Ron,

I am well aware through the grapevine that Martin Hansen did not particularly care for Stathi Pappas, but I'm not aware (nor do I care) whether Martin had enough influence at Mt. Rainier to end Stathi's employment there. Stathi seemed to be doing ok at Snoqualamie, and I think many would consider his new position at CATS in Chama to be far more desirable and of greater potential than his previous Washington state employment. I wish Stathi the best.

In the previous post, Henry speculated "Something smells like a taste of Martin Hansen involvement in this deal somewhere ! Betcha !!" regarding Court Hammond and the YWRR.

You replied "Martin Hansen, too bad of his involvement, he's always been a shady character that likes to brag... " somehow confirming Martin Hansen's involvement with Court Hammond, that was originally based on Henry's speculation? And your justification is you don't like Martin so it must be true?

I have really begun to hate steam locomotives and almost everyone associated with them. Trying to do anything with them is comparable to getting a bunch of drunks together and only letting them discuss politics and religion. Master mechanics have historically never agreed on how to do something, and there are steam operations/operators that have taken that to a new low. Sometimes there is more than one method, idea or process - as long as the engine doesn't wear prematurely, derail or blow up then what is the problem besides arrogance? The industry is bad enough (you know - those who can actually run, maintain and repair one) but rabid foamers are the worse. We can really do without starting or supporting unsupported attacks on someone because you may have a personal vendetta or personality conflict with someone.

We all generally deserve our reputations that we have earned without the needless unsupported attacks of outsiders.


ron Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Hey 5103,
>
> Martin's attitude makes things worse. He passed
> off my good friend Sttathi Pappas from Mt. Rainer
> just because of his own ego. Stathi's departure
> still hurts and affects Mt. Rainer.
>
> Martin is one of those guys that are just selfish
> and unsafe to work with. Other than that, he might
> be a good lawyer, I'm glad he saved one operation
> from destruction and that he collects historical
> logging operation photos...
>
> SP5103 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > > Something smells like a taste of Martin
> Hansen
> > > involvement in this deal somewhere ! Betcha
> !!
> >
> > >Martin Hansen, too bad of his involvement,
> he's
> > always been a shady character that likes to
> > brag... A self-proclaimed "expert"...
> Lawyers...
> >
> > So how do you idiots figure Martin Hansen is
> > involved in cahoots with Court Hammond et al? As
> I
> > recall, Mr. Hansen wanted nothing to do with
> > Hammond, and was apparently involved
> (officially
> > or unofficially?) in the mechanic's lien
> against
> > the #19. Does anyone care to argue that
> Chelatchie
> > Boiler was not entitled to be paid for work on
> the
> > engine from years earlier?
> >
> > I do know that Court Hammond left a great
> legacy
> > as he left the Wallowa Union RR. He promised
> the
> > #19, but the only thing he moved in was the
> > MCRR/YW caboose that I heard ownership is
> > contested on. He was caught by the FRA running
> > passenger trains on excepted track, and left a
> > trail of unpaid bills to vendors and a
> mechanic.
> >
> > On the other hand, I do know that Martin Hansen
> > has provided free legal services to many of the
> > heritage rail operations in the Northwest. I
> know
> > of one non-profit that was saved from
> bankruptcy
> > because Martin stepped and enforced the terms
> and
> > payment of a contract that he had nothing
> > previously to do with, which saved the
> > organization from imminent bankruptcy.
> >
> > Don't start or promote rumors and speculation
> > against someone unless you have something
> besides
> > your own BS to back it up.