| Subject: The "Drama" continues....... |
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No name
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Date Posted: 20:41:25 10/25/13 Fri
Dear Ken:
Sadly, I was not all that surprised when a friend forwarded me a copy of Paul's resignation letter earlier this week. In many ways, I was touched, because a lot of us who care about Miss NY have been disappointed by the utter insanity that's been taking place within the NY organization in the past few weeks. It was heartening to see that someone--especially Paul, who has as much invested in this program as anyone--decided to speak up in a public and direct way. That's the kind of communication and transparency we should all aspire to.
Since reading Paul's email, I've had several conversations with some of the people involved. I'm incredibly disappointed by what I've heard, from multiple sources, about your recent decisions.
Briefly: my family has been volunteering with Miss America since I was about 4 years old. I myself started volunteering when I was in my early teens--helping with the parade, marking off parking spaces with masking tape in (then) Convention Hall, etc. When I began competing, and especially when I arrived in Atlantic City as a contestant, it was the culmination of a dream for the daughter of a hostess and a security guard/former board member. Then, as now, I believed in the transformational power of the Miss America Organization. Since then, through volunteering and guiding contestants, I have truly treasured the opportunity to witness the growth of these women. We get to watch as this program helps them to evolve into self-assured, autonomous young adults. It's exciting, and humbling, and utterly rewarding in so many ways.
Unfortunately, I've also learned that this promise does not always translate into reality. Pettiness, selfishness, and misplaced priorities can undermine the whole thing. I just never expected it from you.
You and I have spent many, many hours together. I have considered you a dear friend. When you confidentially told me that you had been selected as the new Executive Director of the Miss NY Organization, I actually got tears in my eyes. I was so sure that it was not only a brilliant choice for the pageant, but a wonderful outcome for a man whose love of Miss America ran as deep as my own. I encouraged you to surround yourself with people who were loyal and shared your vision. I told you that I would support you in any way possible: asking my Broadway friends to judge or help out with the production, fundraising when I could....anything. Obviously, there was an elephant in the room; because I work with contestants, it's important for the pageant to avoid a conflict of interest or the appearance of impropriety. But within the boundaries of appropriateness, I wanted to do whatever I could to support you.
When the shit hit the fan in Atlantic City, though, I started hearing things. If you remember, I texted you the same day the NY Post story came out, that I absolutely, categorically had not given an interview (on or off the record) to them about the whole Nina/Mallory situation. You may also remember that you did not respond. I contacted you at least one more time. Again, no response. I have not heard from you since...at least, not directly.
Let me be clear: I knew the Post was poking around. I let Mallory know, because I didn't want her to get blindsided on the road by a rogue reporter. I told you in July, days after the pageant, that the story was probably going to blow up....too many people already had those recordings, and I wanted you to be prepared. Perhaps because I spoke bluntly about the situation, especially to you, you eventually decided that it was easiest to point a finger in my direction. Frankly, I thought that the whole thing was a ticking time bomb, and that it was best for me to step away. I also sensed that there were others trying to elbow their way close to Nina. And getting a contestant ready for Miss America is challenging enough without throwing in a turf war. Obviously, Nina didn't need me; she did just great (to say the least). On the night she won the title in Atlantic City, I made a point to congratulate her and tell her she had earned it.
What baffles me, Ken, is that you have apparently decided to run Miss New York like an exclusive club where you get to make all the membership decisions. Leave me out of it; I have a thick skin. But are you seriously excluding three out of the past five Miss New Yorks, one of whom went on to win Miss America? That's not a great start, two or three months in. What exactly gives you the right to cross off Mallory (who was an excellent Miss America, and got Nina's back when it counted), Leigh-Taylor (who puts in a lot of effort without seeking credit, and has never even heard the infamous recordings), and Claire (with whom I have had differences of opinion, to be sure, but who has stepped up and done the grunt work for this program more times than I can count)?
With all due respect, Ken: how do you justify ostracizing these women, who have come through for the pageant again and again and again?
And now, the part where we talk turkey. I know what you've been saying about me, and I don't like it. You have absolutely no basis for your defamatory claims...and quite frankly, I'm sick of my name being dragged through the mud because I'm straightforward and don't play games. If my character were what you insinuate it to be, I would have sold those recordings to TMZ by now and paid off my mortgage.
What you're now doing has a lot of names: libel, slander, defamation. And, of course, the fancy-pants version: tortious interference. I've never sued anyone in my life, and I'd be thrilled to make it to my deathbed without having that happen. But if you continue to badmouth me, or if you mess with my ability to work with contestants in New York or anywhere else, I will take action. And just so we're clear: when you talk or post online in ways that make it clear you're talking about me (even if you don't use my name), that is actionable as well.
Please consider this a heads-up. I have worked far too hard--in good faith, and you know it--to let you interfere with my personal or professional reputation. If this continues, I can hold liable not only the Miss New York Organization, but also you personally. If you have to hear about this again, it will not be from me, but from my attorney.
