Golden Glow Convention 2019 follow up

*Anyone interested in purchasing my book, "Christmas Rarities" as of July 19, 2022 there are now only 25 left in existence. These are brand new, cellophane wrapped, mint condition. Any book being sold on Ebay or Amazon or anywhere else are stolen books. Send an email to christmasrarities@gmail.com if interested. Cost $275.

Any books being sold at the Convention are most likely stolen books. You can read the story here: https://lindaraymondisathief.blogspot.com/

For anyone interested in viewing the ornaments photographed in my book, "Christmas Rarities" you can view them on Flickr. The link is: https://www.flickr.com/photos/john_lightner/albums

Members,

I am hearing that many members want my accusations to be investigated. I am also hearing that there is a cover-up in process. Here is why the BOD do not want any investigation to take place.

This is the letter sent to me by Kim Knight who was President of the GG BOD.

Oct 11, 2007

Dear John,

The Board of Directors of Golden Glow of Christmas Past (GGCP) has received various complaints detailing events involving you. Specifically, members have complained of threats, verbal abuse, and harassment, as well as unprofessional dealings involving antique Christmas merchandise.  Members of the Board have experienced some of this conduct first-hand.  The Board has determined that these actions violate the GGCP’s Code of Ethics.

As you know, the Code of Ethics sets forth standards of conduct for GGCP members, including the following:

-         to conduct myself so as to bring no reproach or discredit to the Club, or impair the prestige of the membership therin.

-         to base all my dealings on the highest plane of justice, fairness and morality

-         to fulfill all contracts made by me, either oral or written, to make prompt payment upon delivery and to return immediately any item that is not satisfactory.

The Code of Ethics begins by stating that membership in the GGCP is a privilege, not a right.  Both the Code of Ethics and the GGCP bylaws state that a member violating the Code of Ethics may be removed by the Board.

The Board takes these complaints against you very seriously, and as a result, the Board does not plan to continue your membership in the GGCP.  Since your membership term is close to finishing, this will take effect starting January 1, 2008.  In addition, as of January 1, 2008 you will not be able to participate in any GGCP sponsored activities, including the yearly convention and the on-line discussion group.  Given the importance of this matter, the Board considered this issue extensive (I assume she meant extensively), and carefully. The Board’s determination was not based on any single event, but rather the cumulative effect of various events in the prior few years.

If you wish to provide any information for the GGCP board to consider before making this decision final, please provide a written response to the above address postmarked no later than October 31, 2007.  The Board will consider your written submission and communicate its final determination to you.  The Board cannot share any additional details regarding the complaints made against you to protect confidentiality of those making the complaints.

Please understand that the Board, acting in good faith, is striving to act in the best interest of all the members of the GGCP.  Any harassment or threats directed at the Board members or general membership of the GGCP related to this matter will not be tolerated.

Regards,

Kim Knight, Chairperson

The Golden Glow of Christmas Past

Cc: Board of Directors

I replied by letter I had no idea what she was referring to and to please send me documentation of the accusastions. I got nothing in return.

This of course is absolute rubbish. I said it before and will continue to say it: This was a corrupt board making up bullshit. If I had been screwing members for “years” as she says why were no letters sent to me?  

It’s very simple: They made this up to silence me. There were no complaints from any members about merchandise. NONE.  I never received any complaints from any member including any Board Member EVER prior to receiving this letter.  In 50 years of collecting NO ONE has ever complained about any transaction from me. No phone calls, no emails, no letters, no nothing from anyone ever.

I ask again any sane GG member if  your child got arrested and sent to jail with no charges given, no one present who made a complaint, no jury trial, no defense, not allowed to face accusers are you all ok with that because that is exactly what the BOD did to me. 

They violated the club rules. There were never any warnings sent-nothing. There was no due process. I should have sued the club but I was in Asia. 

David Eppleheimer, may he RIP was a “lifetime” member of the club beloved by everyone. He was not a special friend of mine but he respected me and I him. When he heard about what happened he wrote a letter to the Board.  Here it is:

fromelvesantiques@aol.com

totannese@optonline.net,

lghidiu@comcast.net,

mrhoads@chorus.net,

jackmaroski@msn.com,

kimknight1@earthlink.net,

greenridg@comcast.net

dateThu, Mar 6, 2008 at 12:30 AM

subjectWhat is this all about?

