Early in the spring I found this Wheatland Pipe flag and brought it home. Originally I thought I would hold it hostage until a ransom was paid to Clarion County Community Foundation. It seemed like a good idea until I did a little research.
Wheatland Pipe is really Wheatland Tube Company, part of behemoth John Maneely Company majorly owned by The Carlyle Group. I may be dumb and old but I am not sending a ransom note to a “group” that has its own seat at the United Nations.
Next I thought of contacting Barry Zekelman, Executive Chairman, but it appears he does not like to take prisoners. A car dealer tried to stiff him on a purchase of a red ’09 Bugatti and he set his junkyard lawyer on the car dealer and the car company. He has a beautiful new home in Arizona that people are whispering about. The rumor is that Obama will make it his Western White House during the Federal occupation of Arizona. I am not sending a ransom note to a man with those problems.
Next, I thought I would check out their new Chief Executive Officer Frank A. Riddick III. The name looked approachable until I found out he is very in with World Wrestling Entertainment and may on occasion go in the ring. Spooky.
So I have decided not to send any ransom notes. Wheaty, yes last month I gave it a name. Wheaty gets lots of fresh air and almost every morning waves as I first walk by. The black bears leave him alone.
It is generally accepted scientific opinion that flags never evolve a personality, but that may not be true in this case. On windy days he seems to respond. If you want to send him a vacation postcard, address it to Wheaty c/o CCCF, Suite A, 21 North 6th Avenue, Clarion PA 16214. Charles Marlin
