Misc FYI: Since I questioned Mosque funding for the purchase I wanted to relate that I learned 9/1/16 that a part of the funds could have come from the advance sale of plots for $600 in the planned cemetery, however, doing the math, it does not come close to accounting for $675,000.
Misc FYI: Since I questioned Mosque funding for the purchase I wanted to relate that I learned 9/1/16 that a part of the funds could have come from the advance sale of plots for $600 in the planned cemetery, however, doing the math, it does not come close to accounting for $675,000.
NEWTON County expected to lift moratorium
COVINGTON — Newton County has issued a joint statement with the Council on American-Islamic Relations indicating that the Board of Commissioners could vote to lift a moratorium on houses of worship at a special called meeting on Sept. 13.
NEWTON County expected to lift moratorium
COVINGTON — Newton County has issued a joint statement with the Council on American-Islamic Relations indicating that the Board of Commissioners could vote to lift a moratorium on houses of worship at a special called meeting on Sept. 13.
Commissioners voted to enact the five-week moratorium on Aug. 16 in order to allow the county’s Development Services Department time to review zoning provisions and current trends related to houses of worship. The moratorium was prompted by a proposal to build a mosque and cemetery on 135 acres of rural land on Ga. Highway 162.
According to the county, Development Services will have completed its preliminary review of proposed updates to local zoning ordinances by the Sept. 13 meeting date. It appears that there will be at least three votes in favor of lifting the moratorium at that meeting.
“As a result of the county’s quick and efficient review of our zoning ordinances, I plan to vote in favor of lifting the moratorium at the special called meeting on Sept. 13,” said District 3 Commissioner Nancy Schulz. “Newton County is rich in diversity and hospitality, and we are happy to see residents of all faiths and backgrounds live and worship together in our community.”
District 2 Commissioner Lanier Sims said he, too, planned to vote to lift the moratorium. “As a county commissioner I encourage us to create a community where people from all walks of life and backgrounds are proud to live, work and play in Newton County,” said Sims.
Edward Ahmed Mitchell, executive director of CAIR Georgia, commended commissioners for their decision and said that Muslims associated with the Masjid At-Taqwa mosque in Doraville “plan to spend more time building bridges with their neighbors” before proceeding with construction.
Masjid-At-Taqwa Imam Mohammed Islam, has accepted invitations to attend Sunday services at different churches in the area over the next four weeks, according to the joint press release.
“We believe that building bridges with our neighbors is far more important than immediately building a new house of worship and cemetery,” he said in the released statement.
According to CAIR Georgia, the organization also plans to visit Newton County to deliver educational Islam 101 presentations about American Muslims in an effort to correct misinformation about Islam.
Not all commissioners, however, were pleased with the involvement of CAIR. District 1 Commissioner John Douglas, in whose district the proposed mosque and cemetery will be constructed, objected to the joint press release with CAIR.
“While we had discussed several versions of the press release, at no time were we told it would be a joint statement with CAIR,” Douglas said in a released statement Wednesday morning. “CAIR has been accused by many of being sympathetic to terrorist groups around the world and is listed as a terror front group now by the government of the United Arab Emirates. I do not approve of issuing a joint statement with CAIR, who is not even a direct participant in this discussion. Representatives of the Doraville group said as much during their Covington visit. I have instructed county staff not to put my name on the release. “
Douglas reserved a decision on lifting the moratorium. “I need to hear from our zoning folks first,” he said. “There’s no point in us spending the money to have staff dig around and find answers for us if we aren’t going to listen to what they say.”
Some county commissioners met with a contingent from Masjid-At-Taqwa earlier this week to discuss the proposed mosque and cemetery and the controversy that has surrounded it. Chairman Keith Ellis took part in one of those meetings; he said Wednesday he does not support lifting the moratorium in advance of the Sept. 21 date on the resolution. Ellis would have a vote on the issue only in case of a tie.
Ellis said he would continue to focus on representing the interests of county residents, particularly those who would be impacted the most by the mosque project.
“If the project moves forward, I will continue to work collaboratively with all parties involved to minimize the impact of this project for all Newton citizens,” Ellis said. “A meeting was held in my office Monday with the current property owners and their real estate agent. The purpose was to represent the constituents in the area where the development is proposed and gather information related to the mosque project. Additionally, I suggested to the property owners that they develop ways to minimize impact in the immediate area. Finally, I asked for the owners to have a preliminary plat prepared along with a time line, to be completed prior to any permitting request.”
Newton County has been in the spotlight since mid-August when commissioners enacted a five-week moratorium on development of houses of worship after plans for the mosque and cemetery became public. The moratorium, which was approved by all commissioners, was designed to give the county’s planning staff time to review zoning provisions and the current trends for places of worship. Houses of worship are currently allowed in all zoning districts in Newton County, provided the project meets minimum requirements of the ordinance.