Ball's in your court, Ken. Hopefully you will see the merit in backing off and setting aside your unfounded accusations. If you have something to say to me, or ask me, you should pick up the phone and call me. Because right now, you're acting like a 7th-grade girl...and despite everything, I still believe you have it in you to be better than that.
-Kate-
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- Note to self: don't screw with Kate Shindle. Guru has already deleted lol. (NT) -- No name, 21:13:43 10/25/13 Fri
- So according to Kate, the tapes are real. They do exist. Which means at some point they will probably become public. (NT) -- No name, 21:32:12 10/25/13 Fri
- Well, that's an interesting piece of gossip. So it's true, Mallory knew and she still did that photo op with Nina. Makes me love Mallory more and shame on Nina! (NT) -- No name, 08:28:25 10/26/13 Sat
- Mallory obviously "took one for the team" with that photo op. I believe she has heard the recordings but was probably upset that the whole thing became so public during her last week as Miss America. (NT) -- No name, 13:22:43 10/26/13 Sat
- Mallory moved to California, probably to get as far away from New York as possible. (NT) -- No name, 07:40:20 10/27/13 Sun
- Can you blame her? I wonder if she'll be at Nina's Homecoming. (NT) -- No name, 13:20:14 11/03/13 Sun
- If the emails are to be believed, I don't think she'd be welcome. (NT) -- No name, 16:12:06 11/03/13 Sun
- More like, if the emails are to be believed, Mallory wouldn't be caught dead at Nina's party. I'd be shocked if Nina is embraced by the NY pageant people after her reign (NT) -- No name, 17:13:20 11/03/13 Sun
- Um, why would MALLORY not be welcomed? How did Mallory become the villain in this???? (NT) -- No name, 17:14:48 11/03/13 Sun
- Direct quote from the last message, "What baffles me, Ken, is that you have apparently decided to run Miss New York like an exclusive club where you get to make all the membership decisions. Leave me out of it; I have a thick skin. But are you seriously excluding three out of the past five Miss New Yorks, one of whom went on to win Miss America? That's not a great start, two or three months in. What exactly gives you the right to cross off Mallory (who was an excellent Miss America, and got Nina's back when it counted), Leigh-Taylor (who puts in a lot of effort without seeking credit, and has never even heard the infamous recordings), and Claire (with whom I have had differences of opinion, to be sure, but who has stepped up and done the grunt work for this program more times than I can count)? " (NT) -- No name, 17:19:00 11/03/13 Sun
- And from the first message, "Ken has said he made an agreement with Kent Parham that included a contingency - if he produced/choreographed Miss New York 2014, neither Claire nor Mallory would be involved in the production in any way." (NT) -- No name, 17:22:28 11/03/13 Sun
- Click inside for respone -- No name, 08:38:04 10/26/13 Sat
- Perhaps it is not that the tapes are not incriminating but instead that there are legal problems preventing the owner of the tapes from releasing them and Nina and MAO are playing that card. Haskell will threaten anyone to keep the real behind the scene facts from coming to light no matter what the issue. (NT) -- No name, 21:48:49 10/26/13 Sat
- I'm curious, does Kate have a copy of the recording? Does Mallory? (NT) -- No name, 13:48:11 10/27/13 Sun
- I have to believe that the tape will be released someday, and I cannot wait for that day. It's just too bad they crowned her knowing that the tape existed. The NY Post story made the organization look bad to begin with, and then to crown her? Please. (NT) -- No name, 18:31:11 10/27/13 Sun
- Thirty years ago when the Vanessa Williams scandal broke, there were only 3 network stations and Miss America was much more widely known and cared about by the public. Not so mch today. With hundreds of television stations, MA scrambles to get just a miniscule amount of notoriety. The only people who really care and follow it is the small cadre of hard-core pageantistas, i.e, us. This new “racist” brouhaha is nothing in comparison to the much more prurient Vanessa scandal. If the tapes are exposed, nothing will happen. We pageantistas will keep calm and carry on. (NT) -- No name, 19:09:12 10/28/13 Mon
- I know it's off-subject too YET Ken Nelson felt Katie Stam overreacted when named the Tuesday night preliminary swimsuit winner. Ken writes: Swimsuit was strong. There were several who could have easily won. It was a toss up crap shoot and so many you just could not have argued with had they picked her. Indiana WILL DEFINITELY be a contender Sat. night. Lots already have her crowned. So that she came out on top in this group, the panel is obviously looking at her. My winner Oklahoma --- more due to her presentation than her body --- with Massachusetts a VERY VERY close 2nd, who had a great body. Then Indiana, Florida, Tennessee, Utah. Indiana made me ill the way she carried on when she was announced the swimsuit winner. Like it was the biggest shock of her life & she was like "Oh My God! I Can't Believe I Won Swimsuit!" I'll bet the other girls hate her. Especially since she is considered a front runner and could very well win this thing. It was seriously a bit much however. (NT) -- The Insider, 11:32:16 10/31/13 Thu
- This is a Miss NY Org issue. Has nothing to do with the rest of you nosy bitches. (NT) -- No name, 14:12:51 11/02/13 Sat
