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On www.miltonhersheyforums.org, Joe Berning made the following posts. Because you're here on the Debate Club, I'll assume you have some degree of interest. This is about Mike Macchioni...a truly terrific person who, like Bob Chalmers, has contributed greatly to MHSAA yet, like Bob Chalmers, received no recognition. Please take a moment of your time to read carefully and then you decide if those running the MHSAA are "fair and balanced".
First you'll read Joe's opening remarks...followed by Mike's email of resignation to the MHSAA/VoR Board...followed by John Halbleib's reply with a response back from Mike...a comment by me...and closing comments by Joe. Here goes...
"John Halbleib - Despicable "Control Freak""
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Now we know EXACTLY WHY the MHSAA Website has languished as a joke for the last two years -- two words -- John Halbleib.
Someone sent me this e-mail train from the MHS-BOD regarding Mike Macchioni's resignation as MHSAA's webmaster and tech-support guy for MHSAA. Mikes two e-mails speak VOLUMES as to why he resigned (just as Halblieb intended for him to do).
Halbleib's passive-aggressive responses to Mike's e-mails are very revealing, as they expose Halbleib's TRUE character as a liar, control freak, and genuine derriere#ole.
It is quite clear that Halbleib has been "setting up" Mike Macchioni for some time now -- at least two years.
Just look at how this creep operates..........
Please read:
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From: HersheyMike [mailto:hersheymike@verizon.net]
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2008 12:05 AM
To: John Halbleib and the MHSAA BOD
Subject: RE: Web site management
To: MHSAA Board of Directors
When Mike Weller hired me as MHSAA Webmaster over 5 1/2 years ago, he emphasized that my appointment was a business relationship and not a volunteer position with the association. Upon being hired, I developed an entirely new website which featured ever-changing content including news articles, obit notices, document management, etc.
The previous webmaster was paid $750 per month for a site that was relatively static. Even though the time required was roughly three times the amount of work of the old website, I was paid $280 per month and this rate has remained unchanged for the 5 1/2 years. At the time, Mike Weller advised of his hope that the School would eventually reimburse MHSAA for web expenses and the higher pay rate would be restored. This, however, never came to fruition.
In the ensuing years, the MHSAA website became a labor intensive project as I often worked into the late evening or early morning hours to perform the work. Weekends were often the busiest, as various MHSAA Officers over the years would contact me to perform work on their off-work hours. At one point, I conducted an estimate of the number of hours I was dedicating to MHSAA, using my regular client rate, and it averaged well over $2,000 per month.
About two years ago, when the new MHSAA Board was elected, I proposed a new web portal. The portal would enhance communications, make the job of the MHSAA office much easier and give us greater capabilities for alumni to network. The new Board approved the new alumni web portal while directing that the old discussion forum be taken down and immediately replaced with the new portal. The old forums were taken down but, against my strenuous objections, the new portal with new forums were not immediately replaced. While we sat idly by for nearly a year, MHSAA's job--to provide a platform for alumni to network and communicate--was appropriated by others, including themilt.com and miltonhersheyforums.org (I am not casting stones here, those folks simply filled a void).
About six month ago, the portal contract was finally entered into. Although I was the official webmaster and continued to work on the existing website, I was never given administrative access to the backend of the portal (the ability to build and setup the site is referred to as backend access), save for that given to class agents. In my mind, this was simply the "writing on the wall" and that I would be relieved as webmaster as soon as the portal went live (and no, I shouldnt have had to ask for access).
About a week before Homecoming, I was asked to help put the new website live, which I did. I was never informed nor asked to participate in a meeting that occurred during Homecominig presenting the new site or to sit with alumni and guide them through the registration process. Furthermore, the job of webmaster requires wide latitude of both responsibility and authority. I simply cannot see that continuing with the current arrangement.
