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Post by Admin on Jan 21, 2016 12:58:53 GMT -7
The community of Glastonbury contains a diversity of religious believers. The largest single religious group, undoubtedly, is the adherents of Church Universal and Triumphant (CUT). This organization was responsible for the founding of the community in the 1980s and its subsequent history. As a result, CUT has shaped the thinking of its followers—some of whom serve on the Glastonbury Landowner’s Association (GLA) Board. Since CUT followers comprise roughly one-half of the Glastonbury residents, it would be informative for viewers of this forum to understand in greater detail CUT culture. Doing so can reveal how Church decisions have influenced past and contemporary circumstances and how some of the choices of GLA Board are made. Thus, a few relevant links have been posted below. Administrator's Note: The Co-Chair of the Communications and Technology committee has retired from the GLA Board due to family medical circumstances and is leaving public life. Out of respect for his privacy and to keep the Forum current we removed references to him in the Beliefs thread. The community of Glastonbury has been a repository for previous and current CUT followers. One of the most visible ways in which they have conducted outreach is through the teaching centers in North and South Glastonbury. A teaching center serves a place for the devout to assemble and worship. Some of the practices in their services include high-paced chanting and hymns of praise. Believers at the teaching center having erected statues of Mother Mary and the Buddha in North Glastonbury. Reverend Charlotte Mizzi (above), the current gavel-pounding GLA President, also serves on the Board of the North Glastonbury Teaching Center and has faithfully ministered for over 15 years to her flock of CUT followers. Click on the link to visit the North Glastonbury teaching center website. The Church was started after its parent organization, The Summit Lighthouse (TSL), which was founded by Mark Prophet in 1958. You can learn more about The Summit Lighthouse and its teachings at the organization’s website. The main teaching of the organization is that it is possible for people to become Ascended Masters, such as Jesus or the Buddha, and ascend to Heaven. The Church Universal and Triumphant, a branch of TSL, was founded in 1975 by Elizabeth Clare Prophet, the messenger and late “Guru Ma” of the organization. The Bozeman Daily Chronicle shared its perspective on the transition of Mrs. Prophet. They also reported on the future path of the Church without its “messenger”. We encourage you to look at the links provided and do your own research about the teachings and the organization that has so significantly shaped Glastonbury by perpetuating the Prophets’ legacy.
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Post by James Kozlik on Jan 25, 2016 19:30:11 GMT -7
Tim, your approach to diminish the efforts of board members by sighting their religious beliefs seems off base to me. Your underlining motive seems so old. I would think that most people have adjusted to the fact that personal religious or non-religious belief is a freedom we all cherish. When you purchased your property were you aware of the fact that the Glastonbury subdivisions were originally dedicated towards a church community? Did you not suspect that most of your neighbors would be CUT church members or ex members? If we all learn to accept (love) each other for who we are, maybe we can all transition into a caring community.
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Post by seeker on Jan 25, 2016 21:10:08 GMT -7
I don't understand how this is "low" or an "approach to diminish." The website of the Church organization and the opinions of other sources have been included. It seems simply factual and unbiased, with many different perspectives. Of course, the first amendment does cover religious freedom, and it also covers freedom of speech. The speech in this article does not seem degrading at all. On the contrary, it seems more caring to provide some resources for people to learn more about the history and people's beliefs. It's really helped me to learn more. Thanks for posting!
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Post by Admin on Jan 25, 2016 23:41:18 GMT -7
Thank-you Ross, James and Seeker for your comments. They are helpful and a big step towards healing and uniting our community. That is part of the mission of the Glastonbury Community Forum; to build a stronger, diverse and more understanding community. Conversations and cooperation between founders and newcomers are crucial to building a better future.
James, yes I knew that Church Universal and Triumphant founded Glastonbury when I moved here. Over the years I have learned a great deal about our community and it has been a difficult and sometimes painful learning experience. I have been called many names; the meanest was "church hater" which was leveled at me at an annual meeting when I ran for the GLA Board in 2011. I admit that some of the statements I made came from anger and frustration; they were not helpful and if I had more wisdom I would not have said them. I am sorry for those statements and I also understand that words cannot be taken back. That stated I believe we are all blessed to live in the Community of Glastonbury and we need to accept each other for who we are.
