Carl Finley of Finley Engineering Co.

I want to let Mr. Finley know that I do not have any negative feelings about him over this. Mr. Finley retired years ago and my memories of him are positive in nature. He was a tall, impressive man with a deep voice that I can hear in my memory, even now. I liked Carl and he influenced me in ways to better things. He and Charlie Orrell were like big brothers in a distant sort of way. I always wanted to pay Carl a short visit and never did get it done and the purpose of the visit was just to say to him "Thank you for changing the course of my life by employing me back in 1978." " I have experienced so many things, met so many people, have so many photos, memories, friendships, and it is because of being invited to participate in your business." I miss dearly what I used to do and am sad that injustice has remained an injustice as I was forced out of a position that was so much more than just a job function----it was a part of the fabric of my life.

CAN'T DO IT! REALLY TRIED-------JUST CAN'T DO IT.

You know ever since the "bad choice" was made recently by me it has really shook me up a bit. I have wished that I could take it back as it was something I should not have done. I am referring to the subject of my previous post. I began thinking that maybe it's time to drop it and let it go. Drop what and let it go? My story is what. I started this with a purpose in mind. That purpose was to allow people in the community the chance to have some factual knowledge about the goings on in their community. It isn't something I am forcing on anyone. People's lives are busy and a lot of folks will not take a look at what I offer. It's a shame because a lot of those that don't, if they had just started, would probably have become interested very quickly and continued on learning about this, and being glad they did. I began thinking that what I had been investing in was really negative energy that I was wasting, while my present life was passing me by while I was doing this. For a short time I had begun to convince myself that it was time to distance myself from this and make the best of the rest of my life. Well in reality I haven't devoted nearly the time to this I originally intended. It is something I can complete at my own desire as I wish.
I discovered a startling reality. I tried to pull all this down and I CAN'T.
I mean, I could pull it down. Something deep inside stopped me when I started to do it. Pulling it down and walking away just suddenly became NOT AN OPTION. I realized during those moments of trying to take this off the net that this is a part of me. This is how important this is, as it is my life and what happened to it as a result of the reckless & unfeeling actions of a few people and the only reason anyone is able to read this is because there was no wrong doing on my part to have brought about this type of action against me. MY BEING INNOCENT AND THE IMPACT THIS has made is something I choose to speak out about. It is so important to me that if someone takes me to court over it I am willing to go. If that happens then this whole story becomes and is my presentation to the legal system. I understand that under current laws that nothing may be in my favor. I could wind up with things getting very nasty against me. Things would not go against me because I am wrong, but rather because we have yet to create laws and governances to rule on the type of abuse I have suffered. I am a classic case of the need for the enactment of laws to prevent this type of thing happening to anyone of you out there in your own jobs and lives. No one should ever be forced to leave their job without JUST CAUSE. Just as my job at Finley's was so much more than a paycheck-----it was a position that was enterwoven into my life--------how could this story about it that I want to share be anything less than the fabric of my life in print.
I would love to return to a similar position with another company and resuming what I have done for so long. I have gone on though. God has been my constant companion, that is how it feels too me anyway. I say that because despite the challenges I have had thrown at me (and there have been many), it seems unexpected things happen ever so often in my favor, and at just the right time. I was never lazy and I always was told that God tends to help those who try to help themselves. I have always chosen to believe that. In fact today I do something that a lot of folks wouldn't consider a job. I actually perform a service that helps others and that is a good feeling to know you've maybe helped someone a little who needed and appreciated it. It also has taken care of my life financially to this point. I also get to sleep on my own pillow at home which was not a thing you did working at Finley's. I also have a lot of free time thru the week and I am sure people see me come and go at my house at all times of the day and they probably wonder how I survive. I do survive and God just seems to be there. Well it's getting that time that I need to go back to bed so will close this. Pretend every 24 hour day we are given is a mini lifetime. Try to take time to soak in the beauty around you that is free, and that our creator provided for us to enjoy. Life should never be so busy that you can't take a moment for yourself. It's a healthy thing to do, and it's ok to do it. Goodnight!

