emails to third parties without answering your false charges. There have been several instances of people sending emails to third parties slandering me, and I'm growing tired of it. But if you think I'm going away, think again.

Have a great day XXX XXXXXX. If I can help you in any way concerning genealogy, please let me know. Otherwise, kindly keep your nose out of my business.

Charles Barnum

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At 02:29 PM 6/1/2002 -0700, Charles wrote:

The Tax ID issue can get confusing, and as far as I know, no stateGenWeb organization has incorporated. Two states have obtained Tax Id numbers in the mistaken belief that it created some type of ownership for the project. That was done to keep an individual from claiming ownership of the state name when he obtained a domain name for it as .com, and .org. and .net. Getting a tax id number in the state or with this IRS merely assigns that number to the organization and does nothing more.

In that one particular state, a non-member did in fact obtain all of the available domain names for that state (and 30 more!). That does not establish ownership of the stateGenWeb organization at all. Obtaining a tax ID (EIN) or trademark or servicemark does not establish ownership either. USGenWeb owns the rights to all of the xxGenWeb organizations.

There can be no doubt about ownership, and in that state I mentioned, they have now realized that the tax id numbers and servicemarks were not necessary. They should have obtained an attorney's opinion to explain the facts before getting into those areas. It had been an issue for two years in that state causing tremendous hard feelings because some members objected to getting the Tax ID and servicemark in the first place, especially since it was obtained under the name of a member.

The liability issue will be tested one day. In most states an association can be liable because of the actions of its elected officials while acting as officials. It does not matter if they are a club, association, or are un-incorporated. But If they are incorporated, the civil action will extend only to the corporation, but individual officers can be held accountable, such as in the case of Enron. But no share holder can be sued for the acts of the officers if incorporated.

Someday there may be a suit against a state organization if the elected representatives allows or participates in slander or name calling of a member, or if they do not take steps to stop it from occurring on their official discussion-list. I'm sure there are 6 million attorneys who'd love to take a case against an organization with hundreds / thousands of members who may become liable.

There have already been a number of slander lawsuits filed against other organizations and individuals where message boards and forums were involved. One may not say another person is dishonest on a forum, nor harass him/her just because it is on a message board or forum without risking civil action.

Next issue: I've seen the following statement floating around as if it proved that the states MUST get an ID number:

According to United States Code, any organization or affiliate making such a claim should register with the Internal Revenue Service and proclaim its "filing status". i.e. obtain a tax number.

Okay, where does it say that in the code? I have read the Code and spent considerable time with an IRS agent. I have the book at my side of my keyboard at this time. The regulations are 29 pages in length. Taking a few words out of the tax code as was done above, is what got the other state in trouble. Is above a quote or just someone's opinion? Don't believe everything you read, including me.

The point I want to make is, that statement above has been quoted as the requirement to register and get a tax number. HOWEVER, no organization MUST make a claim to the IRS or to the state they represent. It is voluntary. Neither the IRS nor the State cares if an organization wishes to be recognized as a non-profit organization. That is the organization's own decision, and it is not mandatory, nor do the USGenWeb bylaws say it is mandatory. Even if a stateGenWeb organization registered, what purpose would it serve? We do not collect money, nor buy and sell products.

My two cents worth. Two cents doesn't buy much however.

Charles B.

=========

Thank you for sharing your research, Charles. It points out the difficulty in taking something out of context.

You did a thorough job of explaining possible consequences and the experiences of a couple other states.

Litigation is not something we want to contemplate, and I am confident that NMGenWeb volunteers have no intention of creating cause for a suit to be entered.

I appreciate your diligent research. Thank you once again.

Susan

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To Richard Wilkinson and Patti Pennington:

date 2002

Hi,

My name is Charles Barnum. I own the website New Mexico Genealogy.org. I was informed today by a volunteer that our official logo was being used on your Eddy County NMGenWeb page. I own the copyright and trademark to the image displayed on your Eddy County website at http://www.rootsweb.com/~nmeddy/eddyfiles.html which you list as image http://www.rootsweb.com/~nmeddy/NewMexicoLogo_2.gif . I paid a professional artist to design that image specifically for NMG.org. My web site carries ample warning that all images are copyrighted. I'd appreciate it if you removed the image promptly.

Thank you for your attention in this matter.

Secondly, the bat image which you use is same image from my Eddy County website. Your image designation http://www.rootsweb.com/~nmeddy/Bats.gif , my designation is http://www.newmexicogenealogy.org/~nmgeddy/BAT2.GIF

I entered into an arrangement with the author of that image in order to display it on my Eddy County Web site. I have no way of knowing if you have compensated the author to use the image, but if not, since I have entered into an agreement with him it would be best if you either got permission from the author or removed the image.

Again, thank you for your attention concerning this matter.

Charles Barnum

CC Eddy County NMGenWeb

Co-CC Eddy County NMGenWeb

Copy, SC NMGenWeb

Blind Copy: President AHGP

Blind Copy: Webmaster, NM AHGP

Blind Copy: Owner, Bat2.gif

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----- Original Message -----

From: Gen

To: nmgen-l@usroots.com

Cc: Charles

Sent: Sunday, August 03, 2003 11:31 AM

Subject: NMGEN-L: List Administrator / Complaint Violation of Acceptable use Policy by Karen Mitchell:

This is a formal complaint concerning the recent posts to this email list by Karen Mitchell.

Her posts violate the Acceptable Use Policy required by Ancestry.com. Her calling me a liar on this list violates the Acceptable Use Policy for these lists.

Her reproducing private emails from me in part or paraphrased without my permission on this list is in violation of Ancestry.com acceptable use policy. Reproducing posts on this list or any other list that were taken from any other email list is a violation of Acceptable Use Policy required by Ancestry.com.

Using the email lists for personal attacks of any type is a violation of Ancestry.com acceptable use policy.

Her original post asking for people to contact me because of an alleged problem that I sent her repeated emails was in itself in violation of the acceptable use policy of Ancestry.com. She had other ways to contact me without going public. She could have even contacted me using the Taos Email List which she claims I was not banned from, but she instead used this email list for a wider audience since it is more widely subscribed. She is in fact the List Administrator for Taos Co., but chose not to use it. Also, I did answer all her private emails but she was deleting them as she has stated in her previous post. That was a problem created by her, not me.

