|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The author self-identifies as "GG," had met Marlene Braun, and spoke with several people who worked with her and knew her well. The identity is not verified.
November 17, 2005
Mr. Huntsinger,
I was shocked to read the article about your involvement in the death of Marlene Braun. When I Googled your name, the first listing was "Ron Huntsinger -- Bully Boss." The link brought up other articles and several aspects of the case that I was not aware of.
I knew Marlene only briefly, but many of the people who worked with her are friends and clients of mine, so I already knew something about this case. Everybody says that Marlene Braun was committed, effective, and successful in bringing a wide group of interests to agreement for the first time. You must remember that this plan was not Marlene's creation, but represents the consideration and negotiation and buy-in of many, many people over many years, people all along the political spectrum who often know each other and have personal and professional interests in the Carrizo. Marlene Braun has a great reputation around here.
You do not. The word on Ron Huntsinger is that you're trying to kill the plan. Your methods were toxic and tragically effective. I have heard people who are close to the situation say that Ron Huntsinger is a career bureaucrat and political hack who will abuse the environment, his job and his authority, as well as any person who actually tries to do the will of the people, not just the powerful. Some people blame you for her death, although it was suicide. I blame you for her misery.
I'd like to see you fired. First, your mismanagement of the plan: you failed to interpret and take action on its most basic tenets. By allowing less control over grazing when the plan provides for more is not in the best interests of the BLM or an educated and involved local public. Remember that ecotourism is a much bigger business in this county than cattle.
Most importantly, you should be fired over your mismanagement of Marlene Braun. You have shown a history and pattern of harassment, failure to communicate and to manage for effective communication, verbal abuse, multiple instances of unprofessional conduct, and improper adherence to personnel procedures. I'm sure others have simply suffered or were driven away by the misfortune of your management over the years, on your climb up the BLM. But now a woman has died, whom you harassed on the job from a position that you still hold, and she has named you and your catastrophic "management" style as the reason.
This is a person with a stellar record, much support and respect. This is in the BLM, which is not regarded as an easy place for women to work. Marlene Braun toughed it out for 13 years and was doing a great job on the Carrizo. Then you were brought to a district desk many miles away to kill the plan, and you do it by grinding on this fine person. For somebody like you she is collateral damage in your quest for influence and promotion. To most of us though, her story is a tragedy, an injustice with a clear victim and a clear villain.
The story of Marlene Braun outrages people, even when they don't know her. Somebody in the BLM will undoubtedly try to give you a promotion and transfer you a little closer to DC, which is obviously what it's about for you. But as the facts come out, more and more people will be watching this investigation. She was pretty, smart and respected. You just look mean, with a record to match. Perfect TV. And coming so soon after the Katrina "management" debacle just makes it more interesting to more people on a national level. As adept as you obviously are at playing the game, you'll try to ride it out. But I don't think this one is going away.
GG