Farewell To The Overlanders

[ol4x4fan]

Farewell To The Overlanders

Over the past couple of years. I have had the pleasure and the privilege to work on the Overlanders 4X4 Web Site making Pages (dozens of them) of pictures taken at the races displaying slide shows and movies and just simple pages of pictures. I have also made other pages like the Memorial Page, and the Thank You Page and a Few Members Pages. The little red 4x4 pulling the Welcome sign you see both here and on the Web Site----I made it just for the Overlanders on line. That animated gif alone took more that 30 hours to make.

I have been a moderator for this message board since it's inception. I tried to help any and all who wanted to post here and upload pictures and other things on the board. I even wrote the posts "How to Post a Reply To Someone" and How to Post a Question" to help you all, and they still remain on the board in the "Mechanical Questions and Help" Forum.

Even though my husband is no longer a club member and my son's participation is sort of up-in-the-air at this time, that had no bearing on my participation with the On-line sites for the Overlanders. I enjoyed it and wanted to continue working on the on-line sites just like before, and I did so. Maybe not as much, but just last September, I did a page of pictures Chuck Swigart took.

I checked on this Message Board daily, just to make sure there were no bugs or anything like that and a few times removed phishing and bot posts. Just trying to make things run smoothly.I have NEVER, interfered with, nor deleted any part of the discussions on this board. My only interest was to make this board run smoothly on a technical basis.

I have NEVER changed any Rules for the races on the website. Steve uses a different type of HTML code in that section and I don't even know how to use it in order to change anything. I would not do that anyway (even if I knew how) without express request from the club! I don't even know what I would change, I am not mechanically inclined.

Do not get me wrong. Steve is the Webmaster, main person running the website and this message board. I have NEVER said he wasn't. He knows ten times more than I do about Web pages and such. He has even taught me more HTML in order to "write" the pages. The main Website is a display of his excellent abilities, and I only helped with a few things. I have learned a great deal from him.

I had not said anything derogatory about anyone in the Overlanders Club. In fact since last June, I haven't been in contact with any of them except my son, Steve, and a chance meeting with a person, who asked me to make a page of pictures, ...until now.

I do take credit for coming up with the idea for the message board and suggested it to Steve, and he told me that someone else had mentioned it also. I sent him the information how and where to get a free message board. I did help him set it up(perhaps I should use the term "get it going") --although I was not the main factor for setting it up--I helped, including the aforementioned "Help" posts, and a few other ways. He has often thanked me for helping him. There are so many things, especially with the pictures, that are very time consuming and he told me he has not had the spare time to deal with them. I'm retired at this point and have lots of time to make picture slide shows etc. and to keep an eye on the message board.

Imagine my dismay, when I came here to the Message Board, and tried to get into "the inner workings" and I couldn't. Upon closer inspection, I saw that my user id as a "Moderator" had been removed. I thought it had been a mistake, so I waited. It was not replaced. And not a soul sent me any messages as to why the action was taken. Not a goodbye, not a thank you, not a kiss my ..., nothing! I wrote to the other moderators and asked why? One person did offer some possible reasons, but nothing definite, only suppositions.

Then I was blocked from signing into the Overlanders4x4 Website.
I can no longer make any pages for any of you. Or even update any information on your pages. Nor can I make pages of any of your pictures.

I have enjoyed the many hours I have donated to the good of the Overlander's club and have NEVER asked for anything in return except respect. Now I am asking one thing. I do want an explanation as to why I have been blocked from everything. I think that after I donated the hundreds of hours that I have, at the very least, I deserve an answer as to why I was blocked? To be honest, I think I deserve to be treated better than this.

I understand blocking me has been the decision of your president, and even though I have emailed and pm'd him repeatedly, he will not answer me. I just can't believe that you, as a club, would be so rude to me after I have donated so many hours of my time over the years (not only on-line, but for the 2006 season, I also ran the tech booth). Please tell me what I have done to deserve being blocked from something I enjoy doing?