The other incident related to my MHSAA work happened last year, when I was fingered as a suspect by some School and MHSAA officials of being the infamous online "prosecutor." This resulted in my being served a subpeona to appear to testify in an ensuing witchunt to determine who the real "prosecutor" was. Because my job as webmaster involved confidentiality, I was not certain what I could or could not reveal and I sought and personally paid for private counsel.
Beginning with that incident and because of those more recent, I feel it is time to move on.
So therefore, effective immediately, I submit my resignation as Webmaster for MHSAA.
Also, and as some of you may not be aware, I have been the local technical support for the MHSAA Office. In the past 5 1/2 years, I have billed for these services, but more often, I did not. I have made arrangements with Jack Swofford, however, to continue to provide technical support until such time that my services are no longer required.
I remain proud of my Alma Mater and promote the school wherever I go. I also feel equally strong that as Alumni, we cannot be complacent and should and must speak truth to power whenever necessary to maintain the legacy of our Founders, Milton and Catharine Hershey.
Fraternally yours,
Mike Macchioni '74
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(Joe writes): Halbleib then responds in his typical condescending passive aggressive style:
From: John F Halbleib [mailto:johnhalbleib@johnfhalbleib.com]
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2008 8:55 AM
To: Mike Macchioni and the MHSAA BOD
Subject: RE: Web site management
To all:
I am personally disappointed that Mike has elected to resign.
To the extent that all who received this email might not understand, here are a few related key points:
• Any authority of the webmaster is and must remain derivative from that of the Board. I understand that Mike may not be in agreement here.
• The short and longer term success of our site is a function of use, current content and a large body of alumni and other school family members who possess a vested interest in its success, and who have made personal commitments to the success of particular areas.
• Given the truly broad scope of the interests of our alumni, our unique need requires what is commonly referred to as “distributed administration”, which means that every area of the site will eventually have individuals who take a personal interest in a Class Year, a Student Home, an Activity, a Sport, etc. These areas should be led by current or former well recognized coaches, teachers, houseparents, athletes, etc. By doing this, the site will have ever increasing and more interesting content, due to their personal commitment and direct access to the site’s content. This approach has given rise to exceptional success for other websites in which I have had input and influence. Many have won peer and industry awards. Moreover, without extensive advertising, our site is already nearing 1900 member logins for the first 26 days of October or about 73 per day, up from earlier in the month and growing.
• There is a role for Mike in this context, and perhaps a mere misunderstanding of the overall goals has contributed to Mike’s current feelings.
Over the years Mike has done a good job, and we all thank Mike for his efforts. However, one thing the webmaster will need is commitment to serve, and more particularly to serve effectively as a team player. In the end, this is Mike’s choice.
I have attached a few email which show that Mike was well integrated into the start-up process and that he was the individual responsible for migration of content. Yet, while he committed to do this in April 2008, to my knowledge he never exported the data. Currently, MHSAA’s data is being held hostage. Moreover, regarding who is the registered owner of the URL, which should be MHSAA, it is currently registered to Tucows Inc., in Canada. I have asked Mike to cause the ownership and registration to be placed with MHSAA, which is a rather simple process. Mike has not acted on his original commitment to migrate the old site, nor has he given MHSAA access to the content (other than through him, but he has not acted), nor has he caused MHSAA to be the registered owner of www.mhsaa.org Moreover, Mike was asked who owned Tucows, a question which he has not answered.
Finally, it seems that Mike desires to be webmaster only if he is in control and that he is not inclined to be an effective team player, unless he has control. We already know, and hopefully understand, that MHSAA must be in control of the portal; this is MHSAA’s responsibility. The webmaster performs a service to MHSAA, and as such is obligated to follow MHSAA’s instructions, including becoming an effective member of a team.
Mike, on a personal note, first, I would not be inclined to include all of these email recipients on an email of this nature. Nonetheless, you elected to do so. More importantly, I encourage you to reconsider; not so much because we can’t succeed without you, but rather, because you are part of our family, and your being part of this initiative is the healthy way to go forward. This is your decision.
