Woodrow Jones’ Bizarre Letter to Messenger

By Greg Ritchie

Messenger Reporter

CROCKETT – The Messenger received a bizarre and lengthy letter from Crockett Economic and Industrial Development Corporation (CEIDC) new “Office Manager” Woodrow Jones. It is, in fact, not completely clear whether Jones is an official employee of CEIDC or not, as his position has no official approval from city council or the CEIDC board.

The Messenger reported these facts, along with questions about the job posting itself, the fact that Jones was reportedly the only candidate interviewed for the position and his unclear job duties, given his alleged salary of more than $60,000 a year.

Jones had earlier refused to give any details to The Messenger about his employment, saying he had a non-disclosure agreement with the city. The Messenger also reported on a couple of Jones’ recent law suits against former employers.

Jones sent the letter to The Messenger, repeatedly demanding his statement be printed on the front page. It is so uncommon to receive such a demand from a purported public official, The Messenger reached out to CEIDC Executive Director James Gentry, who clarified, “Mr. Jones is not speaking on behalf of the CEIDC. The only person speaking for the Corporation from this office is the Executive Director.”

In another twist, Jones later sent a further message to The Messenger requesting the information about the posting, hiring, salary information, qualifications of this reporter, in Jones’ words, “pursuant to Texas Government Code 552,” the public information act. It should be noted, this code refers to public entities and officials and their communications, and has nothing to do with a private business, including The Messenger.

Jones also requested all emails, “Greg Ritchie received from Ms. Carloyn McKnight, John Angerstein, Lee Standley, Ianthia Fisher, James Gentry, Mitzi Stefka, and Darrell Jones between July 8, 2024 and September 8, 2024.”

This reporter, as all journalists, operates under the rules of the First Amendment, where journalists enjoy what it known as reporter’s privilege, which establishes journalists have a limited right not to be forced to reveal information or confidential news sources, even in court. Journalists rely on confidential sources to write stories that deal with matters of legitimate public importance.

Jones also seemed to threaten legal action for libel, something public officials have to prove to a much higher standard than private citizens. According to legal sources, as long as the media make statements in good faith and in the public interest, a defamation claim by a public official likely will not succeed. A journalist makes a statement in good faith when they reasonably believe that it is true, which often means checking the credibility of their sources.

The Messenger made no false or personal claims against Jones in our reporting, and none of our statements of fact have been directly challenged.

Jones’ demands aside, The Messenger has decided to publish his letter, for all to read, in its entirety, and allow the public to judge his words and temperament and his ability to serve in a city government, should his position ever be officially approved.

“The American press has always been influential, often times powerful and somewhat feared. As a matter of fact, journalist today rank in the lower echelon of the public popularity and opinion.

The question is: can the American press actually serve all the people in a fair and unbiased way?

Greg Ritchie in your reporting, you give the unprofessional impression that you have what is termed “Media Bias.”

This unethical behavior of certain people goes back centuries; it happened when the founders worked on the new Constitution of the United States against the old guards of The Articles of Confederation. There is nothing new under the sun.

Even journalists have a code of ethics which some abide by, and others think they are above them. Just to name a few, the Society of Professional Journalists list them as:

seek truth and report it
ethical journalism should be accurate and fair
journalists should be honest and courageous in gathering, reporting and interpreting information
take responsibility for the accuracy of their work; verify information before releasing it
take special care not to misrepresent, never deliberately distort facts or context
be accountable and transparent
and respond quickly to questions about accuracy, clarity and fairness

“Fake news” has always been a part of American landscape, this is nothing new on the horizon. In an article by Randall D. Nice, in the Arizona Law Review, “As Nelson Mandela observed, a critical, independent, and investigative press is the “lifeblood” of a democracy.”

The author of this letter understands there are numerous concepts and various definitions for fake news. However, the writer will stick with propaganda.

If one is going to tell the story, tell it in its entirety, not a snippet to get the newspaper contract renewed by the City of Crockett.