A few months ago I approached the GLA Board and invited them to write a post on Glastonbury history. I suggested that the Teaching Centers could approach the topic and treat it in a sensitive manner. I never received a reply so I talked with many Church Universal and Triumphant friends and came up with the above article. The article is meant to start a conversation about Glastonbury's history so together we can move forward. Several church people that I spoke with suggested the Glastonbury Land site because of it's elegant prose and beautiful Emigrant Peak photo. They thought it accurately conveyed how special Glastonbury is. The only copyright for the site was posted on the header photo and it stated "Copyright 2013 Ross @ Brunson.org". Since a copyright is a legal statement of ownership it logically follows that Ross Brunson created the photo and site. Ross stated that the site is not his so I changed the copy in the article to reflect that.
I hope more people will join the conversation, visit the links and learn more about Glastonbury's history. We are all neighbors and the more we understand and accept each other the stronger our community will be. Glastonbury faces many challenges and I believe they can best be solved if we work together. All three of you have much to offer our community and I hope to see many more posts from you and your friends in the coming months.
A special thank-you to James for the work you did on the original Forum. It was your excellent work that inspired me to create this forum when the original one was in danger of shutting down. I saw the potential in your work and I tried to take it to the next level. Thank-you.
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Post by Doubtful on Jan 26, 2016 14:02:46 GMT -7
I am a new landowner in Glastonbury and have met many great people here. I am a Spiritual person, not a religious person and I appreciate learning more about Church Universal and Triumphant. So thank you for posting links to various sites.
I am beginning to learn about CUT beliefs and what it takes to participate in the Church. I do not understand the believe system or hierarchy that influences Church member actions. I do understand people well enough to know that everyone enjoys activities with those sharing likes, dislikes and religious belief. I also understand the fear of being an outcast or of other reprisals groups can impose on pier members or underlings. But that fear seems extremely high in this community.
Though the Glastonbury lands were originally settled by only Church members I hear it is now 60% non-church, which causes me to question why the Board appears to be 75% Church members. Are non-church members not participating as Board members because they came here to retire and get away from management stress and hussle bussle of city life? I for one have had enough of being told what to do or accomplish and of telling others what their duties and responsibilities are.
Ross asks if you will be posting more information about all the Board members, including non-CUT members. I'm eager to learn more about them and think this website is helping me a lot. However I do recognize there is a one sided view being presented and I hope I will see more of the other side.
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Post by Guru Pa on Jan 26, 2016 21:25:07 GMT -7
As a long-time resident of glastonbury and as part of the church for over 20 years, I can vouch for the accuracy of the "suppositions" in the article. This is good opportunity to spread the Teachings to newcomers of the community and to learn from each other.
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chris
Full Member
Posts: 175
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Post by chris on Mar 19, 2016 11:46:17 GMT -7
At the March 14, 2016 board meeting certain directors questioned whether or not I would be impartial and objective as a landowner member of a committee. Their fears are unsubstantiated, and I now find it necessary to point out that a majority of the directors are not impartial or objective in their duties due primarily to their affiliation with CUT. As an example of this hypocrisy I offer this link to the GLA board president's LinkedIn page: President Mizzi's LinkedIn page. Pay particular attention to this entry: Fundraising Community Wealth Development July 2014 – Present (1 year 9 months)Economic Empowerment
Helping the community to be self sustainable and creating jobs. Presently working on a geothermal greenhouse. Goal is to build housing that is within 25 miles of a proposed healing water spa. Also to organize a Food Coop in the community.These are worthy goals but I believe that they prevent impartiality and objectivity as president of the GLA and as especially as Chairperson of the GLA Community Property Committee. Posted in the interest of full disclosure.
