No, Home Depot is not shutting down.
No, Vince Williams is not closing down. Or any of the other car dealers for that matter.
Yes, the North Coast Business Park developments including a new COSTCO will happen. Just a bit slower than expected.
Yes, Air Service between Astoria and Portland is set to start in March and the introductory fare is $75.00 one-way. The planes are fabulous and have a proven safety record as does the operator
Yes, local Banks and Credit unions are lending. If your credit score is low to non-existent it's not going to happen for you. Everybody else is good-to-go.
Yes, Fr. Ted Prentice is a real Catholic Priest in the ordained sense of the word. So far.
No, she's not a nun ( I'd use her name but we're not sure what it is this week and I don't want to be accused of starting a rumor)
No, Star of the Sea school is not on the verge of closing down anymore than it usually is. This rumor was just a bit of sloppy reporting according to those desperate to keep the doors open.
Yes, Mack Burns at the historical society deserves a George Award but didn't win. It was just a clever ruse to get Randy Stemper to the dinner by telling him he was giving the award to Mack and all the while Stemper was one of the winners. Randy still gave the speech he prepared saying nice things about Mack.
Yes, I now owe the other George Award winner a beer after he was nice enough to let me snag the last Heineken even as he was paying the bartender for it. Luke, you deserve at least a six-pack.
That will do it for this month's rumor control round-up
Things that we know to be true: Money was redirected by Father Ted Prentice; Nereyda Antonia Valdes does not have official status with the Catholic Church; Neustro Futuro, Inc. was established in February 2003 by Ted Prentice with Antonia Valdes as president; the address on file with the Secretary of State for Neustro Futuro, Inc. is that of a single family residence owned by Prentice’s parents and they stated to KATU that they were unaware of the address being used by Prentice for Neustro Futuro; Prentice and Valdes had once been engaged; and in late 2006/early 2007 the parish finance council in a letter to Prentice with copy to the Archdiocese stated that they felt the financial management of the parish and school was not being handled in a manner that they felt was fiscally responsible.
ReplyDeleteWe may never know the truth. If there is no wrong doing and Neustro Futuro has been doing wonderful things for the past six years, it is a shame that its accomplishments should be learned through this challenging situation. With Prentice’s and Valdes’ involvement with both St Mary, Star of the Sea and Neustro Futuro, it seems the existence of this organization should have been common knowledge.
The lack of information about the known facts has inflamed an already tricky situation. There are and will be no winners when this mess settles. We have all lost; the parish, the school, the community, and especially the children, due to non disclosure. Had the full disclosure been made from the Archdiocese about the details surrounding the above facts, there would not have been the need for public addressing of these issues.
It is mind boggling in this day and age coming off the issues that the Catholic Church has had this past decade that full disclosure would not have occurred. We may never know the truth, but we do know that this has been an ugly chapter in Astoria’s proud history.
Walt Postlewait
Walt is correct in the sense that these are not new issues within the Parish. Though complaints were made to the Diocese more than once, the fact that they were not acted upon in a way that safeguarded the Parish is what led to this point. Had they acted and put competent fiscal management procedures in place, then both the poor could have been helped and the health of the Parish, in order that this be continued in perpetuity, would have been secure. Nobody here was looking to grandstand, abrogate the powers of the existing boards, or anything of the sort. None of this has been pleasant for any of the parties. But the situation had become so alarming, certain people saw no other way. And, in defense of those who sought the media and filed criminal complaints, the issue is finally getting serious consideration.
ReplyDeleteThere were several attempts to resolve this quietly and within the Parish. They led nowhere. These are unfortunate, but necessary, growing pains after which I am convinced that St. Mary Star of the Sea will emerge healthier, stronger and financially sounder.
I have gotten my share of dirty looks this week, but the greater issue is delivering the St. Mary legacy securely into the hands of the next generation. That I or others in this conflict have endured social discomfort is a small price to pay for fighting for that future.