I'm asking that the list administrator instruct Karen Mitchell to stop all slanderous emails about me immediately. I ask that she be instructed not to refer to me directly nor indirectly in any further correspondence on this list or any other list owned by or operated by rootsweb.com or Ancestry.com, nor to reproduce, misquote, or paraphrase any further emails sent privately to her or any other person in part or whole or refer to them in any manner without my expressed permission which I do not give. Doing so is not only unethical but a violation of the Acceptable Use Policies of Ancestry.com.

A copy of this request will be sent to the legal offices of Ancestry.com and to rootsweb.com. as a courtesy with a copy for my personal attorney.

Thank you for your consideration of my request to stop any further attempt by anyone to turn this email list into another bickering list. These lists are to be used exclusively for genealogy researcher under the Acceptable Use Policies of Ancestry.com.

Charles Barnum

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----- Original Message -----

From: "nmgen"

To: "Bosque Lover"

Sent: Wednesday, November 19, 2003 5:35 AM

Subject: Re: Election?

Hello, Bettie.

This time we haven't had the threats of lawsuits and legal action yet. This individual wants his way. People are afraid to speak up on mailing lists for fear of attack. He has aggravated almost everyone in NMGenWeb and cannot work with anyone unless he is in complete control.

Before I could consent to any mediation, I would want the approval of the rest of group. He wants to halt the election until we agree to do what he wants the way he wants. He must dictate, not cooperate.

He has overseen the loading of a lot of valuable data for researchers to use online, and I've lauded him publicly for his accomplishments. However, I do not know of anyone who would serve on a committee with him (I'm included in that group.) unless it's the two new CCs that he brought in as co CCs when Pat Smith left, having discussed turning over his two counties to Charles beforehand.

I think it would be less divisive of the group as a whole to let him have his right to free speech, but to proceed. His diatribes push people away from participation, and this I regret deeply. He's an angry person just waiting to erupt, in my experience.

NMGenWeb is a smaller, more independent group that is willing to do anything to help our customers, but most are not enamored of procedure and ritual in governance.

That's my view.

He had threatened to take it to the AB if we didn't listen to him and comply.

Thank you for your comments.

Susan

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From: Charles

Subject: Re: [NMGENWEB] the other NM website

Date: Wed, 23 Jun 2004 14:09:41 -0700 (PDT)

In-Reply-To: <40D9CB6E.E3450633@kingmanaz.net>

Hi Glory Bee,

My new email address is jcnreno@sbcglobal.net

I'd be happy to answer any questions concerning any web site created by me via private email. However, I have not created any new web sites recently.

I am currently building a new web site that will become effective after the close of the election. It is for the discussion of USGenWeb issues to find solutions, not scapegoats. It is for discussing ideas without the personal attacks, intimidation and slander that some people use to silence new ideas. It will have a moderated email list to filter out slander, personal attacks and character assassination. This will be an alternative to an existing email list that promotes hatred, lies, slander, personal attacks, and sorted bigotry against USGenWeb and individuals.

Election:

I highly recommend that voters consider voting for Don Kelly. Don is a proven leader, a man of integrity, honesty and is one of the hardest workers in USGenWeb with considerable experience in USGenWeb government. He does not associate with known haters of the Archives and rootsweb.com who wish to tear down USGenWeb. Don will make a great National Coordinator. This is an extremely important year for USGenWeb. Don't throw your vote away by not voting, or by voting for a person who can not win. Consider Don Kelly for your new NC.

Recent news:

I have for some time been in a discussion with rootsweb.com concerning discrimination by some county email list administrators. A minority of those county list administrators mistakenly believe that the county lists belong to them or belong to USGenWeb. But other people have joined in my complaint and we finally got a just ruling. Here is that ruling:

From:

To: Sent: Tuesday, June 22, 2004 12:42 PM

Subject: Purpose of County Lists This is a reminder to everyone who maintains a county mailing list at RootsWeb: RootsWeb does not create county lists that only promote one or two projects. Our county lists are for all projects to post relevant information. AHGP, ALHN, USGenWeb messages, etc. pertaining to the county, are permitted on our county lists. If this is not acceptable to you, please email listmaster@rootsweb.com with the name of the list(s) and and we find a new list administrator for the RootsWeb list.

Vicki Thauvin

RootsWeb Staff

vicki@rootsweb.com

(end quote)

I welcome this ruling. Finally, once and for all, it declares that the county lists are public lists and not the personal toys of a few. I'm happy to know that the great majority of NM county list managers do not discriminate against any other projects like NM ALHN by misusing or restricting their lists. I do have a concern that some of the current NM County email lists currently have a tag line that reads, XXCounty, NMGenWeb. I hope all those taglines are removed or else they also include a tagline for NM ALHN and AHGP and W.O.W., NMGS, and all the other genealogical organizations in NM. Failure to do so is a form of restriction for which I will file a formal protest with rootsweb.com in due time to correct.

These county email lists are not to be confused with Project Lists, such as this list. Project lists come under different rules. Project Lists are for a particular Project; County lists are Public lists.

Charles Barnum

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----- Original Message -----

From: Charles

To: Susan Bellomo

Sent: Monday, June 28, 2004 10:08 AM

Subject: Re: Courtesty Copy NM email lists

Susan, I assume from your email that you are the list administrator for Lincoln Co. The fact that the Lincoln Co emil list has a tag line for a NMGenWeb related web it favors USGenWeb over the other projects. That is exactly what rootsweb.com states is not allowed. I'll appeal to rootsweb.com. Nothing personal here. I wish you well. Charles Barnum

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----- Original Message -----

From: Charles

To: Susan Bellomo

Sent: Wednesday, October 27, 2004 7:18 PM

Subject: Advisory, Web Site

October 17, 2004

To whom it may concern.

There are some vicious individuals who have been waging a war against me since I brought up the logo issue. I am proud that I brought up the logo issue. I still do not believe in merged county or state web pages.

As for the web site( http://onebatcave.blogspot.com/ )now being contributed to my authorship; I am in no way associated with that web site, directly or indirectly. It is not mine. I had no knowledge about it until the accusations began flying at me today. If it were mine, I'd put my name on it.

As for being denied the position of County Coordinator in any state currently or in the future, I intend to press ahead with all of the strength and tools at my disposal. I will spare no effort to counter those illegal actions of Discrimination because of my political views or opinions.

Article IV makes it clear that discrimination by USGenWeb is forbidden:

ARTICLE IV. MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. The only requirement for membership in The USGenWeb Project is a desire to assist in gathering and disseminating genealogical and historical information for free online access by researchers.