Arlene
aka ol4x4fan

If anyone is interested, below is a list of most of the things I made for the Overlanders 4x4 Website.(Some are links to the page itself so you can click on them).

www.geocities.com/overlanders4x4/images/arlenes_welcome.gif
www.geocities.com/overlanders4x4/member_pages/sam/goghage1.html

www.geocities.com/overlanders4x4/member_pages/ben/ben_no_sound.html

Pages for John Bloomgren and Kevin Stone have been removed from the Web Site,

www.geocities.com/overlanders4x4/tyfriends.html
www.geocities.com/overlanders4x4/memorial.html

Pictures and movies for:
To see any of these, click on "Pictures" on your left, on the main page of the website.
September 15 2007 at Toulon includes 2 pages of pictures
June 17 2007 at Toulon which includes 10 picture pages and 1 movie
---------
April 09, 2006 which is on the same page as below
May 13 and 14th 2006 At Knoxville includes 16 picture links and 2 movies
Page 2 has 19 picture links.
May 20, 2006 at Avon, which includes 20 picture links and 8 movie links
June 17th and 18th 2006 at Knoxville IL which includes 19 picture links and 9 movie links
July 26th 2006 at Lewistown which includes 5 picture links.
August 12 and 13th 2006 at Knoxville which includes 10 picture links and 16 movie links
August 20 2006 which includes 16 picture links and 3 movie links
October 7th and 8th 2006 which includes 21 picture links and 20 movie and swf pages.(I also took the time to make the swf files)

[dougingram]

Arlene,

I never accused you of any wrong doing and don't think I,m not grateful for what all you have done for this web page and also when you and Harold were members what great help you were to this club.

There has been some issues going on in these web pages that I can't control, if I have to many moderators on this web page .

When we get things back under control maybe then ( only if you our interested) you will be assign your new password.

I don,t know what all you have heard or been told . I been on both sides and get 2 different stories out of one mouth which only makes this more confusing and also tears down their credibility when ever i hear them speak.

This was not just my decision it was voted on by the executive board to remove all moderators including Steve which he only handles tech and posting or anything else the club needs.

The executive board were given facts not 5 different stories as you have probably heard.

Arlene I have nothing to hide and will always tell the truth .

I put 100% of my heart into this club and I will lay my cards down anytime and show you my hand which there will be nothing I will be ashamed of. If anybody wants to fill my shoes just step up to the plate. Tell it to my face not behind my back and maybe the truth will come out.

Anyway back to scheduling race dates Doug Ingram

[ol4x4fan]

Doug Ingram's Replies in this font

Arlene's Replies in this font

Arlene,

I never accused you of any wrong doing and don't think I,m not grateful for what all you have done for this web page and also when you and Harold were members what great help you were to this club.

Treating someone in the manner that you have treated me does NOT show gratitude!!

There has been some issues going on in these web pages that I can't control, if I have to many moderators on this web page .When we get things back under control maybe then ( only if you our interested) you will be assign your new password.

Not sure that will work, first thing--being a free American, I will NOT be controlled by anyone. Any action I do or don't take is out of a sense of honesty, morality, loyality, integrity and respectability. The same qualities I have demonstrated here for over the past two years. Why on earth would you have to control me when I have not been out of control?
Besides, other than deleting vulgar posts, what is it that you are trying to control? There is conflict, apparently you don't believe in free speech and want to delete any post you disagree with. Make it known, even though I recognized that practice was going on--I was never a part of it, I remained neutral at all times. Most message boards frown on censorship.?

I don,t know what all you have heard or been told . I been on both sides and get 2 different stories out of one mouth which only makes this more confusing and also tears down their credibility when ever i hear them speak.

If anything you heard was about me, and you were really interested in the truth. All you had to do was ask me! You wouldn't even answer my emails when I asked you why. If you had, we wouldn't be having this conversation in such a public format!

This was not just my decision it was voted on by the executive board to remove all moderators including Steve which he only handles tech and posting or anything else the club needs.

