I have received calls in the last 24 hours from several people who have received an anonymous note in the mail attacking me. Here is how this note opens:
Mark Timothy Fletcher – this is a message for you but since I don’t own a blog, this was my next best way to get my opinion out there for comment.
Mark Timothy Fletcher is a highly critical blogger of those who do not share his ‘noble’ views and usually have little scope to reply to his various attacks through his various blog sites.
As such I through a bailout approach was in order to allow you to judge my opinion of this man’s sordid business venture… I don’t think it likely he will put himself out for the judgement he casts on so many of us and our interests.“Those in glass houses should not throw stones!”
(sic)
The little scope to reply comment upsets me in that all comments here are unmoderated except for the first comment someone makes. Commenters here themselves would know that the comments are unmoderated. While it frustrates me that such a false accusation is made, that it has been made speaks to an agenda of the writer.
If you receive this anonymous note please send it to me along with the envelope as it will help identify the source. Send to: Mark Fletcher 3A Lynch Street Hawthorn 3122 or mark@towersystems.com.au.
The note goes on to claim that I am the sole director of a business in Cairns – Head Office CBD. This is true. An ASIC search will confirm it. I have mentioned this before in public forums.
Head Office CBD is an adult shop in Cairns, a retail business serving guys, girls and couples. The anonymous letter makes claims about that business which are false and misleading.
The only reason I own Head Office is to help a friend. They purchased the business a few years ago and for personal health reasons irrelevant here needed to urgently exit the business. At barely a few days notice I took the business on to protect their investment. Over time I paid them out and then put the business on the market – just ask Fritz Herscheid at Barrier Reef Business Brokers, he will confirm that he has been contracted to sell it.
Head Office CBD, in addition to being a regular adult shop, also offers access to a Cairns council approved male-only cinema lounge. The anonymous writer appears to be offended by this. I am not sure why as I’ve not sought to push this on them – they have sought out this information for themselves for their own purposes.
Head Office is a legitimate small retail business providing a lawful service which does more good for the community than if the business did not exist. Neither I nor the people who work in the business do not judge those who shop there or use the cinema lounge just as newsagents don’t judge people who purchase adult magazines or buy cigarettes. Live and let live is good motto.
The writer says they are personally sickened that these types of venues exist in australia (sic) let alone owned by somebody who likes to hold himself in such high moral esteem. I don’t hold myself in high moral esteem. I’m flawed. I’m human. Adult shops and male cinema lounges and other similar venues provide a valuable public service to people of all walks of life.
I am proud to say that under my leadership this has been a good, clean and safe business. It’s also been a profitable business providing work for local Cairns employees.
It’s odd that the note is written from a deeply personal perspective yet they writer refuses to identify themselves – leaving one to wonder about their personal convictions.
I cannot think of why the writer has written and distributed this note. My only guess is that it is a response to my Coming out blog post of May 22. I’d welcome their public comment here about it.
The lack of a comment suggests they do not have the guts to stand by their words.
In the time I have owned Head Office I have learnt things about retail, shopper theft patterns, remote business management and human nature that I had not learnt through other retail businesses I’ve owned.
So what if you own other businesses and who cares what business it is! you are providing communities with services!
You like many others that read and participate on this blog a just business people, how you choose to invest your money should not be of concern to anyone but yourself.
The person sending those letters is nothing more than a coward!!!
Mark I applaud you for your courage! And I thank you for your commitment to this industry our ongoing insight and for being you.
Talking of adult shops .has the internet had a major effect on sales , I would have thought adult shops would be a thing of the past.
All very odd, Mark – that someone would think this an appropriate way to behave. Hopefully they will feel the courage to comment on this blog post and let you know what is behind their actions.
Shaun, good questions. The challenges in that channel are similar to the challenges newsagents face. The key is to be a professional retailer, engaged and attracting shoppers for reasons unique to you. In the adult channel, adult shops offer anonymity and that’s an up-side.
I must admit though, you seem very defensive on issues and ready to denigrate comments made here that don’t suit your agenda. Just a comment
Andrew There is evidence in the comments and my responses or lack of responses that disagrees with your assertion.
What I am most defensive of is newsagents and how they are often treated and how they treat their own businesses sometimes.
That said, I’m not sure why someone or a business would spend around $5,000 attacking me anonymously as they have.
Mark, don’t waste any emotional energy on
this sort of crap.
You know who you are and we like who you are.
Not really sure what this has to do with newsagents or newsagencies
I am not sure why people are attacking you mark. If they don’t like your comments don’t read your blog!!! It is your blog after all. We have got more info and help from this blog then and other newsagency channel and I thank you for that.
Paul given the apparent wide circulation of this note in the mail someone or some people must think it relevant to newsagents.
“Sordid business venture” ? What century are we living in!
Seriously, probably a very hypocritical person with a lot of hang ups.
I appreciate the newsagents who have sent me what they received in the mail including the envelope. It’s clear that this mailing went through the the Dandenong Victoria exchange and stamped at 6pm Friday June 13.
The envelopes provide an insight into the database possibly used to create the mailing list.
Mark
It’s a good and virtuous Aussie trait to help out a mate in need. Of course your shallow thinking attacker has only one thought on his/her small mind.
5 will get me 10 you will track the grub down.
If it wasn’t for the emotional trauma you must have experienced, (hopefully now a cold boil so to speak) the whole thing could be described as a novel written mystery that needs a good ending.
Keep us informed.
BTW, great name for the shop, very clever.
Regards Dennis
Thanks Dennis. The anonymity of the writer speaks to their conviction. It discredits them.