Section 2. The USGenWeb Project is an equal opportunity organization and will not tolerate discrimination in any form because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, etc.

end quote:

Notice the words: "will not tolerate any form..." and the final word "etc". These are all inclusive against discrimination, unequivocally.

The wording of this anti-discrimination bylaw applies to any and all discrimination including political discrimination. I meet all of the above requirements to be awarded the County Coordinator positions for which I have recently applied. I am a member in good standing, I have a desire to assist in gathering and disseminating genealogical and historical information for free online access by researchers. I have been active in genealogy for 42 years. I am competent in building web pages for the purpose of disseminating free, non-commercial information.

Charles Barnum

Permission is granted and I request that this message be displayed on Board-L and to all forwarded Advisory Board Members.

CC Council

http://www.rootsweb.com/~nmlincol/cc_council.htm

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ccouncil/

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----- Original Message -----

From: "Susan Bellomo"

To: "jcnreno"

Sent: Saturday, May 20, 2006 10:59 AM

Subject: Re: [NMGENWEB] Professional Elections

Every volunteer has the right to ask questions and make requests. When "requests" are not met, taking it to the national level as a demand for action and doing what the requestor deems is right does not foster cooperation, and it certainly creates stress for people involved.

It is my opinion that more people do not enter into discussion because they do not have an interest in politics and they do not want to get involved in interchanges that have involved threats of lawsuits in the past.

Intentions and effects are not the same thing. It is one thing to express an opinion and make a request. It is another to make demands and escalate them when no one else has expressed consensus.

I've only been around since late 1996 or early 1997 when I took over Otero County. The Wild Bunch in NMGenWeb, in my opinion (based on the 9 years I've communicated with our volunteers) prefers to limit the bureaucratic underpinnings of the organization in order to use time and energy to help researchers and to put available information on line.

The request has been made and noted. Now, let's get back to New Mexico genealogy on the list.

One of the things I love most about our volunteers is the wide variety of talents we have and the amazing contributions we have made!

Susan

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X-From_: jcnreno@sbcglobal.net Sat May 20 11:09:23 2006

Date: Sat, 20 May 2006 10:10:29 -0700 (PDT)

From: jcnreno

Subject: Character Assination on Puiblic email list Q

To: Angela Lewis

Off List:

Personal and Confidential:

Angela Lewis,

I will remind you that the NMGenWeb email list by previous orders of the State Coordinators is to used for NMGenWeb business. I will not stand by any longer to suffer personal assaults on my character on this public forum and the resulting mental anguish it has caused.

Please Provide the address as I requested by any method, phone, email, or mail.

Thank you,

Charles Barnum

1068 Pinewood DR

Sparks, NV 89434

email jcnreno@sbcglobal.net

775 331 3679

Copy: USGenWeb County Coordinator Representative

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----- Original Message -----

From: jcnreno

To: Karen Mitchell

Sent: Sunday, May 21, 2006 10:05 AM

Subject: Re: Your post

Karen Mitchell wrote:

Mr. Barnum,

You said:

" I know of no lawsuit involving NMGenWeb prior to today."

Would you please explain that statement? It leads one to believe that someone has threatened to sue you. As the NM SC, if another NM CC has threatened to sue you, I need to know about it if it is in relation to what you have said on the NM list. I have zero tolerance for that type of intimidation and it will not be tolerated. If my assumption is correct, that person will be delinked from NMGenWeb.

I may not always agree with you, but I will not condone anyone threatening to sue you based on anything you have said on the NM List.

Please excuse me if I have made the wrong assumption, but if you re-read your message you can understand why I came to that conclusion.

Karen Mitchell

New Mexico State Coordinator

km1109@ghvalley.net

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----- Original Message -----

From: jcnreno

To: Karen Mitchell

Cc: Bettie Wood ; Charles Barnum

Sent: Sunday, May 21, 2006 12:24 PM

Subject: Re: Your post

Karen Mitchell,

New Mexico (NMGenWeb) State Coordinator

Date: May 21, 2006

I received your email this morning. It took me by surprise.

To answer your question about the lawsuit, Susan Bellamo mentioned on the NMGenWeb Internet email list yesterday a “threat” of lawsuit. I had not heard anything about a lawsuit prior to her reference. I asked her what she referred to. She said she had seen an email at some point about some vague suit. I concluded her statement was hearsay and of no importance. I had no knowledge of it.

Your email comes one day after my decision to obtain legal counsel regarding the continued personal attacks on the NMGenWeb email list that is provide by rootsweb.com for the business of the NMGenWeb Project. A few members have used that list for personal attacks against me for years. For instance, Harold Kilmer, a NMGenWeb County Coordinator compared me to the Terrorists that blew up the Twin Towers on the NMGenWeb list after the twin towers attack. That was a disgusting character assignation. The list administrator took no corrective action in that instance and issued no list guidelines. Failure to control personal attacks on the list fosters continued personal attacks.

Yesterday, a member of NMGenWeb posted an unprovoked personal attack against me, stating I ran off Leon Moya, a founder of NMGenWeb. This was a blatant character assignation and it was completely false. After her post, Harold Kilmer said she was 100% correct. Her post followed my praising the previous State Coordinates for their contributions to NMGenWeb.

Leon Moya--the State Coordinator I referred to, stated on the email list at that time (years ago) that he would not run for office again because he wanted to spend time with his grandchildren since he had a serious heart attack. He did not say I ran him off; Nor, did I. I did inquire about holding an election as required under Section 10 of the USGenWeb Bylaws after Leon Moya became incapacitated.

A USGenWeb Advisory Board Member who I had contacted for guidance informed the NMGenWeb Project that elections were a requirement under the Bylaws. Some members opposed having an election for various reasons. The Assistant State Coordinator actually sent me a personal email saying, “You are fucking stupid.”

Currently, the new members of NMGenWeb would assume from the personal attack yesterday on the email list that I "ran off" Leon Moya and caused his heart attack. These false and poisoning remarks were improper and did not involve NMGenWeb Business. Those types of vicious posts should not be allowed on the NMGenWeb list and it is a violation of the terms of use set forth by rootsweb.com.

I decided to obtain an appointment with an attorney regarding this matter. I will no longer endure having my reputation damaged by hateful remarks posted on the NMGenWeb email list. The person who made those remarks on the email list will be notified by my attorney in accordance with the State and Federal law as it exists in Nevada regarding character assignation, Internet stalking, harassment and intentionally inflecting mental anguish. I will discuss with him my rights of bringing action in the Fourth Circuit District Federal Court, which is located in Reno Nevada. My attorney will notify the person involved in a lawful manner of his intended actions.