Owning up to a Bad Choice

This is a particularly important post. There are times in our lives that we do something and later have time to think about it and realize that we could have made a better choice. I had such a moment today----9/11/07.
I have a few business cards from years back when I was employed at Finley Engineering Co., Inc. They have my name splashed across the front.
Carlos Rossi and his Sangria are in part responsible for the choice I made today which was not the choice I should have followed. In relaxing for the evening I enjoyed a little more of Mr. Rossi's Sangria than I should have and I got to thinking about some things. The thoughts centered around this blog and why I started it. Mark Ogle was one of the people at Finley's that was inappropriately arrogant with me. He lives in Nevada, Mo. and the last time I saw Mark he was at our local grocery store. He recognized me and casually asked how I was doing. I told him I was surviving. Although Mark treated me harshly and unfairly when I was an employee at Finley's, I would still talk to him with decency today if he were to be the same. As I was sitting around thinking about the past events in my life I got the urge to take one of those cards and put some info on the back. This URL was one of those bits of info. One thing no one has ever done is to tell me why I was forced out of the company. No one has ever gave me an exact reason and I deserve to know. I actually got to thinking that Mark might talk to me about it after all this time. It is amazing how you see things a little differently when you have been drinking a little. I took the card and went over to his house. I knocked on the door but no one answered. I started to leave and as I did I stuck the card in his door. What was I thinking? Well now that the effects of the Sangria have worn off and it's early morning, I realize I made a choice by leaving that card and also to go over to his house, that I shouldn't have made. I cannot undo it now but I can post this post to explain my actions. I would like to take a moment to make an apology to Mark Ogle for choosing at this time to even come over to his house---an action I will not choose to ever do again. I should not have left the business card stuck in his door and for this I apologize. I would like to have talked with him if he were willing and if he were civil with me, rather than rude as he was in 2002. It would actually have been helpful to me and my feelings about things, if he were to do that. I do hope that he reads my blog and this post and if he should take any interest to read it he might end up with
some true sympathy concerning the past, I don't know, I can always hope. You know that being said I would even like to sit down with Kim Little and discuss the past if he were to take it seriously. Anger between people's solves nothing and it isn't the way to feel better. I harbor unpleasant feelings about the past, sure. I was very brutally treated and without just cause. A great disruption and upset was put upon my life and has left some scars that will always remain. Despite that though I would welcome the chance to go back and just sit and visit about the past and why this man chose the things he did in regards to me and my employment. Well I am going back to bed but I felt this should be covered in a post and so it is. Once again Mark, I apologize for a poor choice this evening and that won't be repeated. With that apology I have attempted to also explain my actions.

A SECOND LOOK!!!!!!!

I had sort of taken a respite from this and the other day as I was going to work I looked over at one of my living room chairs and there was a stack of papers dedicated to my story on Finley's that has laid right there for months now. It is time to pick it up and move on. I took care of my obligations to my clients and then in the free time I had for 3+ hours I went someplace shady, outdoors, and with a breeze on me for comfort, not to mention the singing of birds all around, the smell of fresh cut grass near in the neighborhood. Yes God is good to allow us such important and free enjoyments. A bird's song is medicine to my soul. My stack of papers were probably 6-8 inches thick stacked. I had made a lot of extra copies and now with the internet, I culled out and got rid of the extra copies, which reduced the papers left, still a sizeable amount of documents. On another day I focused on the TWO "ORDERS OF PROTECTION" that had been filed against me at NO COST to the two individuals that filed them. They were RANDALL KIM LITTLE & LONNIE JOE McFADDEN. It had to have been embarrassing for both of them to do this. I really took time this time and studied the "ORDERS OF PROTECTION". As I read the orders I see that these types of filings are usually abuse cases that women file against husbands or boyfriends.

Mr. RANDALL KIM LITTLE is a man of 53 years of age as I write. LONNIE JOE McFADDEN is a man of 54 years. Both are in reasonably good health. Mr. Little is the Engineering manager of the Independent Telephone Department at Finley Engineering Co., Inc. in Lamar, Mo. Lonnie Joe McFadden is the present office manager. Both seem to be in a tight hug around each other in this thing they have brought about.

I notice in the form they had to fill out that some of the questions reflect what the intent of the orders are; I am the Respondent and they are the Petitioners.

Petitioners relationship to Respondent?

Spouse------Unmarried with child(ren) in common----------Ex-spouse---------Unmarried, Intimate Residing/Resided together-----------Related by blood/Marriage--------------Other=

Well I think this definitely fell under other and even that is odd.

Item #4. Respondent and I--------Then Mr. Little finishes with one of the options which reads (have no relationship other than Respondent has "stalked"me.

Under the definition of stalking I think I can safely say that I DID NOT stalk anyone, nor would I want to waste the time to do such foolishness.

Item #8. Respondent has knowingly and intentionally: and then Mr. Little finishes with the choices of -------"stalked me and harrassed me".