Commissioners subsequently held two back-to-back town hall meetings on Aug. 22 to allow residents an opportunity to voice their opinions on the proposed development. Hundreds turned out, with many expressing heated opposition to the mosque.
The moratorium and town hall meetings drew negative media attention, which prompted the mayors of the county’s five municipalities to call on commissioners to lift the moratorium, among other things, saying that the board’s actions related to the mosque were an embarrassment to the community.
RE: The Al Maad Al Islami Mosque
OK, most folks saw that snowball rolling downhill, but just for the record I would like to know if anyone is looking into the money issue regarding the purchase of those 132 acres in Newton County? It is claimed that this is a Mosque composed of low income people from Bangladesh.
$675,900 was the sale price. It comes out to 5K per acre and I don't see any of the major players in the Mosque having more than some bankruptcies and one 'Subway' franchise, that is Mr. Turun Ahmed, who is listed as the Mosque CFO.
So where did they get $675,900, probably cash, but even if it were done with partial mortgage it would still be a major amount of money up front.
When I reported on our little issue Mosque in Kennesaw it was just a chicken shit sort of thing where some rich Arabs wanted their own little store front Mosque so they could be big frogs in a little pond.
This purchase from the Neeley Farms Family Limited Partnership, last August, involves major money and it seems that those known to be involved are not in that category of big time operators.
So again, where is the $ coming from?
Anyone in County Govt got the nerve to stand up on their hind legs and ask that? If not, how about someone from the media asking?
See article, add your own comments at:
http://www.rockdalecitizen.com/news/local/newton-county-expected-to-lift-moratorium/article_cb1ea587-d6ec-50c7-b622-aadb60429e9e.html
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Commissioners voted to enact the five-week moratorium on Aug. 16 in order to allow the county’s Development Services Department time to review zoning provisions and current trends related to houses of worship. The moratorium was prompted by a proposal to build a mosque and cemetery on 135 acres of rural land on Ga. Highway 162.
According to the county, Development Services will have completed its preliminary review of proposed updates to local zoning ordinances by the Sept. 13 meeting date. It appears that there will be at least three votes in favor of lifting the moratorium at that meeting.
“As a result of the county’s quick and efficient review of our zoning ordinances, I plan to vote in favor of lifting the moratorium at the special called meeting on Sept. 13,” said District 3 Commissioner Nancy Schulz. “Newton County is rich in diversity and hospitality, and we are happy to see residents of all faiths and backgrounds live and worship together in our community.”
District 2 Commissioner Lanier Sims said he, too, planned to vote to lift the moratorium. “As a county commissioner I encourage us to create a community where people from all walks of life and backgrounds are proud to live, work and play in Newton County,” said Sims.
Edward Ahmed Mitchell, executive director of CAIR Georgia, commended commissioners for their decision and said that Muslims associated with the Masjid At-Taqwa mosque in Doraville “plan to spend more time building bridges with their neighbors” before proceeding with construction.
Masjid-At-Taqwa Imam Mohammed Islam, has accepted invitations to attend Sunday services at different churches in the area over the next four weeks, according to the joint press release.
“We believe that building bridges with our neighbors is far more important than immediately building a new house of worship and cemetery,” he said in the released statement.
According to CAIR Georgia, the organization also plans to visit Newton County to deliver educational Islam 101 presentations about American Muslims in an effort to correct misinformation about Islam.
Not all commissioners, however, were pleased with the involvement of CAIR. District 1 Commissioner John Douglas, in whose district the proposed mosque and cemetery will be constructed, objected to the joint press release with CAIR.
“While we had discussed several versions of the press release, at no time were we told it would be a joint statement with CAIR,” Douglas said in a released statement Wednesday morning. “CAIR has been accused by many of being sympathetic to terrorist groups around the world and is listed as a terror front group now by the government of the United Arab Emirates. I do not approve of issuing a joint statement with CAIR, who is not even a direct participant in this discussion. Representatives of the Doraville group said as much during their Covington visit. I have instructed county staff not to put my name on the release. “
Douglas reserved a decision on lifting the moratorium. “I need to hear from our zoning folks first,” he said. “There’s no point in us spending the money to have staff dig around and find answers for us if we aren’t going to listen to what they say.”
Some county commissioners met with a contingent from Masjid-At-Taqwa earlier this week to discuss the proposed mosque and cemetery and the controversy that has surrounded it. Chairman Keith Ellis took part in one of those meetings; he said Wednesday he does not support lifting the moratorium in advance of the Sept. 21 date on the resolution. Ellis would have a vote on the issue only in case of a tie.
Ellis said he would continue to focus on representing the interests of county residents, particularly those who would be impacted the most by the mosque project.
