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Page: Profile: Wren's Nest News Local
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Article: 21176
[Pagan]
Date Posted:
9/17/2009
7:01:19 pm EDT
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Views: 25,656
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Comments: 19
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Front Porch Application In Shelton Leads To Wiccan Church Questions
Author: Kate Ramunni Source: Connecticut Post (CT)
Title: FRONT PORCH APPLICATION IN SHELTON LEADS TO WICCAN CHURCH QUESTIONS
  When Mary Peck moved into her Greenfield Drive home a decade ago, she picked the neighborhood for its quiet, residential feel.
But now she and her neighbors are afraid that tranquility will be shattered by a neighbor who uses his property to host Wiccan ceremonies and rituals.
Peck and several of her neighbors attended a meeting of the Zoning Board of Appeals Tuesday to speak against Robert de Maille von Schmidt's application for a variance to construct a front porch on his house that is in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
While neighbors say they are against the construction of the porch because the lot isn't big enough, what they are afraid of is that Schmidt is making the house ADA compliant in order to use it as a temple for the Wiccan Coven of the Spiral Light that he heads.
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Community Thoughts: There are 19 comments posted | Reverse Sort |
| Intolerance And Lack Of Understanding | Sep 20th. at 7:31:01 pm EDT
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Rangerwolf (Brooklyn, New York) - Email Me
I checked out several other sites with this story, and what I am sensing is the true core issue is faith. I doubt there would be such an issue if the house owners were a main stream faith, especially with some of the telling comments regarding Wicca not be the issue, or 'shoving their faith in their faces'.
As a lesbian, I have heard the same rant about gays and lesbians, and our 'lifestyle' choices (eyes rolling here) . I have heard folks say basically the same thing, so my gut tells me it is intolerance and lack of education/ understanding.
And one site the lead gal was mentioned by a former neighbor as a problem for her former community, so it seems she is continuing what appears to be a pattern of behavior.
If she does have such issues, it should come out soon enough, and the other folks really ought to examine their reasons behind their actions.
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| Its...a...freaking.. Porch. | Sep 20th. at 4:38:41 pm EDT
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Lady Katyara (Milford, Connecticut) - Email Me
I ,too, am from this area. The people here who are afraid of it being a church need to step away from Saint Joes down the street and get a life. Yes, parking when you have a party/gathering is a pain. It's a pain in almost any CT Valley neighborhood. (Compared to where I grew up in Southern Cal.) Even going forward in this leap of "logic" these people have that Wheelchair ramp = mass gathering of people, is ridiculous.Besides, it's not like any mass parking would be a weekly occurrence. Let me tell you about these people here next to the river, when summer comes EVERYONE has parties. Shelton is home to a great fireworks show, Highland rovers on the green and many other public parties and gatherings. That's what happens when you move to a state where you actually have a bit of weather for three months. No one wastes the good weather when it happens and everyone is at everyone else's house or party. Any 'gatherings' would be just like everyone else's BBQ/Bday/Graduation/ Memorial/4th and Labor day parties. (I love this state!)
Does anyone have contact info for these poor people. I recently moved to the Silver Sands/ Milford area, within view of the water. I'd like to offer my own place to them if they need it. I am sure their land is bigger, since beach houses do tend to be sardine packed. But hey I'm right near Magick Mirror and do have a postage stamp of grass in the back!
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| Neighbors | Sep 20th. at 4:09:06 pm EDT
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karrie9 (Kenosha, Wisconsin) - Email Me - Web
What they really mean is they don't want competing religions to be practiced in private homes, to have any right to assemble peacefully, even in one's own home, as if constitutional rights only apply to some people, and so a **singular instance** of invite to the public becomes a church and their very presence in the neighborhood becomes shoving religion down others' throats despite a lack of proselytizing.
But if they practiced strictly in private, they'd say worse and insinutate that if they weren't doing anything wrong, then why the secrecy.
How utterly deceitful of these good neighbors, they seem to worship at the feet of purposeful ignorance (also known as a bad faith decision, pun intended) and creedist hate, idols that obscure the level of importance of the reciprocal nature and wisdom of Love Thy Neighbor.
Instead they are a hair's width away from demonizing their neighbors outright and they're stuck in a vigilante The Forces of Good tm vs. The Forces of Evil tm false dichotomy, the not so fairer cousin of Satanic Panic and Satan Vision.
And they call these Wiccan neighbors "untrustworthy?"