John F Halbleib
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Macchioni's response to Halbleib's RIDICULOUS allegations
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RE: Web site management
From: HersheyMike
To: John Halbleib and the MHSAA BOD
Date: Mon, 27 Oct 2008 10:56 pm
Folks
I hate to belabor my exit, but felt the need to respond to John's email to you.
1. I am NOT holding any information hostage. I've been diligently working with Jack Swofford to do all the necessary account transfers. The MHSAA account had to be separated from my other clients. This was performed last week and forwarded to the MHSAA office.
2. Jill Grimes name (using MHSAA's address) has been listed, for quite some time now as the registered owner of the domain. I asked well over a year ago for a person's name to transfer the domain to, but no one was willing to use their personal name, so I used Jill's.
3. Tucows is the domain name registrar that our hosting company uses. They maintain 8 million domains names and can easily be found with a Google search. http://www.tucowsinc.com/
4. The domain name is listed as private and there is a reason for this. It prevents unscrupulous Internet registrar companies from transferring the domain. This has happened to several of my clients. It's not a fun process when it happens.
5. It's been suggested that I am not happy about losing control of the website. Quite to the contrary, I was the one who suggested we move to a portal, which would involve many persons.
6. Ive been an excellent team player and successfully made the transition from one adminstration to the next. To say otherwise borders on the ridiculous.
7. The fact remains that when the portal was setup 5 or 6 months ago, I was never given administrative rights or access. I "was" asked to transfer info from the old site, but was never given access to the new portal, no codes, no passwords, no phone access to technical support, etc. Nothing. Period.
8. I wasnt even asked to be on the Communications Committee and I was the webmaster, for gawdsakes. Did you notice that your registration email doesnt even come from MHSAA? Does it sound as if I was "well-integrated" into the administration of the new portal? Also, I made a rather innocuous response to an alumnus request for information. I was told that,. in the future, I would have to have my suggestions approved before sending them to alumni. Sorry, but if this how a team operates, then I am talking my ball and going home.
Mike
p.s. Several of your have responded privately and offered your thanks and support for 5+ years of service. I appreciate it more than you know!
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My comments...
"Halbleib says this after publicizing Mike Weller's resignation letter by placing it on the former MHSAA Forum???
How anybody can support this guy is mind boggling. Oh, and just who are those who support him? Ah...that would be correct...members of the MHSAA/VoR.
Ya think?"
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Joe's comments to Mike the Mac...
"Mac,
What a shame that "Halbleib & Company" have driven you away from MHSAA service -- just as they have many others.
First of all, THANK YOU for your 5 1/2 years of service! I was a Director on the MHSAA Board that hired you, and I can vouch that you did a very good job and were always LOYAL to MHSAA.
Certain VOR types have accused Fouad of being the ultimate control freak, but Fouad's style is nothing compared to the underhanded, sneaky, subversive, back-biting, deceitful, coniving, covert, cowardly style of Halbleib!
For all of Fouad's faults, at least he was HONEST and UP-FRONT!
Halbleib is the polar opposite -- he is a sneaky rat-bastard, who tries to "build consensus" AGAINST people behind their back!
I'm sorry to see you go as MHSAA's webmaster, because I know you gave a lot more than you were paid to do, especially at the MHSAA Office.
Oh well, this is just one more step toward the TOTAL MHSAA "takeover" as per the Dan White Report. I predict a website "joint venture" with MHS before the end of the year, with MHS picking up the tab (and full control) of MHSAA's future website -- MARK MY WORDS!
JWB"
they certainly could have responded differently. An offer to allow the relationship to continue could have been extended. An offer to reconsider the circumstances could have been issued. The entire MHSAA BOD could have had the opportunity to listen to the issues at hand and perhaps the 'great unifer', the 'peace maker', the 'mediator of reknown' could have engaged in a positive action to mend the fence, but we see how this individual has handled things - then again a vested interest remains at hand. Bob serves John as legal counsel, and therefore should have recused himself from this entire matter. He should have deferred to a VP [one with no vested interest] and allowed that individual to respond to this issue.