“If the project moves forward, I will continue to work collaboratively with all parties involved to minimize the impact of this project for all Newton citizens,” Ellis said. “A meeting was held in my office Monday with the current property owners and their real estate agent. The purpose was to represent the constituents in the area where the development is proposed and gather information related to the mosque project. Additionally, I suggested to the property owners that they develop ways to minimize impact in the immediate area. Finally, I asked for the owners to have a preliminary plat prepared along with a time line, to be completed prior to any permitting request.”
Newton County has been in the spotlight since mid-August when commissioners enacted a five-week moratorium on development of houses of worship after plans for the mosque and cemetery became public. The moratorium, which was approved by all commissioners, was designed to give the county’s planning staff time to review zoning provisions and the current trends for places of worship. Houses of worship are currently allowed in all zoning districts in Newton County, provided the project meets minimum requirements of the ordinance.
Commissioners subsequently held two back-to-back town hall meetings on Aug. 22 to allow residents an opportunity to voice their opinions on the proposed development. Hundreds turned out, with many expressing heated opposition to the mosque.
The moratorium and town hall meetings drew negative media attention, which prompted the mayors of the county’s five municipalities to call on commissioners to lift the moratorium, among other things, saying that the board’s actions related to the mosque were an embarrassment to the community.
RE: The Al Maad Al Islami Mosque
OK, most folks saw that snowball rolling downhill, but just for the record I would like to know if anyone is looking into the money issue regarding the purchase of those 132 acres in Newton County? It is claimed that this is a Mosque composed of low income people from Bangladesh.
$675,900 was the sale price. It comes out to 5K per acre and I don't see any of the major players in the Mosque having more than some bankruptcies and one 'Subway' franchise, that is Mr. Turun Ahmed, who is listed as the Mosque CFO.
So where did they get $675,900, probably cash, but even if it were done with partial mortgage it would still be a major amount of money up front.
When I reported on our little issue Mosque in Kennesaw it was just a chicken shit sort of thing where some rich Arabs wanted their own little store front Mosque so they could be big frogs in a little pond.
This purchase from the Neeley Farms Family Limited Partnership, last August, involves major money and it seems that those known to be involved are not in that category of big time operators.
So again, where is the $ coming from?
Anyone in County Govt got the nerve to stand up on their hind legs and ask that? If not, how about someone from the media asking?
OK, most folks saw that snowball rolling downhill, but just for the record I would like to know if anyone is looking into the money issue regarding the purchase of those 132 acres in Newton County? It is claimed that this is a Mosque composed of low income people from Bangladesh.
$675,900 was the sale price. It comes out to 5K per acre and I don't see any of the major players in the Mosque having more than some bankruptcies and one 'Subway' franchise, that is Mr. Turun Ahmed, who is listed as the Mosque CFO.
So where did they get $675,900, probably cash, but even if it were done with partial mortgage it would still be a major amount of money up front.
When I reported on our little issue Mosque in Kennesaw it was just a chicken shit sort of thing where some rich Arabs wanted their own little store front Mosque so they could be big frogs in a little pond.
This purchase from the Neeley Farms Family Limited Partnership, last August, involves major money and it seems that those known to be involved are not in that category of big time operators.
So again, where is the $ coming from?
Anyone in County Govt got the nerve to stand up on their hind legs and ask that? If not, how about someone from the media asking?
See article, add your own comments at:
http://www.rockdalecitizen.com/news/local/newton-county-expected-to-lift-moratorium/article_cb1ea587-d6ec-50c7-b622-aadb60429e9e.html
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Joint Statement from Newton County and the Council on American-Islamic Relations About Moving the Community Forward
Post Date: 08/31/2016 9:58 AM
(COVINGTON, GA - 8/31/16) The Newton County Board of Commissioners today announced its intention to take action regarding the County's moratorium on permits for all houses of worship at a special-called meeting on September 13, 2016 when County staff expects to complete the preliminary review of proposed updates to local zoning ordinances.
The Board of Commissioners voted August 16, 2016 to enact a temporary moratorium on new permitting for all places of worship to address legitimate planning and zoning concerns impacting the health, safety and welfare of the County’s citizens.
"As a result of the County's quick and efficient review of our zoning ordinances, I plan to vote in favor of lifting the moratorium at the special called meeting on September 13," District 3 Commissioner Nancy Schulz said. "Newton County is rich in diversity and hospitality, and we are happy to see residents of all faiths and backgrounds live and worship together in our community."
"We thank and commend the Newton County commissioners for pledging to lift the moratorium on permits for houses of worship," Edward Ahmed Mitchell, Executive Director of CAIR Georgia said. "Although Newton Muslims will once again have the right to proceed with building a cemetery and house of worship, they plan to first spend more time building bridges with their neighbors."
