"Strange Kind of Tranquility"

Letter to the Editor of "The Monadnock Shopper News" June 3-June 9, 2009 www.shoppernews.com

"To The Editor:
A public official,..........*, took a pot shot against the Saint Benedict Center (SBC) in a recent issue of The Monadnock Shopper.
......* said SBC should (in the interest of "peace and tranquility") dismiss its suit versus the "Richmond 12", officials who were responsible for no less than 30 unlawful and unconstitutional conditions for the small religious order to build a church-school.
These town officials were advised, prior to their decisions, that their actions were in violation of federal, state, and local laws. It was the officials of the town of Richmond who were uncharitable with their actions and comments throughout the two years it took to get a decision from the out-of-control Richmond Planning Board. They caused the suit. Why should the SBC dismiss the suit?
It's time for the public to see what a terrible mess the Planning Board, the Zoning Board, and the current Selectmen have made of the town of Richmond. If the town officials had been charitable and followed the law, there would be no need to have the officials, SBC, and the town involved in this litigation.

Paul Vasilak, Richmond"

*** the individual that wrote to the Shopper did so as an individual and did not identify herself as a town official. This person was responding to a previous letter to the Shopper. The writer of that letter did not identify herself as an active member of the SBC or the fact that her husband is past National Membership Director of the SBC. (see posting Oct 14, 2007 on this blog)

Mr. Vasilak and his family just recently moved to Richmond and are active members of SBC.

It is up to the court, not Mr. Vasilak, to rule whether or not the the 30 conditions are "unlawful and unconstitutional".

In a similar situation in neighboring Peterborough NH the Catholic Church (one that is recognized by the Diocese of Manchester unlike the SBC of Richmond which is not recognized by the Diocese of Manchester) wanted to build a new facility in a rural residential area. The planning board denied their request. They did not sue. They are looking for a more suitable location to build. (See posting Nov 25, 2008 on this blog.)

The original suit was the SBC versus the Town of Richmond. The SBC then amended their suit to include and sue the 12 individual members of the planning and zoning boards (The Richmond 12). Some of these individuals recused themselves or actually voted against the final conditions.

Mr. Vasilak mentions the "current" selectmen. Perhaps since Mr. Vasilak just recently moved to Richmond he is unaware of the history of the SBC and the Town of Richmond. The town of Richmond and various boards have had issues with the SBC since almost day one in 1988 when, after losing a law suit to gain control of SBC Still River, Fakhri Maluf, his wife and others left Still River MA and moved to Richmond to establish their own order. None of the original members of SBC Richmond were from Richmond. The members moved to Richmond from CA, LA, GA, MA, and other states and Canada . To learn more about these issues please check out the 3 part series "Richmond, Tale of Two Roads" that was originally published in the "Richmond Rooster" in Dec 1993, Jan 1994, Feb 1994. You can also read this series on this blog's postings 1/15/09, 10/4/07, 10/11/07.

The residents of Richmond DO see what a mess this is. Just drive around this small rural town and you will see "WE Support the Richmond 12" signs on lawns all over the town. You will see "We Support the Richmond 12" bumper stickers on many of the cars. You will not find ONE "We Support the SBC" sign or bumper sticker.