 “Greetings, Friends.  I have recently received an email from John Lightner.  I have forwarded portions of it to you below.  I had spoken to XXXXXXX regarding what happened to John.  At that time I spoke to Lillie on the phone, and hit a wall...she could not tell me anything due to it being BOD business.  I respected her stance, although I disagreed with it at the time, and disagree with it even more in the light of the current mood. 

     So you guys, what is going on?  I have a high regard for you all.  I sincerely do, and I assume I don't need to even tell you that.  However, I hold XXX and John in high regard, too.  I am aware of John's intense nature. I was one of the first folks he spoke to at the last convention after his run in with Steve and Jack.  I have heard his side of that story.  I was pretty direct with him at the time regarding proper respect for volunteers.  He did not let me off easily for sticking up for Convention hosts.  I persevered, however, and he agreed with me on the condition that had his concern been taken seriously, his behavior might have been more tempered.  He related that Jack had insinuated that perhaps he, John, never had a feather tree in the first place.  That would have made me bristle, too.  I am not filling in all the details I was told at the time, because I assume you all have discussed that situation, at least the involved hosts' side of the story.

     Obviously, that discourse is not the reason for his membership being terminated.  However, Lightner claims he does not know why, and the BOD refuses to tell him.  I am inclined to side with him, because the Board member I spoke to would tell me nothing, either.  As a former Board member, I do not believe I would NOT be willing to discuss my decisions WITHIN the Board with concerned members NOT on the Board.  Anyone who is elected to an elected position, is answerable to those who elected them.  Besides, this is the Golden Glow, a club, not a clique, nor privileged society.  It is a community of folks with a common benign interest.  So, again, what is this all about?

      Please forward this to any board member I omitted or other member you feel should receive it. 

      Trying to remain composed, compassionate, supportive, and respectfully yours, Dave Eppelheimer

Kim Knight sent him a reply.

Dave Eppelheimer

Dear Dave,

Thank you for your email to the BOD.

This letter is in response to your email.  The BOD is striving for the GGCP to thrive and to grow.  Attracting new members and retaining current members is critical to that goal.  In order to achieve this goal, the GGCP must foster an environment where all members find the club satisfying and enjoyable.

The BOD would prefer not to have to take action against any GGCP member.  However, when the BOD is presented with a significant number of severe and substantiated written complaints about behavior that is not consistent with the GGCP Code of Ethics the Board will take action.

All the steps taken by the Board were reviewed and approved by both the entire Board and its legal counsel.

In response to your question on sharing the specifics regarding the John Lightner situation, the Board takes the privacy of all parties very seriously.  While detailed feedback has been provided to Mr Lightner (an utter and  absolute lie) as a result of specific actions, these details will not be shared with the general membership to respect both John’s privacy and the privacy of other’s involved.  This is a right we feel all members expect.

The incidents referenced in your email and the attachment you included from Mr Lightner, as well as the behaviors documented in the December 19, 2007 emailing from John Lightner to the club members continue to be in conflict with or violate the GGCP Code of Ethics. 

Support of these behaviors by other Golden Glow members will continue to reinforce to Mr Lightner that these behaviors are acceptable.  The Board feels these behaviors are unacceptable and are not in the best interest of the club.

Kim Knight

Cc: Board of Directors

So again, this was a con job by the BOD. They Khasshogi'd me. And this is why the BOD will never do an investigation because they have no “written complaints” from any member about “dealings of merchandise” and that my criminal activity had been going on for years. Utter nonsense from Kim Knight and the rest of the lemmings. 

It is really unfortunate that there isn’t a single person who has been a Board Member since 2007 that has any integrity. Cowards all. A corrupt cabal. They can lie, cheat, steal and blackball anyone because they cover up for each other and are accountable to no one. good gig if you can get it.

They have a member who is a convicted felon, a sexual predator who is listed as a lifetime member in good standing. How is this possible?  I on the other hand have been convicted of nothing but was expelled from the club.  The GG Board is a cesspool of scum.

Dave Eppleheimer wrote back to me he was sick of the lot of them.  I have been saying this for 12 years. This is a corrupt organization.