User talk:Hersfold

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A barnstar for you!

	The Arbitrator's Barnstar
	Thank you for all your work on the Arbitration Committee. Go Phightins! 01:34, 13 March 2013 (UTC)

Thanks very much :-) Hersfold ^(t/a/c) 01:52, 13 March 2013 (UTC)

Question

Normally, I would say that it is no one's business what a person does or does not do. However, I wonder if you can provide a bit more background based on the facts in this case. You ran for the Committee, then resigned, which was fine. Then you ran a second time and won again, and in that campaign you were repeatedly asked about whether you would resign again and you strongly indicated you would not. Given this pattern, I feel justified in respectfully asking why you have been through a run-resign-run-resign sequence? —Jeff 02:00, 13 March 2013 (UTC)

He's unlikely to answer that one right now. You might save it for if he returns and runs again.--v/r - TP 02:13, 13 March 2013 (UTC)

Thanks, TParis, but I'll answer it.

Jeff, I'd rather you had logged in to the account I assume you have rather ask this while hiding behind an IP address, but to answer your question, this was not planned. I had promised myself on reelection to sit through this term no matter what happened, out of respect for those who elected me if nothing else. However, at this point, being on the Committee is far too stressful for it to be practical or healthy for me to continue doing in my free time. That aside, the current incident involving CLa68 and Kevin is continuing, with several more people having been outed since Cla68's initial attempt to out Russavia. Given the increased risk of being harassed and outed inherent in arbitrator-ship, it seems likely that that net will expand to include one or more arbitrators before too much longer, if action is not taken to stop it. I value my privacy and personal safety, and have an obligation to protect my family as well.

So yes, I have broken a campaign promise. It certainly wasn't my intention to do so, but under the circumstances I hope that the majority of the community will understand. If I do return to regular editing at some point in the future, you needn't worry; I do not believe I would run for a seat on the Committee ever again, unless some serious changes are made in how the community treats what are supposed to be among the most trusted and respected of their colleagues. Hersfold ^(t/a/c) 02:15, 13 March 2013 (UTC)

Fair enough, thanks for the reply. I suppose the gist of this is that you seem to indicate that your family would not be safe if your real name was known. It is hard for me to imagine a situation in which that would be true. However, you started participating here with an implied promise of anonymity, and due to the good work of the people at WO and elsewhere, that is no longer a probable outcome, so that is an understandable reason to leave. Take care, —Jeff 03:07, 13 March 2013 (UTC)~

Keep your head up

		The Original Barnstar
		For your intelligent, communicative, and honest work as lead ArbCommer in the Richard Norton case. While I do not agree with the ultimate remedy, I thank you for your excellent work. Carrite (talk) 02:56, 13 March 2013 (UTC)

Thanks, Carrite. Sorry things didn't come out as you'd hoped (I'm guessing the topic ban?) but I think this was one of our better decisions, if I may say so myself. :-) I'm rather confident it'll work out pretty well. Hersfold ^(t/a/c) 03:23, 13 March 2013 (UTC)