Petition Tag - lodge

Jan 28, 2006

Animals should be allowed in Campus Lodge. There should be a limit as to the size and weight of animals. For example, a dog should not exceed the weight of 15 pounds.

If there is any evidence of a dog staining any of the carpets or furniture, it is the pet's owners responsibility to one hundred percent replace what was damaged.

Also, before moving out of the apartment, there should be a complete carpet and furniture cleaning, all paid for by the owner of the animal.

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HELP SAVE OUR CROSS AND ARTWORK depicting the BLOOD of JESUS. Soul Chasers Prayer and Outreach Center has only been open in Amarillo, Texas since May 1st, 2005. We completely renovated our building which we lease from the San Jacinto Masonic Lodge No. 1330, the Masons welcomed our Christian Evangelistic Ministry with open arms.

The Master of the Lodge gave his approval on behalf of the Lodge for the placement of the Cross on the roof. In addition approval was granted for the painting of the cross on our back door. The Master of the lodge in agreement with our Lease gave us full aproval to paint the outside of the building and create signs and artwork.

The only sign on the building which is on the front wall, consisting of a flat plywood board, was painted in red paint with "JESUS SAVES" written on it. On the corner of the building and directly under the rooftop cross our artist painted red blood flowing down the side of the building. Written inside the red paint are different quotes, concerning the Blood of Jesus, such as "The Blood of Jesus Sets you Free".

Upon completion of all the outside artwork the Master of the Lodge advised us to cease from any further painting, as members of the lodge had complained about the blood artwork. They found the Blood artwork to be disturbing. The Director of our organization contacted the City of Amarillo Code Enforcement Department to obtain what rules, regulations and laws pertained to all the work done during the renovation of the building.

Per the City of Amarillo, no permits were needed for the artwork, as it is not considered to be signage under city ordinances. String lighting (Christmas lights) were placed on the border of the roof outlining it in white lighting. The Cross was lit up with red christmas lights. These lights are not regulated by the Code Enforcement Department and are not considered to be electrical work which normally needs permits and inspections.

On August 15, 2005 Six months into our lease we received notifcation from our Landlord - San Jacinto Masonic Lodge No. 1330, that they wanted the Cross removed from the roof, the Cross removed from the back door. They found the lighting on the cross and roof to be a hazard (in their opinion) and therefore disconnected all lights.

They demand immediate removal of all artwork painted with red paint on the outside of the building. The sign and the artwork of the Blood of Jesus. They state that their membership voted on the issue and want it all removed. They state that it violates the Grand Lodge laws which prohibits the Lodges from placement of any signs or emblems denoting a particular religion.

We are in full compliance with our lease agreement. During the renovation and placement of the artwork and crosses the Master of the Lodge and other members were involved and get informed on a daily basis. They consistly gave their approval for all our work, citing we had done a wonderful job and they were very pleased to have us as tenants.

In addition, the supplied equipment such as ladders for us to place the cross on the roof, and to install the lighting. The Master was constantly encouraging us to paint the outside of the building (since it was in poor condition) and told us to paint whatever we wanted. Furthermore, we had even negotiated with the Lodge about possibly renovated a large historical murial on the North wall of the building, which had started to peel and fade.

We presented them with plans of painting a depiction of Jesus Christ surrounded by drug addicts, prostitues and homeless people. The Master of the Lodge stated we had his approval.
Upon consulting with City Officials and our Attorneys, we our in full compliance with the law and followed proper procedure for approval per our lease agreement.

We therefore refuse to comply with the demands for the removal of these items. In addition, we request your support in standing with us on this issue. The Masonic Lodge is only offended by the Christian emblems of the Cross and the Blood of Jesus, because they despise both and teach against them.

The members of the Masonic Lodge are the only individuals that have made any negative comments about our artwork. The cross and the Blood artwork have drawn the comments and attention of every person that frequents sixth street in Amarillo, Texas.

We have been overwhelmed with compliments from all types of people from various faiths, beliefs and backgrounds. The cross and the Blood Artwork have become the Outreach's Identity as it is located on Historic Route 66 amongst Antique shops, biker bars and clubs. We will stand strong for the CROSS and we Proclaim once again that THERE IS POWER IN THE BLOOD OF JESUS.

We will not back down from what we belief is our right and priviledge to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus, the Death on the Cross, the atonement of our Sins throught the Blood of Jesus and by his death we obtain Salvation, and through Jesus only, not by works or by any other human means.

We are justified and washed in the Blood of Jesus. Satan ! Masons ! You are defeated in Jesus Name and we proclaim Victory so that the Lost may be Saved.

