I am considering a drastic change to Source of Title.  This is not something I want to do, but I am getting to the point where I don't see any other option.  So, be warned, if I do not see the community exercising greater control and common sense in their postings here, the forums will become part of our subscriber-only content on Source of Title!

The past several months, even before the latest fiasco regarding "the Alvey posts," I have been overwhelmed with emails and phone calls requesting that I delete posts, block access to the forums for some individuals, and get involved in personal disputes.  We provide these forums for FREE and the one certain thing I can tell you is that ALL of those issues have involved people who do not pay for a subscription to our site.

Contrary to popular belief, we do not make much money operating this site.  I do it primarily because I care about the industry and I believe that it needs a place for like-minded title professionals to share their experiences and concerns. 

Unfortunately, I do not have the time to devote my full attention to moderating forum discussions, nor do I care to get involved in anyone's personal issues.  I am quite busy running an abstracting business and a law practice.  The last thing I want, or need, is to be interrupted in the middle of preparing for a trial because someone doesn't like something that someone posted in our forums.  Or, to be threatened with a defamation lawsuit if I do not remove posts that someone doesn't like (and, just so you know, we are immune from such suits under the Communications Decency Act). 

Making the forums a part of our subscriber-only content will either get rid of the individuals creating the disturbances, or it will provide the revenue we need to hire someone to deal with the problem.

I'd much rather leave this an unmoderated, free forum.  But if something doesn't change, I'll be forced to make a change that nobody is going to like.  That will mean that you won't be able to read or post in the forums with out a subscription for $199/year.

If you don't want to see such a change, I need to see a change in the community.  Our members need to behave like adults and keep discussions professional, or at least appropriate.  I appreciate many of our regular visitors who contribute to our community in a positive way.  To them, I apologize for the disruptions.

Best, 
Robert A. Franco
SOURCE OF TITLE