Item # 8. This reads: Respondent has knowingly and intentionally: Stalked me and harrassed me by the following acts.

In his own typing Intimidating phone message on home answering machine after driving past residence on February 28th, 2006. Well it's true that I did leave a message, and in this case I shouldn't have as I am not an employee of Finley's anymore (thanks to Mr. Little). If he abuses the company by being home, when the people at the office only know that he checked out to the field for the afternoon, it really isn't any of my business anymore but I just hate to think no one realizes this. If he wasn't home then why does he state I drove by his house. If he wasn't home he couldn't have known. If he was home why didn't he answer the phone? Didn't want to be found is my guess.

Item #9. I am afraid of Respondent, (THAT HAD TO BE DIFFICULT AND EMBARRASSING TO SIGN YOUR NAME TO) and there is an immediate and present danger of abuse or stalking of me because: in his own typing----of numerous email messages, letters, and attempted phone contact at work and/or home.

LONNIE JOE McFADDEN'S orders of protection read pretty much the same until you get to Item # 9. I am afraid of Respondent, (HAD TO BE DIFFICULT AND EMBARRASSING TO SIGN YOUR NAME TO) and there is an immediate and present danger of abuse or stalking of me because: in his own typing-------Mr. Vincent has continued to make unsolicited and unwanted contact with me since his termination from Finley on 10/31/2002. The tone of his letters has become more aggressive as he recently indicated he intended to create an event that would bring notariety to his termination.

He also added an Exhibit page which reads:



1/15/2003 Mr. Vincent, by his own admission, had a third party call me under the pretense of hiring Mr. Vincent for a telcom company. The conversation was recorded without my knowledge and submitted to me at a later date. My response to this is that I wondered what was being said by Finley's if a prospective employer did call them concerning me. It was reasonable to make an action to find out and with the help of a very dear friend that is exactly what happened. At some point I hope to provide an audio of that interview as well as the same person interviewing Charles Orrell. In the end I was pleased with the outcome as Mr. McFadden was actually beneficial to me with his responses and Mr. Orrell as well. It was not Mr. McFaddens intention to be helpful, but that is how it came out anyway. Basically what you hear in the interview is that it seems the reason mostly that I was forced out of my job was that "I didn't fit quite as well in that other department". No consulting with me or sitting down to a discussion, or anything------just hit the road Jack, and don't ya come back no more, no more. Hit the road Jack and don't ya come back no more-----after nearly 24 yrs. of employment. Like Russell Johnston said , "It is a shame they let you go for no more reason than, YOU DIDN'T FIT IN THEIR CLIQUE." You can listen to Mr. McFadden in all his stammering around and nervousness which is there from beginning to end. Stumbling around though has always been, I mean't stammering around has always been something Lonnie does. He isn't exactly a stranger too me. He should have gotten an "A" for stammering.

2/17/2003 Vincent came to my office to complain about termination, four months after the fact. I came to the office to find out exactly why, and without question, why I was forced out of my job. I never really got an answer but he mentions a tape I made in Tennessee and a letter I sent to Mark Ogle, and that I couldn't have been places reflected on my logs. I would challenge him on any of those things. I did make a tape in Tennessee and I offer no apologies for it. I did send a letter to Mark Ogle and i DEFINITELY do not apologize for that. I did not lie on my logs and challenge anyone at Finley's to attempt to prove that I did.



2/28/2003 Sent a letter to my office in Lamar complaining about the way he had been terminated ending the letter with this statement, "you have made a very grave and unforgiveable error." Yes I did send a letter and it was packed with a challenge for them to prove any accusations they might have against me and yes, after nearly 24 yrs. of my life at Finley's, in my opinion the people responsible for forcing me out of my job without just cause, or any reasonable cause," did make a very grave and unforgiveable error. "



Fall 2005 Mr. Vincent placed a package on the door of my business in nevada and then came back during business hours to discuss with my assistant, his termination. She became upset and asked him to leave and then called me. I filed a complaint with the Nevada Police and they took a statement from her advising her to call if he came back. I did place a package at the door of Mr. McFadden's business and it was my intent to make people aware of what had taken place and to protest it. I left it during hours that the business was closed and so no one was there. I came back after they opened to make sure someone got the package and that a stranger had not come by and walked off with it as it was outside.
I did not discuss, or attempt to discuss anything with the lady that was inside. She was inspecting the package at the time of my arrival. She did seem somewhat shocked and beside herself at my presence but she never asked me to leave at all. I told her I simply wanted to insure that they received it. At that point I left. Mr. McFadden's account is incorrect and I have just given the facts as they really were.



