Commentary-January 2012

Commentary — By on January 5, 2012 at 7:59 am
Johnny Sherman- Cover and Inside Right Photo.   
 
Two Good Men  
 
 

Greetings and thank you for taking time to check in.

First, dear readers, we owe you our most profound apologies. Like many businesses in today’s fragile economy, we have been affected. Revenue is down, and advertisers are advertising less than ever. We haven’t posted much new content lately, as we were forced to take a brief hiatus to stable the ship.

In fact, I, the Publisher, of The Scoop LA, had to take a job, something that I haven’t done in years, just to make ends meet. Right now, I work for one of the biggest banks in the world- I’ve returned to Corporate America and it’s been a humbling experience. In Corporate America, you have the requisite jostling of power- people that sometimes will do almost anything to get promotions and power and those that are willing to step on others to get ahead. But there are those in Corporate America that are the antithesis of that credo, those that remember that people are not numbers or production, they are human beings.   

 
 
 
 

Vince Garcia-A Prince of a Man.

  
 
 
 I happen to work with one of those people, a jolly, but incredible man, Vincent Garcia. I’ve had the fortune of interviewing three presidents and some of the most influential figures in politics, entertainment and sports. But I’m as impressed with Vince as much as, if not more than any of those dynamic personalities. Vince, if you’re reading this, no, I’m not trying to flatter you, kiss up or any of those things. I just want The Scoop LA readers to know that there are fantastic people everywhere you turn and if you take time to notice them, acknowledge them and be positive, you’ll find them. I look at Vince and I strive to be like him. He is one of the most patient people I’ve ever met and a natural born leader. Quiet and affable, and quick to laugh, he works as a Lead Specialist at the bank and he has trained some of the higher ups in the organization and they all say the same thing-that he is an amazing person. I learn from him everyday- I watch him field some of the dumbest questions and he never loses his cool. He is a fantastic listener, which is very much a rarity. When you ask him a question, or if you talk, it’s almost intimidating- because he looks you in your eyes and you realize that he is intently listening to you. Not too many people have that quality. I only hope that someday, he’s offered a position of big leadership in the company, because he deserves it. I’m very pleased to work with such a dynamic human being and wish I could be like him. He is a prince of a man.

Speaking of incredible human beings, I have to mention another guy that I’m proud to know, and work with, Johnny Sherman. I’m going to embarrass him a bit. In today’s society, you often hear about men that don’t take care of their responsibilities. In fact, you hear a lot about deadbeat dads, who shirk the responsibilty of raising kids. Johnny is a single parent, a man who raised two boys virtually alone. Sure, he’s had a little help from some members of his family, but he worked tirelessly to take care of them, two boys, who are now 21 and 19. In the department I work, he is a real whiz kid, very quiet, focused and a hard worker.  But he’s more than that.You often hear about men of color, particularly, that don’t take care of their responsibilities. Johnny definitely isn’t one of them. Sure, some of you may say-well, he’s doing what he should be doing. But we, in the press often don’t take the time to acknowledge the small time heroes, the people that do the RIGHT thing and raise their children in the right way. It takes a lot to be a single parent- and raising two boys alone? I have a load of respect for the man. When you look up “man” in the dictionary, it’s a shame you don’t see Johnny’s picture in it. Because Mr. Sherman, 39, is the true definition of a man. And a father. There are many that can learn from him.

2011 and 2012 

 

 
 
 

Eugenia Wright- Resting with the Angels.

2011 was a tough year for us. We lost our dear, dear writer, columnist and friend Eugenia Wright in March. After losing our Associate Editor, Deidra Burtonelli to cancer in September 2010, it was positively devastating to us and we nearly closed our doors for good, but we are very optimistic about 2012. We plan on doing a Scoop LA relaunch this year and of course, you are invited. We will have bands, and I will perform. And we will interview more celebrities, attend more red carpet events and do more movie reviews. Writer Tania Anderson has become important to us and she does great work, but I’m incredibly lucky that she is a true friend as well.   

 
 
 
 

The Eternal and Lovely Deidra Burtonelli.

We need more writers and if any of you are local to Los Angeles and want to cover events and have a little writing experience, we’d love to hear from you. We are looking for writers to cover sports, beauty, movies and fashion. Freelance submissions are encouraged, but we do not accept anonymous submissions. Additionally, we need advertising sales people as well and we pay high commissions. Call us at (323) 919-2848.

 
 
 
 
 

Tania Anderson.

Lastly, I want to say to you, my dear readers, that we are in tough times, but keep your faith in God and everything will go well. We may have to tighten our belts a bit and we may go through transition phases, but always remember that God is always there for you. He will never let you down. Make sure you tell at least 3 people today you love them. Love is infectious, so do your best to show your love and try to help as many people as you can. And may you all have a healthy, prosperous and amazing 2012.

We love you here and God Bless you,

Buddy Sampson

Publisher

The Scoop LA

www.thescoopla.com

 

The Scoop LA's Buddy Sampson.

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