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| Worshiping In The Privacy Of Your Own Home... | Sep 20th. at 8:07:39 am EDT
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Laura C. (Weston, Florida) - Email Me
...whether alone or with friends, is not "pushing your religion on people." A Bible study in one person's home doesn't constitute proselytizing; nor does a PRIVATE Sabbat or Esbat ritual performed by a coven.
And for heaven's sake, why make a big fuss about someone building a ramp? "Oh, no, they're making their home wheelchair-accessible!" There is no good reason to protest the building of a ramp. Peck & co. are just digging for excuses to complain about the unusual religion that Schmidt and his coven happen to follow.
I'm sorry, but I still don't see the problem with Schmidt's home being a "church" or "temple." I could live next door to a Baptist church, Hindu temple, or Jewish synagogue and feel no pressure at all to become Baptist, Hindu, or Jewish. How is the use of a home for Wiccan religious purposes supposed to force Paganism of any kind on anyone? It's not like they're forcing random neighbors to worship with them!
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| Why Are They Making A Big Deal Out Of A Ramp? | Sep 19th. at 3:23:10 pm EDT
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Angel Fire (Claremore, Oklahoma) - Email Me
I don't understand why they are making a big deal about building the ramp. It is not like they are pushing Wiccan ideology into the faces of their neighbors. They also have the right to have people from all walks of life to their Mabon celebration. It is their constitutional right to worship as they please.
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| ... | Sep 18th. at 6:44:41 pm EDT
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Draken (Bronx, New York) - Email Me - Web
He is only setting up a handicap ramp. There is NO plan to start up a Wiccan temple at his place. Do some people fail to understand that?
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| Oh No! Not Black Robes! | Sep 18th. at 2:36:30 pm EDT
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Panthea Ge (T-Town, Michigan) - Email Me
I'm with the lawyer. This is about a porch, not parties and *gasp* welcoming signage.
NIMBY crap. Slander and calumny!
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| I Don't Know . . . | Sep 18th. at 2:03:22 pm EDT
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R. Cicero (Seattle, Washington) - Email Me
I read the article a second time and it still sounds like a manageable problem needing further elucidation. Neighbors can complain all they want, but it will be the commissioner's call, under penalty of legal action. I think he can make a sound decision--he seems calm and reasonable, and solely concerned with parking and traffic management issues. They make it clear that churches can be in residential areas under certain conditions. I have to say that this homeowner is practically inviting trouble by not being perhaps completely open regarding his intentions. It very much sounds like a temple, at least on a part-time basis so far, and what about their plans for the future? I still think neighbors have the right to know. Christian get-togethers in people's living rooms have faced very similar issues. They should move out of residential neighborhoods into strip malls or vacant buildings if they grow too big, I think. All the kindness in the world won't patch up concealed motives. Full disclosure, 'Reverend'!
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| Read The Article.... | Sep 18th. at 1:38:52 pm EDT
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Thorin (Newaygo, Michigan) - Email Me
After reading the article, I must say that I am dissapointed in the person who is setting up this "Wiccan Church". First off, they are not going through the proper channels. If you want to have a "Church", you must have proper clearance with your local Gov., and deal with issues like parking. Perhaps if someone had a pic of the property in question, or a related article that had one?? Sorry, but IMO, this person is not going about things the right way.
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| Mr. Schmidt Should Prevail. | Sep 18th. at 1:29:59 pm EDT
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TheStormofWar (Salt Lake City, Utah) - Email Me
"Lawyer Up" was a smart move just in case. It's not a church so there is little the neighbors can do to stop him. Aside from that, if you don't like folks walking around in robes, then cry me a river. It's a free friggin' country still.
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| Rule Of Law Will Likely Prevail | Sep 18th. at 1:05:37 pm EDT
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Terry (Irvington, Virginia) - Email Me
I bet Alan Tyma and Shelton will help the rule of law prevail over any rabid fundie bigotry driven efforts in this case. Alan studied engineering before becoming a lawyer, and I've worked with him on another case involving land use and tech issues outside his expertise. He's likely to be successful in guiding a rational outcome here, given that Shelton is concerned about economic and not religious issues, and that a zoning variance is not a matter of legal right, but requires a demonstration of reasons why the city should grant it. This is a somewhat upscale suburban area.
This article is sloppily written, as neither a home nor most churches require full ADA compliance, as would government centers or non-church public assembly facilities. A home may be designed in accordance with ADA standards on a voluntary basis, but only as guidelines to enable easier use by handicapped residents. A fully inaccessible home is "ADA compliant" in legal terms, in that such law does not apply, while many churches build to ADA standards as an ethical goal when not so required by law.
