Sounds like the public needs to be made aware of the decisions taking place in Ariel with the banning of hardcore DB Cooper researchers, and some media outlets. The Mountain News has been around long enough to be considered hardcore Cooper site.
Some may not always agree with the articles, but it's still an active place to catch up on the Cooper world activities.
When asking for money from the public, the last thing you need floating around is refusing to do interviews with the Cooper community. then the constant blocking of the forum to the public. actually, it should be considered a website since 98% of the members there end up leaving due to "inward thinking" and zero interaction taking place other than the administrator.
This is not a case of joining under a false name simply to stir shit up. this is a real life issue that needs to be taken seriously. criticism is part of the process. questions will be asked, specially when the background of the project is needed. people want to know who is involved, and why before they dish any money out.
My decision to not get involved was not an easy one. as mentioned before. I don't personally know Bryan, but I respect his choice to continue his mother's tradition, and I wish him the best of luck, but I refuse to get involved with someone who has been bashing this site since the first day it appeared online. his site is filled with spiteful, hatred, and jealous comments from him, and his moderator.
I'm still trying to get to the bottom of things. Remember, I have not spoken directly to Bryan, yet, nor have I seen him since Meyer and I took a ride down to Ariel a couple years back. So, it is possible that ALL of the current email correspondence is fabricated. Much of the substance, and certainly the tone, of the emails are not representative of the Bryan I met then, and spoke with several times last November after his mother passed away.
Hence, I am endeavoring to speak with other family members. If Bryan's identity has been hijacked, we should know in due time.
In the meantime tell us a little about Bryan. Who is he? What's his day-job. Was he a crucial part of the running of the Ariel store and Cooper Days, or was that all his mother's work?
It is all but certain what RMB's motives are. Why would Bryan even be interested in keeping the old store going if he has another (better) life? I would venture to guess that most of the public outside of Ariel don't know anything about Bryan Woodruff. His mother was Donna Elliot, owner-operator of the Ariel Store/Bar ??
On the other hand we do know who RobertMBlevins is!
I think it is safe to assume there already are Cooperites in this .. 377? Jerry Thomas? Geoff Gray? Talking to RMB and Bryan off the record?
Who has a vested interest in keeping the Ariel Bar going and for what reasons?
How extensive are the repairs and upgrading that the store needs? What kind of revenue will it have to generate after it is brought up to code, just to meet taxes and keep the door open?
Do Woodruff and Blevins have a "contract"?
lots of questions -
<edit> Woodruff has a website. Aspiring poet.
INTERNATIONAL POET OF MERIT AWARD presented by the INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF POETS, Aug. 25, 2002 , EDITOR'S CHOICE AWARD for OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT in POETRY published 2001.
Maybe that is his tie-in to RMB/Adventure Books socalled.
He has a degree from a Business college. Nice family. It looks like he was a basic part of running the Ariel store and his mother's affairs. Nice photography.