Showdown at the Bar X

There ain't enough room in this town for Helen Phillips and her enemies

A A A Comments By Jennifer Mathieu Thursday, Jan 23 2003

...continued from page 5

Jim Turner, of course, couldn't disagree more. In a letter he recently sent out to all of the Bar X residents, he announced his decision to run for the board and railed against Helen for a full, single-spaced page.

"We pay her to do a job," he wrote. "We do not pay her to play politics on our time…Am I running for board? You better believe it! I refuse to sit back and take what's been dished out any longer! What will you do?"

Troy Fields

There's a reason Helen Phillips thinks of the Bar X as her own personal kingdom: She saved it from ruin.

Troy Fields

In Helen's world, you play by Helen's rules.

More About

Like this Story?

Sign up for the Weekly Newsletter: Our weekly feature stories, movie reviews, calendar picks and more - minus the newsprint and sent directly to your inbox.

When asked about any recent problems at the ranch, Jim is quick on the draw: He claims Helen signed for a Federal Express package addressed to him, but never called to tell him it had arrived.

"She still plays her games," he spits. "She's still not a very nice person."

The acrimony on the renegade Web site continues to mount, with anonymous postings like the one from "S and P" that states, "It is so embarrassing that we are all represented by her and such rudeness. It is quite obvious that this position is too much for her to handle."

Back at the office, Lorenda sighs with exasperation.

"I mean, look at this place," she insists, motioning out the window. "It looks like a place where you could live in peace and serenity and really enjoy it, and not have all these stupid, petty fights." She pauses, thinks a bit and then comes to her conclusion.

"It's a beautiful place," Lorenda says. "But I guess there's a black sheep in every family."