Given that this is Connecticut, beyond the general nature of zoning variances to be matters of special exception and not legal right, two other quirks of state law apply.
One is Dwyer v Farrell, a circa 1983 firearm case in which a New Haven police Chief tried to prevent a Federally licensed dealer from operating in that city. The state Supreme Court ruling included a broad issue establishing far reaching case law in that context, ruling that municipal entities in Connecticut are "creatures of the state", operating under delegated authority, and are not independent or autonomous as they are in some states. This is lesser known law, in that unlike many states, it's not statutory in definition, and so requires more intimate local knowledge. In effect, that means that local zoning boards or building officials are subordinate to state agencies, and their actions can be appealed or overridden administratively by state officials, alternately to litigation. That helps keep local officials in check many times.
Also, Connecticut was a national leader in "mini-RFRA's", before the Federal mess where Congress tried to undo a Rehnquist court clusterfvck of civil rights in the sequence from Smith v OR Emp Div to Boerne v Flores in the 1990's. In 1993 before the Federal RFRA, the CT legislature enacted CGSa 52-571 (b) , that provides an affirmative criminal defense from laws of general applicability that burden religious Free Exercise without meeting Strict Scrutiny criteria, and civil process for injunctive relief and compensation for costs and fees of suing the state or its "children" for intrusions on Free Exercise rights.
As to the lines the article discusses about private back yard events and land use regulation, there may be some conflicts of law if a religious activity is regulated that involves less parking or public safety issues than some large family holiday or birthday parties. Unlike many states, that could be a messy mini-RFRA case, for which CT towns and cities are at risk of paying to be sued. In this case, my guess is that Alan and city officials will in effect politely tell the (relatively few in places like this) RRR neighbors to go bugger off, and get on with reviewing the practical and legal issues relevant to approving the variance.
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| Reality Check | Sep 18th. at 8:05:21 am EDT
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Happy Wiccan (Shelton, Connecticut) - Email Me
To add some actual fact into the discussion maybe helpful so I think some clarification is called for here. I am from the area and have knowledge of what is really happening here. The house in question has been designed by an architect to specifically fit into the style of the neighborhood, and it is not the largest home in that neighborhood either. The house is ADA compliant and because of a topography issue, a small (a really small: like less than 3 feet) variance is needed to fit the ADA compliant front porch within the property setbacks. The front of the house will not have a ramp, the ramp is designed into the landscape of the back of the home to maintain the more traditional look of the front (and I might add more expensive than a ramp would be) . Now instead of following the norm, building the porch first, and then saying there was a small error, they saw the small discrepancy from the approved plans and the actual structure and decided to halt construction and apply for the variance like they are supposed to.
During the construction, trying to be good future neighbors, all of the neighbors have been invited to meet them, and they have been open about being Wiccan. In fact they have done property blessings (hence the black robes, i.e. garb) and restored an overgrown lot into a cared for yard. Several times they have held cookouts to thank their contractors and friends that have helped with everything and have invited all the neighbors. In fact all during construction they have keep up with yard work to keep the “construction zone look” to a minimum, trying to be good neighbors.
In spite of all of this, once a variance was asked for some of the neighbors have decided that it was time for a crusade against the Wiccans. The “word” around the neighborhood is that the new neighbors sacrifice goats, worship the devil, you all know the standard things that are said. The neighbors are saying “the real purpose” of the house is a Wiccan church, temple, day care, home for troubled handicap teens, group home, EST. The neighbors, apparently, did not like hearing the truth from the Planning and Zoning meeting that this is just a house and not a church. So they decided to take their rumors and intolerance and put it in the papers trying to force their version of reality and strike up fear around town.
Well the real purpose of the home is, surprise, it is a private home, not a church, temple, or any of the other things that a few neighbors have been claiming. The couple who will be living there just happen to be Wiccan. Yes, one of them has devoted her life to helping the handicap and several of her colleges are wheel chair bound. Her partner has devoted his life to community service as well. A veteran, a firefighter, a rescue worker at the World Trade Center tragedy (think you may now understand the need for an ADA home) . Maybe if the neighbors just took the time to take them up on the numerous invitations and actually talk to them this could have been all avoided.
