Friday, September 12, 2014

Joplin Globe columnist: Shawn McGrew is the victim of a vengeful ex-wife

In a comment on his blog this morning, frequent Joplin Globe guest columnist Anson Burlingame responded to the post from the Thursday Turner Report about allegations the ex-wife of newly-appointed Joplin R-8 Board of Education member Shawn McGrew made against McGrew in motions filed in Jasper County Circuit Court, as well as the post Wednesday night, which detailed McGrew's failure to pay taxes.

I looked in to McGrew’s financial situation and history last spring, before the election. It all boils down to ONE simple thing, a nasty and protracted divorce. It was a long legal process that drained him financially and “spiritually”. All the financial “stuff” was related to a legal argument over who pays for what and when, with lawyers on both sides haggling for a long time.

As far as I know, McGrew has now paid all his debts, met all his obligations and is now getting on with his life, productively. As best I can tell he handled the “mess” honorably and legally and ultimately settled all accounts several years ago.

Facing an angry and, maybe, a vengeful wife is a challenge,

Whether she is right or wrong only courts can decide, and that takes time and is hard to do. As well I am sure there was anger on his side as well. No one comes out of a bad divorce looking like a prince or princess. I speak from experience.

You are doing exactly what Turner does with Huff and others. He uses public records to show …….. and those dots are things he considers “wrong”.

Have you sat down and talked at some length with McGrew? I have. Before the Turner accusations came out and afterwards as well. There are always two sides to such stories and I found both of them. In my judgment, McGrew won that round and Turner again was shown to be a ……..

Criticize me for my judgment all you like. But let’s try to leave the personal lives of others out of such exchanges. Let’s talk about the substance of their views and how they express them publicly and “officially”. I can find lots of “dirt” on anyone. There are no saints in public life.

McGrew won my support in this particular round when he stated clearly and very briefly. When asked what his responsibility would be as a member of the BOE he replied “To educate our children”.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Anybody wonder if Anson sat down with the wife and got her side? Doubt it...

Anonymous said...

No wife, when treated well and shown sacrificial love from a Christian husband, (McGrew's article alludes to his being spiritually bankrupt) will leave her husband! Having an ex who would characterize me as vengeful would be for one reason-to deflect attention away from his nonpayment of child support, non-compliance with dissolution to pay medical bills within the time specified by the court, etc. Sad to see the ex-wife be portrayed as the villain when Mr. McGrew was the one in arrears with child support for five long years. That's a form of depriving his child only to punish his ex. Tsk, tsk.

The Globe is doing itself NO
favors to get involved in trying to make McGrew appear favorable to the community.

Anonymous said...

We can all rest easier knowing that McGrew is a "good guy" because Anson had a sit down with him and, as I recall, is able to determine how good or evil a person is by looking them in the eye.

Vengeful wife or not, paying child support is not one of those things that the court has to decide who pays.

Anson is a dumbass and McGrew appears to be cut from the same cloth as some of the other board members and administration staff who are unable to manage their finances. Great to know he will be helping to manage taxpayers money.

Anonymous said...

Lane Roberts should be on the BOE not this ....

Randy said...

It should be noted that Anson Burlingame's comments were not published in the Joplin Globe, but on his own personal blog. However, his readership almost entirely comes because of his status as a frequently featured guest columnist in the Globe.

Anonymous said...

I know Emily and i know Shawn. Both are good people, both are good to their daughter. Let's let the guy make a decision before we judge him. We all make mistakes. No divorce is a wonderful experience.

Anonymous said...

There was a time when McGrew's own father and his family would not worship with him because of his behavior. Does a dog return to its own vomit?

Anonymous said...

Apparently Anson and McGrew are both using the same substance for creating delusions.

anson Burlingame said...

Anonymous 11:52 AM

MY sentiments exactly.

Anson

Anonymous said...

At Freeman, this guy is about as popular as ebola

Anonymous said...

Shawn is the most hated leader in the health system. No one trusts him. No one!!!! He will do anything to get ahead.

Anonymous said...

He no longer works at Freeman. Wonder why?

Unknown said...

While working at Freeman Health System, as a new employee, Shawn ALWAYS without fail would say "hello", "good morning" or whatever, and after my second day, I was stunned that he even knew my name!! No matter who you were, what "level" of employ, he always took the time to acknowledge, smile show that you mattered. When was the last time that you actually said hello to a stranger, smiled at someone walking past in the grocery isle? I will tell you, I am certain very few of us can actually say that we have.

We ALL have issues - EVERY one of us. I have to say about the "Anonymous" posts that why waste your OWN time worrying about why he was fired? Stating publicly that nobody trusts him. Those are some pretty powerful words! Instead, think about how LITTLE you know about him and his unfortunate situation. Do you have proof of this? Did you get your information directly from Shawn? Only he knows, and that is how it should be. There must be other things to focus on other than someone's personal misfortune. No wonder you posted anonymously. Those harsh little words could bring a pretty messy lawsuit your way. Then maybe people would be criticizing YOU on public blog. Imagine how you would feel, people posting hurtful statements about YOU - whether truthful or not. Gossip is a very ugly thing, as are those who engage in it.

What has happened has happened, it is really of no concern to ANY of us. Let it go, live YOUR OWN life, mind your OWN business, and be kind to each other.