From Slayer

[ericcoleman]

He is not on LJ and asked me to post this here. Should I also post it in the Filk community?

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To all Filkers,

I have read many of your comments and realize that my trying to explain myself made things worse. I made a decision that was later viewed as anti-filk, it was not. I want to apologize to Dandelion Wine, Toy Boat, and to any others who were offended and harmed by my actions. I made a very difficult decision, Not one I wanted to make. Since that time I have tried to soothe the anger it generated. I have even considered resigning. After much consideration I did not. I felt that I made this I have to live with it. I can not undo what has occurred but I can try to make amends.

I would like all of you to know that Duckon is looking for a new home so that some of last years problems can be eliminated. If we get the hotel I am looking at filk will have their own ball room to do what they wish with. I don't want you to think that you are being isolated, everyone must pass by filk to get to con suite. I can't say we have this hotel but it is my desire to get a home that every con attendee and guest has the space to do their own thing and have fun.

Also I owe many people an apology for my blunt reactions to their posts and my own ham-handed handling of the Jan situation. As for the performers who I almost shut down sound for I am very sorry, I was tired and frustrated and angry. Luckily for me a woman less than half my age showed a level of maturity I wish that I had. I told her to pull the plug because I felt that she had suffered enough under really difficult conditions. Meagan came to me a short time later and said she wanted to continue so to be fair to all participants. I told her to do what she felt was right. I am so proud of her for being so professional.

I know that saying I'm sorry fixes nothing but if you never return to Duckon I will never have a chance to fix anything or even try to. I did not send Jan away I told her she could not be tract head. I hope in the not too distant future she might see her way to giving us some advice so we can continue to do filk justice.
I fear Jan may not. I am sorry so many things went wrong, please understand that you are not the only people at the con that had no badges. Mine was printed at 5:00 P.M. I was the vice chair and I had slipped through the cracks. My badge name has not changed in the 14 years I have been here. Instead of Slayer it had my parent given name and was fixed later.

I know that I am rambling but I am sure I am missing an apology to some one who deserves one but I just want you to know that ALL FILKERS are always welcome at Duckon.

Sincerely,

David "Slayer" Kummerow
Incoming Con Chair

Comments

[celtic-catgirl.livejournal.com]

I would say that he has the right to be heard and let people make their own judgements. I might post nothing more than this is what he said without any further commentary, let people who want your commentary read your blog.

[ladypoetess.livejournal.com]

I would agree with celtic_catgirl - post his words, with just the introduction of "He doesn't have an LJ, so I'm passing his words along." Give him the link to the entry, and he can read comments as they're posted to what are simply his words on the subject.

please hold comments until mid august

[janmagic.livejournal.com]

thank you eric for posting this message.

i do feel i am dealing with a "spin for your emotion of the minute" situation.

i think saying sorry does mean a lot. Finding the power to forgive is even more important.

slayer and i do still need to do some talking, I have opened the door and he, as best i can tell, is walking toward it.

it aint over till the fat lady sings and i am feeling a bit of laryngitis
so give us some time.

Re: please hold comments until mid august

[raven-ap-morgan.livejournal.com]

i do feel i am dealing with a "spin for your emotion of the minute" situation.

As I indicated in another comment, I think this summarizes much of the situation that has transpired over the last month. I am sure that in the long run, cooler heads will prevail.

Raven

[jcw-da-dmg.livejournal.com]

Eric - thank you for permitting your readers to get all sides of this situation. Since I was not at the con (due to circumstances beyond my control) and only marginally know the main people involved (one of them not at all), I have found it difficult to know what to think. I feel as though I now have a somewhat clearer picture.

[(Anonymous)]

Wow. I had a great time at DucKon the year I was GoH. I hope it all gets sorted out. Although it sounds *terrible* right now, looking at it with the filter of being involved in fandom and concoms for well over 20 years now (gack!) I have to say it sounds entirely like the sort of misunderstanding and emotional blow up you get when you have passionate and dedicated people working together for free.

I can well believe that there are multiple sides to this story and I just hope y'all get your wounds healed and feel better and find a way through this! Hugs!!

[folkmew.livejournal.com]

Oops that last anonymous comment was from me. If it didn't go through let me know and I'll re-post! :-(

[batyatoon]

Thanks for posting this and I absolutely think you should post it to filk, if you haven't yet.

[musicmutt.livejournal.com]

I still do not intend to return to Duckcon. I will reserve judgment until after mediation but until then my loyalty remains with Jan. If the issues are resolved to the mutual satisfaction of both parties' I may reconsider my position.

[madfilkentist]

If Slayer will rescind his demand that members of Duckon not "say anything derogatory" (i.e., not express their views if they're inconvenient to him), that would remedy my single greatest objection to the way he's handled the matter. An open discussion is what's necessary.