Back to your statement that members will be de-linked (expelled) in they threaten a lawsuit. Am I to understand that my seeking legal counsel to protect myself against further character assignation and damage to my reputation by continued irresponsible personal attacks on the email list shall result in action against me by NMGenWeb?

I have not threatened anyone with a lawsuit, I am pursuing legal recourse and it will be up to my attorney to decide the best course of action or to seek monetary damages for the mental anguish that person has caused.

I'm taking a copy of this email to my attorney after the appointment can be arranged. I'd appreciate knowing before the appointment if you are going to expel me from NMGenWeb for my seeking legal counsel and any subsequent legal options taken, so I can also discuss options with my attorney regarding this issue.

Charles Barnum,

Member in Good Standing of USGenWeb

County Coordinator, Lincoln County NMGenWeb, 1996-2006

CC: USGenWeb County Coordinator Representative

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Charles claim to the EC that he had resigned from NMGW: SHOWN THE DOOR: In other election news, our old friend Charles Barnum has been formally notified by the Election Committee that he is ineligible to run for office because of his brief accidental resignation. Apparently, the EC was unable to get timely confirmation on Charles' status from his SC and kicked the issue of his eligibility to the Board. The Board has decided to apply Sturgis, which is not an accepted parliamentary authority in any state but OHGW [as far as we know], to Charles' case and has determined that his resignation as a CC in NMGW and elsewhere was effective immediately upon receipt. We were unaware that Sturgis' rules were in effect in the sovereign states, but apparently they are. This could have most interesting repercussions should the Board choose to pursue its new-found authority

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http://www.nmroots.com/

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Signed this date, July 11, 2006.

Karen Mitchell

New Mexico State Coordinator

DOCUMENT #3

Comments about Charles Barnum before, during and after the delinking. (Not necessarily in chronological order).

Names will not be divulged to protect the parties from threats of law suits.

We will not have a circus here, and if that is not well received, Mr. Barnum can pack up his tent and his elephant and go find Mr. Bailey along with another venue.

**********

I agree with the unacceptable language offense. I also think that Mr. Barnum should be removed from any USGenWeb Project or Archives in order to keep our (USGernWeb) good standing in the Genealogical community.

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I am not going to give Charles the satisfaction of responding to him.

**********

Take care and don't let the circus barker give you a bad time. When he's not posturing, you can almost have a conversation if you're discussing genealogy or cacti. A rigid personality who requires by-the-book, detailed rules. I know he worked for the railroad. I wonder whether he served in the military as a clerk somewhere. Nonetheless, I'm very wary and careful when communicating with him.

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I don't read many of the List postings due to all of the bickering that seems to always be going on.

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I just LOVE how you don't put up with his crap!

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Maybe they need to hear that it's not only the CC's who have a rough time with Charles.

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Duking it out with him is to be avoided at all costs because he enjoys it, he will see to it that he delivers the maximum stress even if he has to conjure up some off-the-wall charges, and he will go after individuals as a means of "winning" his case.

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Don't let Charles get you riled, he is best dealt with in a calm, unruffled manner, it irritates him if he can't get someone "up" in arms.

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When "requests" are not met, taking it to the national level as a demand for action and doing what the requestor deems is right does not foster cooperation, and it certainly creates stress for people involved.

**********

He does demand his way or he escalates. That is why the majority of our volunteers refuse to speak up and why a few others have just gone away, in my opinion.

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There have been threats of lawsuits prior to today. I am relying solely on my memory at this point, which is usually excellent.

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He also threatened action when one of his messages sent to an individual was shared, claiming it was confidential.

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He's trying to force NM into writing up some guidelines/bylaws so he can engage in litigious wrangling and arguing over them in his idea of court.

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I know the feeling about having to post when such outrageous things are stated.

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Charles is 99% of the reason I didn't run for SC again.

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I don't know if he's mentally challenged or just ignorant as they come, but he runs the show thru fear and intimidation and is always claiming conspiracies and cliques.

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His conduct is what made me consider just walking away from everything. I have my own registered domain names where I can post information.

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Leon and Susan both! Who'd want to be a State Coordinator with this nut on the loose? I wonder if we could get him declared insane, based on his emails? This is the 4th or 5th time he's threatened lawsuit. I don't know whether he's the village idot or just so ignorant he hurts. (I've been re-reading all those emails....after one big long exchange about HIM calling for an election when Leon was going to bow out, he all of a sudden comes up with a reversal on his stand and bemoans his health as to why he's not going to continue about the election committee!)

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Perhaps someone will file a grievance against him and have him removed from the project.

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I have had run-ins with Charles several times, as have others.

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It is in the Projects best interest to delink him as a disruptive individual.

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I'd either put him on permanent moderated status or I'd remove him from the state. I think probably most people are sick of him.

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Time to get rid of Charles.

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I just don't like all this suit business. If Charles isn't with us anymore, than all that problem ends.

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I'm for getting rid of him.

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I agree with the de-link right now.

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The main problem is, he has threatened a couple of others off list about things such as logos and many will be afraid or unwilling to take a stand against him. They have felt the sting of his threats before. He is counting on striking fear into people's hearts.

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It is most expedient to delink Charles

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If you need to put this to rest, I'd delink him.

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I know what it's like to have to deal with Mr. Barnum's antics.

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I'd recommend setting up e-mail to bounce his messages, too, so he can't send nastygrams.

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Yeah! Let's have a party?

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Leon was too ill to take care of this, and Susan never did either. I’m glad to see it done, and I know everybody else in NMGenWeb is too.

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Hurray! When eradicating pests, extreme measures are sometimes needed. Nontoxic solutions are best if effective.

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I would go with the consensus of the CC’s. Mr. Barnum seems to only stir up a heated debate and most of it negatively; I have seen no posting as to his support.

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I think keeping him from causing such dissention in the NM project is justified.

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You did good.

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Thank you Karen. This is something that should have been done years ago. I look forward to rebuilding a good reputation for our state.

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In the last week or so, I've really been impressed with the way that you've handled things. You are a good SC.

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He's a pain in the ass and doesn't know how to behave.

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He probably thought that his intimidation tactics worked before and they'll keep on working.

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I bet you shocked the boots off of Charles. He's bullied, threatened, harassed and done everything possible to everybody for years, but nobody had ever really done anything about it.

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I'm quite thankful that you were in a position to do something about Charles. You're right, he's been such as ass for so many years.