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| This Is An Important Ruling On Your Rights | Sep 18th. at 8:05:07 am EDT
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keyokwee (Montague, California) - Email Me
Believe it or not; this has the makings of an important ruling here. It's called the right to peacefully assembly. If This right is trampled under the guise of a "zoning application or building permit", if it is denied then the constitution comes into play. While there will always been zoning laws, etc; These neighbors have to understand that the pendulum swings both ways. If they deny the rights of their neighbor to hold "Wiccan Meetings" in their house and deny the handicapp access to those meetings, then there is an issue with laws on handicap accessibility and the rights of the handicap are denied. So all ramps must be removed from all houses just in case there might be another temple or other unsavory building in their neighborhood, city, or town. And also too, all those prayer meetings that are held in private homes are now going to be cancelled permanently. Because they cannot deny rights to one over the rights of another. Once again a denial of freedom of religion and the freedom to worship in your own home. Now I want everyone to think seriously about this, because if it passes,it looks like there is an opening of Pandora's Box. When seemingly innocent acts, that on the surface "are just neighborly concerns" are allowed to progress unchallenged, especially when they deny the rights of others, then it is everyones responsibility to stand up and fight for them...The old saying once they're....they're gone rings true.
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| A Transitional Situation | Sep 18th. at 6:57:43 am EDT
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Sphinxring (Olympia, Washington) - Email Me
I have a friend who become wheel chair bound, I plan to build a ramp so he can visit.
I also put on public ceremonies, and might have a small one at a gathering in my home.
That doesn't make my home a church?
I suspect that it there are too many people for public rituals, they'll find a bigger place. Like we do renting a public hall for Samhain.
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| A Load Of Booshwa..... | Sep 18th. at 5:37:45 am EDT
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nasionnaich (Stanchfield, Minnesota) - Email Me
The local residents are afraid the house in question will be used as a temple, not that the house is "too big" for the 1-acre lot it sits on. But the issue really isn't about religion, it's about parking and traffic, and other things which just happen to be connected with the size of Mr. Schmidt's house. At least, that's the claim Mr. Schmidt's neighbors seem to be sticking with Well, let's look at a few things the neighbors are raising complaints about....
The Zoning Board says that Mr. Schmidt has not applied for a permit to build a "church", "temple", or other such "religious building" -- he has applied only for a zoning variance to build a larger-than-"normal" porch, with connected ramp, so that people who have difficulty walking (or just are not able to walk) can easily enter the house. His "companion" apparently works with such people, and invites them to the house now and then, so the porch and ramp make sense to me. The Zoning Board has already approved the larger house, so that's a moot point -- but that's not really what the neighbors are complaining about....
Parties and general friendly gatherings held in private residences are allowed in residential areas, so that means there is no requirement for a permit there. Plus, if any of the "locals" decide to host a large party/gathering at one of their own homes, they would then be violating the "quiet, residential feel" and the "tranquility" of the neighborhood they seem to value so much. But they are not really complaining specifically about Mr. Schmidt hosting parties and other such friendly gatherings....
When the "locals" do decide to host parties and such, I suppose that parking does become at least a minor issue; there just isn't enough room on any of those lots for more than two or three vehicles -- unless the "locals" don't mind having their lawns flattened and/or obliterated by parking those vehicles on the grass. Somehow, I just don't see them wanting to lower the value of their homes by turning their lawns into mudholes. And of course, with any party or social gathering where people have to travel farther than they can comfortably walk, there is going to be a "traffic problem" as well. See, one of the complaints has to do with the "potential parking problem" and "traffic problem" associated with Mr. Schmidt hosting parties and occasional social (Wiccan) gatherings at his home....
I'm looking at the Google Earth view of Greenfield Drive, in Shelton, CT...and the only house on that street that looks like it might be a "colonial" style house is set at the end of a cul-de-sac -- where parking is not really going to be a problem. If that is not Mr. Schmidt's house, and instead belongs to one of the complainers, suppose there is a large garage/yard sale held there...or a birthday party for one of the kids...or graduation party...or Halloween party...or Christmas party...or business party...or family reunion...or any number of other such social gatherings of any size, most of which are advertised in newspapers and with signs that are always posted in plain public view, gatherings which are held all over the country at all times of the year.
And the part about not wanting to have any religion shoved in their faces, well that seems a bit bogus, too. Suppose one of the "locals" decides to turn their home into a mini-shrine for the Christian religion -- complete with a cross and "Jesus Loves You" type sign on the front lawn. I suppose that would be ok with everyone....
It looks to me like those "locals", who have "nothing against Wiccan", are not worried so much about parking and traffic as they are about the ceremonies and rituals held and hosted by Mr. Schmidt. They are "worried" that with the larger porch, and handicapped access to the house, Mr. Schmidt is going to turn his home into a permanent "Wiccan temple" -- it's right there in the article.
No, it appears that they just don't want to have "that" religion in their neighborhood.
--nasionnaich
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