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Post by justme on Mar 24, 2016 8:08:43 GMT -7
Tim, if you are the Admin, please remain factual. To call Ms. Mizzi "gavel pounding" is not necessary, especially in this context. This is one reason why I cannot sympathize with the GFLPC. And to Chris, junior member, there was no linkedin link in your post. And, you folks are making silly, space taking posts as the number of people who have viewed, or Washington's birthday. Of course, this is your forum and you can say what you want, even if you are not factual. You are waaaaaay incorrect about the past due assessment amount quoted on your recent mailed card. But most people won't know that so they will believe the number you provided. It is about $90,000 less in actual past dues. The amount is 18% compounded interest and late fees.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 24, 2016 9:31:15 GMT -7
Just me - Guest,
I'm sorry to say but you are the one who is waaaaaay incorrect. This is a Corporation and must therefore follow corporate law first and our covenants second. The figure used has been provided by our board so your question should be directed to them. Secondly, it doesn't matter what is "actual assessment amount" and "interest and penalties" are. They are both due if assessments are not paid. The interest amount in our governing documents states 18%, therefore 18% has to be charged because it is a stated amount. It has been stated that 18% is illegal, that is not true. It may not be supported but it is not illegal. The GLA landowners who have paid their assessments have incurred interest payments on our road load in part to make up for monies not collected from the landowners not paying their assessments. The length of the road loan could have been shortened had they been making their payments in a timely manner as the rest of us have. Until there is a change in the covenants landowners will be charged, or should be, as the documents suggest, interest and penalty included. Assessments have already been collected, this year, that were charged the 18% interest rate. Any other rate offered to other landowners is discrimination, and goes against our governing documents and can be challenged in court. Why else bother with covenants at all?
This has been the problem all along, not adhering to our governing documents, and that is what I want to see done as a landowner. Not doing so leads to anger between landowners. Adhering to them means equality for everyone and stopping future law suits.
I especially do not like the idea that a landowner has only "3 minutes" to address issues. I certainly hope the president does not use her gavel on me when I see errors being made or decisions being voted on that go against our documents! As a member of a Corporation, with a "financial investment" in this Corporation I want to see the laws it is bound by adhered to...nothing more nothing less.
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chris
Full Member
Posts: 175
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Post by chris on Mar 24, 2016 10:53:32 GMT -7
justme: Apparently Linkedin.com will not permit me to post the link here, probably because I am not a member of LinkedIn. Here is the link to their site if you wish to see it there: www.linkedin.com/ You can enter anyone's name and search for a link to their page if they have one. You will then have to join to see members pages. Administrator's Note: Here is the link to the GLA board president's LinkedIn page: President Mizzi's LinkedIn page. ProBoard's software sometimes makes it difficult for links to be posted.
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Post by leokeeler on Mar 24, 2016 11:40:11 GMT -7
Just Me - Guest WHO ARE YOU?? I understand that many people may need to be anonymous in this forum to avoid reprisals from the Church Universal and Triumphant, or causing changes in neighbors opinions. I easily accept that when the anonymous person is making suggestions for improving the Community, but to stay anonymous when attacking others causes me to doubt the purpose and accuracy of the challenge.
Sally - I feel you are correct in presenting the past due debts must be talked about with the 18% included. At least two past due accounts have recently paid their full debt and brought their assessments current, and their payment included the amounts due with a calculation of 18%. The Board now has little option but to charge everyone the 18% or be ready to refund money to those two Landowners and possibly others.
I fear that Board members Dan and Rudy trying to focus on the difference between the actual assessment (approximately $ 110,000 per Rudy's last public statement) and the percentage rate owed (the other $140,000 if the total is only $250,000) is setting up Landowners to accept the Board only going after the $ 110,000 with maybe a 3-5% interest penalty.
There was a lot of discussion during the recent Member meeting for changing our governing documents. I have became very concerned that the talk is now about setting a range of between 12-15%. Worse that Dan quietly stated a proposal most people did not catch saying "up to the maximum allowed by State Law". That means from 0% to 15%.
Only by having a fixed interest amount, or tie to only State Law - i.e. "the maximum allowed by State Law", will everyone be treated equally. That is until any negotiations are entered into, especially if all Landowners do not get a vote on what the process/policy entails and it uses as standards.
As Sally presents, not collecting those late assessments has been injurious to the rest of the community by paying a larger share of the paving loan over a longer period than necessary, and other road and administration costs not shared equally. I have heard that some people just cannot afford to make the payments, even though if the assessment is $400 the payment over 12 months is only $33.33 per month. Those situations do need special attention, but that is the extreme exception, not the rule.