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It is a great service to the project, I think, in spite of the transcriptions Charles provided, not to have to deal with his demands.

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I cannot tell you how many precious hours these antics have siphoned off the available time to work on adding material to Web sites and the stress it has caused many people.

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Glad to hear that Charles finally got the heave-ho. I think it was necessary as it appears that the older he gets, the worse he gets.

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Yeehaw! I think he finally dug a hole big enough to bury himself. In spite of the noisy few like Teresa Lindquist there are a lot of folks out there whom he has bashed verbally into silence.

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It saved a lot of repeat heartaches down the road. I know he has several other sites on Rootsweb, or he did. As long as NMGenWeb doesn't have to go through his conniptions again, whatever else he does is irrelevant.

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Success! Somebody else wrote an email on the list! Yeah! Proof that Charles had scared everybody away. They're coming back!

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I think people have been scared for so long and are really hesitant on writing to the list. Ding dong, the witch is gone.

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Just be thankful he's out of your hair. He doesn't like me....and that's putting it mildly. He may be such a conceited ass that he doesn't know the feeling is much more than mutual.

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It is still best that he was removed from the project. And Angela's memo. I did not read anywhere in it that she accused Charles of causing Leon's heart problems. He needs some reading lessons and some lessons in parliamentary procedure among other things.

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Charles' contentious behavior is 90% of the reason that so many people don't speak up or post on the list. Who needs the stress.

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Yeah, my inclination is to ignore Sir Charles. If he sees any response to his demand he'll start his raving again.

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I agree with ignoring Charles. No, let's just get rif of him permanentlly.

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Barnum's M.O. is to try scare tactics. He slipped up when he said something to the effect that he couldn't see why I wouldn't do something unless I were afraid. That's his aim.

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That guy is such a pain. UGGGGHHHH.

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You've done very well indeed.

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If there is going to be turmoil like it is so often, then I do not want to be involved or hear about it. That may be harsh but it is very tedious and unproductive. All it has done in the past is cause too many people to be mad at each other.

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I don't want to see New Mexico become a tangled web of rules just to satisfy people like Charles. The best thing you could have done was delink him.

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The vote is clear. Great work, Karen!

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Charles can't just follow instructions. He has to bring out 20 or 30 different ideas and demands that he has. This is supposed to let everyone know how important he is.

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Nuts to Charles, and to his cohort, Teresa Lindquist.

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Barnum demands attention like a spoiled 2-year-old. Ignoring him defuses that bomb most of the time. Once in a while you have to light the fuse, let him explode, and then sweep up the debris and throw it away.

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If he comes back, I'm leaving.

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Karen you have my vote of confidence for whatever you want to do.

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I think he needs removed from the New Mexico Project.

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The best thing that could happen is that Charles be kicked out, maybe then we could enjoy what we do without him always starting trouble.

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DOCUMENT #4

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Karen Mitchell

New Mexico State Coordinator

km1109@ghvalley.net

----- Original Message -----

From: "Karen Mitchell" km1109@ghvalley.net

To: NMGENWEB-L@rootsweb.com

Sent: Friday, May 19, 2006 11:10 PM

Subject: Re: [NMGENWEB] New Post

Mr. Barnum,

Below are your responses to my email:

Answer: The logo identifies the NMGenWeb project just as the USGenWeb

logos identify USGenWeb. It does not represent unity.

Answer: I have no written proof. Do you? The failure of knowing what was said one year ago or ten years ago is the very reason we need a web page of guidelines approved by the County Coordinators of NMGenWeb which will apply from one year to the next.

Answer: First: I have no desire to be the SC of NMGenWeb. Secondly: How do you know if the CCs do not want written guidelines if you do not ask them on this list? Your tone so far has not been contra-conductive for two-way communication. As a CC of NMGenWeb and a member in good standing in USGenWeb, I will continue to make REQUESTS to Advisory Board Members and voice my opinions on this and other forums.

Your message to Pat:

Leon, a true founder of NMGenWeb believed in a hands-off policy for CCs. He did not require very much of any CC except to follow the National Bylaws.

That is all I want. I want fair and uniform elections, term to term, regardless of who is running. NMGenWeb has not had a single professional election that I can recall. Making it up as we go along is just not right. We need a uniforn set of standards. Not restrictions, not marching orders.

The logo is a nice piece of art. I like it, but it was never made mandatory. If it is to be mandatory, we need to vote on it, and it needs to be stated in our guidelines.

Since I do not keep emails, I'd appreciate having a copy of Leon's message regarding this topic.

*** My replies:1. Whether the logo represents unity or not is an individual perspective. I think it does. Just my opinion.

2. I do not have any proof that the logo is mandatory or not, I didn't think I needed any beings I have never stated that it IS mandatory.

I simply made the comment "Also, I noticed some pages without the official NM logo. I think we all decided when it was made that we would use it on our sites, but if I'm wrong please correct me.

There's several pages out there without it. If you are not using it please let me know why so I can make a notation of it on my list."

No where in that statement does it say that anything is "mandatory". I have never used that term, although you have. In fact, I only asked for the courtesy of any of the CC's to let me know if they are not using the logo and why so I could note that, and not ask them about it again 6 months from now. There could be numerous reasons why a CC is not using the logo, to numerous to mention here.

3. Mr. Barnum, you are contradicting yourself and quite frankly I'm confused. First you say you want a "guidelines" page with everything written out, and then you say you want a "hands-off" policy. Which is it? Please help me understand this.

4. No, I don't know that the CC's do want a guidelines page, but then I don't know that they don't either. I respect the CC's as adults and feel if they want something changed they will speak up. I assume if they want one, they are going to tell me they do. Right from the beginning I expressed an open door policy, if anyone has any suggestions or comments, to please bring them to my attention. So far no one has said a word about a guidelines page, except you. If the majority of the CC's don't express that desire, I'm certainly not going to force it on them. Matter of fact, I haven't heard ANY complaints from anyone else.

5. As for my "tone", I have tried to answer your questions to the best of my ability. Whatever you are reading into that is up to you.

6. As a member of the project you are welcome to contact the Advisory Board members whenever you feel the need. I'm sure they love to hear from you. As for stating your opinions on this List, as long as it's not disruptive, you're welcome to do that too. All the CC's of NM have that same privilege. No one has said otherwise.

