[meteorite-list] Just for the record - Sutter's Mill

From: wahlperry at aol.com <wahlperry_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Mon, 21 May 2012 03:57:39 -0400 (EDT)
Message-ID: <8CF053E86DC925B-22D8-30D99_at_Webmail-d109.sysops.aol.com>

?Hi List,

I wanted to make a few comments about my time hunting the Sutter's Mill
fall. Overall it has been a great experience. The majority of hunters
and landowners seemed to work well together. I met some great people
and several have invited us back to hunt some areas that were hard to
obtain permission to hunt (later in the season when the grass dies). I
will be uploading pictures over the next few days. It is such a
beautiful area.?

I do have to mention something that really disappointed me.?I heard
that a sore subject was brought up again by a member of the meteorite
community. Apparently he called me a liar. Interestingly enough, I
thought that this was water under the bridge since we have discussed
the topic and shook hands several times in the past. Sometimes one
finds themselves in a difficult position regarding privileged
information and must honor another person's request. A few years ago I
was asked to keep the whereabouts of certain individuals confidential
due to the potential of a mad rush of hunters into an area. I chose to
honor that request and keep their whereabouts quiet. Another
individual( who I barely knew) took offense to the fact that I chose
not to disclose information and felt that I was invading his
state/backyard. In hindsight I guess I should have said "I really can't
tell you" rather than being evasive. But again it is none of his
business where any of us hunt meteorites. I am free to hunt any state I
chose. The same as he is free to hunt wherever he chooses. This
individual asked me how I would feel if he were to hunt in my
state/backyard without letting me know. It is none of my business where
he hunts. And for this person to make a statement over the last week to
a few friends of mine that it was not him on the phone talking to a
landowner who had surveillance video. We both know that is not true
because he called me right away and told me that he had just got off
the phone with this person.

?I have information from respectable sources in the meteorite community
that this individual provided derogatory information to another list
member to post about me on this List on more than one occasion. Then
later this individual was running for an elected position and made
phone calls to my home insisting that I call a few well known meteorite
hunters and clear his name of any wrongdoing or rumors. It definitely
seemed like he was trying to blackmail me. Stating something like "I
can make things a lot worse for you". What did that mean? ?I was not
sure what exactly he was accusing me of saying about him since I never
said anything in public about him (good or bad). This phone call (which
we have a record of) really upset me and my wife. I was able to get my
friends to call this individual and reassure him that I never said
anything negative about him. This individual then called me back and
apologized for threatening to "make things a lot worse" and said he
hoped he had not upset my wife too much. We agreed to try and put this
behind us and move on( I thought we had). Due to the fact that I no
longer have restrictions about this issue I can speak freely without
fear of reprimand. I have since dealt with the initial issue and no
longer want to have my name dragged through the mud. Those that know me
know that I am a good man. They know what I do for a living over the
past 28 years. I worked hard to get where I am in my career and as a
meteorite hunter. I have never been handed anything and I am proud of
that. Enough is Enough.


Sonny?
Received on Mon 21 May 2012 03:57:39 AM PDT