- Mod is obviously protecting Johnny D and Gaspar Cruz (NT) -- wow, way to be obvious. they're worse than Nina IMO, 16:31:16 11/02/13 Sat
 Any attorneys on the board? Correct me if I'm wrong, but wouldn't releasing the tape basically equate to illegal wiretapping? (NT) -- No name, 15:06:01 11/03/13 Sun
- If the people were talking loudly enough that they could be heard in the other room, then it's not illegal for them to be taped. At least, not in my state. You can't claim an expectation of privacy when your volume is loud enough that others can hear it with the naked ear. (NT) -- No name, 15:24:32 11/03/13 Sun
- the reason the tapes have not been released is because it is a legal gray area. whoever has the tapes is concerned about the POSSIBILITY of being sued. it is a crime to engage in illegal recording of conversations without consent of anyone participating in the conversation, but it is also allowed to record conversations that are audible through walls. however, whoever has the tape is not willing to risk the jail time. (NT) -- because honestly, why go to jail over a girl who's just a phony?, 09:51:04 11/04/13 Mon
- Hogwash! This isn't a criminal act. No one will be going to jail. How absurd (NT) -- No name, 15:21:55 11/04/13 Mon
- plz 2 educate urself on teh law: http://www.dmlp.org/legal-guide/new-york-recording-law (NT) -- No name, 15:52:19 11/04/13 Mon
- This is ridiculous. No prosecutor is going to tie up court time, find a jury, and prosecute a case for something as petty and absurd as someone taping Miss America laughing at a racial slur. I feel ridiculous even typing it out. It's absolutely absurd that you people think this would be a real possibility (NT) -- No name, 16:43:47 11/04/13 Mon
- Plus, the recording is not illegal in NY. The laws posted above only apply to electronic surveillance on private property. Bugging phones, etc (NT) -- No name, 07:27:31 11/05/13 Tue
- That is not true. Bugging phones is a whole 'nother deal. Do you not read where it says "in-person conversations?" (NT) -- No name, 08:10:55 11/05/13 Tue
- This is a different situation, folks. This wasn't a just a personal conversation. It was a conversation that was loud enough that anyone could hear it. Come on, all the taper has to say is that she was recording herself in her room and stopped for a minute while the other conversation was captured on tape. It's akin to someone videotaping their kid at the swimming pool and accidentally catching a pick-pocketer on tape (NT) -- No name, 08:34:02 11/05/13 Tue
- Ok, but that's capturing illegal activity. What was said in this conversation was not illegal, it was opinions being rendered. It is not invasion of privacy, however, they did not consent to their conversation being recorded. You can be yelling at someone on the street but unless you agree to or are aware of it being recorded, it IS illegal to record it. It's pretty much an issue of "eavesdropping" on a conversation which you are not a party to. Now, having the tape is one thing, but making it public, with the intent to harm another by releasing it, is also another ballgame. Defamation need not be a lie about another person, but more the intent to do harm by releasing the info. The tape has been made available to those whose business it is and they choose to ignore it. Releasing it publicly could very well constitute defamation. (NT) -- No name, 08:40:55 11/05/13 Tue
- Plz 2 lrn how to type teh english. Oh, and please do learn how the law works. This is not a case of wiretapping, nor is it recording of a public meeting. If the gals in question were speaking loudly enough that they could be overheard in another person's room, then they can't claim that they expected any privacy. (NT) -- No name, 08:25:25 11/05/13 Tue
- So that’s how all this has played out? Miss America supported a conversation involving inappropriate bigoted name calling but because people are being bullied into submission, worried they will be sued if the tape is made public; our Miss America who is known for her love for diversity claims gets to pretend for another day? (NT) -- Is that what is being stated here?, 16:02:52 11/05/13 Tue
- Here's one of the things I don't get: those same former Miss New Yorks who are referenced or inferred to be concerned with Nina, as well as Kate, were all at her homecoming. I think this is what frustrates me about the whole system. If you have objections, stand the hell up for yourself and for the objections. Don't go, put on a big pageant smile, and act like you are supporting a contestant. If they all had those concerns about Nina, and particularly if those tapes are valid, then why associate with someone who is a phony? Take a stand. If Kate has all these objections then she shouldn't have attended, either. We all know she can stand up for herself. (NT) -- No name, 07:56:41 11/20/13 Wed
- Why is everyone talking about these insiders as being the guilty parties and not the person who pushed the record button on her phone? IMO, the girl who was the next door roommate to Nina is the guilty party. She was not a winner, probably not in a pleasant mood, due to her loss and vindictively hit the record button. She shared this recording with someone(?), but that someone did not start all this….the person who hit "record" did. (NT) -- No name, 18:56:19 11/23/13 Sat
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Great example of an intense 'hot seat' interview: Miss Universe Olivia Culpo versus Russian journalist Oksana Boyko
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Here's A Trivia Question No One Will probably Have the correct answer