September 1, 2009
Letter to the Editor
Thanks for your article about Susan Tharp using our Learning Network for her personal agenda. Many people think the personal attacks and accusations in the media by Tharp and some of her employees probably led to Gina Sheets leaving her job as our Chamber’s CEO. If so, that is absolutely horrible.
Many people in and around Frankfort totally disagree with Tharp using the Learning Network to cater to Illegal People. However, everyone is afraid to speak out. We saw how Tharp, some of her friends, and some of her employees at Purdue Extension attacked members of the Clinton County Chamber of Commerce during the Chamber Quality of Life program. We heard that Tharp coordinated those attacks. I’ve personally seen several emails that show this (like the one from a local dentist – she accidentally sent it to people she did not mean to send it to). These emails showed Tharp as the ring-leader in a secrete club aimed to discredit the Chamber Quality of Life program – promoting other people to write complaint letters to the Chamber Board, etc. And, after months of complaining and campaigning, they succeeded.
The way Tharp and her staff attacked the Chamber during the Clinton County Council meeting in November 2008 was especially ugly. This was an official public meeting to discuss the Purdue Extension budget for 2009. A representative from the Chamber was prevented from making a prepared statement by Melinda Grismer, who is on Susan Tharp’s staff. Melinda Grismer made a total mockery of the public meeting. A number of members of the public (who had wanted to voice their opinions against what Susan Tharp was doing at the Learning Network) were also prevented from saying what they thought.
We all know the Chamber’s letter on Illegal People does not agree with Susan Tharp’s personal pro-illegal agenda. After Tharp paraded people in front of the councilmen for 45 minutes, saying how good 4H is etc., a member of the Chamber was given the floor to read from a prepared statement. The Chamber was attempting to provide a report on how Purdue Extension resources (people, computers, and website) were being used to attract more illegal people into Frankfort. Melinda Grismer shouted out over him, calling him a liar. Every time the Chamber tried to say something – Melinda Grismer interrupted, stood up, shouted out and would not let them speak. The Chamber tried and tried to make the statements they waned to make – but they were never once able to get a single sentence out for the Councilmen to hear. Melinda Grismer shouted them down every time, and Susan Tharp stood by in silence, watching it all happen. Several times both Tharp and Grismer argued with the Chamber representative about what he said.
Totally ridiculous. Tharp and Grismer, two taxpayer-paid employees of Purdue University, kept the Chamber and members of the public from voicing their opinions on Purdue Learning Network in a public meeting. How can Tharp look anyone in the face, knowing this is how her organization gets its way? How does Grismer justify her outrageous behavior? Why is Susan Tharp allowed to run our Learning Network for her personal agenda? This speaks volumes about Tharp, Grismer, and how Purdue Extension is perceived in Frankfort and Clinton County.
I’m ready to pull the plug on Tharp’s whole organization, and I’m not alone let me tell you. Let’s show our support for Ivy Tech restarting classes in Frankfort – at least the Chamber and the public might have a say in how taxpayers funding is used.
If you have any doubts about what took place during that November 2008 public meeting, just ask any County Councilman or anyone else who admits to have been in attendance. I have withheld my name. If not, I too would be attacked by Tharp and her employees for speaking out against her use of the Learning Network, and her unacceptable and outrageous behavior.

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