7. I do not know what you consider a "professional election", but I haven't seen any of the NM CC's complain about the way anything has been handled, so I would guess they appreciate not having the rules and regulations you are suggesting. Quite the contrary, it appears everyone is quite satisfied, except you. Your comments about "restrictions and marching orders" also confuse me. When did any of the New Mexico State Coordinators ever do this? I haven't seen any of them place "restrictions" upon the CC's, nor have I seen any of them give "marching orders". I do note that you have praised the preceding two SC's (Leon and Susan), giving them great accolades, even though you opposed them while they held the position, and yet now you say they didn't handle the elections correctly. Please explain this. There must be something I'm missing there and maybe something I could learn from, although I don't think so because in my opinion I think they both did a great job of being our SC. I, as well as many of the CC's, have truly appreciated the way Leon and Susan both stayed focused on the goal of the overall project, which is adding data to our websites for our researchers.

Karen Mitchell

New Mexico State Coordinator

km1109@ghvalley.net

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----- Original Message -----

From: "jcnreno" jcnreno@sbcglobal.net

To: NMGENWEB-L@rootsweb.com

Sent: Saturday, May 20, 2006 1:01 PM

Subject: Re: Fw: [NMGENWEB] Professional Elections

Susan said:

Reply: When questions are ignored on the state level a CC has no alternative but to go higher unless they are afraid.

Reply: I know of no lawsuit involving NMGenWeb prior to today. Is your statement a general statement or do you have specifics in mind?

Charles Barnum

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----- Original Message -----

From: "Angela Lewis" gen4nm@nmia.com

To: NMGENWEB-L@rootsweb.com

Sent: Saturday, May 20, 2006 9:04 AM

Subject: [NMGENWEB] Professional Elections

Good morning everyone --

Most of the CC's on this list have been around a lot longer than me, so I'm sure you know what happened before Leon got the position of State Coordinator for NMGenWeb. I came after he was already SC as I was one of his recruits, and that was in mid 1999. Charles, you seem to forget that you ran Leon out of office. True, he wasn't managing the helm at the time but that's because he was recuperating from a quadruple heart bypass in April 2000. While Leon was out, Capt Pat stepped up to the plate and took care of things, and that's when I got really involved as I was taking care of all the queries coming at state level. How strange to read your notes of praise for Leon. In fact, I'm going to send him your particular email because that'll probably give him a chuckle and lift his spirits. And yes, I'm still quite close with Leon and we still keep in touch.

Then came the professional election that was held, complete with an election committee of which I was a member. Everything was done on the up and up, open and honest with all members. Susan was the only person who ran for the State Coordinator's position and was elected. You raised all kinds of commotion before, during and after this election for all kinds of reasons, and then you wanted a vote anyway. Gee Charles, with nobody else running that just doesn't make any sense and I really don't care what kind of rule book you pull out of history. Speaking on behalf of many, I'm glad somebody ran for the position!!!

Susan did a great job during her tenure and after her term ended, the next professional election was held, and the same thing happened. This time, Karen was the only person who ran for the position. Same results from you.

Everybody else in NMGenWeb has always been pleased with the leadership, and the laid back way of doing business. So many of your emails want that, yet in other emails you're demanding rules. Charles, I suggest you read your emails thoroughly before you send them out as you continuously contradict yourself.

I had told you once that I would get into the issues, but frankly this time I felt that I needed to. Like I said, I haven't been around as long as many of you, but I've been around long enough to have a memory of your accusations and conduct towards Leon, Susan, and now Karen.

I recommend that you either run for office the next time (which you continue to insist that you don't want) or quit giving the incumbents such a hard time.

Thanks for listening,

Angela

NMGenWeb Bernalillo

NMGenWeb San Miguel

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----- Original Message -----

From: "Harold Kilmer" hkilmer@plateautel.net

To: NMGENWEB-L@rootsweb.com

Sent: Saturday, May 20, 2006 10:58 AM

Subject: Re: [NMGENWEB] Professional Elections

Angela your memo is 100%. Thanks for sending it.

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Harold Kilmer, Coordinator for Curry, De Baca, Guadalupe, Lea, Quay and

Roosevelt Counties in the great state of New Mexico. All of these

counties are linked to: http://rootsweb.com/~nmcurry/index.html

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----- Original Message -----

From: "Karen Mitchell" km1109@ghvalley.net

To: NMGENWEB-L@rootsweb.com

Sent: Saturday, May 20, 2006 10:25 PM

Subject: [NMGENWEB] WHEW!

Hi folks, I just got in a little while ago from a wonderful birthday party for my 3 year old and find quite a few emails concerning NM. Boy, you folks have been busy today! From guidelines, to Advisory Board, to lawsuits, and everything in between. SHEESH! Slow down, LOL.

I'm tired tonight and as none of these issues are life threatening I will try to answer them tomorrow after church, or at least by tomorrow night.

You all have a wonderful evening.

Karen Mitchell

New Mexico State Coordinator

km1109@ghvalley.net

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----- Original Message -----

From: "Karen Mitchell" km1109@ghvalley.net

To: "jcnreno" jcnreno@sbcglobal.net

Sent: Sunday, May 21, 2006 7:33 AM

Subject: Your post

Mr. Barnum,

You said:

" I know of no lawsuit involving NMGenWeb prior to today."

Would you please explain that statement? It leads one to believe that someone has threatened to sue you.

As the NM SC, if another NM CC has threatened to sue you, I need to know about it if it is in relation to what you have said on the NM list. I have zero tolerance for that type of intimidation and it will not be tolerated. If my assumption is correct, that person will be delinked from NMGenWeb.

I may not always agree with you, but I will not condone anyone threatening to sue you based on anything you have said on the NM List.

Please excuse me if I have made the wrong assumption, but if you re-read your message you can understand why I came to that conclusion.

Karen Mitchell

New Mexico State Coordinator

km1109@ghvalley.net

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----- Original Message -----

From: jcnreno

To: Karen Mitchell

Cc: Bettie Wood ; Charles Barnum

Sent: Sunday, May 21, 2006 12:24 PM

Subject: Re: Your post

Karen Mitchell,

New Mexico (NMGenWeb) State Coordinator

Date: May 21, 2006

I received your email this morning. It took me by surprise.

To answer your question about the lawsuit, Susan Bellamo mentioned on the NMGenWeb Internet email list yesterday a ?threat? of lawsuit. I had not heard anything about a lawsuit prior to her reference. I asked her what she referred to. She said she had seen an email at some point about some vague suit. I concluded her statement was hearsay and of no importance. I had no knowledge of it.

