Another Daily Times' Screw-Up

RE: "Laurel hardware store closes its doors," July 15

I am writing in response to an article in the business section of the Sunday edition of The Daily Times. The story contained no less than 12 errors or omissions. If we did not know better, we would think co-owner Chris Johnson wrote this himself.

Two things in the story are completely untrue and are troubling to me as co-owner of the store. One of the statements in the story read: "Shortly after Johnson close the doors for the last time at the original location." If anyone was asked, they would refute that statement, as Johnson left the day-to-day operations of the business in April. He resigned the president's position in January. I continued the day-to-day operations and worked with lawyers and the auctioneer to close the store. Johnson -- or the writer --claimed I was no longer associated with the store. That statement, as well as several more, was especially troubling, as I stayed through the complete closing of the store.

My association with the store goes back before Johnson's, something that also was not mentioned in the story. In fact, the story makes it appear as if I came along later.

Why weren't the 13 former employees, or at least some of them, interviewed for a story like this?

My dad and I have heard from several people who said it was not a story, but an endorsement for Johnson's new business.

There are more troubling statements in the story; however, we choose not to discuss them at this time. We hope a fair and accurate can be written.

Michael P. Murphy

John P. Murphy

Laurel