Moving sale?
by AK - Jeff 9 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
-
-
Quirky1
Do I smell downsizing?
-
Quirky1
Do you think the R & F are aware of this?
-
AK - Jeff
Don't know - as none of them will speak to me.
I imagine when they become aware it will 'because Jehover is moving the organization in a positive direction in preparation for the BIG A'
Jeff
-
Quirky1
I wonder if this has anything to with the logo battle.
-
sir82
RAMAPO, N.Y. (AP) - The Jehovah's Witnesses organization may move many of its administrative offices to suburban Rockland County. The Watchtower Society has overseen its worldwide operations from Brooklyn for 100 years.
The religious group is planning an administration and residential complex in Ramapo, N.Y.
Watchtower spokesman Richard Devine says the relocation would place volunteer workers closer to the organization's printing operations in Ulster County.
Lorterdan Properties at Ramapo sold the site in February to the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York.
A public hearing is planned.
Hey guys I think this is BIG!
It certainly sounds like they are planning to shut down Brooklyn entirely - and not in the distant future.
Ramapo is just on the NY side of the NY/NJ border - in between Brooklyn and Wallkill.
Wonder what the timing is?
It seems poor old Jehovah mis-timed the real estate bubble also - he should have "spirt-directed" them to do this 5 years ago when they could have gotten top dollar for all that Brooklyn property.
-
sir82
More news of this: http://www.lohud.com/article/20090326/NEWS03/903260466
RAMAPO - The Jehovah's Witnesses are planning an administration and residential complex off Silver Mine Road where about 850 people would live and work.
The 248-acre site was intended to become an active-senior development, but the builder, Lorterdan Properties at Ramapo, sold the site in February to the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York.
A deed filed at the Rockland County Clerk's Office on Feb. 13 showed that the society paid $11.5 million.
The society plans to move many of its administrative offices from Brooklyn, where it has overseen its worldwide operations for 100 years.
850 people! Not that long ago there were well over 2000 at Brooklyn Bethel.
$11.5 million and free labor to build on it....how many billions will they rake in from selling off Brooklyn?
-
AK - Jeff
I want to know just one thing:
Why are they doing this NOW?
As pointed out, they will not get top dollar for Brooklyn buildings in today's economy. They are in the midst of decentralization of many features of the Jw life - pio apps, CO's going away, taking any ref to the central authority off of letterhead or buildings, etc.
Are they getting up from the table and getting ready to cash in the chips? There is some serious movement going on here that fails to make sense on several levels right now to me.
Jeff
-
cabasilas
Because of the poor economy the WT probably got a good price for the land in Ramapo. It's going to take a few years to get through all permissions and zoning battles and then the final building project. By that time, the property values in Brooklyn may have gone back up and it'll be a good time to sell off the Brooklyn properties, especially after the Brooklyn Bridge park is completed.
Shrewd timing on their part!
-
Mrs. Fiorini
AK - Jeff said, "They are in the midst of decentralization of many features of the Jw life - pio apps, CO's going away..."
With the difficulty in the economy, any work that can be eliminated or put onto the local congregations will eliminate the need for such a large staff and save them money. The recent combining of the book study with the KMS/SM has lessened the work load on elders so they will be in a position now to pick up the slack from headquarters.