I've heard of some problems with mailing addresses and bills not being sent to the proper person and wonder if the mistakes were by the owner, the Treasurer or the accounting system. However the last late assessment listing given to Members showed that 75% of the late assessment debts were from 16 Landowners withholding payment. For a reference, there are 38 Landowners with late assessment debts less than $1,000 (one or two years missed assessments) and the total debt of all of them is only 4%. The 4% vs 75% tells me a lot.
So the problem is not really ability to pay, but the desire to pay. Unfortunately I've heard lately that those with the largest debts feel they have the right and deserve to be able to live in Glastonbury without paying the assessments. I'm not sure why those people believe they are above the law (which our covenants basically are) and where that belief originates. But feel it is every Landowners responsibility to ask that all Landowners live by the same rules and obligations, and that we all ask the Board to be fully transparent in all negotiations. They should remember Bylaw Article VI(B)(13) requires the "Keep records in a good and business like manner of all assessments made, all expenditures and the status of each Member's accounts and MAKE SUCH RECORDS ACCESSIBLE AT REASONABLE TIME TO ALL MEMBERS."
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Post by Regina on Mar 24, 2016 20:49:12 GMT -7
Just me, As stated by Sally and Leo above the board has always referred to the past due balance portion of the receivables as past due assessments. The distinction between actual assessment charges and interest and penalties has only been made recently by the board. The interest portion is simple interest, not compounding as you state. The covenants specify compounding interest, but the 2005 QB were set up to calculate simple interest. This has caused problems with inflated interest charges and all past due accounts must be recalculated. Due to these problems it is not possible to state with certainty what the ratio of interest and penalties to assessments is at this time. Once all accounts have been corrected the actual total amount of past dues owed will be apparent and it will be easier to determine what the breakdown is in regard to penalties and interest. The NG chip seal assessments complicate the issue. But the bottom line is that landowners owe the total amount to the GLA, not just the assessment portion and all landowners paying up past due accounts this year have paid that amount.
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Post by debbieb on Mar 24, 2016 20:59:18 GMT -7
To JustMe - If you are a proponent of only collecting "actual past dues" from those landowners (CUT included) who have NEVER paid their dues in 10-20 years, then you sound like our Board Member Gerald who was just pushing for a 0% interest rate "to get people to pay". Let me tell you: a lot of landowners (myself included) would welcome a 0% interest loan for an indefinite number of years from the GLA! That would only encourage any landowner who religiously pays their dues (because of a prohibitive 18% interest rate) to welcome the opportunity to STOP paying them and know that when they do feel like paying up in 5-10 years, it won't cost them an extra penny! So, this idea of cutting the interest rate down to a low/or no percentage may bring in some past due amounts from the past, but just watch how many landowners who have been paying will then want to take advantage of that low/no interest rate and STOP paying their dues to get that wonderful loan from the Bank of GLA - no qualifying necessary!
To Doubtful (new landowner) - Your contention that the non-CUT members are not participating is flat out wrong. Their participation has been severely limited and restricted by new CUT President Charlotte Mizzi's gavel-pounding and Meeting Decorum policies that change every month to suit her whim. Sorry, JustMe, the gavel-pounding has become well-known as she loves to wield it since her induction into the office of President in January 2016! To state otherwise would be hiding the truth! And regarding Doubtful's question "why the Board appears to be 75% Church members" when 60% of landowners are non-CUT - you have only to attend a few Board Meetings to understand what's going on there. March 14th Board meeting in particular would have made it extraordinarily clear to you. In that meeting, the CUT majority of the Board brought forth yet another CUT stand-in to fill the NG vacancy over a legitimate candidate who was a very qualified person, highly involved in volunteer efforts for the GLA. The stand-in had rarely, if ever, attended a Board Meeting before, yet was voted in over the well-qualified, involved candidate in what was a blatant, well-orchestrated behind the scenes move on the part of CUT Board Members. So, yes, as long as there is a CUT majority on the Board, they will do everything they can to maintain their majority and control of the Board - despite the fact that the Board no longer represents the actual demographics of the Glastonbury community.