Greg Ritchie, did you or your newspaper editorial dedicate the same energy and time when the Assistant City Administrator was hired for the position?
Greg Ritchie, did you question the City Administrator concerning his qualifications and background?
Greg Ritchie, did you inquire about the Assistant City Administrator or the City Administrator contracts?
Greg Ritchie, did you advertise each one of their salaries in the Messenger’s newspaper?
Greg Ritchie, did you mention the City Administrator’s salary $99,777.00 with a five-years guaranteed contract or the Assistant City Administrator’s salary is $94,120.00, with a five-years guaranteed contract?
Did you question the person who allowed him to take a CPM course to make it seem as if he is qualified for the position of Assistant City Administrator?

Greg Ritchie, in response to your political or ideological motivations of reporting my past employment concerns and my pending litigation with my former employer, remember the rule of law gives an individual the right to petition the Government for a redress of grievance according to the founders.

No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law, -Amendment V
Nor shall any state deprive any person of life liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. -Amendment XIV

However, when one has an agenda like yours, Greg Ritchie, they will print anything (to put Beans and Cornbread on their table).

Let me give you the facts which you, Greg Ritchie, failed to report in The Messenger.

Pursuant to the First Congress session I. Chapter 20, 1789, section 35, page 92; and be it further enacted, that in all courts of the United States, the parties may plead and manage their own causes personal.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, No. 15-41208 Woodrow J. Jones, Sr., Plaintiff-Appellant vs Texas Juvenile Justice Department, Interim Executive Director (Linda Brooks), Defendant -Appellee, was AFFIRMED in part, VACATED in part, and REMANDED. The motion for sanctions is DENIED. The motion to strike is DENIED.
The case was actually dismissed from the Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit No. 17-40488…appealed from the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas USDC No. 9:14-CV-60.
The case was dismissed from the court based on the statute of limitations. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission “EEOC” allowed the case to sit on the vine and become stale, passing the time to file the case in court…case No.17-40488
Based on the unprofessional conduct of the EEOC-Dallas District Office, if you, Greg Ritchie, would have checked your sources correctly, you would have reported the story correctly.
Case No. 21-10194 (5^th Cir. Nov. 19, 2021), I filed on the EEOC after an investigation of the EEOC by USA today newspaper (USA today Worker claim discrimination at agency built to protect civil rights, April 28, 2021). However, the court said I could not sue the EEOC because I was not a federal employee.
How many attorneys who you know, Greg Ritchie, survived the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals?

I am demanding that you, Greg Ritchie, as well as the editor-in-chief in charge of The Messenger cease and desist in writing misleading information about me and correct the harm I have sustained in printed article on September 8, 2024, which was done in actual malice to harm my reputation and disregards of the harm it would cause me to maintain or gain employment.

You, Greg Ritchie, in your own declaration, did not know the facts, therefore, implicating yourself and your newspaper in a potential libel court case.

I am demanding Greg Ritchie, as a journalist to print the entire conversation and story and refrain from piecemealing or editing his position only. When this is thoroughly corrected, then I will agree to speak with you about the things I can and will not speak about the things I cannot. Most businesses have a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA). The City of Crockett-Secretary has my application in the City Office.

I challenge you, Greg Ritchie, to investigate the City of Crockett, City Council concerning the motion councilman Mike Marsh made for the last item on the agenda… The City Council in their infinite wisdom, did not vote to pass the last item, however, they repealed it through their motion making it void. Do your research on pressing issues such as that and not on something you know nothing about.

In conclusion, when you, Greg Ritchie, inquire into each person at the City of Crockett qualifications and job duties, including yours, I will certainly be transparent to give you, my qualifications. Perhaps, I am more qualified in a position I apply for than most individuals in the City of Crockett or even Houston County and the surrounding areas. According to a 1960 ABC Western television show… “No brag, just fact.” I am requesting that you, Greg Ritchie, give my response the same attention you did by putting your article on the front page of the newspaper.

Respectfully submitted,

/s/ Woodrow Jones

Woodrow Jones,

Summa Cum Laude and Magna Cum Laude”

Please see “Greg’s Corner” editorial column in today’s newspaper for our humble response to Jones’ letter.

Greg Ritchie can be reached at [email protected]