12/22/2005 A package was mailed to my home at 111 NW 10th Road, Lamar, Mo. addressed to my wife, Cindy, from Mr. Vincent. He advised her he intended to make his termination a matter of public knowledge and wanted to give her a warning in advance of his impending actions.
Many times women care more than men about what's right and what's not. I had hoped by sending the information I did to Lonnies wife that she might take an interest in the wrongness of it, or at least question the brutality of it. I let her know that I felt this event which was so unfairly put upon me deserved to made public for people to have the chance to know of it. Well this post is another peice of the pie.

Russell Johnston's Letter

I want to share a letter that was sent to me by one of the crew I worked with on the Stella & Powell project. It is a reflection of how I was viewed in the field by those I associated with.

Dear William,
Your card was a most welcome and extremely pleasant surprise. I'm sorry, but "not surprised", to hear how they, (Finley engineering Co.) treated you. With the exception of you and one or two of the C-Com fellas I met, that whole operation appeared to me to be a bunch of back-stabbing "chewbackers". I hope you have a grievance started in house and a lawyer harrassing them from outside. Carl & I got the axe as soon as we were done with Le-Ru. Johnnie said he just didn't have enough work to keep us on. I found out later that he called Carl back for a small job in Eureka Springs. I don't have Carl's address. I know where his house is in Seligman but I don't know the name of the street. As small as Seligman is, as long as Carl's been there, and the fact that his wife sat on the city council may mean you can reach him with General Delivery Seligman if the post office still does that.
As for me, I went back to work for the first boss I had in Rogers. He's a good boss. He's only paying me $8/hr. and he makes sure I realize I'm low man on the totem pole. It's a four man outfit and I ws his foreman when I quit him last time. But, I've worked for him for sixty days and he's given $450 and a 15-20lb. ham over and above my wages plus a couple of the customers have tipped me a total of $50, $30 of which came the first week I was back. So all things considered, I'm content with the way things have worked out for me.
I hope you get justice. They couldn't have asked for a more thorough or conscientious employee. I hate to think that they got rid of you for no more substantial reason than you didn't fit in their clique. How is your lady? I remember you telling of her health problems. I hope you have managed to find the healing needed. And I pray that you have had a happy holiday season. You know, Christmas and New Years . It sounded weird when I wrote "happy holiday season", at least weird coming from me, kind of 5th Avenue, or something.
I had a kind of strange season. Johnnie laid me off around Halloween, Mary and I had a big old fight (verbal, not physical) and I moved out. I moved in with one of the guys at work only to have a lady friend of his move in with her three children. So I was kind of "Uncle Russell" to 7 year old girl who was pretty sure there wasn't any Santa Claus, but not so sure that she would stake Christmas on it. She made Christmas special.
Then, I visited Mary on Christmas day, found out she was behind on everything with every service except gas & electric- including water shut off. So I moved back in on the rent a room by the week plan and got the city to turn her water back on. So between work and home, it's been a strange period between Halloween and New Years. It did afford me the opportunity to meet new friends. I spent every holiday - Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas- with people I didn't even know on Labor Day. Odd isn't it?
Well, I'm about talked out. So, I guess I'll say bye for now. I hope there is something you can do about Finley's. I fear in this current political climate; in fact the political climate for the majority of the last 20 years, an employee is no more than chattel. Still, there is a limit to what they can get away with. I hope otherwise life is being kind to you and yours. Thank you for a beautiful Christmas card. I'll call you when I get the phone turned back on.
In friendship
Russ

I value Russell's friendship as he is not only a very hard worker but his letter demonstrates a learned mind. He writes well and with good spelling. I value his views and who he is as a person. The letter is important for me in that it is the views of another person that was associated with my work and his observation of the situation is quite accurate and complimentary on my behalf. It is a testimony in the form of a personal letter that shows the BRUTALITY on Finley's part toward me when I was "innocent of any wrongdoing". It reflects the abuse of power with no regard for the damage the use of that power causes to anothers life. After 23 plus years (the best working years of my life), I was let go because of no more reason than "I didn't fit quite so well back in the ITD department." That act by these individuals should be punishable by law. Randall Kim Little terminated my employment and when I demanded to know upon what grounds he was doing this, I got this reply------"Ah, we don't have to tell you, we don't have to discuss it with you, we don't have to have a reason." Lonnie Joe McFadden chose to support Kim in this poorly thought out act that clearly shows what and who they are as people. Sad that they are so shallow and unfit for their positions.

