Maharishi’s group refused tax-free financing

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Sounds like some bigotry may be at work in Goshen, New York, USA.

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Maharishi’s group refused tax-free financing

Organization wants to build on 818 acres of black dirt , By Leslie Cosgrove

 

Goshen — Either lay your cards on the table, or there will be no public hearing. Such was the message the Goshen Town Board delivered to representatives of the Global Country of World Peace when it unanimously refused the group’s requests to support tax-free bond financing, or a public hearing on the subject.

 

Headquartered in Vedic City, Iowa, the organization was founded in 2000 by the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. According to its Web site, the Global Country’s mission is to “establish global world peace by unifying all nations in happiness, prosperity, invincibility, and perfect health, while supporting the rich diversity of our world family.”

 

In 2005, the Global Country paid $4 million in cash for 818 acres of black dirt farmland in the Town of Goshen. At that time, the organization’s representative, Richard Quinn, stated that the organization’s plans for the land included the construction of a 10,000-foot administrative building and greenhouses for organic farming.

 

Since that time, Global Country has not submitted any applications to the planning board, and has been tight-lipped as to its plans. Yet two weeks ago, Quinn informed the town that Global Country wants to refinance the land for $5.8 million, and requested the town’s approval of tax-exempt bond financing, and a public hearing before the end of the year.

 

At a combined work session and town meeting Monday night, the board asked why the town needed to be involved in the financing. Quinn, accompanied by bond attorney Steven Polivy, explained that organizations with non-profit status can obtain tax-free financing, but that the government requires a public hearing to inform communities of the organization’s intent, and the support of the local governing body.

Supervisor Doug Bloomfield said the town board is still unaware of the Global Country’s plans and goals. Council member Phil Canterino expressed concern over the fact that the Global Country is applying for 100 percent refinancing with 0 percent investment.

 

“We don’t know how you’re going to improve the property,” Canterino said. “We don’t know what we’re left with if your project doesn’t materialize.”

 

When Quinn said other assets and organizations are guaranteeing the loan, Canterino countered that the town hasn’t seen any information to confirm this.

 

More questions went unanswered. Quinn could not say whether local labor will build the buildings, where the farm workers are coming from, or how much money will come back to the community. “You do know exactly how much you’re going to borrow, but you don’t know exactly what you’re going to do with it,” he said, calling them on their seeming reluctance to be forthcoming.

 

Canterino said the town has “plenty at risk” because whatever project the group plans will affect the town’s roads and services. http://www.strausnews.com/articles/2006/11/24/the_chronicle/news/3.txt

 

 

 

 

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