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Red Lodge is facing a new challenge. The City Council is debating whether to allow electronic signs in the Community Entrance zones by amending the existing sign code (which currently bans electronic signs). The potential consequences of such an amendment are troubling, as MANY civic groups will have the ability to put up electronic signs. In addition, businesses can and most likely will challenge the language of the amendment to get in on the action too.

All organizations currently have the ability to convey their messages through signage; however they are limited to non-electronic formats. If we want to avoid having Red Lodge look like King Avenue or Grand Avenue in Billings in a matter of years, this amendment needs to be opposed. It has already passed 4-3 on "first read" so the next City Council meeting is the last opportunity to change the Council's vote on this matter.

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Town Pump is proposing to build a service station, convenience store and casino here in Red Lodge. At their WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14 meeting (scheduled to begin at 5:30 PM at City Hall) the Red Lodge Planning Board will vote on whether or not to allow the establishment of a 1,768 square-foot Lucky Lil beer and wine casino on the north end of town, part of a 7800-square foot structure that will also include a convenience store and a gas station.

Some people may have the idea that there is no downside to having Town Pump's gambling in Red Lodge. If you had attended the February Red Lodge City Planning Board meeting where the Novasios' (the current owners of two convenience stores in town) request for gaming permits were discussed (and denied by a vote of 7-0), you would have heard almost two dozen citizens outline the detrimental aspects of more gambling establishments here. People spoke eloquently, informatively and respectfully about all aspects of the Novasio's request. Some used numbers and stats in their presentations; others simply spoke from their hearts. Many spoke to the precedent the board's vote would set for Town Pump. Interestingly, even the Novasios spoke out against gambling, saying that the only reason they were requesting the casino permit was because of Town Pump. Everyone was persuasive: the board voted unanimously against the permit, without discussion.

Consider these facts:

1) There is overwhelming evidence that crime increases dramatically after the introduction of casinos to a community. In Ledyard, Connecticut, the annual number of calls to that community's police department jumped from 4,000 to 16,700 within five years after the opening of the nearby Foxwoods Casino. In Cripple Creek, Colorado, serious crime increased by 287% in the first three years after casinos arrived. (See www.family.org for more information.)
2) Domestic violence as well as child abuse and neglect are directly linked to gambling. According to a University of Nebraska Medical Center study, problem gambling is as much a risk factor for domestic violence as alcohol abuse. According to Maryland's Attorney General, domestic violence shelters on Mississippi's Gulf Coast reported increases in requests for assistance ranging from 100 to 300 percent after the introduction of casinos. Since 1996 domestic violence murders in at least 11 states have been traced to gambling problems. Cases of child abandonment at Foxwoods Casino have become so commonplace that authorities were forced to post signs in the casino's parking lots warning parents not to leave children in cars unattended. In Indiana, a review of the state's gaming commission records showed that 72 children were found abandoned on casino premises during a 14-month period. (See www.nocasinomaryland.org for more information.)
3) Gambling is an addiction that destroys lives and families. In a survey of almost 400 Gamblers Anonymous members, 28% reported being either separated or divorced as a direct result of their gambling problems. The number of divorces in Harrison County, Mississippi has nearly tripled since the introduction of casinos. (See www.tribalnation.com for more information.)

Others may argue that having a Town Pump in Red Lodge will increase our tax revenues. Although this may be the case, such monies (and likely MUCH more) will be spent on increased law enforcement and social service costs that will most certainly accompany the increase in gambling.

There are many other reasons why Town Pump's gambling establishment is a bad idea for Red Lodge. Perhaps most importantly is the fact that the young people we have spoken to in this community - the future of this community - don't want more gambling. We have chosen to live in Red Lodge because it possesses a unique combination of qualities: friendly people, clean air, a low crime rate and a beautiful, unspoiled environment. We have purchased homes, started businesses that provide employment for people, and are raising our children here because of these qualities. We aren't interested in Red Lodge becoming just like every other soulless stop on the highway, nor are we interested in bringing more crime, violence or addiction to our community.

If you don't want to see increased gambling in Red Lodge, that opinion needs to be expressed at the Planning Board meeting on April 14 - either in person, by letter or by petition. (If you come to the meeting, plan to arrive early -- it will likely be very crowded!) Following the planning board meeting, the city council will hold its public hearing on the matter on Tuesday, April 27th at City Hall at 7PM, where your presence and input are also necessary. Your input will help determine the extent of gambling allowed in Red Lodge in the years to come. In the meantime, please tell your friends and neighbors about this important issue.

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