I also "only handled tech and posting or anything else the club needs"
If Steve was removed, then why is Steve still your Webmaster both here and on the Webpage. You are not the Administrator here--only a moderator. I find it amazing that you dismiss both Steve and myself and deem to run both sites when you don't even know that you are not the administrator.

The executive board were given facts not 5 different stories as you have probably heard.

Beings I have been "deleted" because of those "facts", perhaps the more acceptable thing to do would be to at least inform me of the club's "facts" about me. How could you give the executive board any "fact" about me IF I had no contact with Overlanders--believe it or not--up to now, I haven't discussed the Overlanders with anyone, even my son, I have to many other things to do!! I would like to know what they are and where these facts come from.

Arlene I have nothing to hide and will always tell the truth .

I put 100% of my heart into this club

<<<Believe it or not--I honestly think you do

and I will lay my cards down anytime and show you my hand which there will be nothing I will be ashamed of.

If that was the case--why wouldn't you answer my emails when this all began?

If anybody wants to fill my shoes just step up to the plate. Tell it to my face not behind my back and maybe the truth will come out.

I emailed you and asked you straight forward why I was removed without any notice of any kind. I don't believe asking all of the moderators was behind your back. Actually that is proper procedure for the moderators of a Message Board.If you are going to run a message board, you should know that. You had plenty of time to answer me, on the other hand it sure seems that you went behind my back now doesn't it?

By the way Doug, the president of a club is there to lead the members, not to control them!
Good Luck Overlander's, you're going to need it!
Arlene

[MUD DUCK]

I know your pain. I have been censored and control on this site myself. POWER TO THE PEOPLE. SO SAYS THE DUCK.

[intheclouds1977]

Just thought I'd clarify something. Freedom of Speech is a right given to all U.S. citizens. It is your right to say anything you want. However, you have to be willing to accept the consequences of what you say. Jeff, the examples you give above show assault and threatening the public peace. You're breaking the law if you do those things. Censorship is not part of the U.S.'s heritage (at least per the Constitution), however; they do attempt to control illegal activities learned about through a person's speech. Threatening to harm someone is assault.

Most message forums believe in free expression of ideas, as long as personal attacks and language are left out of it. In my short time here, I have noticed that opinions against the club's interests or norms have been "censored"/deleted. I've also seen the many punished for the actions of the few. I can't say that's how I'd run this place, but it's not my choice. Overlanders has the right to run their board any way they see fit. If we don't like it, we're always free to frequent other clubs/places. I'm still in the process of evaluating this club.

While the forums leave questions to be answered, I must say my first in-person meeting of the club was quite pleasant. I look forward to meeting you kind people in person again. I think both sides need to remember something. We're all only human. Overlanders leadership - remember the feelings of those in your club. It seems some people are feeling neglected. Membership - remember the leadership is only human. Your compassion is needed in helping this club grow and overcome mistakes. If all else fails, just look back on the fun you've had in this club over the years.

Just one rambling post from a newbie (not even a club member).

Brian

[crazytrain]

to Arlene this is todd gibler we are starting our web page here in a couple of days we the WFO MUDSLINGERS would love to have you aboard we are having our rules meeting tomorrow if you are interested come on over or just give me a call 1-309-238-7407 or [e-mail] we are running races ourselfs next year with out overlanders so if you want to give it a try we can use you

[intheclouds1977]

Is WFO Mudslingers the club run by Joe Fisher?

[crazytrain]

no that is midwestmudslingers we are the club that put the races on with overlanders last year but we are going on our own this year WFO MUDSLINGER

[MUd Duck]

Do you charge exorbitant rates to join your club?? Can you all get along??? Can Sponge Bob and Patrick Star ride along while you race? If so I am in!!!!

POWER TO THE PEOPLE!!! OR AT LEAST THE REDNECKS!!!

