I am writing to protest the Whitefish Pilot's recent article that slandered and ridiculed my employer Dr. Devra West and did a huge disservice to the entire community. As a long-term resident of the Flathead Valley, I remain utterly shocked at the absurd mish mash of off-based, prejudiced reporting that was allowed into print about one of the most generous and decent people I have ever had the good fortune of working with. Dr. West is as far from being a cult leader as I can imagine. Her client-readership list reads like the who's who of global influentials. I say this, having worked as the Technical Director for her company Surya Enterprise for over a year. She is a great boss, her office is a fantastic place to work, and her projects are positive and inspiring. She pays well above Montana wages and offers profit sharing to tenured members of her staff. As an employee, I couldn't ask for more.

As for your source of far-fetched info, I can only describe John Watson as a deranged internet stalker, who wants to line his pockets with extorted monies. The Pilot unwittingly fed into his scam. The non-profit who hired him, deeply regrets allowing Dr. West to be victimized by a nutcase like this character. I have also seen hundreds of letters from people who complain that they have been grossly misquoted to retro-fit the perversity of his website. I know for a fact that there are supposed "speakers" on his website are entirely fictitious, made up and are not real people at all.

Dr. West's only fault in all of this that I can see is having enough money to go after. She has said "NO" to his extortion tactics and she deserves 100% support from this community. His success at getting misguided people like Dr. Pat Cole to join in on his attack will be short lived. As the IT director, I have knowledge her fraudulent dipping into Dr. West's bank accounts, during a time period when Dr. West was tending to her invalid father during his fight with cancer. Cole’s story is too ludicrous to dignify largely because Watson authored it, along with unmerited attacks from “suddenly disgruntled” ex-employees who Watson has promised a piece of the pie. I assure you that the crème will rise to the top on this one and that any future litigation will uphold that Dr. West has clearly been the only victim.

From where I sit, your article literally burned Dr. West at the stake for no good reason. Dr. West is owed an enormous apology. I say, leave the tabloid insanity of Hollywood in L.A. Everyone should take notice because if we as a community allow this outrage, then it can happen to you, your family and your business.

Brett A. Jauhola
Technical Director
Surya Enterprise Unlimited Inc.

© 2008 Master Teacher Devra Patton West, "Surya Ma" ...All rights reserved.