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Post by dorothykeeler on Mar 25, 2016 2:16:32 GMT -7
To JustMe - In your post, you say, "And, you folks are making silly, space taking posts as the number of people who have viewed..."
Dear Guest, there is a way to verify the number of posts easily. Just register in the upper right hand corner of the home page, log in, and the statistics are available for everyone to see and verify at the bottom of the home page.
As an example, at 2:54am on 3/25/2016 (I'm a night owl,) I found the following data:
Forum Information & Statistics
Board Statistics Threads and Posts
Total Threads: 222 Total Posts: 425 Last Updated: Get to know the beliefs of some your GLA Directors by debbieb (4 hours ago)
Recent Threads - Recent Posts - RSS Feed - Mark All Boards Read Members
Total Members: 22 Newest Member: nick1944 Most Users Online: 16 (Feb 5, 2016 at 4:14pm)
Members Online Users Online 0 Staff, 1 Member, 0 Guests. dorothykeeler Users Online in the Last 24 Hours 0 Staff, 7 Members, 43 Guests. leokeeler, debbieb, bluebird, Sally, chris, Devil Dog
Dear Guest, if you then click on the "Recently Updated Threads" link, you will see a summary of the number of views of every post and topic on this Forum. It is an automatic service provided by the ProBoards service and can not be manipulated by the "Admin" or any of the users.
If you have enough time, you can go through all 8 pages of new Threads that date back to Nov. 20, 2015 and count the number of views. As an example, this Thread, "Get to know the beliefs of some your GLA Directors" was created by Admin, has had 12 Replies (of which one was yours,) has been viewed 465 times, with the Last Post 5 hours ago by "debbieb."
I hope this information is valuable, and that you give serious consideration to the differing viewpoints discussed here.
"Those who have the privilege to know have the duty to act." Einstein
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Post by Admin on Mar 25, 2016 10:23:56 GMT -7
To JustMe: Thank-you for your post. After reading the many thoughtful replies I hope you will join the Forum and become a contributing member. The conversations here are often thoughtful, articulate and helpful to building a better community. I believe that the above replies should answer most of your questions and give you food for thought. The remainder I can answer here.
- I, Tim Brockett, am the administrator and creator of the Glastonbury Community Forum. As noted in the "About" selection on the Main green menu bar, this Forum is independent and not affiliated with any group including the Glastonbury Landowners For Positive Change.
- Facts are more than important; they are critical and we do our best to present known and provable facts. That said the Forum is also a place for commentary and we mix that in with an analysis of the facts to provide interesting and informative articles. One of our goals is to provide readers with accurate information so they can analyze several points of view and then thoughtfully form their own viewpoints. We are human and thus prone to making errors. We encourage readers to post comments that question the facts as we see and interpret them. "None of us is as smart as all of us."
- According to the February 29th, 2016 GLA Balance sheet the total amount for outstanding assessments is $290,076.18. This includes all penalties and interest. When we composed the February postcard you referenced the outstanding amount we listed was $280,00.00. As Regina noted above even the GLA does not know what the exact figure is and will not until they solve QuickBooks issues and recalculate every past due amount. You may download a list of all past due assessments and amounts here.
- President Charlotte Mizzi's gavel use will be long remembered. Personally I was quite happy when Chad Stone took back his grandfather's gavel and called it a "tool of tyranny". My ears found the Presidents tapping of her pen much more agreeable than her gavel pounding. That is my opinion and I respect other points of view.
- Finally the Forum is about much more than just GLA politics. The Forum is a place to congregate, share thoughtful conversation with your neighbors and talk about a wide range of subjects. Our categories cover books, gardening, wildlife photos, hunting, fishing, hiking and a myriad of other activities that make Paradise Valley such a wonderful place to live.
- Holidays are important and we try to commemorate many throughout the year. Personally I find holidays are a good time to reflect upon the accomplishments and sacrifices of others who have contributed so much to so many. The statistics section is well read and serves as proof to the skeptical and as validation to all readers that the Glastonbury Community Forum is well attended by many, many people. Thanks again to you and everyone who replied for your thoughtful comments.
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