SO SAYS THE DUCK

[crazytrain]

OK here we go i guess im going to man up my club is going to hold our own mudbogs and only mudbogs no dirt races my father and i forked out 1,800 dollars last year and made nothing so we want to make our own money this year myself and rodney started all this and he got upset with certain club members of overlanders over the years overlanders has burned a lot bridges i got 2 clubes that has contacted me they want to race in toulon now because of what they have heard i am not mad at overlanders i am trying to run a club to and it is hard to do that when my other members dont want to race with overlanders im going to talk to doug about this overlanders can still race in toulon but they have to agree on a price with my father.

[fanof24]

As you all can see i do not post on the overlanders sight very often but i think i need to speek my peace this time. First i have been a member of the overlanders for over 10 years maybe even 15 but to see the wfo go on there own without the overlanders is nothing but disrespect. Where would each club be without each other? Thank You WFO for letting us put races on at your place but at the same time if it wern't for the overlanders you wouln't even have races. Everyone considers the overlanders as cheaters. I personally think it is just Sam Lambasio Challenging every member to be as good as he is. We all have raced against Sam for years and that is a honor. So no disrespect to anyone but i think the club is going in the right direction. Any comments are welcome.
Thanks John Wyman

[fanof24]

Correct me if im wrong but didn't you receive 50% of the gate?

[crazytrain]

put your feet in my shoes john i knew i would start something but i did not intend to we were goin to race last year with are without overlanders we had clubes that wanted to we thought overlanders would be good and they were but we could of had a bunch more people show and trust me i know because i have a lot of friends that bog you can get mad coment on the message board all night and day i dont care and like i said before you can still race there with a agreement with my father and you got to remember there is more to races the prep of the tracks and bog our cost the pick up of garbage our cost outhouses every race but 1 our cost so no i am not tring to disrespect anyone!!!!

[fanof24]

How about telling us what we did wrong and work on makeing it better instead of posting on the message board we are not haveing races ther next year. Working together on makeing it work out for both clubs seems like a better solution.

[brad]

wow sorry to hear the news we wanted to make it up your way this year but never got the time or the truck lined out.
i myself like loyalty and coperation between groups not flip flopping like a fairboard probably should have left this post alone im not involved but man

[fanof24]

Just want to thank Arlene for her past work for the overlanders and its a shame that the Wfo wants to part ways. There were some awesome races there and i only made 3 this year. Hope to be back next year in full stride. Gotta luv them big blocks.

[nutzy]

i think you guys tried this before with hog city and things didn't work out.i don't see any reason to get pissed off about this.you guys can still have races there just talk to crazytrains dad.we will still come race with you just like we hope you would race with us.yes we did get 50% but after paying for outhouses and renting land not much left if anything left.hope we can work this out like adult's and not little kids.there's no reason to cut each other down let's race and have good time.

[the green elf]

i forked out 1,800 dollars last year and made nothing so we want to make our own money this year I was told by one of the wfo members that toed gibler took all the money that the overlanders gave him and spent it all on his race truck, instead of saving it for a later date (somebody was making the money and it wasn't the overlanders) GE how much could land rent from your own dad be $2.00 ? with $5.00 hamburgers and half the gate I think everybody can figure it out I know for a fact that overlanders handed money over to toed gibler under the table to help with other expenses? the but hole thing is taking shape now

[crazytrain]

hey the green fairy do you know what the hell you are talking about the money from the food went to my dad all we made was half of gate and any way that is not my point i am not bitching all of you that reply back are just making it worst im trying to still get overlanders a place to race but smart comments are making change my mind i will talk to doug and only doug about all this today

[hillbillyhotrod]

I dont think in any way is "todd"( this is how it is spelled green fairy) disrespecting overlanders, by saying he wants to have a club of his own, we would be fine without the overlanders help, though they were a huge help in getting us on our feet, if anyone is being disrespected it is todd, he told a certain someone about us going on our own and you would think that it would be this certain someones duty to inform their club about it. so by this person not telling everyone about it it makes todd look like the bad guy. if i do recall that certain someone was told before the elections the other day, hmmm that makes yah think dont it. he never said overlanders couldnt race there they just have to go through the business end with his dad, dont anyone of you start thinkin were gona give you a cold shoulder and not at least give you a chance at a place to race.