Hmmmm.
I very much admit that I'm sort of outside the general "community" that is here on this website. Admittedly, a lot of my association to people on this website were through alternative forums or other avenues of internet socialization. That being said, I am very proud to consider myself friends (or at the very least acquaintances), with some people who have or have in the past had a very considerable role in the running and execution of this website. While some of them are no longer staff due to what happened, I can very honestly say that everybody I know involved in the running of this website absolutely had or currently has only good intentions for this website. I would like to think that those people respect my opinion because I have a pretty good head on my shoulders. That being said, I'll give my rundown and my honest thoughts.
I spent a considerable few days thinking about this situation as a whole. Many people here who haven't spoke to me may find it inappropriate that I'm speaking on this. I respect that, and you're welcome to disregard my post. It's difficult to address this topic in particular because I'm in the middle in the complete perspective of individuals that frequent this website. A lot of people have very fond memories of this website. I completely and totally understand that, because I too had a lot of wonderful experiences on the internet when I went through my adolescence. Honestly, there's going to be at least one formative memory for your entire life that happens in your adolescence. Many people on Pokecommunity were very fortunate to have multiple formative experiences on this website that helped themselves develop into who they are today. I totally sympathize with the current staff who want to keep those memories alive and help other people experience them.
At the same time, I absolutely respect the feelings of those who are hurt by what happened. As an outside party, I have to be very honest and say that there hasn't been any sort of official accountability by those who were "accused" (and I implore you to NOT debate me whether those accused are guilty or not. I'm not interested in any sort of real level.) I don't expect Steve to make any sort of official statement because there's no real benefit in him doing so, especially since he's stepped down. I think if you want a real shot at this website flourishing, and potentially attracting those who may have defected, then Jake needs to make a formal public statement. I find no real benefit in speaking on my personal opinion, but I can attest to that people have confided in me in saying that they find him unnecessarily combative and difficult to work with. With the complications that have arisen, I honest to god feel that he needs to face the writing on the wall and speak with the people he's personally alienated. Whether you decide to do so is entirely up to yourselves. (Hint: Saying that all the administration staff have the best intentions and will cut him out if he ever threatens the integrity of the website won't cut it. You guys are going to need him to very honestly lay his cards on the table and have an actual real discussion with those who feel betrayed by him. Whether you wish to do so publicly or not is up to you.)
I also have to kind it find of puzzling that so many people on this website speak on this importance of an overall community, but are entirely willing to start accusing and throwing other people under the bus. There's been two "conspiracies" in this thread that have been thrown out, both of which I find entirely baseless and fundamentally stupid on a very honest level. I very much doubt there was some sort of financial conspiracy, nor do I think that people intended to publicly undermine and throw over the entire website. I feel like i can say this because I have friends who exist on both "sides" of the spectrum over what's happened. While opinionated these people may be, they aren't bad people with insidious intentions that acted in a way to destroy the integrity and foundation of this website. They merely feel like they're doing is the right thing, no matter which direction that took them in the overall bigger picture of what happened.
I mean, at this point my cards and thoughts are on the table. Do I think that this community can bounce back? Probably. I mean, without being too topical, there are people in pretty prominent positions who are doing well for themselves who have been involved in scandals that are much worse. That being said, I think it's going to be a pretty windy road and there's going to be more work involved than some people think. I can't realistically see you guys getting anywhere without a formal public address on what happened, but that's up to you. I know that despite any opinions on the individuals in the current administration staff, that each of them have the best intentions for the site as a whole.
Anyway, that's my $0.02. Best of luck!