We have witnessed firsthand the lack of appreciation for conflicts of interest by a legal practioner. This remains the same guy [Bob Heist] who previously asked the 2005 MHSAA BOD to allow PANO [ www.pano.org ] to assist the MHSAA in developing a set of principles by which to operate. Short memory and a whole lot of vested interest in this issue! Perhaps we will see more on this subject if the current members of the MHSAA BOD begin to understand that John Halbleib needs to be brought back into check, and that when matters concerning John Halbleib come to the table for discussion, both John Halbleib and Bob Heist need to recuse themselves from the process.
Sincerely,
I was thinking the same thing.... I don't see it at all, he was just saying he can't do his job completely without all the tools necessary.
I fail to see a hostile tone in Mike's emails. What is Heist talking about. You can't be a webmaster without the keys to the kingdom.
Is the best. I have the utmost respect for him. He is a true friend.
Here are some more comments from Don Chappell and Sonny Jenkins. Also, Bob Heist chimed in by sending all on the MHSAA/VoR Board a message that strikes me as nothing more than a legal warning.
First...from Don Chappell
Mike,
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Please know that I and many other alumni and forum users appreciate all you have done over the past several years. Your past service should now be recognized by the entire MHSAA. I believe there exist many members of the MHSAA and the MHSAA BOD that should come forward at this time and make a statement that supports your dedication.
I would hope that any member currently serving on the MHSAA BOD would immediately step up and assume their duty to boldly and properly speak out against such language as has come out of Halbleib's keyboard.
Thank you again!
Sincerely,
_______________________________________
Now Sonny...
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Mac: I was the Internet Chairperson and brought your name forward to the MHSAA Board five years ago when I found out what MHSAA was paying for the Internet site. When I approached you about taking over the MHSAA site, we had many conversations on how to make it a better, easier navigation and more inclusive site, which included a site for young grads. I can remember countless times when I called or emailed you to add addition information, which was done very expediently. Many of these times were during the weekends and late at night. In fact, you once came to my house in Philadelphia to review many of the new features and made the MHSAA Internet Site a very informative and working tool.
Your service to MHSAA is just outstanding.
Sincerely,
Sonny
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Another post made from Don that was very interesting...
Somethings just don't happen as reported - thankfully!
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As was initially speculatively reported in the below press release - the appointment of John F. Halbleib to the MHS BOM failed to materialize - at least to date! I'm sure though John still dreams of such an appointment.
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?n...d=465812&rfi=6
Hershey Trust meets; reorganization possible
11/13/2002
Board members of the charitable trust that sought unsuccessfully to sell its controlling stake in Hershey Foods Corp. met Tuesday under pressure to reorganize into a smaller body more familiar with Milton S. Hershey's philanthropic vision.
The meeting came after a month during which a board committee, the Attorney General's Office, and Senior Judge Warren G. Morgan sought to come up with a list of prospective new board members who live locally.
Morgan, in an Oct. 16 court filing, stated that the board should be "closer to the model utilized by Milton S. Hershey during his lifetime."
"Certainly board members and structure of the board is one of the discussions they're having about actions they might take to move reorganization forward," said Thomas Gluck, an aide to the president of the 93-year-old Milton Hershey School, the sole beneficiary of the $5 billion charitable trust set up by the chocolate magnate. "But those discussions haven't finished."
The board met Tuesday and was expected to continue meeting Wednesday at the Hotel Hershey. The board members each have a one-year term finishing at the end of this year, and each votes to decide who sits on the board.
According to published reports, 10 of the 17 current board members, including outgoing school president and chief executive William L. Lepley, are each slated to lose their seats, while six people would replace them.
