NCBTMB: Setting the Record Straight

I’m borrowing this title from an actual press release from the NCBTMB, dated August 21, 2007. I don’t have the space here to print the whole thing, so please follow this link and read it. If you’re unfamiliar with the past history of the NCB in recent years, it will give you some insight.

The rumor mill seems to be working overtime these days when it comes to the NCBTMB. While I’m certainly opinionated (who, me?) and sometimes speculate, I don’t want to get caught up in printing things that I can’t confirm as truth, so some of the sleeping dogs are going to have to lie for the time being.

One rumor I have confirmed is that Christopher Laxton, former CEO, is suing the NCB and Donna Feeley for $230,000 in civil court. There’s no little irony here, since Laxton was one of the signers of the document linked to above; at the time, Feeley was the Board Chair. The trial is scheduled for February. I personally contacted Mr. Laxton, and he informed me that he has requested a jury trial, and that it was necessary for him to withhold public comment at this time. History does seem to be repeating itself, as he’s not the first CEO to sue the NCB in recent years.

There are a lot of other rumors swirling. A number of people have parted ways with the NCB in recent months. Whitney Lowe left the task force; Chris Alvarado and Angela Palmier left their job as industry relations specialists after only 5 months on the job; Monica Reno resigned right after getting re-elected to serve another term, and four whole sentences were devoted to her departure; a long-standing outside vendor broke off the relationship last week; no confirmation on why that happened. The party line is usually well-wishes on both parts, when there’s any acknowledgment at all. Do people believe it? No, I don’t think so. But when no one is willing to talk on the record, rumors fly. READ MORE....