I will no longer accept business as usual on the NMGenWeb list. Members should not use it as a platform for character assignation and for destroying a person's reputation with inflammatory and false accusations such as the charge that I ran-off the most beloved State Coordinator NMGenWeb, Leon Moya. That email list is available for reading by the public. Leon Moya--the State Coordinator I referred to, stated on the email list at that time (years ago) that he would not run for office again because he wanted to spend time with his grandchildren since he had a serious heart attack. He did not say I ran him off; Nor, did I. I did inquire about holding an election as required under Section 10 of the USGenWeb Bylaws after Leon Moya became incapacitated.

I'm taking a copy of this email to my attorney after the appointment can be arranged. I?d appreciate knowing before the appointment if you are going to expel me from NMGenWeb for my seeking legal counsel and any subsequent legal options taken, so I can also discuss options with my attorney regarding this issue.

Charles Barnum,

Member in Good Standing of USGenWeb

County Coordinator, Lincoln County NMGenWeb, 1996-2006

CC: USGenWeb County Coordinator Representative

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----- Original Message -----

From: "jcnreno" jcnreno@sbcglobal.net

To: NMGENWEB-L@rootsweb.com Sent: Saturday, May 20, 2006 10:16 AM

Subject: Re: [NMGENWEB] Professional Elections

Not so Angela,

I always respected Leon. When he had his heart attack the bylaws called for an election. I wanted an election according to the bylaws. It's that simple. After he regained his strength he could have run for office again but he choose not to do so. Had he run for office I would have voted for him.

You will have to find another villain. I did not cause Leon's heart attack. Clogged arteries from cholesterol buildup cause heart attacks. His decision not to run again was his alone. He was not in the habit of asking anyone for permission.

Again, the Bylaws are very clear. When an SC can no longer serve, an election must be held. Those are not my rules, they are the rules of USGenWeb. There is an AB member on this email list, anyone might ask her to explain this.

It is not strange that I praise Leon, I have the up most respect for him. We exchanged a number of private emails that you are not aware. He helped me in many ways.

As for voting, in my opinion there is no election if there is no vote. It's an American thing. If you do not like to vote, then don't vote, but do not deny me the right to vote.

Susan did a great job too, but I objected to the lack of structure in our elections. I object that we were not allowed to vote for the SC. As a CC I have a right to express my concerns about elections. I will continue to do so. This does not mean I am biased toward any particular person.

No, I will not run for state office. That is my decision, it is not up to others to decide that. But yes, I will continue to express my concerns.

I think it would be appropriate to list Leon Moya's name on the State page with his dates of service since he played an important part in creating NMGenWeb. I hereby formally make that motion now. Feel free to vote against or for this motion.

Thanks for your input, Angela. Feel free to launch personal attacks against me anytime. I will not respond in kind, however. Thank you for expressing them on this forum intended for NMGenWeb business.

Have a wonderful day.

Charles Barnum

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----- Original Message -----

From: "jcnreno" jcnreno@sbcglobal.net

To: NMGENWEB-L@rootsweb.com

Sent: Saturday, May 20, 2006 1:01 PM

Subject: Re: Fw: [NMGENWEB] Professional Elections

Susan said:

Reply: When questions are ignored on the state level a CC has no alternative but to go higher unless they are afraid.

Reply: I know of no lawsuit involving NMGenWeb prior to today. Is your statement a general statement or do you have specifics in mind?

One of the things I love most about our volunteers is the wide variety of talents we have and the amazing contributions we have made!

Reply: I agree.

Charles Barnum

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X-From_: jcnreno@sbcglobal.net Sat May 20 11:09:23 2006

Date: Sat, 20 May 2006 10:10:29 -0700 (PDT)

From: jcnreno jcnreno@sbcglobal.net

Subject: Character Assination on Puiblic email list Q

To: Angela Lewis gen4nm@nmia.com

Off List:

Personal and Confidential:

Angela Lewis,

Your unprovoked public personal attack and character assignation of me as expressed in your post below will not be tolerated. Monday, I am seeking an attorney. I request that you either provide me the mailing address where my attorney can send you a letter of notification or provide the name of your attorney so my attorney can contact him. I will remind you that the NMGenWeb email list by previous orders of the State Coordinators is to used for NMGenWeb business. I will not stand by any longer to suffer personal assaults on my character on this public forum and the resulting mental anguish it has caused. Please Provide the address as I requested by any method, phone, email, or mail.

Thank you,

Charles Barnum

1068 Pinewood DR

Sparks, NV 89434

email jcnreno@sbcglobal.net

775 331 3679

Copy: USGenWeb County Coordinator Representative

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----- Original Message -----

From: Karen Mitchell

To: Karen Mitchell ; Susan Bellomo ; Patricia Bennett ; Harold Kilmer ;

Dick Chenault ; Angela Lewis ; lhaasdav@cox.net

Sent: Tuesday, May 23, 2006 9:22 AM

Subject: Lincoln County, NM

As of 8:59, May 23, 2006, Lincoln County NM, held by Mr. Charles Barnum was officially delinked from the NMGenWeb Project. A full explanation will be forthcoming next week, as a personal situation must take priority this week.

Thank you all for your input and help.

Karen Mitchell

New Mexico State Coordinator

km1109@ghvalley.net

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----- Original Message -----

From: "jcnreno" jcnreno@sbcglobal.net

To: NEW-MEXICO-L@rootsweb.com

Sent: Friday, June 02, 2006 6:20 PM

Subject: [NEW-MEXICO] KAREN MITCHELL

KAREN MITCHELL,

WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO INFORM ME OF THE SPECIFIC CHARGES AGAINST ME WHICH YOU USED TO EXPELL ME FROM NMGENWEB?

SINCE NM HAS NO GUIDELINES OR BYLAWS ARE YOU TAKING THE STANCE THAT YOU HAVE UNLIMITED POWER TO DO AS YOU PLEASE. IF NOT, WHAT SPECIFIC BYLAWS DID YOU USE IN THIS MATTER?

RESPOND HERE OR TO MY NEW EMAIL ADDRESS JCNRENO@CHARTER.NET CHARLES BARNUM, FOUNDING COUNTY COORDINATOR OF LINCOLN CO NMGEWWEB 1996-2006

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----- Original Message -----

From: jcnreno@charter.net

To: km1109@ghvalley.net

Cc: nana321@tatumtel.net

Sent: Sunday, June 04, 2006 12:09 PM

Subject: Formal Grievance

Karen Mitchell,

This is the next week that you referred to(see below). When are you going to provide details of the reason for your expelling me from NMGenWeb?