Those six replacements were identified as Raymond L. Gover, former publisher of The Patriot-News of Harrisburg; LeRoy Zimmerman, former Pennsylvania attorney general; Richard H. Lenny, Hershey Foods chief executive; Scott Newkam, Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Co. chief executive; John F. Halblieb, former president of the Milton Hershey School Alumni Association; and Velma A. Redmond, chairman of the board of Harrisburg Area Community College and a former member of Fisher's transition team.
Morgan and a spokesman for Fisher declined to comment on the reports in Tuesday's editions of The Patriot-News and The Philadelphia Inquirer. Gover said Tuesday that a current trustee, William Alexander, had called him about 10 days ago "out of the blue" to ask whether he would be interested in serving on the board.
At issue is the judge's displeasure with the attempt by the trustees to sell the nation's largest candy maker, 99 years after Milton Hershey began construction on his first chocolate factory that still stands at the corner of Chocolate and Cocoa avenues in Hershey.
The trustees said they wanted to sell the company to protect the trust's assets, over half of which are invested in the candy maker.
In response to a trustee request to dismiss his Sept. 5 injunction against selling the company, Morgan wrote on Oct. 16 that the trustees, "whatever their skills and however well-intentioned their efforts, have become detached from that philanthropic scheme."
The board, he wrote, "is unusually large and the residences and daily lives of too many members are distant and disconnected from the charitable interests they serve."
The trustees announced in July that they had ordered the company to explore a sale, but called it off Sept. 17 after they rejected two bids on the company.
But the potential sale created a backlash locally.
Many in the community criticized the board members as outsiders who were unfamiliar with the legacy of Milton Hershey and the foundation that the company provided to the town. About four trustees live in central Pennsylvania, and some as far away as California, North Carolina and Minnesota.
Attorney General Mike Fisher challenged the decision to sell the company in court, saying that the massive layoffs and plant closings that could result were anathema to the charitable mission of the trust and the school.
Morgan agreed. When he explained why he issued a temporary injunction on a sale, he wrote that the trustees had acted with "capriciousness that is an abuse of their discretion."
Although community activists compiled a petition with thousands of names asking Fisher to pursue the board's removal, he has replied that other options exist.
"What we're watching is to see if this board has the integrity to step aside and reform themselves," said Kathryn Taylor, a Hershey-area attorney whose uncle was an original trustee. "We're sick of these people."
©NEPA News*2006
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Regarding your message in the above release, I couldn't have said it better Kathy, at least in regard to the 'former attorney'!
1. He failed to notify the MHSAA of a conflict of interest his former employer held with a different client regarding the other client's strong interest in the potential 'Sale of HFC'!
2. He attempted to persuade the MHSAA BOD members NOT to oppose the potential 'Sale of HFC'. He was exposed of his lack of integrity during a phone call between the MHSAA BOD and one of the senior partners of his former employer's law firm. The very next day he turned over total lead of the case to Ric Fouad and stated that Ric had a better understanding of the case than anyone else including John himself - that statement always puzzled me. Why would anyone else have a better understanding of the case? He also proclaimed a 'fundamental change in perspective'! I'm thinking he got his butt chewed out quite extensively.
3. He organized a group of alumni in a failed attempt to remove three duly elected MHSAA Officers from their office - without cause! [These were his former clients!] This action in and of itself seems to be quite a hostile action to take against a former client - quite unethical.
4. He organized a campaign to disrupt the 2003 MHS/MHSAA Homecoming events by dividing the alumni into groups at the MHS/MHSAA state of the school and annual business meetings. Again - this action appears to be quite hostile and quite unethical!
5. He had already taken action to gain $3.5M from the MHS Trust for 'pro bono' services and failed to inform the MHSAA BOD of his intentions. I still wait for proof that otherwise reflects that he informed anyone of his efforts to get rich from his 'pro bono' service, as was used in hi srecent campaign to regain office! Some will state that this action also appears to be quite unethical.
