Brothers of Raytown Masonic Lodge #391:
As you all know, for the last several decades Bank of America has owned the property directly south of our Lodge and our two parking lots are “joined”. Bank of America had allowed us to use the parking lot as we needed and even extended us the courtesy of plowing the snow from out lot when they plowed their own lot. We have been the recipient of great generosity.
Many of our Brothers may not know that Bank of America closed the branch and sold the property and building recently. This sale has potentially put parking and access to our Lodge at risk.
To try and stay ahead of this issue, I instructed Brother Rick Kingcade to look into the issue and I had Brother Rick form an investigative committee with Past Masters. I gave Brother Kingcade this task because he does this kind of thing for his work/job as well as personal investments for himself and family. I feel that he has great expertise in this kind of thing.
Brother Kingcade has done some research into the situation. The good news is that our Lodge has options, the bad news is that our Lodge needs to take action before we lose our options and we are put into a corner where we are struggling to keep easy access and parking to our Lodge building.
After many hours of research and phone calls, Brother Kingcade has determined that our Lodge has three (3) viable options:
Option #1: Do nothing and let our choice be made for us, rather than taking control of our destiny.
Option #2: Try and buy part of the property. We would have to spend some of the Lodge “savings” but we will still have savings and we would build the “asset” of property.
Option #3: Buy all the land and the building, take the land we need/want and try to sell the rest. This will take more money than we have in savings, we would have to obtain a loan/debt and this would be a gamble.
Brother Kingcade made a brief presentation on these options at a regular communication a few weeks ago. Unfortunately the attendance was low, since it was a regular communication. I feel that this is an important enough issue that I am calling two special communications specifically for this issue.
The first special communication will be on Thursday July 16, 2015. We will open and tile our lodge at 7:00 PM. Brother Kingcade will present the information he has gathered and answer questions. The possible purchase of the property will be the only item for discussion this night. We will close Lodge promptly at 9:00 PM. Many of the Brothers will have to get up early the following morning for work and I want them to get a good nights’ sleep.
The second special communication will be held on Thursday August 20, 2015 at 7:00 PM. Again the Lodge will be opened and tiled. Brother Kingcade will give a brief presentation and try and answer any further/new questions that Brothers may have. Discussion will be allowed for 1 ½ hours (90 minutes). After that time, I will ask for a motion on a course of action. We will then vote on that motion via ballot, not a show of hands. Again, many Brothers will have to get up for work early the following morning so I am limiting the time for this meeting.
I do not mean for this letter to sound “dictatorial” but I strongly feel that this is an issue that all our Brothers need to be aware of, I feel that it is an issue that needs to be given its full and fair attention and I do not want to inconvenience anyone more than necessary. Brother Kingcade and his committee have given a lot of time, effort and energy to try and help our Lodge find a solution and they deserve the respect of their time.
I encourage everyone to attend these meetings and to pass the word among all our Brothers. Whatever decision we reach will not only affect us in the short term, but it will have a lasting effect on our Lodge for decades to come.
Please feel free to visit our Lodge website at www.raytown391.com at any time. More information will be posted there as well as reminders of our regular meetings and special communications.
Fraternally;
W.M. Tom Saccardi
Raytown Masonic Lodge #391