Imam Mohammed Islam, the leader of Masjid At-Taqwa in Doraville, has accepted invitations to attend Sunday service at different churches in the area over the next four weeks.
"We believe that building bridges with our neighbors is far more important than immediately building a new house of worship and cemetery."
Following proper procedures and protocols, Newton County Development Services issued an Administrative Use Permit to Al Maadi al Islami, Inc. in June 2015. To date, the Applicant has not submitted plans to Newton County Development Services for review. Once an applicant submits plans, they are reviewed by various County departments and divisions including Engineering, Transportation, Planning and Zoning, Fire Services as well as applicable state agencies. Once plans are approved, the County issues permits and construction may begin.
“We pledge to work collaboratively with the Applicant throughout the review process to ensure the project meets federal and state requirements and follows local ordinances and laws. Once plans are approved, the County can issue permits and construction begins.” County Manager Lloyd Kerr said.
“As a County Commissioner, I encourage us to create a community where people from all walks of life and backgrounds are proud to live, work and play in Newton County. I will vote in support of removing the temporary moratorium at the September 13, 2016 special called meeting,” District 2 Commissioner Lanier Sims said.
During the September 13, 2016 special-called meeting, the Commissioners plan to receive an update on proposed changes to the County's zoning ordinances, which will not affect previously approved projects, including the Al Maadi al Islami, Inc. project.
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Newton County to lift moratorium on mosque
The Newton County commissioners said Wednesday they plan to lift a moratorium that has prevented a mosque from being built in the area.
In a joint statement with the Council on American-Islamic Relations, the commissioners said they expect to lift the moratorium at a Sept. 13 meeting. The CAIR is a Muslim advocacy group.
The planned mosque and Muslim cemetery sparked fierce opposition, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution previously reported.
In a joint statement with the Council on American-Islamic Relations, the commissioners said they expect to lift the moratorium at a Sept. 13 meeting. The CAIR is a Muslim advocacy group.
The planned mosque and Muslim cemetery sparked fierce opposition, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution previously reported.
“Newton County is rich in diversity and hospitality, and we are happy to see residents of all faiths and backgrounds live and worship together in our community,” District 3 Commissioner Nancy Shulz said.
“We thank and commend the Newton County commissioners for pledging to lift the moratorium on permits for houses of worship,” said Edward Ahmed Mitchell, executive director of CAIR Georgia. “Although Newton Muslims will once again have the right to proceed with building a cemetery and house of worship, they plan to first spend more time building bridges with their neighbors.”
At a public hearing earlier in August, most speakers came out against the mosque, citing concerns over terrorism and assimilation of Muslims into the community. Some also said they were concerned about the impact of a large development.
“To say we wish to disallow this project based on religious discrimination … is ludicrous and hypocritical,” said a woman who did not give her name. “They are discriminating against us by calling us infidels who do not believe in their religion.”
See for yourselves:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfXYkXFMiI0
They also do not believe in Adam, Noah, Abraham or Moses???
They ONLY believe in Allah(God) and Muhammad, their so-called prophet.
The Imam is a LIAR!
The incoming 2017 Newton County Board of Commissioners will have at least 2 new Board members as of next January, with John Douglas of District 1, not running again and being replaced on the Board by Stan Edwards Jr. (edwards_stan@bellsouth.net).
Of 6 elected County officials, 2 serving Republican members will be replaced by 2 other Republicans and the Chairman position remains to be decided in the November County election.
It isn't unreasonable to have an important zoning issue delayed until it can be considered by a reconfigured Board and perhaps a new Chairman.
There will be the predictable howls of phoney outrage by aggrieved the Muslim applicant, but the delay is quite reasonable and an intervention by the DOJ is unlikely.
1. Convert to Islam.
2. Refuse to convert, be persecuted and tortured, refuse again and be killed by beheading.
3. Refuse to convert, don't give them a chance to persecute you and kill them when they come for you! Stock up on ammo!
One way or another, these people will NOT be living in peace, forever. Their goal is NOT assimilate to our culture and to initiate Sharia Law upon our land and make it their land.
What part of that don't you understand?
Sure, you avoided a Federal lawsuit, but you just wrote Death Warrants for your children and their children. GOOD JOB, Shultz!
I don't recall Adam and it isn't worth going to look it up.
I did get some info on bankruptcies of the 3 listed officers of the Mosque, at least 2 have filed, maybe 3, Mohammad Islam is a pretty common Islamic name, sorta like John Smith for us, so not sure if he is also a bankrupt. Will add info to my blog site when I have time.
I also learned that the mosque gets some $600 for selling each burial plot for the cemetery but that amount is so small when compared to the purchase price of $675,900 that it would not raise enough $ to finance that major purchase. My Question remains - where does that $ come from?
Keep posting buddy.