Charles Barnum

note my email change: jcnreno@charter.net

Bettie Wood:

I wish to file a grievance regarding this matter. I have violated no bylaws of USGenWeb or NMGenWeb prior to my being expelled. This is a request for a formal hearing regarding whatever charges Karen Mitchell dreams up; or if she continues to neglect telling me bylaw for which I was expelled.

I request that you represent me in this grievance procedure. NMGenWeb has no grievance procedure nor guidelines.

Charles Barnum

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DOCUMENT #5

An expose on Charles Barnum. Tendered to me by a concerned USGW member. Name has been withheld due to threats of law suit.

On the Riverside, California message board 6-1-2005

Can anyone assist me in obtaining the obituary for Neil Thompson, Died: Corona, Riverside, Calif, 2 January 1949. He had a Military Funeral. I was five years old at the time, but I remember the soldiers firing their rifles while standing under under large trees. I'm trying to find his wife's name. Alyce O. ? Neil apparently died from injuries received in WWII.

I'll gladly pay expenses.

Much appreciated.

Charles Barnum

*****************************

So this says that Barnum was born in 1944. He's now 62. So his oldest child could be about 42 now, right? That would make his grandchildren in their young 20's maybe, right? Or even younger. And his mother would be at least in her 80's.

According to his Family Gedcom on the internet, http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~thompson1/dat14.htm

Names have been deleted from this page to protect their privacy.

This section also contained lies by claiming aliases were used by my family and others.

Now look at his pages on

ALHN http://www.rootsweb.com/~nma/

Kit Carson County, Co pages http://www.rootsweb.com/~cokitcar/

Yuma County, Arizona pages http://www.rootsweb.com/~azyuma/resourcepage.htm

How many times can you find the above names on his pages as contributors? It's highly UNLIKELY that all of his kin are involved in genealogy. No, it's not IMPOSSIBLE but I really doubt ALL of them have done this much work.

So, you ask, why would someone bother to use all of these names instead of his own? Well the most likely explanation is that he has harvested all this data from other places and placed his families names on them. If they ever get sued for copyright infringement, they can honestly say they never had anything to do with genealogy. They probably don't even know their names are being used. Makes perfect sense. He could also use these names to obtain extra votes in USGW....remember he still has Counties in Colorado and Arizona.

It would be interesting to know if these names are registered voters of the USGW project.

It also has to be remembered that his pages on Gennet were closed due to harvesting material. He also tried to claim the NM Death Index as his work by seperating it out into Counties and "contributing" it to USDATA. And after he was delinked from NM he placed a web page on the Lincoln County site that included extreme profanity and Rootsweb closed his account.

STATEMENT TO THE ADVISORY BOARD BY KAREN MITCHELL

To the Advisory Board, Charles Barnum, and Don Tharp:

Due to the continued threats of law suits from Mr. Barnum, and under the advice of the NM CC’s I will not agree to mediation, but will offer the following statement.

It is my understanding that all grievance activities are to be held in confidence. Mr. Barnum has already breached that confidentiality by telling Teresa Lindquist about this grievance, thereby making his grievance null and void. You may read about this on her Daily Bored Show (spelling is deliberate).

Due to Mr. Barnum’s repeated threats of law suits, the Advisory Board, Mr. Barnum, or Mr. Tharp can not give me a written guarantee that he will not sue. Again making this grievance null and void.

Charles Barnum has been and continued to be an administrative burden to all three of the State Coordinators since he joined NMGW nine years ago. His continuous threats of law suits, disruptions, and refusal to accept the wishes of the majority of CC’s has been extremely difficult for each State Coordinator to deal with, causing constant turmoil in the administration of NMGW and on the NM lists.

I believe it is the inherent responsibility of each authoritative member of the USGW Project to require and insure that its members refrain from conduct injurious to the organization, its purposes, or its members. And should expel outright any member found not in good standing if guilty of disruption, threatening, or character unbecoming of a member. It is my opinion that Mr. Barnum’s continued threats of law suits against any member is reprehensible, disgusting, and intolerable behavior. His threats are used to intimidate other members and should not be condoned nor tolerated. Mr. Barnum has repeatedly tried to engage other members in hostile discussions so that he could sue them for monetary gain.

I was informed by five (5) NM CC’s that if I didn’t do something about Charles Barnum they would resign their Counties and go elsewhere.

I offer to you the following web pages that I have privately posted for your perusal to verify my claims.

<a href=”doc4.html”>Document 4</a> Sequence of recent events leading up to the delinking of Mr. Barnum from NMGW.

<a href=”doc4.html”>Document 2 </a> Repeated threats by Charles Barnum in his own words. This also includes the grievances he has filed against every NM State Coordinator.

<a href=”doc4.html”>Document 3 </a> Comments about Charles Barnum, before, during, and after the delinking.

<a href=”doc4.html”>Document 1 </a> Poll of the NM CC’s concerning retention of the State Coordinator and implementation of written rules or Bylaws.

<a href=”doc4.html”>Document 5 </a> Expose of Charles Barnum sent by a concerned member of USGW.

In reading the above documents I would ask that you keep the following timetable in mind:

May 23 Charles was delinked

May 25 I was scheduled for major surgery

May 24 Surgery was cancelled due to complications and rescheduled

June 19 My community was placed on stand-by evacuation due to the fire at La Veta, Colorado

June 22 I had major surgery

July 10 I announced on the NM list that I was back and recuperating.

I believe I have dealt quite well with Charles Barnum’s emotional constipation, given all the extenuating circumstances.

Furthermore, I have been continually harassed by Charles Barnum and will post the proof of that if you desire further proof, including his smear campaign when I ran for National Coordinator and his current web page entitled the “Extermination of Charles Barnum by Karen Mitchell”.

It is my recommendation that Charles Barnum be removed from the USGW Project, in its entirety, due to behavior unbecoming of a member, which I assure you will be repeated and you will be forced to deal with again in another State. The antics of Charles Barnum are a detriment to USGW and are not is the spirit of this project. Charles Barnum has not confined his actions to NMGW, but has caused problems in every project he is a member of, on numerous lists, the Reno News newspaper, and the Colorado List where he tried to bait me into an argument for which Sundee Maynez, SC, intervened. These actions indicate that he is a contemptuous individual, and not one that would be an asset to USGW.

In summation, the matter of Charles Barnum being a member of the NMGW was handled on the NM State level and need go no further. He is not affiliated with NMGW, nor will he be re-instated.

Thank you,

Karen Mitchell