"GOLF BALLS"

It was 1996. It was Indianapolis, Indiana. It was a hot day. I was working on a railroad right of way and it went behind a golf practice place. I saw all these golf balls on the right of way. There were so many and I made a small collection of them. I drug them home and kept them a while, like a mother hen on eggs I guess. Well none hatched so what to do with golf balls when you don't play.
Well at that time I knew that LONNIE MCFADDEN was into golf. I thought of him and so one day I took the balls in to Finley's and presented them to him.
LONNIE MCFADDEN, the same man who was in part responsible for the brutal execution of my "LIVELIHOOD". Go figure!

REMEMBERING!!!!!!!!

Finley Engineering Company, Inc. This is an email I sent dated 8/8/2006. It was sent to Larry Fausett (now vice president), Ken Knuth (president), Ben Humphrey (Slayton, Mn. office), Lonnie McFadden (Lamar office mgr.), Charles Orrell (retired). The email was directed to Larry Fausett as he was head of the Tennessee Project.
Subject: Remembering!
Larry,
Good morning. If I knew your home email I would not have sent this to the office. This little map I am sending with this email is totally from memory---like a lot of things that come to me. I wonder if the reason I remember it so well is that I started a simple request with you and you managed to get me upset because you resembled an old mule in your response. I had the simple pleasure of meeting Mr. Scott and his wife. They were very nice rural folks and had spent a good portion of their lives working to build a nice place to live (and it was nice as I remember). This was early 2001 in case you forgot the time frame. I believe at Lanier Road and the highway to the west of Scott's is where we had the cabinet to serve the area placed.
Maybe that's the difference Larry, you weren't the one surveying along their road and so you never had the pleasure of making their acquaintance. Somehow though, I doubt it would have turned out different. Their existing ped was actually mounted on a pole that was an old drop pole and it was actually located up in their yard and in front of (to some extent), their dining room window where they sat daily for their meals. They were really sick of looking out to enjoy the view, only to have the view compromised by this ugly phone thing. NO BURIED SPLICES was the rule of the day---as I recall. There were just a small number of subscribers beyond their place and I think I had to place a new peice of 12 pair. I asked you, I pleaded with you, I begged you, please for these folks, can't we make an effort by asking Pete Terry or someone if they couldn't grant us permission to place a buried splice in this situation. The existing cables had plenty of buried splices. Your harsh response was "NO"----period! I really think that was where I first began looking at who you had become from that young kid in Kentucky. I envisioned you had been a country boy yourself----don't know where I got that but that's the impression I remember. I really thought you'd give it a shot for these folks and you didn't even seem to give a damn. Failure isn't when you try something and don't have success----Failure is when you don't even try at all, which you didn't. Funny how things like that stay in the back of your mind. I guess some people just didn't like the fact that I cared about my job a little more than they cared about the same job. I believe honest PR from the heart with the subscribers that support you, pay "BIG DIVIDENDS" in the end. Honest means it's real. It's done as a "common sense" deed and is a benefit to the subscriber. If it makes them smile and feel good then it's a plus. Makes you and the phone company look better, which is where you'd like to be.
I had looked over their situation and I knew I had to place a new drop to their house and I had to place a new peice of cable. I had figured out how to set one new ped and it would have been located in a place agreeable by them. I then wanted to bury the splice where the ugly phone thing was, to connect into the remaining cable to the field. That was my question. Could we please ask permission to bury this one splice in this situation. What you caused me to have to do was to place a new "ugly phone thing" in place of the old "ugly phone thing" and they had to go on being frustrated for another 20 years and disliking the phone company even more than they alaready did for doing this in the first place. I always kind of liked you, ya know. I was just sort of taken back by your coldness and not giving a damn attitude. I realize you were new to managing and maybe just felt you didn't need the added stress of a question. I don't know if I made it out to apologize to them for being unable to fulfill the view I presented to them (you see before I asked you I had the feeling of confidence that you would really do what you could to help). It seems that I did call them---I hope I did. I probably said something like, "I really hate to have to bring this news Mr. & Mrs. Scott,but what I wanted to do for you that was pleasing to you and your wife----well the people that have the say, well, they seem to have their head up their butts and can't seem to do anything except say no, and I don't agree, but that's the way it seems like it's going to be." "I do apologize."
That's where I am, that's who I am-----always on the side of the common man who pays your wages in the end.
Good day!
William Vincent