6. He has involved himself in presenting information to the courts during the MHS/MHSAA PA Supreme Court Case involving standing. Again, this action may be considered hostile in nature to his former client [the MHSAA] by some legal experts and again appears to be quite an unethical endeavor.
7. And now we come to this issue before us! Who do we believe in this exchange of information?
I believe Mike!
I am not surprised that the 'former attorney' no longer works for his former employer
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Finally, another post from Joe Berning who shares with all the email from Bob Heist. In addition to Joe's comments, when reading Heist's email, please note his second paragraph...
Joe starts in saying: This thread wouldn't be complete........
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without the following disingenuous comments from "Bootlicker Bob"
From: rconnorh@aol.com (a.k.a. Bootlicker Bob)
To: hersheymike@verizon.net
Subject: Re: Web site management
Date: Tue, 28 Oct 2008 09:09:45 -0400
Mike,
As President of the MHSAA, I thank you for all of your assistance over the years to the MHSAA. I am disappointed that the Board was not presented with an opportunity to hear from you directly about any issues that may have arisen with the implementation of the new MHSAA web presence. However, in light of the tone of the current communications from you, it appears that the Board would not have been able to dissuade you from resigning as Webmaster. It is too bad that you have decided to resign as you have been an invaluable asset to the MHSAA in terms of its prior web site and you certainly would have been an asset in assisting the management of the new MHSAA web presence. However, I will respect your decision and offer to you my sincere thanks for all you have done for the MHSAA in years past. I also understand that you will continue to offer support to Jill and we appreciate your help in that regard.
As for the MHSAA moving forward, anything you can do to assist in a smooth transition of data will be much appreciated. In addition, you no doubt recognize that the information, inclusive of mailing addresses, that was under your control as MHSAA webmaster is the property of the MHSAA and should not be disseminated to any other person and/or entity without the express written approval of the Board of the MHSAA. If you receive a request for any such information from any person I expect that you will contact the Board of the MHSAA and make certain that the person requesting that information has the authority of the MHSAA Board to obtain that information. The proprietary nature of the MHSAA data must be maintained and preserved. I appreciate your assistance in this regard.
Mike, you have truly demonstrated the philanthropic spirit of Milton Hershey by giving so much of your time to the MHSAA for the past several years. Your committment to the MHSAA is an example of how other alumni brothers and sisters can demonstrate their understanding of the true spirit of Milton and Catherine Hershey, i.e. giving to others! Your efforts and service to the MHSAA should be recognized by all of your alumni borthers and sisters. Thank you and best wishes to you and your family in all that you do in the future.
Sincerely,
Bob Heist, Class of 1982
President, MHSAA
P.S. Bill Brill, as MHSAA Secretary, will you maintain a copy of this email and include with the records of the Association for future reference as necessary.
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Joe closes by saying: Heist is so full of crap! The false praise and gratitude he expresses to Mac in this e-mail are just as phony and disingenuous as he is. The only time that Heist is honest, is when he is on his knees at Homecoming. There is no doubt in my mind that he is just as happy as Halbliar to be rid of Mac.
All Heist had to do as the "Great Leader and Unifier" to keep Mac happy was to include him on the Communications Committee, and show him a little respect and gratitude when it counted -- NOT after-the-fact!
Both of these guys are unbelievable!
The old joke about how can you tell when a lawyer is lying is certainly true for the lawyers currently on MHSAA’s board. This includes Heist, Halbleib and Mardula! Not only are they lying when their lips are moving, but when their fingers are tapping on a keyboard as well.
JWB
Indeed...it is sad.
Thanks for posting this. Sad.....
I have read the emails from Mike and I do not get any feeling that he is hostile or angry. Perhaps Bob has other issues with Mike that lie beneath the surface which he is not proud of and does not want anyone to see.