Kings rental needs community input

Dear Board Of Education:
Let me preface this letter by saying that I have nothing at all against Jehovah's Witnesses or any religious group. If Hollywood wanted to move their film crews in, I would feel the same way.

With that said, there are many of us very concerned about the decision to rent the Kings building to the Watchtower.

We live very close to this building and feel that we should have some say in what goes into it.

Please have an interactive meeting with the people in our community and let us be a part of the process before a decision is made. In my opinion, this building will be turned into a "commune" with people from all over the country coming to volunteer and will be living in the building.

How would we know if there are sexual predators living in the building as there is a "revolving door" of "strangers" coming in continuously?

Will they need to register when they move into the building?

Not to mention the "eye sore" that everyone was so concerned with regarding Park Elementary - Kings will become a very big "eye sore" with RV's parked on the property and people canvassing the area (as they are already and it will only get worse when they are in such a close proximity).

I spoke to a woman that has relatives that will be relocating from Brooklyn to Warwick (Kings) and she said that the Brooklyn "branch" is closing and that 1,000 people will be living on the property at Kings.

What are we prepared to do if this amount of people inhabit the building?

Not to mention the tremendous wear and tear the building will be enduring with so many people living in it.

They will also be renovating the inside of the building. Why would we want to allow this to happen?

Seems to me that with a $90 million dollar school budget - the additional money that would come from the JW certainly - does not outweigh the cons of letting them live there.

How will all of the rules of engagement be enforced with them?

Will we use the time of our local police to enforce the rules of the lease?

Will they be taking a head count?

If they stop paying their rent, would it be just as hard to get them out of the building as it is when people stop paying their rent in an apartment?

It is very hard to make people leave their dwelling - especially if children are also living in the building (which we will not be able to control).

Will the children then be enrolled in our schools without any school taxes being paid?

There are so many questions to be answered. The Grace Church will allow our community to continue to use the facility and they will not be changing the integrity of the building.

As BOE members, I believe it is your responsibility to ensure what is right for the children in our community.

It is not your job to become real estate agents with only profit in mind.

I think it is very important that the citizens have full disclosure and the right to be involved in the decision.

Take a vote!
Why not let the community decide? As this will be another decision that will be a part of each one of your legacy as a BOE member, this needs community input.

Many people I have spoken to have no idea that this is happening.

As a Warwick resident, if you are not involved in social media and do not read the local newspaper, you are out of the loop.

Kind regards,
John and Renee Basile

Warwick